but I hesitated going to the doctor. I can't seem to find one who knows about the residuals of polio who will consider that when diagnosing the pain I was having. Finally on Wednesday I became desperate (every time I tried to stand.....I hurt) and went to my local Walk In Clinic. I had to wait three hours! The doctor I saw was my MD who I'd been seeing for past problems since about 2004. He's fairly young, in his middle thirties but yet he has seemed to be open to understanding my condition.

It's always hard for me to describe the pain I feel. I told him I wore a corset/back brace when I first caught polio but he didn't say anything. I told him of the stiffness I've felt in my neck for the past few years, but yet I feel I can live with it. I also told him, "The pain, discomfort is in my lower back, just above the backbone. It's a pressure and a tight feeling." He had little to say other than, "James I'm going to have you take Celebrex and Skelaxin. I suspect you may have arthritis. I want to have an X-Ray done of your lower back (lumbar)." As I left his office I felt unsure of his treatment but two days later I felt no pain in my neck and less in my lower back. As I write this post, I feel a "little" discomfort in my lower back but other wise I feel good for the first time in a long time. I'll keep you all posted. I go Monday (January 15, 2007) for the X-Ray.

 

There is nothing more rewarding in my life than to see the success of others in beating this deadly addiction.
To give is to receive, to receive is to give.
James aka BubbaJames

James, I really feel for you. I, too, suffer from horrible lower back pain. In fact, my pain kicked in again last Thursday. By Monday morning when I actually got to see my doctor, is was sure I had a kidney infection. Not only was by lower back hurting, but I had stabbing pains in my right side. Imagine my surprise when she said all it was (ALL, mind you)was my post-polio syndrome!
I'm not sure what's worse-having this darned PPS or having every ache and pain I have attributed to PPS. I left my doctor's office with no medicine and no help at all for this excruciating pain.
Just a note: My neurologist (whom I did not see this week) is very UP on Post-Polio Sequelae and he has me on muscle relaxers for severe spasms. We are currently changing my meds around to see what works better. Good luck to you,my friend. Laura

seeing your post made my day! My back hasn't bothered me since about a week after taking those meds which I'm not having to take at this time. I did go for the x-ray but never heard from the doctor. I do have a filled precription just in case the back pain starts up again.

I had something to happen to me this past Friday that scared me pretty bad. At work we had a meeting in our Fine Arts Building (a college) and I decided to take the steps as I've done in years past. This time though, as I grabbed the hand rail and lifted my leg......I found I could not lift it more than 3 inches (the steps were about 6 inches). I managed to stop up to one step but had to back down as I felt I could not make the other ten or so. I'm 51 now and I've been working for nearly 27 years at my local community college. I want very much to make my 30 years for an early retirement but it's getting harder and harder to get up mornings and put in those 8 hour days.........but I'm gonna keep trying...I'll NOT let polio get the best of me!

Are you still having trouble with PPS?