Post Polio with Constipation

[kati62]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome about 22 years ago. I am 62 years old and had polio at the age of 17 months old. It affected evrything but my head and my shoulders. Of course it was in my bowels. Thank God growing a liitle older, it only affected my right leg, in which I wore a brace until the age of 12. My right foot was 3 sizes smaller than my left and I couldn't put my heel down, and my leg was way smaller than the left. At the age of 12 I had surgery on my leg and foot, and as I grew up my leg seemed to catch up with the other. Although in my 20's, I fell and broke my hip and thigh in 3 places and later my ankle.....I think I did really great, being as normal as anyone else!  When the Post Polio started kicking in at the age of  40, once again the leg is noticably smaller again, and very weak, as well as the rest of my. For the past 15 years, i had been fdight cronic constipation!  I've had sigmoid and colonoscomies every year or two. I eat right, take Benefiber, I do not excersize as I stay so tired and wore out all the time. Although I had to retire years ago, I still do all my house and yard work. I wish someone could anser this question: By having the polio in my bowels at the time I first had it, and so many problems now, couldn't the post polio be affecting my bowels once again???? The ONLY way I can have a bowel movement is to take Super Colon Cleanser's! Over the past 4 months I have taken 4 bottles of 150 pills each. When I ask my Gastrinterologists about this, he....and other doctors I see, all say that I probably know more about it than they do! The gastrointeroligist did give me a prescription of Miralax, but that really hasn't really helped. I had tried several times to just eat right and pleny of fruit, but it would all end up the same....I wouldn't be able to go, sometimes for 2 weeks, so needless to say, the Quility of my Life is shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just wish I could find a doctor that knew ANYTHING about POLIO.

[MisterTimC]

I had polio in 1954 at age 3. Fortunately, I recovered quite well and had a very active life. But by age 60 I noticed that I was losing strength in my legs at an alarming rate. It took 8 years and lots of tests, but in 2018 a doctor finally agreed with my guess that I had Post-Polio Syndrome.
Yes, finding doctors who know much about polio is tough.
I have had a little trouble with constipation, but not significant. But then I've been taking 2 Fish Oil capsules and 1 Flaxseed Oil caps every day for several years and eating lots of veggies. Usually, everything slips out rather quickly.

[kvillebill]

Just found your post. Had polio at 4, and post polio about 55. Constipation is a problem for most post polio patients. My doctor prescribed lactulose, 10 grams per 15 ml. I use nothing else, and it works well for me. When I started, it took about 3-4 days to work, but now I would use nothing else. Hope this will help.

[poliofriend]

Had polio at age two.  Am now 62.  Recently started having serious problems with constipation.  Found info on Dr. Weil's website (www.drweil.com, under search for constipation) that is helping.  I was not getting enough magnesium because I've been taking calcium every day and not eating my usual good diet that included a lot of leafy greens (just moved).  Please check for yourself, but I read that Dr. Weil recommends a ratio of 1/2 magnesium to calcium.  (fyi, I started feeling generally better the second day after i started a magnesium supplement.)  He also recommends an Ayurvedic herbal supplement called Triphala. I found it at Whole Foods and also on www.amazon.com.  Both magnesium and Triphala are to be used on a regular basis (in addition to good diet, fluids, and any exercise as you can do).  For emergencies, Dr. Weil recommends using Dulcolax, which is a stool softener.  I am getting relief from these products.  For emergencies he also recommendes Rubarb Root, but I have not obtained it yet.  Hope this might help you.    

[COOKIETULLY]

HI

I had  polio since  I was fived years old.  I do not eat much because it seems like my stomach is so bloated.  I have been using some laxtives and just eating vegs.  I do not understand why our bodies do not elimitate the food.  Do you think it is due to the fact maybe our bodies in the lower portion are still some what paralized?

[COOKIETULLY]

HI

I had  polio since  I was fived years old.  I do not eat much because it seems like my stomach is so bloated.  I have been using some laxtives and just eating vegs.  I do not understand why our bodies do not elimitate the food.  Do you think it is due to the fact maybe our bodies in the lower portion are still some what paralized?

[seawithme]

The only Doctor I know of that is an expert in PPS is Dr. Richard Bruno in New Jersey.  He is the best and he has a website where you can get information;  postpolioinfo.com.  I hope that you can get some further assistance from this website.  He is an amazing person.

[Correene]

Hi ,I have the same problem as you. I had polio when I was 5 months old. Constipation has plaged my life as well. To find a doctor who can help with this is impossible.I can't have a bowel movement unless I take a bunch of laxitives.I've tried everything that has been suggested  but nothing changes.I've tried eating mega fiber but thsat doesn;t even help. You're not alone on this. Correene