Question: I am 69 and had polio in my right foot when I was 20 months old. I have had tendon transplants, heel cord lengthening surgery, and some toes fused. I wore a short leg brace following surgeries when I was eight years old at Warm Springs in Georgia. I had five children and have always been active, e.g., marched …
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Polio Survivors and H1N1
Question: I have concerns regarding the H1N1 vaccine. Are polio survivors considered an at-risk group? Answer: Based on my reading of current public health updates, people who had polio earlier in life are NOT considered ‘high-risk’ for developing H1N1 flu. I suggest that you consider receiving the vaccine when it is available to the general public, if you are a …
Polio Survivors and the Flu Vaccine
Question: Is there a definitive medical position if polio survivors should take the flu vaccine each year? Last year when I went to get the vaccine, the staff notified me that Guillain-Barré syndrome is one of the risk factors of the vaccine. Should one not take the vaccine if you have a history of paralysis? Answer: My opinion is that …
Shoulder Replacement in Polio Survivors.
Question: I have a severe rotator cuff tear and an orthopedic surgeon has recommended a shoulder replacement because of the severity of the tear and the presence of significant arthritis. I had polio in my right leg and use my left leg to lift/stabilize myself on crutches. Apparently the increased dependency has weakened my arms and, perhaps, injured them. The …
Do Those with Post-Polio Syndrome Need Higher Medication Doses?
Question: My father-in-law is 88 years old and has post-polio syndrome. He has had trouble sleeping for the past several years, and he claims that it “takes more medication for people with post-polio syndrome.” My wife is his caregiver and controls his medications so he will not overdose. What is your professional opinion? Answer: Your father-in-law is mistaken about need …
Muscle Regeneration in Polio Survivors and Bracing
Question: I am a polio survivor with PPS. Recently I began to suffer severe knee instability, but a sports medicine specialist recommended against braces, saying they would inhibit the muscles from regenerating. It seems to me that polio-atrophied muscles will not regenerate anyway and that braces would at least help to prevent collapse. Your thoughts? Answer: If your knee instability …
What is the Current Thinking on the Use of the Drug Lamotrigine for the Stabilization of PPS?
Question: What is the current thinking on the use of the drug lamotrigine for the stabilization of PPS? Is there data to show it is effective without significant side effects? It has been ordered for me by my neurologist at 100 mg twice daily. I am 81 and reluctant to start this drug as the side effects are very scary, …
Could Polio, Post-Polio, and POTS Syndrome Have Any Connection and/or Relationship?
Question: I had all three types of polio. I was paralyzed from my throat down and was unconscious. Now I am 69 years old and have been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Could polio, post-polio and POTS Syndrome have any connection and/or relationship? Answer: POTS syndrome causes the heart to race to compensate for an excessive drop of …
Do any Polio Survivors Experience Numbness in Their Affected Areas?
Question: Do you know of any polio survivors who are experiencing numbness in their affected areas? I did some physical therapy recently for about six weeks using both sides of my body to improve the strength in my unaffected leg, and noticed that my left arm (the affected side) was becoming numb and then later in the day, my left …
Could the Late Effects of Polio Cause Leg Swelling?
Question: I had polio in 1940. With treatment and exercise I was able to live a “normal” life and taught school for many years. At age 50, I started having new weakness. I am now 79 and my legs have shown greater weakness. I wear a full brace on my left leg and a short brace on my right leg. …