Do I have post polio syndrom(syndrome)?

[Huda-Al-Abdulali]

    
      Re: Do I have post polio syndrom (syndrome)?
    


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Posted by CCF Neuro MD *!* on November 17, 1997 at 20:42:22:

In Reply to: Do I have post polio syndrom (syndrome)? posted by Huda Al-Abdulaali on November 11, 1997 at 02:18:27:

: Hello,
  I am a 34 years old female. I weight 125 pounds. I have no health problems and never had any surgery. I had polio in my right leg when I was 11 months old. I had it 5-6 days after taking the oral polio vaccine OPV in 1964. I had no feelings in my right leg at all till the age of five. At the age of five my thigh was broken and since that time I have feeling in my leg completely equal to the left leg.  Over the years I’ve noticed that my thigh and hip muscles are improving.  Lately, around 6 months ago, I feel that my right hand is weak especially the right thump. The pain started in my right wrist while using the computer,  then the pain and weakness moved to the right thump.  When I use my hand I feel the weakness spreads to my elbow then move to my shoulder.  My weakness and pain have been diagnosed as post polio syndrome.
  I would greatly appreciate your suggestions and recommendation regarding my condition!
  If you have any questions please feel free to send me an e-mail at ***@****  or  ***@****.
  
  Thanks in advance,
  Huda
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This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.
From the information you provide your symptoms do not sound typical of the syndrome known as post-polio syndrome.  Usually post polio syndrome , comes on 30-40 years after the initial infection and only affects the  limb or limbs which were involved in the initial attack.
Since you describe symptoms which are  mainly sensory , in your right arm, which was not involved in the initial attack  you do not fit the profile of post -polio syndrome.
Your symptoms are however somewhat suggestive of  carpal tunnel syndrome, and this could be clarified by an EMG examination.
The EMG is more difficult to interpret in people who have had polio in the past but it should be possible to distinguish post polio from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Should you wish to follow through with this, to clarify the issue, the EMG lab in the Cleveland Clinic has extensive experience in this area and an appointment can be made by calling [phone].