POLIO: A SECOND STRIKE

Polio-a word from the past, describing a virus that few people fear today. But during the epidemics of the 30's, 40's and 50's Polio swept through the world, attacking human nerve cells, causing muscular weakness and paralysis.

We, the Polio survivors, have worked hard to lead productive lives, all the while assuming that with exercise and proper care we could at least maintain our status-quo. In fact, many of us went on with our lives as though we never had Polio, and some never told anyone (even their spouses) that they were Polio survivors. They were the "lucky" ones-those who had the non-paralytic strain.

Those of us who could stand without crutches thought the worst was over. Those of us who could work believed our stamina would see us through each day. Those of us who were srtong enough to lift ourselves into wheelchairs thought we were independent. Those of us who could breathe easily thought we had escaped the respirators, and the iron lungs.

Physicians are now seeing an increasing number of us who are beset by new problems. Possibly 75% of the estimated 1.6 million Polio survivors are experiencing the progressive debilitating after-effects, called "Post-Polio Syndrome", "Post-Polio Muscular Atropy", or "Post-Polio Sequelae".

At first, doctors thought that the explanations were simple. However, over time it has become clearer that the explanations and remedies are yet to be found. Some research is being done but more is needed. Unfortunately, the late effects of Polio are still not well known among many physicians. Survivors who develop these new problems may be told:

You're getting older;

it's arthritis;

lose a little weight;

you can't have pain in all those places;

and worst of all

it's all in your head.

We're given inappropriate prescriptions, or sent for expensive referrals. A frequent complaint is that our physicians do to listen to us.

As a first step in treatment, the Polio survivor should undergo a general medical evaluation so that there is a basis from which to judge if there are late effects. If old records can be located they may aid physicians in determining the changes that are occurring.

Early recognition, corrective procedures, and increased use of assisting devices can do much to alleviate pain and distress. A new brace may be needed (or you may need to go back into a brace after the hard-won battle to walk without one). Perhaps current crutches are damaging the arms or wrists - the arms may be wearing out from propelling a manual wheelchair. Now may be the time to switch to an electric wheelchair or to one of the three or four-wheeled motorized scooters. This will make it much easier for you to do your everyday shopping, and to enjoy life.

Most Polio survivors have been pushing beyond their actual strength, trying too hard, refusing to give in or even to acknowledge any weakness. These are things we were taught were positive things to do to compenstate or overcome our Polio residuals. Now we find that we have been over-compensating, over-achieving possible even over-medicating, (and very likely over-eating) which could lead to other problems. The old "No Pain-No Gain" rule has been changed to "Preserve it and Conserve it". We're now told to listen to our bodies and to stop when it hurts.

Since the middle 1950's after the eradication of Polio in the United States, thanks to the vaccines of Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Albert Sabin, national efforts were re-directed toward helping victimes of other illnesses. In fact, we the Polio survivor, have been all but forgotten. It is difficult today to find a physician who has had any education (other than a paragraph in a text book) or who possesses any hands-on knowledge with Polio. Many Polio survivors are unaware of the multitude of other Polios who are feeling the very same symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome that ther are experiencing.

POST-POLIO SYMPTOMS:

Unaccustomed fatigue-either muscle fatigue or a generalized body fatigue.

Weakness in musclec - both those originally affected and those though to be unaffected.

Pain in muscles and/or joints - muscle burning/jumping (jitters)/cramping.

Sleeping disorders -- exhausted upon awakening, headaches, feeling confused first thing in the morning, waking up several times during the night.

Breathing difficulties, breathless when speech, difficulties with swallowing.

Dizziness, frequent headaches.

Intolerance to cold.

Decreased endurance.

LIFE CHANGING EFFECTS OF POST-POLIO SYNDROME:

New or extended use of braces, crutches, wheelchairs, motorized scooters, respirators, and electrically operated beds.

Decreased endurance.

Participation in fewer activites.

New or longer rest periodes.

Situational anxiety/depression.

Increased dependence on family, friends or attendants.

credit: The Florida East Coast Post-Polio Support Group