Comments about ‘One step at a time: Salt Lake City researcher records post-polio syndrome’

I guess I'm one of the 40% so far, who got polio in the 50's, no post polio syndrome yet. I wish the article had gone further, exploring what post polio syndrome is, and whether there is any treatment, or things people can do to delay its onset.

My mother had polio as a young woman and I truly wonder now whether some Dr's misdiagnose the similar symptoms of post-polio with fibromyalgia. Thank you so much for this story, it helped me understand what my mother went through for so many years before her death in 1996. It needs to be more publicized as that generation is getting older now.

I remember so well the scare that a polio epidemic would cause. I grew up in California next to rivers and the ocean. Because of its fecal/oral spread people would get it down at the "river mouth" where the river would empty into the ocean and everyone's favorite swimming hole. During epidemics the health department would close down the area.
Everyone knew someone close that came down with the disease. Some would die of the paralysis but most survived but with serious side effects. When the vaccine came out everyone showed up for the vaccine. They lined up in long lines sometimes blocks long.
For almost 4 decades now I have worked in public health around the world. I have headed vaccination programs to help eliminate dieseases. It is so frustrating when people refuse to get vaccinated or vaccinate their children. They just don't know the risk they are taking of getting these diseases. These diseases are not gone. They still lerk in the background and occationally manifest themselves via unvaccinated people.

And this is why we vaccinate. Maybe some of the anti-vax parents should spend time with these older folks.

the story didn't mention the member of the 12 who is going through this. We see him at conference as he struggles to get to his seat, or as he poses for the press on his birthday. It isn't selective about who it re-attacks, and that inclusion, even briefly, would have helped make that point.

To Mark Steel - The day before this article in the Deseret News there was an article in the New York Times that explained more about polio & Post Polio Syndrome. I am content with where I am in life & I have adapted to my circumstances. The article made me appear as if I am in bad medical condition & I am not. It would be far worse to have cancer or diabetes or many other health problems. But it is good that it is finally getting recognized for what it is & not continuing to being blamed on a lot of orthopaedic problems. It is a nerve & muscle problem, not a bone problem. And you can be sure that I believe in vaccinations. I got my polio before the polio vaccines were discovered.

I want to know if any of the people who have polio, if the could go back in time and there was a vaccine for them, would they refuse it? Knowing what they know and given the choice I think they would choose to be vaccinate. They didn't have the choice.
People please vaccinate your children! Let's not go backwards.

I am a person who is suffering from Post Polio. Still trying to remain active, but it is hard.
For more info on Post Polio, there is an organization called Post Polio Health international in St. Louis,Mo. They will give you info.
Basically our motor neurons are falling apart from over use. Instead of the old adage Use it or Lose it, we now need to Conserve to Preserve.

I had polio with rheumatic fever when I was 21/2 in 1945. At the time, I was completely paralized, in a wheel chair and doctors said I would probably die or be terribly crippled. With extensive therapy and time, the only residual evidence was a crippled right hand and arm. I worked so hard to be "normal" and did everything I was told I couldn't do including sports, typing, having 7 babies in nine years and working full time. I was so surprised when at about 50 I realized my legs were getting very weak and the pain I had always lived with was getting worse. At firset I didn't realize that it was post polio because it was effecting things other than my hand. I finally had to go on disability, much to many people's disgust, and am suffering a lot and getting weaker by the day even to having to use a walker. It's really frustrating having to admit that I am a cripple after all! I am so glad that we are hearing more about post polio and understanding it better so that others know it's not "in my head!"

I had polio at age 5 in 1952 in the big epidemic that hit California. It was not a lot of fun. I was lucky though,as it affected only one of my legs. I went through years of physical therapy and a couple of operations to transplant muscles from my ankle to my foot so that I could walk.

I have lived a pretty good life able to do almost anything, but in the last 15 years I have had increasing pain in my foot due to a lack of cartilage. The Dr. said this was typical.

My former orthopedic surgeon didn't give me any hope. He just said to not run or even walk for exercise.

But my pain kept getting worse. I finally found a solution through nutrition and now I am pain free and will not have to go to a wheel chair, which was where I was headed.

There is hope out there for people suffering with post-polio syndrome. It can come from medical doctors, therapists, and nutritionists.

That is precisely why we need a good post-polio support group in Utah.

I had polio in 1946 when I was 9 years old. The syndrome came at me in 1986. Pain,tired all the time and weakness. All of these keep getting worse. I have been told I need both knees replaced,but the surgeon said he could not replace them because I didn't have enough legs to put them in. They were worn out. Now looking at a wheel chair or scooter. I have had a good life and have learned to deal with the pain and just keep going.

I contracted polio in the 50's when I was 6 months old, affected both legs and could only walk when I was 2 years old using my atrophied legs like stilts and swinging my hips. My right foot was clubbed. was surgically corrected but since the ankle was weak it was eventually fused in my teens. I could walk unassisted in my 20's, but I realised that both my legs were weakening and could not support my weight because the knee joints could not be locked for long periods by the muscles. I used an orthopedic cane in my 30's, crutches in my 40's and now using a wheelchair. I have difficult breathing when I do quick movement. Now I know it is PPS.

However polio did not stop me from having a normal life because I had a career as a banker rising from a bank officer to president. Got married and have 2 normal sons.