Are There Anyone With Bad Back's That Go To Wdw!!!

[chatty]

Help Please!!!
I woke up the 1st.of last November screaming.. After 4 months of test's and lot's of dr.s., Rehab, PT and now a Chiropractor I am so down.. I am on pain management tey say.(nuroutin)
But the reason I am more afraid than sad is that I Love WDW and I have gone 1 to 2 times a year and so healthy. We have reservations for this May and I am afraid that I won't be able to do the bus rides or long walks. I even have a hard time sitting..I am working so hard to try to fix this terrible back problem. They say it's a minimal disk buldge that is slightly herneated, but they all say that it should not be causing this much trouble and pain..Therefore they don't opt for surgury so I am left with this bad back and pain ..So I am trying the Chiropractic avenue.
But I was wondering if others are in my situation and go to WDW...???
Please Let me Know because I don't know what to do..
Chatty

 

[Denine]

I had a spinal fusion when I was 17. My back still bugs me, a lot, some days. I take Vioxx when it flares up.
I do have days where a lot of walking, especially if I am pushing the stroller, makes my back hurt. I limp when it starts to get really bad. I just need to sit more and let DH push the stroller or watch DD while she walks around. I look at it as realxing and enjoying the scenery.
My back goes into terrible back spasms from all the extra walking and the beds that are too soft. For this last trip, I bought a camping mattress from LL Bean to put on the bed for more support. It actually worked to keep the back spasms at a minimum.
I will never let my back keep me from doing the things I love. I have lived with it for over half my life and will have to live with it for the rest of my life. Even when it hurts, I push on.
Good luck in getting your back fixed and I hope you enjoy your vacation.

 

[grinningghost]

chatty - I can relate. My DH has 2 herniated disks in his back. And yes, we go to WDW. For him, it's very up and down. He's gone through times where the pain was excruciating and he couldn't sit, stand, lie down or anything without extreme pain. During those times he is on very powerful pain meds. Other times the pain is moderate, and he even goes through times when he barely notices it.

On our WDW trips, we are very careful to pace ourselves. I have MS and can't walk or stand for long periods either, so it kind of works out. Here's what I suggest. After the mad rush to get into the parks, ride your favorites right away, then go sit down and grab a snack and a drink. Take your time eating. People watch and just drink in the atmosphere. This is especially relaxing and fun when you're in an area where you get alot of foot traffic. Lots to see and experience without killing yourself.

Do take afternoon swim breaks. Swimming is great for bad backs! And then a nice leisurely nap poolside. (Just thinking of it is making me wish I was there now).

Moral of the story - GO. You can still enjoy yourself, just be smart. Maybe you can't run from attraction to attraction like you used to, but you can make your own NEW kind of WDW vacation. We did and I think we even love it MORE now.

 

[chatty]

DENINE and GRINNINGGHOST, Thank You so Much for telling me your stories. I am new to a bum back and the pain it gives.. It has made me a prisoner in my house this winter. But I have been told that it can take a long time to heal or might not. So again I thank you for your posting I don't feel so alone.
Nadine (chatty)

 

[chatty]

I also wanted to tell you two that I will keep you and your family in our Prayers. You two are very strong people. Thank You Again..
Nadine (chatty)

 

[Ran]

the only rides that bothered me were Star Tours and Body Wars. I'm on my feet a lot anyway so walking didn't bother me too much. I also do a lot of stretching which helps immensely. I usually spent half an hour in the morning, afternoon and night stretching when I'm in WDW. I also bring lots of motrin. grinningghost has great advice. good luck and have a great time

 

[chell]

I've had problems with my back for the past 2 years and have had several trips to WDW since then. Just make sure to take it at your pace. Use an ECV (or is it ECV) if you need to.

My injury turned out to be a bulging disk, the sacroiliac and my pelvis were out of place.

I'll be praying that your doctors can figure out exactly how to make your pain go away and make you feel better.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Chatty...I wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I am relatively young but have had severe back problems. I have a herniated disc too. It was really a problem a couple years ago and I was close to having surgery but the series of epidural shots did the trick and I was good to go about 4-6 months later...well anyway...
right after my second shot we went to WDW. We had the trip planned and we didn't want to cancel. The 1st shot didn't do anything and I just had the 2nd shot...so it hadn't really kicked in yet. We went anyway.

I had pain, a limp, but oh well. We limited our days to not too much walking, we took lots of breaks, I took lots of tylenol (every 4 hrs), swam in the pool (this really helped), and I did not do any rides that bumped, jerked, or anything like that.
I still had a fantastic time and it was a good trip.

so I hope my small novel helps you to feel better about your decision to go. Just take it easy....and it will be really fun.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Chatty...just wanted to throw in that the chiropractor helped my back but not my injury. My orthopedic surgeon had me get the shots to take the swelling down of the nerves and it really helped. it was a slow heal but it worked.

and....I really didn't ride anything, I mean anything that would jerk me in the slightest as that meant excrutiating pain. I rode Pirates and the boat behind us bumped our boat....oh my god.... I screamed in pain. my husband was so emabarrased. me too. but I couldn't help it. the people prob thought I was sooo weird.

 

[Mishetta]

Chatty ~ I sent you a PM.

 

[GeorgeG]

I have to agree with grinningghost, especially about pacing yourself.

My wife had major back surgery last year (disc replacement, fusion, rods, etc.) and we're still planning on going to WDW regularly. Our last trip was several months before her surgery and the doctor told her to go and have a good time, but to use the motorized scooters in the parks.

We are expecting to be back at WDW later this year and will probably follow the same advice. I'm sure there will be rides we won't be going on any more, but there's so much else to do, even relax!

As far as what you should and should not do specific to your ailment (rides and such), you should ask your doctor for that advice.

 

[chatty]

OK,
I am in tears!!
RAN, CHELL, DISNEY-KIM, MISHETTA, and GEORGE C,... I so Thank You Guys...
I don't feel so alone. I feel as if I can take on WDW!! OK maybe,not take on WDW I think I will just take WDW slow, something my DH has been begging for. He always said I ran through WDW too fast so he said it's time we see Disney slowly. He's a Doll..
Thank You Again..
I will keep you all in my prayers..
Nadine (chatty)