Customer Reviews

The Polio Paradox: What You Need to Know

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After 25 plus years of questions about what in the US has ridiculously been labeled; CFS, The Post Polio Paradox truly explains even unusual and vague symptoms that I never would have connected to CFS. It all makes sense now. Though detailed, Dr.Bruno keeps it fairly simple. He really gives a 'from the heart' explanation of the trauma polio victims went through,and what many are experiencing now. Even those of us with CFS/ME, who though perhaps not 'diagnosed' with polio need to look into this in order to preserve our health, as we know it. I thank God for the patient/doctor interaction with a listening ear that has given Dr.Bruno the ability to really care for his patients,helping them, and share skillfully this terrific, realistic, informative book.

After this book I read "A Virus Within" by Nicholas Regush, which expanded even more understanding the "WHY?" of it all. Another must read for CFS/ME sufferers, or those who love them.

I am an RN with Post-Polio Syndrome and live in rural Arkansas. I did an in-service training on Post-Polio Syndrome for our small regional hospital and spent weeks accumulatiing research for the training. Then I ordered the "Polio Paradox". It contained all of the research material I had spent so much time collecting and much, much more. The article on "polio belly" was informative and well-written. I shared it with the gastroenterologist that is treating my "polio belly" and he was very interested. He had treated a number of folks with PPS and wanted to know the etiology behind the problems they were having.

Dr. Bruno has spent years conducting research, and taking surveys, and histories of polio survivors. His book presents this material in a non-threatening, readable way, yet clearly identifies treatment protocol and lifestyle options for the survivor and for the medical professional they deal with.

Most of us with Post-Polio Syndrome are acutely familiar with our health issues but resistant to lifestyle changes. Dr. Bruno helps with the choices we must make to continue to be independent, and he does it in a gently yet persuasive manner.

Dr. Bruno uses a wheelchair himself, though not as a result of polio. He is intimately aquainted with the challenges of disability and sensitive to the emotional needs of his readers.

Read it.............it might save your life!

True to its promise this marvelous 340 page book is devoted to the enlightenment and empowerment of patients suffering from some eleven interconnected chronic neurological and allied disabilities. They range from postpolio sequelae, the late effects of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia to multiple sclerosis, Parkinsonism and other chronic pain and fatigue syndromes.

I first encountered Dr Bruno's views on rehabilitation in the mid 1980s and immediately advised my young patients to adopt a regime of conserving energy and reducing stress, combined with simplification of work. The simplicity and feasibility of this approach has resulted in long term stability for many young people with ME/CFS now working successfully into middle age. Dr. Bruno's treatment programme for chronic fatigue has amply proved its worth.

Since that the 1980s Dr Bruno's team has amassed a wonderful series of ground breaking scientific papers which have, in the book, been successfully translated into common and often witty language for the benefit of our expert patients and busy doctors. THE POLIO PARADOX provides a wiring diagram and operator's manual for the chronically fatigued body and brain.

We are all learning and send our thanks for this gift to the founder and staff of the Post-Polio Institute at the Englewood Hospital and Medical Centre, New Jersey, USA.

"Ah ha!" are the words I'd suck in as I read Dr. Bruno's book. After a year's research on my own, I found the PPS Institute and Dr. Bruno's book. Those of us who had Polio (or didn't know that "it" was Polio) only knew one thing - we were over it and had to get on with life and catch up ASAP. We had fear at our back door, and it pushed us onward, every minute of our lives. For me, after cancer, I kept thinking "Its just the chemo" but I had been told in 1982 I had PPS and "Use it or lose it" was the theory protocol, so I kept going like I was short in the back with a "22" fearing I'd lose some dendrite that would nourish a neuron, and the first symptom I had (in '82) would come back. Instead, I became worse - the results were what drove me to discover Dr. Bruno's book and go to the Institute: hundreds of falls, broken bones, lacerated head injuries, tripping for the past 50 years and feeling like a clutz, when I was known as the regional "Happy Tom-Boy" BP (before Polio).

By the time Dr. Bruno told me to just "rest - chill for a few weeks" I had to do it; nothing else worked. It DID. I read the book again, and again...trying to find a glitch in his neuro-networking and neurology statements, but I couldn't. So, I did go to the Institute.

Everyone who knows anyone who's had Polio, or any sudden onset illness, or even as my little sister, used to drip food out of her nostrils at age 2 (it was Polio - 1954), must read this book. Be prepared to talk to doctors - they must have PPS as part of their required CMEs NOW. Post Polio surivors can no longer accept mediocre care, and repeated anesthesia "accidents (as I did)." With or without insurance, humans have a basic right to respect and care. I had Polio - I knew I did - and the fears associated with going "back" into it were at times paralyzing in itself...thus I kept swimming daily - often for three hours and lifting weights, anything to avoid breathing problems again, or the horrid stiff neck, or ... seeing my arm next to me and not moving even when I yelled at it!

Post Polio Paradox will give the reader the information needed to take to the medical professionals, and to educate themselves, and . . . gradually, safely, comfortably, change their lives from the fatalistic Type A personalities (which did get us through the horrors of Polio), but paradoxically - aptly put, can destroy us now. IF we are real, we will be able to see our 'worn' parts, accept them, and move on to another phrase in our lives - taking care of ourselves. "Polio Class of 1950"

Wow! I read The Polio Paradox from beginning to end - what an eye-opener for anyone with a disability. I have spina bifida and I started the protocol for PPS immediately with very surprising results! The diet is helping with my fatigue.

Thanks to Dr. Bruno for leading me on the next chapter of my life...the one where I stop doing for everyone else and start caring for and taking care of myself. I'm looking forward to a kinder, gentler future. I now know that I am NOT
giving up but merely giving in and that in itself if very empowering!

I find myself envious of polio survivors because they have such a wonderful advocate and friend in Dr. Bruno.

I grew up after the polio vaccine was in common use. Fortunately, I escaped the polio scares of the previous decades. But there are many people in my life who lived during those epidemics of the 40s and 50s and felt that fear. After reading THE POLIO PARADOX, I feel I have gained several key insights into both the disease and its affect on its carriers. The histortical information in the book is excellent and well-researched, shedding light on the medical and social realities during these polio scares. The personal stories from polio survivors add a human element to this book that many health titles don't have. The astonishing links between Post-Polio Syndrome (previously, a virtually unknown affliction to me) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (about which I have read much) are fascinating, and I'm sure they will help to revolutionize the way that these ailments are treated. THE POLIO PARADOX will also help to erase some of the "yuppie flu" stigma that is attached to CFS. The perscriptive steps to fighting back against PPS are not only amazing for those with PPS or CFS, they can help anybody with a degenerative affliction ensure that the damage done is minimal. Dr Richard Bruno has, essentially, written the complete reference for anybody that has experienced polio, PPS or CFS. His stunning revelations about the connections between the three should prove to be invaluable for researchers for years to come. An important and timely book.

I have just finished reading Dr. Bruno's new book that covers the cause, treatment, and management of PPS. You cannot put THE POLIO PARADOX down until you have read it all. It is an easy read, written in understandable language. 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. You will find it all 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. As a polio survivor and a retired nurse and 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. 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.

THE POLIO PARADOX is the first book about and for polio survivors and the medical community. As a medical caregiver you will be aghast at what important polio and post-polio clinical information was -- and still is -- being withheld from your medical training. As a polio survivor you will cry, laugh, and finally come to realize with every loving polio paradox Dr. Bruno reveals that we can learn to live within our NEW abilities.

I grew up after the polio vaccine was in common use. Fortunately, I escaped the polio scares of the previous decades. But there are many people in my life who lived during those epidemics of the 40s and 50s and felt that fear. After reading THE POLIO PARADOX, I feel I have gained several key insights into both the disease and its affect on its carriers.

The histortical information in the book is excellent and well-researched, shedding light on the medical and social realities during these polio scares. The personal stories from polio survivors add a human element to this book that many health titles don't have.

The astonishing links between Post-Polio Syndrome (previously, a virtually unknown affliction to me) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (about which I have read much) are fascinating, and I'm sure they will help to revolutionize the way that these ailments are treated. THE POLIO PARADOX will also help to erase some of the "yuppie flu" stigma that is attached to CFS.

The perscriptive steps to fighting back against PPS are not only amazing for those with PPS or CFS, they can help anybody with a degenerative affliction ensure that the damage done is minimal.

Dr Richard Bruno has, essentially, written the complete reference for anybody that has experienced polio, PPS or CFS. His stunning revelations about the connections between the three should prove to be invaluable for researchers for years to come. An important and timely book.

This is a very interesting book about PPS. Dr. Bruno has a great deal of experience with the subject and explains it all so very well. I am pleased that he addresses, as a part of the whole equation, the subject of nutrition as it pertains to people with a chronic condition, like PPS. He presents easy to understand information on the importance of protein as well as carbohydrates and fats. As a nutritionist, I know how important it is to eat well to get all the nutrients a polio-stressed body needs. I am glad he explains this, plus much more, in the Polio Paradox. It is must reading for anyone who had Polio, whether or not they have the affer-effects that so many of us are experiencing.