Arthritis Help!

[JoMarie]

Is there anybody that has arthritis here? I'm going to WDW in late August. I usually know when rain is coming due to extreme pain in my knees. (I'm only 21 and have arthritis) Is there anyone with arthritis that would give me good advice on what to do with those afternoon storms? Is there anything I can do, or should I just grin and bear it?

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Rent yourself a scooter (ECV). When you are feeling well, you can just park it outside attractions with everybody's strollers. Then, when you start not being able to walk, it will be there for you after each ride and you can bring it into line with you during those times.

One of the ppl I was with at Disney the other week has arthritis and wasn't able to get up one morning, so we didn't see him until dinner when he was better. An ECV wouldn't have helped in his case, since he couldn't even walk four inches that day, but if you'll be able to walk and get to the parks in the mornings, an ECV may be able to help you.

 

[janiejake]

Is there anybody that has arthritis here? I'm going to WDW in late August. I usually know when rain is coming due to extreme pain in my knees. (I'm only 21 and have arthritis) Is there anyone with arthritis that would give me good advice on what to do with those afternoon storms? Is there anything I can do, or should I just grin and bear it?

You might want to also place this question on the disability board, if you haven't already done so. The pp's advice was good about considering an ECV, depending on the severity of your symptoms with the barometric change. (If you're on the fence about an ECV, keep a few numbers of companies on you. Of course, you can always rent one in the park, if one is available. There are also companies that will deliver one to your resort for your entire stay, should you decide to go that route). Do you have a folding cane that you can stick in your bag, if that would help?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going over to the disABILITIES Forum. One of the first threads is the disABILITIES FAQs. On Post #3 we have a lot of information for people with specified problems as well as useful links. To get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs from here just click on the link in my signature.

 

[erincon23]

If you're on any medication, like Celebrex, talk to your doctor about letting you take a "rescue dose" starting a few days before you go and through your stay. When I was on Vioxx (the best there ever was), that helped me a great deal to take a larger dose when I knew I'd have extraordinary activity. Figure out what gives you greater relief -- cold or heat -- and get those small portable packs (there are heat packs that have velcro and wrap to stay in place, you could probably do something similar for cold packs with an ace bandage) and ice or heat your knees while you have lunch. I can truly sympathize -- I have problems in all my joints and have recently developed severe arthritis in my left foot and ankle. Not looking forward to dealing with that next month! But I will, because I'll be at DISNEY!

Erin

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the DIS, Joanna Marie.

As others have said, an ECV is excellent. I do have arthritis in knees, but not too debilitating. However, back in 2007, I had a herniated disc, could barely walk. I rented an ECV from the private vendor located at the Boardwalk (see Cheshire Figment's thread recommendation above). The ECV made the trip very enjoyable.

Wishing you well.

 

[tmccullough]

My father had horrible arthritis in his back until he migrated South! He couldn't believe how much better his arthritis got... I don't know if it is the warm humidity or what. He was able to work all day in Disney!

 

[Stitchfans]

Lately with this cold, damp weather I have been living on Tylenol arthritis. My right knee and my left foot/ankle is killing me. Putting a shoe on is such misery. I am hoping the weather is somewhat hot and very little if any rain while we are in Florida next month.

 

[Charleyann]

My son uses a scooter in WDW and all other parks. His ankles and knees are mostly affected and he has had surgery on his ankles. His occupational therapist recommended this as he out grew his wheelchair. This gave him independence. He can walk, but pavement near kills him at any distance...

He now has his own scooter and he loves it! Maybe this is an option for you?

Charleyann

 

[bytheblood]

HI and !

I also suffer from arthritic knees. I feel your pain, literally.
I had a scope on my left knee years ago to have my ACL and MC repaired. When the doc was in there, he found that I have arthritis. He shaved off what he could, but it is all back now. I find that at times I feel like my knee is torn again, but it is pain from the arthritis.

I bought a knee brace that is about 9 inches and covers my knee well. This really seems to help. It sounds like your pain is worse than mine as mine only comes and goes.

You might also talk to your doctor about the best solution for long walking vacation.

I wish you all the best and hope that you can get some relief.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the disABILITIES board. Whatever advice you wind up following, I hope you have a great time at Walt Disney World!

 

[peemagg]

I have arthritis too (age 39), but mine is in my left foot. I have had one surgery already to get rid of it and was told just yesterday that I need another one. Obviously not what I wanted to hear since it will be the 5th time that poor foot has been opened up.

I don't know if you use a cane or not, but if not I recommend using one. I am amazed by just using that thing and taking a little weight off of that area how much it helps. I use one and it makes a world of difference for me. I got one for Christmas and I am glad that my Mom got it for me. That and my scooter are probably two of the best gifts I ever got. I am taking mine with me when I go in May.

 

[Mrsjvb]

Diagnosed at 5, now 41. Every joint is affected. I cannot use a scooter so I just get a wheelchair and let my husband do all the work.

for me, the extremes when going in and out of the buildings are the worst. I absolutely cannot take the arctic temps of the A/c and the humidity tends to wear me out quicker too. I keep a sweater on hand to wear inside and a hat for outside. I am on Humira and I will be asking about doubling the dose or increasing the frequency of dosage.

 

[spiceycat]

this may not work for you - but it definitely helps me

http://www.puritan.com/joint-support-062/extra-strength-joint-maintenance-007062

you need to take it for at least a week before you can tell if it helps or not.

 

[rosegirl]

Not sure if you have inflammatory or OA...I have RA and have successfully made several trips to WDW of long duration. You just have to know not to push it, make sure you have some extremely comfortable and supportive shoes (merrel slip on mary janes saved me last time and also got me through Europe!). I do best with Enbrel plus 400 mg of motrin on the tough days.

Remember to take breaks, sit down as much as you can, and get in the pools to help ease any swelling.

 

[erincon23]

For those of you who have arthritis in their feet, you may want to try something I recently found -- my doctor suggested New Balance "rocker bottom" shoes with a steel shank in the sole. This prevents your foot from bending while you walk. It's been a huge lifesaver for me! I went to WDW last October with a friend, and was almost in tears every day from the pain. Then I went to the doctor, and he said my options were live with it, surgery or cortisone shots, and the last two would have been very difficult. He suggested these shoes -- they're expensive -- $115 -- and you can only get them at New Balance stores (and maybe online), not at Kohl's or other New Balance discounters, but the first day I started wearing them, I could walk without ANY pain! I'm a substitute teacher, so there are days when I'm on my feet a lot, and the most trouble I have is a little bit of tiredness. We're going back in 2-1/2 weeks, and I'm apprehensive, but not fearful. The biggest problem is that they look orthopedic, and who wants to look like that, but if they keep me from screaming, it's worth it. Now I'm trying to find some other shoes with a really stiff sole just to have some alternates!

Erin

 

[sharadoc]

Hi. I just got back from a 10 day trip in January with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I can say honestly that I will be getting a scooter next trip. I resisted this time because I didn't want to be thought of as "old".

The main thing I discovered on this trip is how much my other joints are affected. I got cortisone shots on both knees a few weeks before the trip, and I thought I would be set. But my ankles and hips were killing me, as well as my back. I'm developing it in my shoulders and they would hurt as well. We had warm and cold weather while we were there, and I really didn't find a difference between the two in terms of the affecting my pain.

I stopped and rested a lot, so much that I think it started to annoy my kids. But, they love me and never complained but in the long run I felt guilty.

My pain gets so bad that I literally can't move my legs. I can gut out any level of pain, but this trip made me realize that I honestly CAN'T do it.

My family's fun and enjoyment are the number one reason that I'll be getting a scooter. The heck with what other people may think, or wonder why. I'm there to have a great time with my kids.

Now that I've decided to get a scooter for the August trip, I'm actually looking forward to it more. Don't let your RA get in the way - get a scooter!!!!!!

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk about. Have a great trip.

Sharon

 

[ajcrusher]

I have severely arthritic knees too. The last time we went two years ago, I did the first day without renting an ECV but on our 2nd day (in Magic Kingdom), I got almost to the castle when I realized I couldn't do it anymore and limped back and rented an ECV. It was a lifesaver. I noticed some rides hurt my knees really bad. I can't do Soarin' again. No support under my feet pulled on my knees and I could hardly walk back to the ECV. And Space Mountain for some reason really bothered them as well. There were some rides I decided not to ride because I was afraid I couldn't get in and out of the ride vehicles very easily. But my husband said it was a much more enjoyable trip since we realized early on that we couldn't do everything and we slowed our pace and enjoyed it more. When we go in a couple of weeks, I'm going to take an ice pack and refill it with ice throughout the day and try to keep the swelling down so that maybe the times I have to be on my feet, it won't be so bad.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I have arthritis in my ankles as well as bone spurs. My feet/ankles become very painful in cold, damp weather. The summer rain in WDW is warm and doesn't have the same effect on me. The problem lies with the walking so I'm renting an ECV for our upcoming trip.

OP, I highly recommend using an ECV if at all possible. Any apprehension you may have about doing so will be overshadowed by the relief from not being in pain and being able to enjoy yourself on your vacation with your family.

 

[deanie]

We are heading to WDW in 6 weeks and I am also getting really worried about my knees. They seem to be getting worse and I am wondering if I should even be going. I have never used an ECV or a WC. Are ECV's easy to use?

I also thought I would take ziploc bags with me and fill them with ice to use as ice packs.