Customer Reviews

The Polio Paradox: Understanding and Treating "Post-Polio Syndrome" and Chronic Fatigue

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My husband brought this book home from the newspaper, where they had put out on a table all the books that a variety of publishers had sent them hoping to have their books read by a reviewer. I am no newspaper reviewer, and I never had polio. But I've been interested in post-polio syndrome ever since I went into medical school and read some historical books on Salk, and papers on the re-emergence of problems for those people who had been exposed to polio. As someone who had rubella and who as a member of an internation deaf/HOH group where many had rubella, I can see significant similarities between post-polio and the possibility of latent impact of the rubella virus. So when my husband brought this book home, I read it.

I am always a little hesitant when doctors or Ph.D.s put many different diseases under an umbrella of one cause or one virus. This happened too much when AIDS emerged, and it continues to happen with diseases such as Chronic Fatigue syndrome. I did some checking into the papers of these guys and also the actual 'place' where Bruno helps those with post-polio (though it seems that there are current problems with their website and maybe the association of this group with the current medical establishment). If the information in this book is of worth, it is because not that all these diseases and problems are from the same cause (the polio virus), but rather because they are all manifestations of latent viral damage that can be taken care of in some of the same ways that Bruno suggests.

It is very apparent that most polio survivors, and indeed, many survivors of childhood illnesses tend to overdo and overuse their muscles and their neurons in order to make up for the deficits caused by their polio. It is also sensible that polio left so few motor neurons, that when a survivor makes it to forty years and they've been dependent upon a few remaining motor neurons and overworked them, that those neurons finally just give out. This has obviously been checked and rechecked in medical journals (the book gives the actual papers applicable in the back of the book so people can read them for themselves.)

I don't know if all of Bruno's tricks or suggestions will work. He is a humorous writer, one that can explain scientific information without being condescending. Some of the information he gives is just plain common sense. Some of the information needs to be drummed into the heads of polio survivors just because they keep trying so hard and in the process damage themselves more.

This is a worth-while self-help book for this group, and I strongly encourage those with polio to give it a glance. It may help, and it certainly cannot hurt.

Karen Sadler
Science Education,
University of Pittsburgh

Here is a book that tells the truth about PPS and in so doing frees us polio survivors to move from dis-abled to enabled. THE POLIO PARADOX is outstanding, advising and supporting polio survivors experiencing PPS. Dr. Bruno has written a remarkable work which reveals the full extent of the damage done by the polio virus and goes on to detail the physical and psychological traumas suffered by those who contracted the disease. The author's warmth and compassion shines throughout the book and will leave readers feeling cared about and empowered to help themselves cope with the symptoms of PPS. With great clarity Bruno dispels the confusion surrounding this sequel to polio and suggests a comprehensive treatment plan that will encourage and inform not only polio survivors, but also anyone experiencing neurological problems, including chronic fatigue.

Dr. Bruno's style of writing has humor and wit that makes his book easy to read and so interesting it is impossible to put down! It truly is the bible of polio survivors. Finally understanding what has happened to your body and learning your physical symptoms, that no doctor has ever been able to really treat, is the result of polio comes almost as a welcome relief. Polio survivors can begin to feel empowered as they learn how to manage their symptoms and rejoice as pain begins to melt away. You will want to read and reread as it is impossible to absorb the wealth of knowledge Dr. Bruno shares in his book. Buy several copies, one for every doctor you know and one for your family. All persons suffering from conditions of muscle weakness and fatigue will be empowered by Dr. Bruno.

Dr. Bruno's book is amazing! It explains the how and why and what to do about PPS fatigue, weakness and pain. Even insomnia and what we should eat. It's helpful not only to polio survivors but to anyone who has a long term disability and even people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I am fortunate to have become Dr. Bruno's patient after I read the book and he spoke to the GBPPA and CFS support groups. So don't just take my word for it. Look at all the wonderful reviews for The Polio Paradox when it originally came out.

I contracted paralytic polio back in the mid fifties and like evryone else, I got on with my life. However, along the way, I had many, many physical difficulties that were just put down to...arthritis, not excercising hard enough or some other 'condition.' These opinions all served to get me out of the Drs. office as soon as possible.
Richard Bruno has written a book that, for me, has been revalational. He has answered many questions and has literally changed my life. I now, no longer have the mental fatigue and 'brain fog' that was so awful thanks to his information on how this disease damaged the brain. I bought a copy of this book for my Doctor because I know he will read it and has other patients like me that he wants to help. I am fortunate to have found a Dr. who comes from a country where polio still excists.
As I go through life from here, I know there will be more questions but it feels great to know that there are people like Dr Bruno out there to guide me. This book is truly a 'must read' for anyone dealing with this syndrome.

I am a polio survivor and knew that I had one post-polio problem - swallowing difficulty. This has been getting worse for about five years, so I have searched for useful info on post-polio and found nothing until this book. As I read this book, I had numerous AHA! moments realizing that I had many other symptoms. Problems that I had been experiencing were suddenly explained to me. I have read and reread portions of the book, highlighted sections and forced all four of my kids and my husband to read these sections, so that they would understand what I was experiencing. My doctor also read the book and it has helped in my treatment. Every polio survivor should read this. Polio never goes away! I now understand that it is my constant companion and have been able to make many life style changes. Advice for those who did not have polio is not the same as advice for me. For instance, I learned that all the exercise that I had been doing to try to stay healthy was doing just the opposite. My doctor advised me to cancel my Curves membership and cut back on any activities that made me cold. I need warmth and rest, not cold and exercise. I was stunned, but feel better now.

I am writing this on behalf of my husband who had Polio at the age of 7. His was non-crippling at the time and he came out of it with just a slight limp in one leg. In his early 40's he began to have unexplained symptoms, pain, muscle spasms, drawing in his legs, etc. As his ability to walk worsened, we sought help from several Neurologists as well as a Orthopedic specialist with no results~~~just tons of medicine. We told each specialist about his polio and could he possibly have Post Polio Syndrome~~~we were told there was no such thing.
While searching the internet for help, I came across Dr. Bruno's book and immediately went to Amazon to purchase it. We have since been directed to a specialist in our area for Post Polio Syndrome and feel, at last, he is going to get help. We realize there is no cure, but it is such a relief to finally be told there is such a thing as PPS and everything that can be done to make his life easier, will be done.
We highly recommend this book to anyone who may be a Polio survivor and beginning to experience symptoms. Don't wait as long as we did to find help~~~it is definitely out there!!

I cannot express the importance of the information in the "Polio Paradox". I wasn't diagnosed until 2003 with Post Polio Syndrome and never diagnosed as a child. My memories of illness in 1952 and the onset of PPS symptoms in 1976 eventually helped me out of the denial that I had polio and now suffering from its "impositions." Without the astute, scientific and sensitive investigations of my physician and the information from Dr. Bruno I would not have made it through the denial and into a growing understanding of the symptoms and ongoing enigmas that Post Polio Syndrome brings. The book has become a bedside reading whenever I am puzzled, overwhelmed, scared and curious about the enigma this disease has brought me. -lori cordini, Boone, NC

I have just finished reading Dr. Bruno's new book. As a Polio Survivor and a retired nurse, nurse educator I believe this book is a MUST read for everyone. Not only Polio Survivors, but ALL Doctors, Medical Personnel, Caregivers, and each person that is important to us. You cannot put it down until you have read it all. It is an easy read, written in understandable language. This book covers the cause, treatment, and management of PPS. Whatever you didn't know about or questioned about POLIO or PPS, the answers are all here in THE POLIO PARADOX. This book tells the truth about PPS and reveals the full extent of the damage done by the polio virus. It deals with the challenges each survivor has had to deal with day by day, including overwhelming fatigue, leg and arm weakness, burning muscles and joints, head, back and neck pain, trouble sleeping, breathing and swallowing. Need I go on? You will find it covered in this one book.
I now understand so much more about my 54-year journey. I feel empowered in so many positive ways because of Dr. Bruno's wonderful work and his new book. The only thing that could make the book anymore perfect, would be for all my family to read it and finally understand so much more about me and how Polio and PPS has affected 'Our' lives.
Get THE POLIO PARADOX for yourself, then get an extra copy for your family, and be sure get a third copy for your doctor. Happy reading. You will be amazed and uplifted.
Knowledge Empowers You!
Dianne De Paul
Board Member: Polio Survivor's Plus
Orange County, CA

I am a polio survivor, having had both bulbar and spinal polio at age 10. I am one of the fortunate who learned to walk again and seemed to overcome many residuals. Like many polio survivors, I am someone who has refused to acknowledge that something is impossible - I rarely give up, and this quality enabled me to endure all the physical therapy that resulted in what passed for recovery. I have a trach scar, weakness in my right leg, left arm and a gradual onset of back pain and fatigue. I have had a post-polio assessment, but wasn't certain until reading this book that I should be resting more than overdoing exercise. I feel so incredibly lucky when I see the many who are back in wheelchairs - brings the whole nightmare of the iron lung, the rocking bed, the tube from my nose to my stomach for sustenance, the suctioning of the trach tube, etc., etc. I hope that everyone who has suffered will read this book and gain a better quality of life.