Is This Post-Polio?

Question: I had polio when I was a child, but for most of my life I could do pretty much anything I wanted. I traveled, had a career, raised children, visited friends. Now I’m approaching 70 years old, and starting a number of years ago, I’ve noticed that I’ve really slowed down. I can’t do many things I used to, my “good” leg is weaker, and I’m much more fatigued. I’m a bit depressed by this new state of things. Is this post-polio? Is there anything I can do?

Response from Rhoda Olkin, PhD: Dear Writer, I am with you all the way. I understand the frustration of comparing the “now” to the “used to.” At nineteen I climbed a mountain in Yosemite on crutches, 3.5 miles up, 3.5 miles down. At twenty I back-packed across the UK. In my thirties I gave birth twice.

And then … post-polio. And since then, there has been a steady decline. Now my “good” leg is weaker, I can’t go more than about 100 steps using crutches, I stopped doing wood-working once my hands seemed to slip more, and I use a wheelchair 90% of the time, having graduated from a scooter.

But I am not depressed. This is a critical piece I want to emphasize, because depression is a treatable disorder, even in the face of changes to capacity. But I don’t mean to imply that these changes are easy, because they are very, very hard. At first it seems like loss, giving up things I loved to do, having to titrate my energy expenditure carefully throughout the week, saying “no” to some invitations(e.g., friends’ houses with stairs; anything on a Friday night; most traveling).

But I do have some advice. First, rule out other medical conditions. I had low thyroid for several years, feeling like I was moving through jello, and attributing it to post-polio. But a magic little thyroid pill made me feel better. Getting a sleep study then using a C-PAP machine was another boost. So, check for other medical conditions that may be treatable. The synergy between symptoms of medical issues and polio can be debilitating.

Second, exercise. Oh my goodness, do I hate exercise. But using a wheelchair means muscles are not getting used, and so I have to walk with crutches sometimes, do push ups on the grab bars around my toilet, use a stretch band while I watch TV.

Third, lose weight if you are overweight. As I write this, I just ate some Halloween candy, so believe me, this one is a toughie. But extra weight is hard on the legs and heart and slows us down.

Fourth, replace things you can no longer do with new things you can. I took up knitting (and am lousy at it), painting and gardening in high planters rather than in the ground. What you’re looking for is the kind of activity that takes your mind away from time and into mindlessness, where an hour goes by without you noticing.

Fifth, try not to let socializing be the thing you cut. It’s tempting to say “no” when you are just too fatigued. So put social time into your calendar and cut something else so you can fit it in. You know the studies; socialization is correlated with longevity.

Sixth, take advantage of any shortcuts available. Buy ready-made; have groceries delivered; use a cleaning service once a month; put your laundry into a basket on wheels; get electric curtains; put lights on timers; have scissors, pens and paper in every room; get an automatic litterbox for your cat. Save your energy for the things that make you feel better. Of course, if scrubbing grout makes you happy, scrub away.

Seventh, talk to someone in a post-polio support group. We all really get it; you are not alone.

Post-Polio Health (Vol. 38, No. 4, Fall 2022)