Physical Activities (Exercise) and PPS Symptoms
Original Post: I had a sudden and dramatic drop in function in a short period of 3-4 months (during which I did not pace myself and allowed myself to get very overtired). The symptoms are typical of PPS (fatigue etc), which I had mildly before, but the neurologists say there's been no drop in nerve function, so it's not PPS.
Dr. Bruno’s Response: Whatever the neurologists mean by "no drop in nerve function" (whether measured by an EMG or not) is NOT a predictor of PPS symptoms. But, 3-4 months of not pacing yourself and getting very overtired IS a predictor of fatigue and muscle weakness!
To identify when you're not pacing yourself and you're getting overtired, fatigued and weaker, here is the polio survivors Daily Fatigue Log. It is a pain to do, I know. However, at The Post-Polio Institute we found it to be the single most effective tool for polio survivors to uncover the relationship between activities and symptoms. For example, the logs uncovered “The 3-Day Lag” for PPS symptoms: You shop till you drop on Monday, feel just fine Tuesday and then can't get out of bed on Wednesday. After more than 40 years, I still don't know why that happens, but we never would have known about the “lag” without the logs.
One part of the log is measuring your steps with a pedometer or even your smart phone. After compiling data from more than 500 Post-Polio Institute patient logs, we found that 1,500 was the average number of steps that would not cause symptoms. Your number may be higher or lower depending on your activities, abilities and symptoms. But it’s only through the log that you’ll know how many steps is your limit.
Additional Post: The daily log certainly helped me learn how to manage my PPS. Prior to treatment The Post-Polio Institute, I had been losing 8 to 10 percent of the muscle strength in my legs and arms every year. I haven’t had any muscle strength loss in 5 years by using the log to listen to my body and watch my steps. The Post-Polio Institute program taught me that I can lead a productive life and manage my PPS.
The log is available for easy printing, under the topic: “Fatigue Log” in the Index of the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS.