Anybody dealt with sciatica while at WDW???

[Straitlover]

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

Amen! I was on the 12-day prednisone pack in March for my sicatica pain, and I gained 10 lbs!!! In 12 days!!!! Plus, the stupid medicine didn't even help.

fortunately, mine has now cleared up (only took 4 months, LOL; turns out I ahve bulging discs per the MRI). I am headed back to the World next week. I hope it doesn't start back up. Since I am solo this time, I am staying off Dinosaur at AK; don't want to jerk around too much and cause a relapse.

 

[Kendallkat2]

I suffered years with sciatica and after many years of a Chiropractor Dr I got better but still had flare-ups. Had one while at Disney's Vero Beach (I think it was the beach walking). After the beach we went to Disney World and the pain was awful. I couldn't wait to get home to see my Chiro.

Now, I purchased a tempurpedic bed and I haven't had any big flare-ups in over 2 years. I bought the bed so that I wouldn't feel my husband tossing and turning, which I don't, but can't believe how much it has helped my back. I still have aches and pains but not the sciatica. It won't help you now to purchase a bed but think about it for the future. I also take glucosamine daily. My only problem now is when I go to Disney I can't stand the beds.
Beth

 

[pinktinkmommy]

Steroids shots and/or oral steroids are what have helped me in the past (except when pregnant... that was just torture). The RX anti-inflammatory medications really are much better, too.

Before you go, lots of rest. Yoga, stretching, and strength training help tremendously but I don't think you'd have enough time for that to be effective before your trip. Certainly can't hurt, though.

Oh, and just from reading this post I realized that I haven't had a bout of it since we got our Tempurpedic bed a couple of years ago. Interesting. Bet that has something to do with it!

 

[StuckInKS]

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..

Sounds like me when I went 8-months pregnant last year. And we are limited when it comes to pain meds, too. Agree about the water. I didn't have much trouble during our beach days

 

[bronzebrunette78]

I hear your pain. Before my trip last September, I was out of work for two months having popped out my sacrum from a bad fall. I was absolutely insistent that come hell or high water, I was going on my trip NO MATTER WHAT. Fortunately, my pain had greatly subsided by the time my trip rolled around, but one thing I can recommend to you (if you decide not to use a wheelchair) is pick your footwear carefully! Maybe a trip to a podiatrist for some custom fit orthotics might help....even just a good analysis from a reliable footwear store. We have a great local shop that will watch you walk and recommend certain sneakers based on the way you take your steps (over-pronating and such?). Anyhow, best of luck to you & stay well!

 

[justskip70003]

its so wierd that i found this thread. mine just acted up 2 days ago and we leave on may 9th. the bad thing is, i am going to propose to my gf and i dont know if i will be able to go to one knee. i am stressing bad!!!

may have to be from a wheelchair

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2709961

 

[kamikazecat]

I had a a bad flare up last year right before we went and my doc put me on prednisone and it was a life saver. I felt great although I was constantly hungry. My doc and I have already discussed a low dose prescription that I can get filled if needed for this summer's trip.

 

[WendyWuWu]

As a nurse, I've had back problems off and on for probably 20 years. Usually, when my sciatica acts up, I take muscle relaxers, take it easy for a few days, and it's over.
In December, 2009, on the day I graduated from anesthesia school, I bent over to fill the dog's bowl, and my back went out. I started the Ibuprofen/flexeril routine immediately. We left to catch a plane right after my graduation. It was miserable flying down, but I was confident that I'd feel better in a couple of days.
Wrong! I spent the entire week there scarfing down a combo of flexeril, ibuprofen, and an occassional Pina Colava, and still could only tolerate the parks for a couple of hours before having to go back to the room and lying in a fetal position in bed. I was miserable!
I spent the next three weeks doing nothing but studying for boards and being in misery with my back. I'd never had such pain and it wasn't getting any better. Finally, as a last resort, I went to a chiropractor. I had my doubts as a medical professional, but I was so miserable (no position gave me any relief), I was ready to try anything. I literally couldn't figure out how to sit down in the car! I wanted to crawl in on hands and knees! But after my first visit to the chiropractor, I walked out without any pain and sat right down in the car. I told the chiro about my misery for nearly a month...my WDW trip...he said to never do that again. I should have called him and he could have recommended a chiropractor to see in Orlando! I had never even seen this dr before, but he was very nice and much to my skepticism, helped me tremendously.
I wish you luck and implore you to get help BEFORE your trip.

 

[Sandy61]

My husband has this every few years. He goes to the chiropractor and he suggested using a tennis ball to lay on or have me roll the ball hard on the area that hurts. He takes a hot shower before bed and then I roll the tennis ball. This really lessens the pain and he feels great in the morning. Usually by late afternoon he is in pain again. At least he isnt taking too many pills.

 

[jamimb]

Most of my pain is not in my back but all down my leg! My feet even hurt really bad! I am going to see my Chiro tomorrow and I also have an appointment for next week! Im really hoping this goes away in the next 3 weeks! We have had this trip booked for over a year.

 

[Sandy61]

The chiropractor said the pain was going down my husband's leg but it was originating in an area between his spine and hip. I can't remember exactly what he said but I think muscles were pulling wrong or a nerve was getting pressed up near his hip. My husband even thought there was a knot but I could never feel it. There is probably many different problems that people can have.

Good luck and I hope by the time your trip is here you are pain free!

 

[brookmey]

Most of my pain is not in my back but all down my leg! My feet even hurt really bad! I am going to see my Chiro tomorrow and I also have an appointment for next week! Im really hoping this goes away in the next 3 weeks! We have had this trip booked for over a year.

My pain was all in my leg, too, the outer right thigh. Seeing the chiro was a lifesaver because he knew exactly what to do to relieve the pain. After the first visit it did get a little worse, but after the 2nd, it became tolerable and I was able to sleep.

One thing he told me was to keep moving, even though the pain was intense. He said sitting around and doing nothing for hours could actually make it worse because when you sit everything tightens up. He suggested I get up and move for 5-10 minutes every hour. If I needed a drink or food, to go get it myself and not have DH or my kids get it for me. He was right--moving around 5-10 minutes at a time actually felt good, but that was about all I could take before the pain got unbearable.

Like a PP, my chiro suggested some light stretching, yoga and core strengthening exercises. I already do yoga, but now I include pilates as well to help with my core strength.

Good luck!

 

[jamimb]

My pain was all in my leg, too, the outer right thigh. Seeing the chiro was a lifesaver because he knew exactly what to do to relieve the pain. After the first visit it did get a little worse, but after the 2nd, it became tolerable and I was able to sleep.

One thing he told me was to keep moving, even though the pain was intense. He said sitting around and doing nothing for hours could actually make it worse because when you sit everything tightens up. He suggested I get up and move for 5-10 minutes every hour. If I needed a drink or food, to go get it myself and not have DH or my kids get it for me. He was right--moving around 5-10 minutes at a time actually felt good, but that was about all I could take before the pain got unbearable.

Like a PP, my chiro suggested some light stretching, yoga and core strengthening exercises. I already do yoga, but now I include pilates as well to help with my core strength.

Good luck!

Thanks for the tips! I have been laying around for the better part of the week because it feels better when I do. I know that for the long term I need to get up and move around but it just feels so much better when I don't. Monday I walked for about 40 minutes and then went to Walmart. Let me tell you that night I hurt so bad I couldnt sleep and finally fell asleep with an ice pack strapped to my leg. I did a pilates video this morning and it felt good to be moving around again! I guess ill see how Im feeling tonight. I see my Chiro tomorrow and he is so great so Im hoping he will be able to help. My other leg is now strating to hurt because when I stand I am putting all my weight on that leg.

 

[Tomh]

Let me start by saying, so sorry about the sciatica! Last spring, with a little help from my then 6 year old son jumping on my back and pushing me over sideways on my bed, I ruptured a disc in my lower back. It hurt the day I did it, it hurt worse that night, and by the next morning, the pain was god awful. I literally couldn't stand up straight. My right leg was burning, and the foot was pretty much numb.

The Emergency Room doctor, after looking at the x-rays, told me it was going to take WEEKS of bed rest, then I would need to have an operation. Considering the pain I was in, I believed him. He sent me home with about a weeks supply of pain killers, anti inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and anti spas-modals. That was early in the day Saturday. I took pills for about two days, then decreased my dosage for a day and a half before going without them. On Tuesday, I returned to my evening job, still a little uncomfortable, but not bad considering that they told me I wouldn't get out of bed for a few weeks.

That was either April, or May. We went to Disney in August. I drove, 20 hours behind the wheel, from New York to Disney in two days, and did pretty much everything I wanted to. The ONLY ride I skipped out of fear of aggravating the back was Rock N Roller Coaster. I went on Big Thunder Mountain many times. I had the occasional twinge, but nothing too bad, and it didn't last. The only ride that really bothered me was the Kilimanjaro Safari. That bus ride was pretty painful, but again, it was only a problem during the ride, I was fine a few minutes after we got off it.

I guess, my best advice is know your body. Pay attention to what bothers it in day to day life, and you will have a solid idea of what you can tolerate at Disney. Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are in pain, get a wheel chair and make someone in your family push you around, it is FAR better than being in misery.

 

[Mickey Gator]

I used to get sciatica a lot, until I started stretching my back every day. For a few minutes every day, I lay on my back with my knees bent. I then pull my knees into my chest. I alternate those stretches. If I miss doing that stretch more than one day, I get sciatica again. I never get it anymore. Hope this helps.

 

[GeneralTso]

A couple of years ago, I had Sciatica and holy cow was that painful!
I had an upcoming vacation with girlfriends that was going to entail lots of walking (Victoria B.C.) After a few days or realizing Advil, etc. wasn't cutting it, I got a referral to an accupuncturist.

Hallelujah! It worked. I swear I felt better after 2 treatments. Not completely better, but definitely better. I had another 6 or so treatments leading up to my trip, and I was just fine.

I was scared at first, really skeptical but he made a believer out of me. It worked for me, and I was seriously doubtful.

 

[mousireid]

I have thrown my back out off and on for years since I was 20 (I am 35). Two years ago my sciatica was so bad my toes would go numb and stick shift was heck to drive. MRI showed I have two bulging discs and a torn disc. They did want to operate but wouldn't actually FIX what was causing it, basically just trim off the excess and then in so many years time do it again....and again..... Physical therapy and a great chiropractor have made a world of difference (I was skeptical at first). Before I was poppin muscle relaxers and taking pain meds, sleeping with heat pads...UGH. Now I SOMETIMES take an advil and still keep up the chiro and the PT excercises.

Several rides have kicked my butt and I know to avoid them - especially Space Mountain and Dinosaur OUCH! I am sure others can advise on what would intensify the pain?
I still take a heat pad and cool pack with me, muscle relaxers (just in case) and a pain med that I know works for me. I stretch every morning and sometimes taking a hot shower is heavenly after a day at the parks (or even after getting out of bed).
It hurt me MORE to sit down than walk around and stand up but I knew I had to do a lot of both to stay flexible or I seemed to stiffen up.
Make sure you have excellent shoes on too, it will help when your spine is taking the brunt of slapping the concrete.
As others have stated the DISabilities board may have some excellent advice!
If things take a major turn you might risk more severe damage so always be prepared to accept you might have to rent an ECV or wheelchair worst case.
Best of luck, I hope you get some relief.