From: SHARPBH@appstate.edu (Bobby Sharp)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Post-Polio Syndrome Info Requested
Date: 27 Aug 92 15:24:15 GMT
Reply-To: SHARPBH@appstate.edu (Bobby Sharp)
Organization: APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Index Number: 23994

In <23950@handicap.news>

text deleted

> has had both the Sabin, and the Salk vacinations as an infant,
> she has been told it is possible she contracted a mild case
> of Polio as a baby, which was treated as simply a bad cold or
> flu, and then 30+ years later started to suffer long term
> consequences.
>    She is curious to hear from others who may know about Post-
> Polio symptoms, the progression of the disease, and just general
> coping with her body's new limitations.
>    Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
>
> Jill

An increasing amount of information is becoming available about Post-Polio
Sequalae (PPS), also sometimes referred to as post-polio syndrome.  Here
are some points extracted from literature:

--At least 66% of the 1.6 million Americans living today who had poliomyelitis
are reporting debilitating new symptoms - overwhelming fatigue, muscle
weakness and pain.

--Physical overexertion is the most common cause of PPS, with psychological
stress as the second most frequent cause.

--Motor neurons in the spinal cord that survived the original polio infection
have been overworking for around 30 years to compensate for the neurons killed
by the polio virus.

--The stress hormone cortisol prevents neurons from using glucose, which is
their only energy source, thus starving overworked spinal cord motor neurons
and causing them to function poorly.

--PPS typically occurs 30-35 years following the original onset of polio.

--General fatigue is the most common complaint, followed by muscle aching,
weakness, cramping, "jumping," and joint deformities.

--Increased weariness and tiredness is usually the first symptom observed,
with complaints of being exhausted by mid-day.

--Difficulties may be experienced in usual daily activities such as stair
climbing, walking, and dressing.

--Endurance decreased for repetitive tasks.

--Very cold extremities, predominantly those that showed clinical weakness
during the original infection, are almost always seen.

--The symptoms involving the muscles are triggered by by strenuous physical
activities, exercise, repetitive tasks, factory work, or household work.

--Several weeks may be required to recover from a bout, and recovery can only
be accomplished by rest.

--Some simple but very important guidelines for coping with PPS are:
	1.  Avoid stressful activities that may be causing the symptons.
	    What is "stressful" will vary with each person, but if you are
	    experiencing prolonged fatigue after an activity, either cut
	    back on this activity or modify your daily routine.

	2.  Avoid high repetition/high resistance exercises.  If you are
	    experiences weakness, DO NOT begin an exercise program to
	    "strengthen" these muscles.  If strengthening exercises are
	    to be recommended, isometrics have been shown to be the most
	    useful.

	3.  Pay more attention to your life-style.  This may entail
	    modifying activities, stopping them altogether, or pacing
	    yourself during the day.

	4.  Learn to better manage stress.  "Going the extra mile" may not
	    be advisable.  Adopting a more prudent life-style can be one
	    of the most important actions one can take.

	5.  Get a complete medical evaluation.  If you think you may be
	    experiencing PPS, it is recommended that a complete medical
	    evaluation be obtained.  A team of specialists--physician
	    specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists,
	    respiratory specialists--can offer the most comprehensive
	    evaluation and appropriate treatment.

A quarterly newsletter, Polio Network News, as well as a Handbook on the
Late Effects of Poliomyelitis for Physicians and Survivors can be obtained
from:

	Gazette International Networking Institute
	4502 Maryland Avenue
	St. Louis, MO  63198

In addition, a number of PPS Support Groups have been established around the
US to provide information about PPS and to raise funds to assist persons
who are experiencing PPS.

PPS is a very serious threat to many polio survivors who have worked very
hard, physically and emotionally, to cope with the effects of antecedent
poliomyelitis.  We face the very real possibility of becoming disabled for
a second time by the same disease.

Bobby Sharp
Boone, NC