I am a physician who has developed post-polio syndrome (PPS) in the past few years. Under the advice of a very bright colleague, a professor of neurology, I have been taking Coenzyme Q10 in high doses with some benefit. At least, I can categorically state that my PPS is “quiescent” for now, when it is usually considered a progressive condition. …
Shared peer advice from polio survivors about what works for them.
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Exercise
In 1949, I contracted polio. I was only 3 months old. From what I was told, the severity of this lasted six months. I didn’t walk until the age of 2. Before that my body was like Jell-O and I had to be carried on a pillow. I have had several surgeries on my right arm and right leg and …
Coenzyme Q10 in high doses with some benefit
I am a physician who has developed post-polio syndrome (PPS) in the past few years. Under the advice of a very bright colleague, a professor of neurology, I have been taking Coenzyme Q10 in high doses with some benefit. At least, I can categorically state that my PPS is “quiescent” for now, when it is usually considered a progressive condition. …
Feldenkrais Therapy helps me
I am a polio survivor who has a brilliant Feldenkrais Therapist who is also a certified physical therapist. She is able to help me move more easily and efficiently. Feldenkrais Therapy is very hard to explain, but basically, I try to use many other muscles to make up for the ones that don’t work well. This leads to fatigue of …
Anodyne therapy and L-Arginine
I am undergoing a series of Anodyne therapy treatments, usually used to treat peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients. While I do not have neuropathy, I do have impaired circulation in my left leg due to having contracted polio 52 years ago. My leg is typically cyanotic, cold and brutally uncomfortable in winter months. After two treatments I was able to …
Heart Stress Test
I had my heart stress test this morning and everything went well because the health care team was very willing to accommodate my disability. They explained everything that they were doing and what they would do if I got into trouble. They also allowed me to tell them how I needed to make my transfers and to help only when …
Post-polio and Osteoporosis
I am not sure how many polio survivors, especially men, are aware of the relationship between post-polio and osteoporosis. This connection has been brought to my attention when a colleague of mine, also suffering from post-polio, fell and broke his femur. The major cause was osteoporosis. Following his suggestion, I had a bone density scan, and sure enough my density …
In Memoriam: Hugh Gallagher (1932-2004)
Hugh Gallagher, a member of PHI’s Honorary Board, died July 13 at the age of 71. Gallagher contracted polio in 1952 while attending college. He received rehabilitation services at the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation where he met former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. A disability rights activist and historian, Gallagher was acclaimed for his 1985 biography, FDR: The Splendid Deception, about …
Gertrud Weiss Receives the German Award of Merit
In March, Gertrud Weiss, Honorary Board member of Post-Polio Health International, received the German Award of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) from Federal President Johannes Rau for her service to polio survivors. The Bundesverdienstkreuz is the sole state award of merit given by the Federal Republic of Germany. Gertrud was very active in the Bundesverband Polio e.V in its early development and wrote …
Ála Wokoun: Czech Polio Survivor’s Trilogy
Polio Association of the Czech Republic (www.polio.cz) has published a biographic trilogy sponsored by the Czech Ministry of Culture. The author of the three Czech paperbacks, Mr. Ála (Alois) Wokoun was affected by polio in 1945 when he was 19. The trilogy has not been published in English, but the basic author’s English biography from the year of his paralysis …