Symptoms

Post-polio syndrome can cause a wide range of symptoms that can significantly affect everyday life.

They tend to develop gradually and get worse very slowly over time.

Common symptoms

Fatigue

Fatigue is the most common symptom of post-polio syndrome. It can take many forms, including:

• muscle fatigue – where your muscles feel very tired and heavy, particularly after physical activity
• general fatigue – where you feel an overwhelming sense of physical exhaustion, as if you've not slept for days
• mental fatigue – where you find it increasingly difficult to concentrate, have problems remembering things and make mistakes you wouldn't usually make

Organising your activities so that you don't over-exert yourself and taking regular rests will help reduce your fatigue.

Muscle weakness

Increasing muscle weakness is another common symptom of post-polio syndrome. It can be easy to confuse muscle weakness with muscle fatigue, but they are different.

Muscle weakness is where you're increasingly unable to use affected muscles, whether you feel tired or not. Weakness can occur in muscles that were previously affected by a polio infection, as well as in muscles that weren't previously affected.

There may also be associated shrinking of affected muscles, known as atrophy.

Muscle and joint pain

Muscle and joint pain are also common in post-polio syndrome. Muscle pain is usually felt as a deep ache in the muscles or muscle cramps and spasms.

The pain is often worse after you've used the affected muscles. It can be particularly troublesome during the evening after a day's activities.

Joint pain is similar to arthritis and consists of soreness, stiffness and a reduced range of movement.

Associated symptoms

As well as the common symptoms of post-polio syndrome, a number of associated symptoms can also develop from the combination of fatigue, muscle weakness, and muscle and joint pain.

Weight gain

Because of the symptoms mentioned above, most people with post-polio syndrome become less physically active than they used to be.

This can often lead to weight gain and, in some cases, obesity. This in turn can make any fatigue, muscle weakness and pain worse.

Walking difficulties

As well as weight gain, the combination of fatigue, weakness and pain can also make walking difficult, leading to increasing mobility problems.

Many people with post-polio syndrome will need a walking aid, such as crutches or a stick at some stage, and some people may eventually need to use a wheelchair.

Breathing difficulties

Some people with post-polio syndrome find breathing can be difficult because the breathing muscles become weaker.

This can cause problems such as shortness of breath, interrupted breathing while you sleep (sleep apnoea), and an increased risk of chest infections.

If you have post-polio syndrome, it's important to get medical advice as soon as possible if you experience symptoms of a possible chest infection, such as coughing up discoloured phlegm or blood, chest pain and wheezing.

Sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea affects many people with post-polio syndrome. The walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing.

This can cause problems such as feeling very sleepy during the day, headaches and increased fatigue.

Swallowing problems

Weakness in the muscles you use for chewing and swallowing may lead to problems swallowing (dysphagia), such as choking or gagging when you try to swallow.

You may experience changes in your voice and speech, such as hoarseness, low volume or a nasal-sounding voice, particularly after you've been speaking for a while or when you're tired. 

Swallowing problems are usually mild and progress very slowly. A speech and language therapist may be able to help.

Sensitivity to cold

Some people with post-polio syndrome find they become very sensitive to cold temperatures or a sudden drop in temperature as a result of poor blood supply.

Because of this intolerance to cold, people with post-polio syndrome may need to wear extra layers of clothing to try to stay comfortable.

Page last reviewed: Mon Jul 2021 Next review due: Wed Feb 2020