Anybody dealt with sciatica while at WDW???

[jamimb]

I have had occasional bouts of sciatica for a few years now. My last occurrence was nearly a year ago. We leave in 24 days and guess what it's back with a vengeance. Wondering if anybody else has had to deal with this while at WDW. I am so upset! We have had this trip booked for over a year.

 

[bgirl29]

I had it happen a few years ago. It was awful. I did end up having my hubby push me around in a wheelchair a couple days for a bit. The animal kingdom was torture with its uneven pathways just trying to walk there was soo painful. I did find some Aleve in one of the gift shops and that did start to help by the end of the week. I hope that since you have some time before you go that your flare up is under control by the time you leave!

 

[RMulieri]

I have it pretty bad...Motrin and avoiding caffeine helps mine.I also would sit and rest every chance I got.If that is not possible for you, look into renting a wheelchair or an ecv

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going over to the disABILITIES Forum. You can start there with the FAQs, especially Post #3. You can get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs by clicking on the link in my signature.

 

[sdzman]

I had sciatica that was caused by a herniated disc. I had to eventually have surgery. Depending on your situation over the counter pain meds may not help, and prescription pain meds arent alot better in the most extreme cases. Take plenty of breaks, dont hesitate to use a bench or planter edge to sit and regain your yourself. Take it slow.

 

[princessreilly]

Consider having a cortizone shot before your trip if you haven't already.

 

[CathieArms]

I have had occasional bouts of sciatica for a few years now. My last occurrence was nearly a year ago. We leave in 24 days and guess what it's back with a vengeance. Wondering if anybody else has had to deal with this while at WDW. I am so upset! We have had this trip booked for over a year.

I wish you the very best of luck! I'm worried about a similar issue!!! I threw my back out a few weeks ago. I do this once every year or two, but THIS TIME was THE WORST time EVER!!! Usually I'm over it in about 3 days. This time was 2 full weeks with intense pain, and now I can still feel the pull occasionally...and I leave in 5.5 weeks.

Make sure you have a medicine cabinet with you. Aleve is probably your best bet. I'd take it every morning even if you don't need it.

Also, someone suggested a cortisone shot. I second this. I have arthritis in my knee and my dr recently gave me a cortisone shot for it and you wouldn't BELIEVE the difference!!!

 

[okeydokey]

Have you tried a chiropractor? I had a pinched nerve in my back last year that gave me wicked pain down my right leg and a pins and needles feeling in my knee area. It took several visits to the chiro, but it hasn't been back.

 

[kaligal]

I don't have that, but I have been there when I was suffering and when I was doped up (to avoid the suffering). Neither option was very fun.

Best of luck.

 

[codimouse]

i have dealt with sciatica ever since i fell down our stairs in the house a few years ago.
it seems to flair up when i am overworked and overwalk.
it happens every trip to Disney. i rent a wheel chair and take my motrin (which helps somewhat). take time and sit and relax as much as you can.

 

[foohpah]

I too have dealt with sciatica due to a herniated disc. Our trip in June 2009 I thought was doomed because things were the worst they had every been. I got a cortisone shot a few weeks before the trip but I also talked to my doctor about getting some kind of pain pill that would allow me to hopefully function better and not ruin the trip for my kids - Ibuprofen/Tylenol was not doing anything by that time. I was really concerned because I thought anything that would help with the pain would also have me so tired I wouldn't be able to function. My doctor was able to give me Tramadol and it was like a miracle drug. I took one in the morning and one in the evening and while I was not pain free I was able to keep moving, was not tired and it was a nice break from such constant pain.

There can be side effects from the Tramadol and it can be very addicting so you have to be careful with it. After a little over a week I even had some mild withdrawal symptoms when I stopped taking it but it really save our trip. I ended up having back surgery in the fall of 2009 - it has not stopped all of the pain but I am much better than I was however I still got a small prescription for the Tramadol for our upcoming 2+ week trip just in case I need it.

Good luck - I know how painful it can be.

 

[Anonomom]

I get pregnancy-related sciatica. One thing that has helped me a lot is lying down on a tennis ball. You put it right under the spot where the pain seems to shoot and kind of roll around on it for a minute (or as long as you can stand it). It makes the pain worse for a short time, but then it goes away!

 

[mrspopeye]

I am a nurse practitioner- it may be worth it to visit your health care provider and have them evaluate you prior to your trip. There are a few options (if they deem appropriate) that would give some really good relief for a couple of weeks, such as a steroid shot as someone mentioned, or steroids by mouth. Prescription strength anti-inflammatories are much better, longer-lasting and easier on the stomach than OTC Advil or Aleve and most are generic, so that would be cheaper. Just some thoughts.

 

[jamimb]

Thank you to everyone for the info and kind responses! I am under the care of a chiro and that does help a bit. My DR thinks it may be caused by endometriosis. I have had flare ups before but they usually only last a few days and are not this bad. This one is going on 10 days now and since we leave for WDW in 25 days Im starting to panic. I have read that an Epson Salt bath may help to relieve it so Im gonna try that today! Wish me luck!

 

[brookmey]

Ice and a heating pad while in your room can help, too. I had a bout with sciatica about a month ago and both helped with the pain. I also saw a chiropractor and the pain went away completely after about 5 visits. I'm still going, but at least the pain is gone.

If yours is like mine, a wheelchair won't due much good because sitting down was so uncomfortable and I couldn't do it for very long. I would keep up with the chiro visits because that can at the very least relieve the pain before your trip and then make sure you apply ice to help with the inflammation.

Good luck and I hope you're able to get this under control so you can really enjoy your trip!

 

[bjscheel]

My DH has had it (I'm not sure the official diagnosis). He wanted a Tempur-Pedic bed and hasn't had any trouble since getting it. He believes the bed has something to do with it.

Just another thing to think about, if not before the trip, after. Your experience may vary, of course!

 

[Jaime4004]

I get pregnancy-related sciatica. One thing that has helped me a lot is lying down on a tennis ball. You put it right under the spot where the pain seems to shoot and kind of roll around on it for a minute (or as long as you can stand it). It makes the pain worse for a short time, but then it goes away!

I had it due to pregnancy, too. I would walk from one bench to the next and have to sit down at each one. It was horrible! Went to discovery cove and that was great. Minimal pain spending the day in the water..

 

[Mary T in PA]

I would definitely consult your doctor prior to your trip.

I deal with chronic back pain due to an accident I had a few years ago - nasty fall down my lower stairs. My doctor has been great about getting me back on my feet.. my pain will most likely never go away, as it's now arthritis, but it's now a management issue.

Good luck and I hope you can get your sciatia under control, it is NO fun dealing with!!

 

[jecskc]

I sooo feel your pain on this. I wold also recommend a cortisone shot or at least some oral steriods. And if you leave in 25 days, you need to get one soon because they take a few days to work. I have had three shots in my back and all of them had kept me going for several months. and the plus side is it clears up your skin and makes a cold go away as well. Next time my back goes out, I'm going straight for the cortisone shot. Good luck !! And I hope you enjoy your trip !!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

A family member of mine has had it. She seen a HUGE improvement since she started exercise classes, but ESPECIALLY yoga and all the stretching that goes with it. She used to be really troubled by it. The periodic anagesic also helps- especially if she takes it at the first sign of pain.

The strange thing is that too much excercise sets it off, but just the right amount of excercise REALLY helps. Sometimes she REALLY gets crazy doing WAAAYYY too much - so everything in moderation.

Best wishes!

Steriods have side effects that can be detrimental. Much better if you can find a non-medicine method of help.