MAPPSG
Organized
JULY 1995 		POST-POLIO SUPPORT
on the
Alabama-Florida-Mississippi Gulf Coast 		PPPSG
Organized
MARCH 2000

     

We applaud New Jersey
and Dr. Bruno

NEW JERSEY DISTRIBUTES POLIO WARNING CARD


Wallet-sized card warns of anesthesia dangers in polio survivors and educates about Post-Polio Sequelae.

Englewood, NJ (1/04/10): The New Jersey Department of Health has printed 10,000 wallet-sized cards with vital information on anesthesia dangers in polio survivors and on Post-Polio Sequelae, the disabling condition affecting New Jersey’s 50,000 polio survivors. Created by Dr. Richard Bruno, Director of the International Centre for Post-Polio Education and Research at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, the yellow, double-sided card was suggested by the Ocean County post-polio support group to comply with New Jersey Senator Loretta Weinberg’s 2004 “Post-Polio Sequelae Public Awareness” bill.

"Doctors have forgotten about North America’s nearly two-million survivors of the polio epidemics of the 1940s and 1950s," said Dr. Bruno, who is also chairperson of the International Post-Polio Task Force. “Because of damage the poliovirus did to the stem of the brain, polio survivors are easily sedated and often get too much anesthesia.” Bruno has seen polio survivors end up on a ventilator in intensive care after minor surgery or even a colonoscopy.

The New Jersey DOH card features a prominent, red “ANESTHESIA WARNING!” and lists easy sedation and difficulty breathing and swallowing as problems that can be avoided by using lower doses of anesthetics in polio survivors. The card also lists increased sensitivity to cold and pain as problems in polio survivors.

"The poliovirus kills neurons in the brain and spinal cord that produce the body’s own morphine," Dr. Bruno explained. Dr. Bruno’s research has found that polio survivors are twice as sensitive to pain as those who didn’t have polio. He recommends a general rule of thumb for treating polio survivors—"The Rule of 2": two times the usual amount of pain medication for two times as long, and the usual amount of anesthesia divided by two.

"All doses of medication must be adjusted for individual polio survivors," Dr. Bruno cautioned. "And, polio survivors should never have same-day surgery because of excessive sedation from even appropriate doses of anesthesia."

POST-POLIO SEQUELAE ALSO LISTED

The flip side of the DOH card lists the “late-effects of polio," called Post-Polio Sequelae, overwhelming fatigue, muscle weakness, muscle and joint pain, sleep disorders, cold intolerance and breathing and swallowing difficulties that can develop in mid-life.

"Doctors are also unaware of Post-Polio Sequelae, or say that they 'don’t believe' in PPS," said Dr. Bruno. "PPS is very real and very treatable if polio survivors reduce the 'overuse-abuse’ of their remaining, overworked poliovirus-damaged neurons."

More information about anesthesia concerns and Post-Polio Sequelae can be found at PostPolioInfo.com 		     
MOBILE AREA POST-POLIO SUPPORT GROUP
 meets the 4th Saturday each month
except November & December at 1 pm
West Regional Branch Mobile Public Library 		PENSACOLA POST-POLIO SUPPORT GROUP
meets the 3rd Saturday every month
at 10 am Baptist Towers Lobby
1717 North E and Avery Streets, Pensacola, Florida

Notes from the MAPPSG Meetings

October Meeting - Patsy Adams reporting

October 24, 2009, a cold wet day was to blame for an attendance of only nine at the Mobile Area Post-Polio Support Group. Clara Norsworthy had phoned that she was not feeling well and could not make the meeting.

A wide variety of subjects were discussed. One member was looking for a place to make braces. Dr. Peach had recommended another member begin using a power chair. Another was looking for a Neurologist in Mobile. One member presented a paper on the advances in surgical procedures with smaller incision and quicker recovery time. One member was preparing to attend a Halloween where the guests were encouraged to come in costume. Can’t wait to hear “the rest of this story.”

Attendance
Patsy Adams ~ Sylvia Bern ~ Betty Driscoll ~ John Driscoll ~ Julie Ford ~ Rus Ford ~ Charles Gollott ~ Larry Ready ~ Ed Weller

Christmas Party - Patsy Adams reporting

Banana Docks welcomed MAPPSG for the annual Christmas dinner on December 12, 2009. There was a surprisingly good attendance in spite of another cold wet day. Laurence Byrd and Charles Gollott had phoned regrets because of the rainy cold day. Sylvia Bern was out of town with siblings for holidays. The warmth of the fellowship and good food made it a delightful occasion for those who did brave the weather. Many remarks were made regarding those who were absent.

Attendance
Patsy Adams ~ James Cheeseboro ~ Norceita Cheeseboro ~ Betty Driscoll ~ John Driscoll ~ George Fassig ~ Joann Fassig ~ Julie Ford ~ Rus Ford ~ Carolyn Jones ~ Leland Jones ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Carol Weller ~ Ed Weller

Notes from the PPPSG Meetings

October Meeting

Very often it must seem our meetings, as reported here, are the same month after month. Not so! Each month there are different needs and new solutions presented. If there is no solution to a new need, it sends us away thinking and seeking. Our group is an exemplary group. We are welcoming non judgmental people. No one understands the unique needs of polio survivors better than those who have struggled though phases.

We are ever grateful to Baptist Towers which allows us to meet in the lobby. While the area does not have appear to have the privacy of a closed room, it is symbolic of our group. It is open, welcoming and with easy come and easy go.

This was our last meeting for 2009. It was decided to not meet in November because the date falls relatively near the Christmas Party planned for December 5.

Attendance
George Dethlefs ~ Lee Dethlefs ~ Pat Kaderly ~ Ron Kaderly ~ Nowlin Keener ~ Cliff Martin ~ Kay Martin ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Gail Page ~ TM Stanfield ~ Mary Warneck

Christmas Party

A jolly group of twelve gathered for our Christmas Party on December 5th. The traditional game of Naughty Santa ended with everyone in possession of a gift, some our heart’s desire, others not exactly what we would have wished for ourselves but a good time was had by all.

Attendance
Bill Bridenbrack ~ Tommie Bridenbrack ~ Chereyl Cooper ~ Gayle Cooper ~ George Dethlefs ~ Lee Dethlefs ~ Theresa Inge ~ Charlie Murphy ~ Jim Neil ~ Shirley Neil ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ TM Stanfield ~ Mary Warneck

Contact for additional information
 e-mail Vera Moore
Contact for additional information
 e-mail Leigh Dethlefs

These Post-Polio Supports Groups are supported by
Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast
In Mobile - Chara Brown ~ 251-471-1581 ~ chara@gesgc.org
In Pensacola - Liz Cravatt ~ 850-434-0032 ~ liz@gesgc.org
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This page last updated January 14, 2010

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