Avoiding ME line due to anxiety issues?

[RebeccaB]

My mil passes out at the strangest times, and it's never the same twice. What didn't bother her last time may bother her the next.

Hence, my question. Last year when we arrived at ME, the lines were crazy, and it was stifling down there. No air moving whatsoever. So, out goes MIL. We wound up with paramedics tending to her and bypassing ME altogether thanks to Mickey ordering us a towncar. This was the first time in at least 4 trips with us that she's ever had a problem with this.

She never had a problem the rest of the trip.

My plan this time was to simply have her and FIL head to the front of where the ME lines are and hang out on the benches til dh,dd and I work our way through the line. Will they allow us to do this? Do we have other options besides avoiding ME? Thanks guys.

 

[Cyrano]

Moving to the transportation board as the folks there may be able to help

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm no expert in ME, but I personally would imagine they could do this. Why have the benches (there are benches?) if this can't be done?

Alternatively, can you ask the airport personnel for a wheelchair to borrow while she's in the airport.

And then, of course, has she had herself checked out? If it happened when there was no moving air, crowded situation, are you sure it's anxiety and not something more physical? My MIL has fainty episodes, but it's a heart condition, not anxiety. Looks like anxiety once it has started, because it CAUSES a lot of fear, but it's not caused by it. She's also incredibly sensitive to heat.

 

[RebeccaB]

I'm no expert in ME, but I personally would imagine they could do this. Why have the benches (there are benches?) if this can't be done?

Alternatively, can you ask the airport personnel for a wheelchair to borrow while she's in the airport.

And then, of course, has she had herself checked out? If it happened when there was no moving air, crowded situation, are you sure it's anxiety and not something more physical? My MIL has fainty episodes, but it's a heart condition, not anxiety. Looks like anxiety once it has started, because it CAUSES a lot of fear, but it's not caused by it. She's also incredibly sensitive to heat.

Bumbershoot, it's very possible that there is more to it than simple anxiety (although as an anxiety sufferer myself there's nothing "simple" about it ) However, she believes it's quite normal and refuses to go to a dr regarding it. She always has a readily handy excuse. She is also incredibly sensitive to heat, and during the warm months here never goes out of the house w/out drinking water. Good thing we rarely see days over 90 degrees here.

It's just perplexing that we can be in the exact same situation at a different time and she doesn't have any issues. This does lead me to think that you are correct, that there is more than just anxiety happening. Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

I would either have her take a seat while the rest of you wait in the line, or get her a wheelchair to use until she gets to the bus.
Many times, if the air gets close and it's at all hot, and you stand for a longish time, with your knees locked, you will go down. That's what happens to the kids singing in the CP....that's almost always the reason.

 

[nkereina]

Agree with asking for the wheelchair. Also, when are you arriving? We have found that arrival time drastically dictates how crazy DME will be. We once arrived around 9:30am on a Thursday in April and pretty much walked onto the bus. The second time we arrived around 11am on a Saturday in September and waited about 40 minutes in line, through two buses. Something to consider if your travel dates are flexible at all.

 

[seashoreCM]

If it is stifling down there then even people with no heart condition or other condition can feel faint and should sit down or crouch down before they fall down.

If it is stifling down there then there is something wrong with the airport air conditioning.
.

 

[RebeccaB]

Last year we arrived at ME about 10am on a Saturday in Sept, and it was super crowded. In years past we've arrived on a Tues or Wed, and it was practically walk on the bus. This coming trip we are arriving on Wednesday at about 11am. Hopefully it will be less crowded.

Thanks for all your replies!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

If I stand still, like in a line, for too long I faint. Heat makes it worse. I ended up with something called neurocardiogenic syncope. She needs to go to a doctor, it's not an option if she has those triggers.

 

[Peachkins]

Isn't it air-conditioned in the bus waiting area? I've been in there when it's been crowded, but I don't remember it being that hot or stifling. If she's fainting in that type of situation she really should see a doctor- especially if it's happened multiple times.

 

[bleeps]

I appreciate your not being able to predict the triggers, etc., AND about what it is like to care for someone who stubbornly refuses medical care....

I just wonder if it is worth it for your family to consider skipping ME altogether and getting towncar service.

We tried ME once and it was a nightmare for us -- coming and going. Now, we always use Tiffany Towncar. Yes, it is an expense (about $100 round trip). But I cannot tell you what a huge difference in makes in both starting and ending our WDW trips on a great note. We just budget it in with other vacation costs.

Just a thought!

 

[bumbershoot]

Bumbershoot, it's very possible that there is more to it than simple anxiety (although as an anxiety sufferer myself there's nothing "simple" about it ) However, she believes it's quite normal and refuses to go to a dr regarding it. She always has a readily handy excuse. She is also incredibly sensitive to heat, and during the warm months here never goes out of the house w/out drinking water. Good thing we rarely see days over 90 degrees here.

It's just perplexing that we can be in the exact same situation at a different time and she doesn't have any issues. This does lead me to think that you are correct, that there is more than just anxiety happening. Thanks!

Hugs to all of you! And I hope I didn't somehow downplay anxiety in my response. I've had the occasional, random panic attack and it sure doesn't feel nice. I simply have MIL on the mind, it sounded like what happens to my MIL, and with her it's something else. But I can totally understand her not wanting to get it all figured out...that stuff is scary to go through. I know my MIL sort of wishes none of it had been figured out sometimes.

I just wonder if it is worth it for your family to consider skipping ME altogether and getting towncar service.

 

[RebeccaB]

Hugs to all of you! And I hope I didn't somehow downplay anxiety in my response. I've had the occasional, random panic attack and it sure doesn't feel nice. I simply have MIL on the mind, it sounded like what happens to my MIL, and with her it's something else. But I can totally understand her not wanting to get it all figured out...that stuff is scary to go through. I know my MIL sort of wishes none of it had been figured out sometimes.

Bumbershoot, no worries. Anxiety is a weird, annoying affliction that affects everyone differently. I wish I could get my MIL to get tested but I also completely understand her not wanting to know, if it does turn out to be more than that.

Eh, we'll just slip her some of my hubs Xanax (Shh don't tell)....and all will be well.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You might want to get her a Frogg Togg towel. You can get them in the camping section of Walmart or at Bed Bath Beyond. When you wet the towel it becomes very cold and will stay cold for 4 hours. I carry mine in a ziplock bag to keep other things from getting wet. After 4 hours simply rewet it and it turns cold again.

 

[pilferk]

My mil passes out at the strangest times, and it's never the same twice. What didn't bother her last time may bother her the next.

Hence, my question. Last year when we arrived at ME, the lines were crazy, and it was stifling down there. No air moving whatsoever. So, out goes MIL. We wound up with paramedics tending to her and bypassing ME altogether thanks to Mickey ordering us a towncar. This was the first time in at least 4 trips with us that she's ever had a problem with this.

She never had a problem the rest of the trip.

My plan this time was to simply have her and FIL head to the front of where the ME lines are and hang out on the benches til dh,dd and I work our way through the line. Will they allow us to do this? Do we have other options besides avoiding ME? Thanks guys.

We do it this way all the time. One person (usually me) waits in the ME line..the rest of our crew (my wife, kids, and any travel companions) just head to the "exit" area and wait for me. In fact, if I remember correctly, when we flew down in December this was what they requested: Only one member of your travel party in the ME line.