Post-Polio Syndrome – Part 3

Anonymous
September 3, 2006 at 11:52 am

“How is PPS treated?

“There are currently no effective pharmaceutical or specific treatments for the syndrome itself. However, a number of controlled studied have demonstrated that nonfatiguing exercises can improve muscle strength.

“Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have tried treating PPS patients with alpha-2 recombinant interferm but the treatment proved ineffective. Another study in which PPS patients received high does of prednisone demonstrated a mild improvement in their condition, but the results were not statistically significant.

“In an effort to reduce fatigue, incerease strength and improve quality of life in PPS patients, scientists conducted two controlled studies using low does of the drug psyridostigmine (Mestinon). These studies showed that pyridostigmine is not helpful for PPS patients. In another controlled study, scientists concluded that the drug amantadine is not helpful in reducing fatigue. And other researchers evaluated the effectiveness of modifinil (Provigil) in reducing fatigue and found no benefit.

“Preliminary studies indicate that intravenous immunoglobin may reduce pain, increase quality of life, and improve strength. Research into its use is ongoing.”

Regards,
Marge