No curative medication is available for post-polio syndrome. Currently, medications can be used to treat the symptoms and to improve quality of life. Certain other conditions and diseases (elevated blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancers) require use of medications with side effects that may exacerbate the general symptoms of post-polio syndrome, such as weakness and fatigue. These medications should be used, but with careful monitoring of the polio survivor’s functioning.
Several medications (such as Pyridostigmine, IGF-1, HGH, Prednisone, and others) have been investigated as a possible treatment for the symptoms of PPS but, to date, none have proven to be effective.
Medications for pain are used when rehabilitation techniques and rest do not give adequate relief. Overuse pain (see Pain) cannot be eliminated by medication, just covered up. When a true analgesic is required, whether it is as simple as acetaminophen or as strong as a narcotic, it should be taken in moderate amounts and on a schedule, not just when the pain is so severe that a higher dose is necessary. If taken together, mild antihistamines or anti-anxiety medication may make painkillers work better and at a lower dose but do have their own side effects.
Many medications such as narcotics, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, alcohol, antihistamines, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety agents, may cause drowsiness as a side effect or may increase fatigue within the general population. Polio survivors who take these medications may experience an increase in polio-related weakness and fatigue. Always check the label or ask a pharmacist or physician about the side effects.
Diuretics and laxatives may deplete the body of essential minerals required by nerves and muscles for normal functioning. Many other drugs (antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, even megadoses of some vitamins such as B6) can contribute to nerve damage. Muscle relaxants and drugs similar to them in chemical structure (quinine, quinidine, procainamide), as well as other medications used for heart or blood pressure problems (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers), may add to polio-related weakness and fatigue. Many polio survivors have refused to take cholesterol-lowering medications of the “statin” family because of a concern that they may increase polio-related muscle weakness or pain. However, many polio survivors have successfully taken these medications without any side effects. A polio survivor with previous coronary or peripheral vascular disease or at high risk of these conditions should participate in “shared decision-making” with their physicians. Polio survivors, particularly those with a lesser muscle mass, have anecdotally reported fewer and less dramatic side effects when taking a lower dose (determined through consultation with the physician) of a needed medication.
Polio survivors and their physicians should scrutinize all medications used to treat various medical problems to be assured that related conditions, such as fibromyalgia, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc., are appropriately treated, but with minimal effect on polio-related symptoms. Polio survivors are cautioned not to change essential medications without appropriate medical consultation or advice.