Esther Salinas, (2.8.2013, Laredo, TX)- "I am a polio survivor having contracted polio in 1955 at the age of 12. I am now 69. I was almost 100% paralyzed, able to move only my fingers and hand. After receiving extensive PT at the Gonzales Warm Springs Foundation in Olin , TX for 6 months and continuing PT at home in Laredo for an additional 2 years, I regained most of my strength. I thought I was 'cured' and I then enjoyed a very active personal and professional for about 10 years.
I would then be faced with unexplained generalized pain, loss of strength, stamina and energy only
to discover after personal research that these symptoms were late effects of polio, or post polio syndrome(PPS). I was no longer able to continue with my career in education, and I was unable to make it through the workday. Today, although I am able to walk with assisted devices, I have energy and strength to be minimally active for about three hours a day, from about 11 am till about 2 pm.
The rest of my day is spent either sitting or lying down. While I am out of my home, I use an electric
scooter, or the scooters provided by some businesses.
What lies ahead concerns me as I become weaker. Currently, I am not receiving any treatment other than the prescription medication for depression, pain, sleep, HBP and elevated cholesterol. I am wondering whether PT would slow down my progressive weakness or if it would accelerate the loss of muscle strength. When I was first diagnosed with PPS, I was told I should ' conserve to preserve', i.e., conserve energy to preserve muscles. I wonder if any polio survivor who is reading this has found PT to be helpful or harmful...or whether some other treatment has proven to be helpful in either slowing down or halting the progression of your symptoms. Thank you."
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