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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Cancer / May 2004Polio and chemo therapy
Hi Anyone here had polio? How did chemo affect you? I lost most of what I gained (I'm a paraplegic) over the last 40+ yrs during 7 months of chemotherapy (does that make sense?). Recovery after 3 months off chemo seems to have stuck at around 70%. Alf > Hi > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Alf Hi Alf, I don't think I've ever seen "contraindication polio" on any chemo warning. I just posted about Prednisone which has a warning on it about immunizations. (another newsgroup mentioned "live vaccines"). Perhaps Steph would know if chemos can lower the immune system and cause/enable such to reactivate? This is of interest to me for a number of reasons. Dad was a partial paraplegic but we never knew the reason. (but he did not have chemo nor prednisone as far as I know) Also I had a friend in school who had polio, he had a pretty rough time but 30 years later at a school reunion he looked spiffy and rarely had to use his wheelchair. Some years later I heard he'd battled cancer (forgot which), yet had succumbed to polio. This had baffled me. I've seen posts on other newsgroups about postpolio syndrome - reactivation of polio. (I think) This Acrobat file might mention some of that http://www.health.qld.gov.au/polio/gp/GP_Manual.pdf I haven't read it all - but will try later. J Hi J > I just posted about Prednisone which has a warning on it about Sounds like what I've been having - Dexamethasone. 3 or 4 days supply, tapered dose, start of each regime fortnight. > This is of interest to me for a number of reasons. Dad was a partial > paraplegic but we never knew the reason. There are a number of straines of polio virus. Its possible to have the benign ones and pass it off as 'flu, with little or no after effects. > Also I had a friend in school who had polio, he had a pretty rough time > but 30 years later at a school reunion he looked spiffy and rarely had to > use his wheelchair. Some years later I heard he'd battled cancer (forgot > which), yet had succumbed to polio. This had baffled me. Polio destroys the ability of a motor nerve cell to pass messages from brain to muscle. During recovery, some OK cells regenerate links to the "lost" muscle fibres. This regenerated nerve tissue has a 30 to 40 yr life span. Also, healthy nerve cells in the path tend to be overloaded which shortens their life as well. Both bad news but after 45 years I had no problems (polio at 21). > I've seen posts on other newsgroups about postpolio syndrome - > reactivation of polio. (I think) PPS is not fully understood yet but the bad news above is one symptom. Right - history if you're still here ;) Colon cancer removed March '03 (transverse colectomy). Couple of areas in liver noted. Modified de Gramont regime started June '03 via pic line+pump every fortnight. Effects bearable :/ October '03 - nasty bits stabilised - not good enuf so changed to hic line and new chemo mix and was warned side effects not fully known but _may_ affect nervous system. Oh Boy! Understatement. Stopped Jan '04. Ultra sound, CT and MRI scans can't tell difference now between scar tissue and the bad stuff. So - down for a PET scan soon. > This Acrobat file might mention some of that > http://www.health.qld.gov.au/polio/gp/GP_Manual.pdf Imustavacheck :) > I haven't read it all - but will try later. > J Alf > Hi > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Alf Hello Alf, Perhaps telling you about my friend Melvin was insensitive? What type of cancer did you have ? (lung?) In addition, since I've just realized that you've probably recently finished treatment, perhaps fatigue and breathlessness can be explained by the treatments and as the "bloods" improve, your health will soon start to rally. I wish it for you. Keep in touch and let us know how you are faring, ok? J > Hello Alf, Perhaps telling you about my friend Melvin was insensitive? Not a problem, J. > What type of cancer did you have ? (lung?) See my last reply. > In addition, since I've just realized that you've probably recently > finished treatment, "Rested" 'coz of the side effects. Felt normal after 4 weeks, blood checks out OK but strength not regained _only_ in those muscles affected by polio. > by the treatments and as the "bloods" improve, your health will soon > start to rally. > I wish it for you. > Keep in touch and let us know how you are faring, ok? > J BTW - just been Googling polio +chemo. Surprised at the number of hits. Alf > Hi > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Alf Most chemo regimens are pretty debilitating so if you have a weakness to start with it's going to magnify that. In answer to J's queerie regarding prednisone and dexamethasone (both steroids with similar actions) they are used for lots of reasons in chemo regimens and in symptom control related to cancer treatment and palliative care. Importantly they are potent anti-inflammatories which means they suppress this part of the immune system. MIKE |
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