Post-Polio and Sleep Medications
Original Post: I had polio in 1959 I was told that I had the polio vaccine and that's why I didn't have a very serious condition like many that didn't receive the vaccine. Even so, I was in the iron lung and wheelchair and then braces and crutches, now I walk with a limp. As I get older I have pains in my legs, fatigue and some shortness of breath. My doctor doesn't know anything about polio or post-polio issues. I told him about not being able to sleep well and he said I need to take a sleeping medicine. Was it possible to have had two types of polio?
I have shared many things that I get off this site and he thanks me for the information.
Dr. Bruno’s Response: I recommend finding another doctor - perhaps a rehabilitative physician/physiatrist, who will recommend a sleep study to get to the cause of your not being able to sleep before prescribing medication.
You didn't have a "very serious condition like many that didn't receive the vaccines, but were "in the iron lung and wheelchair and then braces and crutches?"
What was "serious" polio if not being in an iron lung, wheelchair and having braces and crutches?
Yes, you could have had two types of polio. Type I was the norm. But it sounds like the vaccine you did get, did not cause your body to produce antibodies to any strain. The "Salk" vaccine was not 100% effective; probably 80%-85%. There were 10,000 cases of polio in the US in 1959.