Post-Polio related to other conditions [Catalogue - Lincolnshire Post-Polio Library]

Catalogue

Post-Polio related to other conditions

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Fibromyalgia Is Common in a Postpoliomyelitis Clinic
The Late Effects of ME - Can They Be Distinguished From The Post-Polio Syndrome?
Post-Polio and Post-M.E. - New book furthers polio hypothesis

Title: Fibromyalgia Is Common in a Postpoliomyelitis Clinic

Author(s): Daria A. Trojan, MD, MSc, Neil R. Cashman, MD
Original Publication: The Archives of Neurology June 1995 Volume 52 620-624
Abstract/Extract:

Objective: To determine prospectively the occurrence and clinical characteristics of fibromyalgia in patients serially presenting to a postpolio clinic. Fibromyalgia may mimic some of the symptoms of postpoliomyelitis syndrome, a disorder characterized by new weakness, fatigue, and pain decades after paralytic poliomyelitis.

Design: Case series.

Setting: A university-affiliated hospital clinic.

Patients: One hundred five patients were evaluated with a standardized history and physical examination during an 18-month period. Ten patients were excluded because of the absence of past paralytic poliomyelitis.

Interventions: Patients with fibromyalgia were treated with low-dose, nighttime amitriptyline hydrochloride or other conservative measures.

Main Outcome Measures: Patients with fibromyalgia had diffuse pain and 11 or more of 18 specific tender points on examination (American College of Rheumatology criteria, 1990). Patients with borderline fibromyalgia had muscle pain and five to 10 tender points on physical examination.

Results: Ten (10.5%) of 95 postpolio patients met the criteria for fibromyalgia, and another 10 patients had borderline fibromyalgia. All patients with fibromyalgia complained of new weakness, fatigue, and pain. Patients with fibromyalgia were more likely than patients without fibromylagia to be female (80% vs 40%, P<.04) and to complain of generalized fatigue (100% vs 71%, P=.057), but were not distinguishable in terms of age at presentation to clinic, age at polio, length of time since polio, physical activity, weakness at polio, motor strength scores on examination, and the presence of new weakness, muscle fatigue, or joint pain. Approximately 50% of patients in both the fibromyalgia and borderline fibromyalgia groups responded to low-dose, nighttime amitriptyline therapy.

Conclusions: (1) Fibromyalgia occurs frequently in a postpolio clinic. (2) Fibromyalgia can mimic some symptoms of postpoliomyelitis syndrome. (3) Fibromyalgia in postpolio patients can respond to specific treatment.

Title: The Late Effects of ME - Can They Be Distinguished From The Post-Polio Syndrome?: Author(s): Dr. E.G. Dowsett MBChB, Dip Bact.
Original Publication: Originally a Presentation to the All Party Group of MPs on ME/PPS on 31st January 2001.
This Lincolnshire Post-Polio Library Publication February 2001.
Abstract/Extract: Few people would dispute that ME (Myalgic encephalomyelitis), an illness which blights the hopes and aspirations of all sufferers, especially the young, is denied equal treatment in respect of diagnostic facilities, medical coverage and welfare provision. Comparable chronic and unpredictably disabling neurological conditions, for example Multiple Sclerosis, which was formerly ascribed to "hysteria" and similarly neglected, now receive government recognition, facilities within the NHS, and more generous research funding - though the potential cost of effective treatment can still arouse bitter debate. This paper discusses the following: What is ME?; What are the late effects of ME?; Which group of ME sufferers are chiefly at risk of the late effects?; What is the Post-polio syndrome?; Suggested new criteria for the diagnosis and assessment of the post-polio syndrome; Is it possible that many patients diagnosed as having me are sufferers from an illness clinically identical to "non-paralytic" polio?; Is it necessary to differentiate between the late effects of ME and the Post-polio syndrome?; What is the evidence that the late effects of me and the post-polio syndrome can be caused by enteroviruses other than polio viruses 1-3?; How may symptoms of the late effects of ME and Polio be explained?

Title: Post-Polio and Post-M.E. - New book furthers polio hypothesis: Author(s): Jane Colby
Original Publication: The CFIDS Chronicle - Fall 1996
Abstract/Extract: The following is an excerpt from the recently published book M.E. The New Plague by Jane Colby, a former school principal turned writer and researcher. The book, reviewed on page 55, uncovers strong evidence that myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E., the British term for CFIDS) is a type of polio which has, by historical accident, been given another name. Jane warns that we are repeating the mistakes of the past, which have led to further illness in polio survivors decades later. She also includes a risk factor list, survivors' lifestyle checklist, schools guidelines, comparisons of M.E. with school phobia and a chapter on psychological survival. Jane interviewed numerous experts including Dr. Richard Bruno, a post-polio researcher at the Kessler Institute in New Jersey.
Dr. Richard Bruno, whose research into post-polio conditions is sometimes quoted in support of a connection between Polio and CFS/ME, clarifies his position in Polio and CFS/ME - Dr. Bruno's response to people who write about "poliovirus causing CFS".

NOTES

It is the intention of the Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network to make all the information we collect available regardless of our views as to it's content. The inclusion of a document in this library should not therefore be in any way interpreted as an endorsement.

People who had polio and are experiencing new symptoms need to be assessed by medical professionals who are experienced in Post-Polio to determine what is wrong and to give correct advice. We can only make these documents available to you. YOU must then take what you believe to be relevant to the medical professional you are seeing. We are collecting and collating everything we can to enable medical professionals to make informed decisions. Other medical conditions must be looked for first, Post-Polio Syndrome is by diagnosis of exclusion.

Whether you are a Polio Survivor, a friend or relation of a Polio Survivor, or a Medical Professional, we would advise you use this catalogue only to assist in determining your reading priorities. Every article in this library is likely to contain information of interest to both Polio Survivors and Medical Professionals.

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The Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network takes great care in the transcription of all information that appears at this site. However, we do not accept liability for any damage resulting directly or otherwise from any errors introduced in the transcription. Neither do we accept liability for any damage resulting directly or otherwise from the information available at this site. The opinions expressed in the documents available at this site are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily constitute endorsement or approval by the Lincolnshire Post-Polio Network.

Document preparation: Chris Salter, Original Think-tank, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Primary Document Reference: <URL:http://www.ott.zynet.co.uk/polio/lincolnshire/library/cc_4.html>
Secondary Document Reference: <URL:http://www.zynet.co.uk/ott/polio/lincolnshire/library/cc_4.html>
Last modification: 7th January 2002
Last information content change: 19th February 2001