Question: I had polio at age three. I am now 67 years old. I have no movement from my waist down. I have severe scoliosis with a 95° curve. I have had two spinal fusions. I now have post-polio syndrome. I am so tired. I cannot seem to transfer or function as I have before. I sleep for much of …
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Dealing with Post-Polio Pain and Fatigue
Question: In your most recent column, you referred with clarity about new pain and fatigue that many polio survivors are experiencing. I have had the same symptoms for 12 years or so, but never with the same intensity and to the same degree as I do now. I am 74 years old and contracted polio in 1952 at age four. …
Could Continuing New Muscle Pains After COVID-19 Infection Be Associated with Post-Polio?
Question: I am a polio survivor, age 76, in good health, active, and still working as an RN (not in hospital). I suspect I might have had COVID-19 in late January, with mild symptoms lasting only a few days—no fever but felt weak, fatigued, had a mild sore throat and a dry cough at the end. I was surprised since …
Managing Fatigue and Poor Balance
Question: I am now age 89 and am plagued by extreme tiredness with sleepiness/drowsiness and terrible balance issues. My history includes a triple arthrodesis of the right ankle with a tendon transfer. My polio in 1947 was treated with the Sister Kenny Treatment—can still smell the hot, steamy wool blankets. I try to do some mostly stretching exercises and wonder …