Back Issues - Spinal Injections

[BeerMe]

We have been to WDW a few times with a WC, and we are renting one for our entire stay this January/February. My wife had surgery almost 5 years ago and had some spinal fusion and some instrumentation installed (I'm sure that's NOT the right term). It's been fine for a few years, even though she uses fentanyl patches to ease the pain. The surgeon advises more surgery above and below the site of the last surgery - removing old instrumentation and putting in more. It's not something she wants to do.

She has chosen to try some injections in her back before trying the surgical options. A week before our trip she will have a steroid injection in he SI joint and then an epidural in her back. We don't have any idea if that will work.

She is in constant pain and she wants to try walking as much as possible and hopefully the injections will help greatly, BUT. She has had some success with PT, but there are limits to what can be accomplished. One of our daughters is a DPT and her advice is good, but she doesn't know Disney other than having run in some marathons.

We plan on taking lots of time off and spending time in the hot tubs at the condos and also going to Typhoon Lagoon a few times. Hopefully the breaks will help. We have never had these types of injections before and I have a few questions for the people on this forum:

1.) What should we expect from this type of treatment? Will there be a period of soreness/pain associated with the shots?

2.) Will it be a good idea to bring pads/pillows along for her to sit on?

3.) Gee, I just thought about it. We should definitely bring her cane.

4.) Is TL easy to use a WC?

5.) Is there any other advice you can give?

We went a few months after her surgery in December 2010 and she never left the WC, but in several trips since then she did NOT use a WC so she's used to that kind of travel. We were there for the entire F&W in 2013 so she knows how much walking is involved. I also know enough to bring a cup holder for the WC so I have a place to put my beer while I'm pushing her!

We love Disney, and it makes us feel young again. I just want her to have a good trip too. I will do everything I can to make that happen.

We will be in Savannah for a while before we come to the World, so she will have some time to relax. Hopefully that will help too.

Thank you for any advice you can give.

 

[Pooh2]

Is this a one time injection or series of 3 injections?

I had the 1st of three and made me feel worse initially, took a week before experiencing some temporary relief.

My friend has the same injection and did so wonderfully with the first that she never went back for the next two. She has not had a problem since.

Definitely plan to take it slow and have plenty of time to rest.

 

[peemagg]

I get steroid injections in my back at the S1/L5 level. I have some soreness for a day, but nothing real bad. Just kind of achy. It usually takes about 3-5 days for it to take effect.

I wouldn't bring anything for her like pillows or such unless she is using them at home and it helps. It could make things more uncomfortable for her. Something you might want to get is something to help with the vinyl of the chair that might make her sweat. I invested in some cheap dish drying mats. They are only a couple of bucks at Walmart and come in two sizes. I bought both sizes and use one on the seat and one for my back. They are just the right size and are a bit of padding.

 

[candacewi5]

I have had many injections over the last 13 years and they usually leave me sore for a few days after the injections. Sometimes they have helped within 3 days, sometimes they help after I completed the series of 3, sometimes they didn't help at all. I really hope the injections help her pain and she is able to enjoy her trip! Please let us know how she is doing.

 

[powellrj]

I have had both kinds of injections and have returned to work after having them done. One piece of advice, don't do the general anesthesia, when I had the last one done, I had it done at a clinic where they were doing several people at the same time. I was one of the last ones to have them done and the first one to leave. The doctor doing the injections said most people opt for the general anesthesia due to fear and the people that don't and just use a local do better in recovery and can leave after an hour and have the rest of their day.

I am not trying to be a smarty pants, but why is she trying to walk more this trip. I would do everything I could to enjoy my trip in the best way possible and if using a wheelchair is that way, go for it. I would save the walking for times that being pain free isn't for lack of a better word, as expensive as WDW is. Save the walking for the local mall and use the wheelchair at WDW or at the very least, have one available and use it when you need it.

 

[Bete]

Since it seems further complications have developed with her back as suggested by the doctor wanting to do more surgery I would go towards use of the wheelchair more, too. Save her energy and such to get on and off the rides. You don't really know how good the injections will help her, either.

I have always found the person in the wheelchair can last a lot longer in the parks not pushing oneself to walk. This doesn't mean you can't walk here and there, but I wouldn't do it for too long and I would do it in spurts and not all at once. I would alternate activities to include more passive activities like shows, parades, fireworks, and eating with the rides. Don't do ride after ride; allow a little time and rest each time.

It might even be a good idea to go early morning to the parks and leave in the afternoon and come back in the evening after a rest.

The final choice is hers, but if you want to avoid surgery in the future I certainly wouldn't be pushing myself going to the parks walking all the time.

 

[Patty3]

I have been receiving these injections for the past two years every 6 months. One for SI joint and the other ESI. I do not get a series of three. My injections are performed under fluoroscopy. I have just minor soreness occasionally. You need to ice the injection site right after. They give me great relief. It can take up to two weeks for the full effect. When I am going to be on my feet all day I will also wear a Lidoderm patch and sometimes take an ultracet. With the above mentioned I am walking just fine. I do take some sit breaks but I feel back to my old self. I had a fall 5 years ago and messed up my back. Right now, surgery is not even being considered. Best of luck to your wife.

 

[mamabunny]

Sorry I'm a wee bit late to this party...

I have spinal stenosis & degenerative disc. This next trip, I'll be bringing along my personal scooter. I never thought I would have a personal scooter (especially not before 60th birthday!) but there it is. I have one now because it's a tool I can use to live my life - it allows me to get out, get around, and do the things I want and need to do.

I will be honest: I fought it for a long time. I thought it meant I had "given up", that I was weak. I was worried that others would see me as lazy. I was worried that people would see me (a 3L - Lovely Large Lady) and assume I needed my scooter because I was "fat".

I finally realized that none of that mattered.

I know why I use my scooter. I use it because it prolongs the time I can walk, both now and in the future. I use it because it's a tool that can help me get things done. Period end of discussion.

I have been getting injections at basically the same area your wife will be.

I'm through my first series of 3. I'll have the first of my next series about 10 days prior to our next trip (30 days from today! Yay! )

What I found - for me - was that the more I could rest after my injections, the more relief they brought. I was lucky because I could schedule my work, and my life to help "maximize" the amount of good that was possible from each injection.

After an injection, I typically try to schedule at least 5 days - preferably 7 - to allow time for steroids to really kick in and do their thing. During this time, I take it very easy; it's really tempting to jump up and start doing things (especially since I typically get a two to three day "honeymoon" period from the anesthesia) but I have learned the hard way that doing that can actually make thing worse for me in the long run.

Personally, I encourage your wife to consider renting an ECV minimally. There's no stigma attached to it; It just means she is aware of her current limitations. Without my scooter I would not be able to go to WDW on this next trip to celebrate my beautiful daughter's 21st birthday!

If she elects to stay with a wheelchair, I would certainly bring along a thick towel to cover the seat - and I would also contact reservations and ask about a mattress topper to make the bed as comfortable as possible in the room at the Resort. If she has a favorite cushion at home that she uses to sit on, by all means, bring that. Otherwise, I wouldn't bring a lot of "stuff" from home, hoping it will work - stick to what she knows is comfortable for her.

I don't like that I have to use a mobility device right now - no one ever does. But I'm not going to not use one, and miss out - especially not a trip this special!

I hope that you all have the most magical trip possible!