Post Polio Syndrome
I received a tentative diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome from a Mayo Clinic doctor in the last 10 years and have subsequently seen local neurologists. I had head/neck polio when I was about 10 years old and am now an active 84 year old female. I have a pronounced curvature of the spine and lost my sense of smell and taste about 5 years ago. I have foot and leg pain that wakes me up multiple times at night, but rarely experience pain during the day. Many pharmaceuticals have been prescribed from which there is no relief, nor has there been any improvement from physical therapy.
One hypothesis I have read regarding the pain is that the polio virus is transmitted via muscle to nerve cells, a percentage of which become damaged. The surviving nerve cells do yeoman's work and "wear out" prematurely. If this hypothesis is correct or even if it is off base, can I expect an ever increasing painful experience for which nothing, short of strong pain relievers, can be suggested? I do not take any medication for pain.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System group.
I am empathetic as I too have tremors probably caused from the PPS I am recently experiencing. I suddenly cannot stand, walk and am living in bed with diapers. Has anyone found relief?
Swimming helped long ago but I haven't access to a pool.
Hi @annisobel123, Did you see the reply to your discussion by @hopeful33250 here? – https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/641126/. She shared another discussion started by @bruce0712 that you might find helpful.
Essential tremors and post polio syndrome and agent orange exposure: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/essential-tremors-and-post-polio-syndrome-and-agent-orange-exposure/