?? About Thrill rides and MS..........

[hygienejean]

I am not sure if anyone here has any experience with someone who has Multiple Scerosis??? My DH was diagnosed with MS 3 years ago. He is 34 years old. He is very healthy and really doesn't have too many problems with it except tingling sensations. It seems to be controlled for now.

A few years ago (when he was just dx'd) we went to Busch Gardens. It was soooo HOT and we did a bunch of roller coasters. the next day his MS flared right up and affected his eyesight. It was scary for him. (when we got home his doctor put him on steroids and it has been fine ever since.)

He doesn't know if the roller coasters did it or the heat. Or it could have been a really freak thing too! We went to WDW this May and he avoided the wild rides like SM and RnR but he REALLY wanted to do them. It was HOT too and we kept him out of the heat...he had no problems.

We are going again in 2004 and I just thought I would throw the question out there to anyone else who is in this situation or knows anyone with Ms and how the rides or heat affected the disease if at all. We don't want to tempt fate either. Oh and I should mention that his doctors feel that the only thing that could affect a flare up is heat and that only makes what is there worse. They say that heat or thrill rides do not cause any problems but.....any advice or help?

Thank you all!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have no answers for you, Jean, but just wanted to make sure you knew there is a disABILITIES board here on the DIS where you might also run this question by. Here is the main board menu, it is listed there. I am sure between here and there you will get your question answered. My best for both your hubby and you.

http://www.disboards.com/index.php?s=

Dan

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a direct link to the disABILITIES Board in my signature.
There are a number of regular readers and posters there who have MS and should be able to help you with your questions.

 

[dizzyintx]

Hi,
I know how concerned you are about your hubby. I have had ms for 13 years. Heat does not cause a flare. It does cause a temporary worsening of symptoms, in some people. If he flared right after going to Bush Gardens, he was probably going to flare anyway. That's the thing you've got to realize; there is nothing you can do to prevent it.

That being said, you should try to go when it's cooler. He will defintely have more energy and more fun. Don't try to do too much and take frequent breaks.

As far as the thrill rides go, I do fine on them and I have severe vertigo. I guess it's because I have vertigo all the time the rides just don't affect me. Let him try and if they make him feel funny, don't ride them.

My feeling is that you can have a exaberation sitting at home. So no way am I going to sit in a glass bubble, not having any fun. I am going to go out and have a great time, doing everything someone without ms is doing.

The future is still going to be what it's going to be and going to WDW isn't going to change a thing.

I wish you and your hubby tons of pixie dust for your trip! Kim

 

[hygienejean]

thank you for your replies! Kim hope you have a great anniversary trip! We are hoping that the exacerbation was going to happen anyway...that is what logic tells us...and not b/c of anything we did or didn't do while at Busch Gardens. He keeps saying that he swears it is the roller coasters though. If I hear enough people who say it doesn't bother them maybe he will give a mild one a try at the end of our trip. He just doesn't want anything to happen during the trip. Since he has been on Avonex he has been doing super for almost 3 years......

Take Care!

Jean