Shared peer advice from polio survivors about what works for them.

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News about people who have made significant contributions to the disability community.

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Anesthesia

Brian Tiburzi

Modern anesthesia has become extremely safe, but many survivors fear it because of reports of problems during and after anesthesia. Potential problems include a greater sensitivity to the paralyzing drugs (muscle relaxants), possible need for mechanical ventilation after surgery, and pain problems after surgery. All survivors, especially those with a history of respiratory involvement, need to tell their surgeon and …

Breast Reduction Surgery?

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, Volume 28, Number 3, Summer 2012 Ask Dr. Maynard Frederick M. Maynard, MD Question: I had polio in 1948, and I am now 65. Adapting was less difficult due to the helpful information gathered at support group meetings. However, I am not finding information or answers that address this issue: Has breast reduction and surgical reduction of abdominal fat …

Frightened of Cortisone and Surgery

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, Volume 29, Number 2, Spring 2013 Ask Dr. Maynard Frederick M. Maynard, MD Question: Several years ago my right ankle muscles gave out after a cortisone shot. I wear a brace to steady this leg. Now, after two bad falls, my left hip will need replacement. My current orthopedic physician wanted to give me a cortisone shot, and I …

Rotator Cuff Surgery

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, Volume 27, Number 3, Summer 2011 Ask Dr. Maynard Frederick M. Maynard, MD 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 …

Cortisone? Surgery?

Brian Tiburzi

Post-Polio Health, Volume 29, Number 2, Spring 2013 Ask Dr. Maynard Frederick M. Maynard, MD Question: Several years ago my right ankle muscles gave out after a cortisone shot. I wear a brace to steady this leg. Now, after two bad falls, my left hip will need replacement. My current orthopedic physician wanted to give me a cortisone shot, and I …

More on the Mayo Clinic Study of Anesthesia in Post-Polio Patients

Brian Tiburzi

Selma H. Calmes, MD, anesthesiologist (retired), Olive View/UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, California A recent Post-Polio Health article reported on the first scientific study of polio patients having anesthesia for major surgery. (1) The study was done at the Mayo Clinic and compared each post-polio (PP) patient to two control patients of the same age with the same severity of preoperative illnesses and having similar …

What to do about a bursa?

Brian Tiburzi

In mid-August 2016, I bumped my right elbow on the bar of my wheelchair, and it hurt a lot for a few days. But it wasn’t till late September that I developed a bursa. The nurse practitioner at our doctor’s office drained it, but it filled back up. When I went there the following week she didn’t want to drain …

Anesthesia Specifics for PPS

Brian Tiburzi

Selma Calmes, MD, (ret) anesthesiologist 1. Post-polio patients are nearly always very sensitive to sedative meds, and emergence can be prolonged. This is probably due to central neuronal changes, especially in the Reticular Activating System, from the original disease. 2. Non-depolarizing muscle relaxants cause a greater degree of block for a longer period of time in post-polio patients. The current …