Bulging disk in my back

[prestonsmomma]

Great we leave in 30 days and I just found out that my back issues this week have been from a bulging disk. My pain is easing with chiropractic adjustments and therapy. Anyone been to Disney with a recently healed (optimistic thinking here) bulging disk?? My doctor says it's still too early to be sure but he THINKS I should be OK for the drive down and all of the walking.

 

[dock]

70-80% of people have buldging disc(s) in their lumbar spine. Its just whether or not they become symptomatic (pain) or not. Sitting is the worst thing for it due to the extra compression so the drive may not be the healthiest thing for it unless you get out of the car frequently to walk around. Walking is good, and so you'd better start walking now to try and heal up. Walking/stretching provides fluid movement in and out of the discs and surrounding joints which in turn helps carry in proper nutrients and carry away waste products. That in turn promotes healing. Liquid (most tablets don't dissolve enough to be absorbed) sulfate (glucosamine, chondroitin,msm,hyaluronic acid) compounds help repair disc/cartliage tissue as well.

If you are overweight well then your problem is more complex.

Best of success in your treatment.

 

[joeytiffany118]

I have a few and I agree stretching helps a lot. Try to avoid Dinosaur at AK it is rough on your lower back.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) DD#1 went 9-weeks after having 3-discs replaced.
2) She just stayed away from roller coaster and big-drop rides.
. . . she did do rides such as Pirates
. . . she did not do rides like Splash Mountain
3) She was fine.

 

[LorieR]

I started experiencing back pain a few weeks ago when I dropped something in the shower and bent down to pick it up. (This was the day I was seeing my podiatrist for a last injection for heel spurs and to pick up orthotics). Chiropractor said I have a bulging disc. This was 9 days before our November trip, which I ended up cancelling I have been undergoing chiropractic treatment and have had a vast improvement in my condition, although I still have a way to go!! (Unfortunately, my heel pain is acting up again though!!) I called last night and made reservations for 12/12/06, which gives me 33 more days to recuperate. I will adjust my activities there as needed but I REALLY need some Disney Magic this year!! DH and I are really looking forward to this trip!!

To the OP, I feel your pain!! Good luck! I hope you are feeling better soon! (Me too!!)

 

[Marilynbn]

What an interesting place to find this thread. In May of 1999 we arrived for our first visit to WDW, staying at CBR. We arrived in late evening from California and upon lifting my large suitcase from the bed to the floor I experienced my first back spasm! It grabbed me tight and would not let go! Luckily, I had just had a root canal and had brought my pain killers with me...life saver. The trip was still very difficult, standing and sitting were the worst and walking or lying flat was the best.

Years later, after many, many episodes of back pain, in September of 2003 I finally succombed to the fact that my back was getting worse and completely debilitating me. I was a labor and delivery nurse at the time, which is an extremely physical specialty of nursing!

I had surgery, 1/3 of my bulging disk was removed and it took me nearly 6 months to fully recover. I left labor & delivery and I have had no recurrances since.

We have been to WDW many times since then and to Disneyland even more. I simply now avoid the rough rides and I don't miss them anyway. If your disk is still bulging and causing sciatica etc. be careful with signs of muscle weakness on the afflicted side. I am also a former dancer, in a former life so I am well versed in the anatomy of the body. Stretching is great, walking is great, Motrin is great!

Always use a cold pack on the site instead of heat as this does aid in decreasing inflammation. Heat feels good but does nothing to reduce the irritation of the inflammed nerves. Heat however is good for the muscle spasms to relax them as they are trying to protect your spine by tightening the area. It is a back and forth process, cold,heat, cold, heat.

I once spent 6 hours in a car with an ice cube pack on my back as we drove South to Disneyland...nothing will keep me from Disney!!

Sorry for the long winded answer...just be careful and mindful and see a physical therapist for some good exercise advice. Marilyn

 

[barrie]

I have a herniated disk that kept me flat on the floor (literally) for 3 months. I tried every treatment I could to avoid surgery. My best advice is the same as dock's - walking is the best thing, sitting is the worst. Accupunture treatments seemed to help me quite a bit. But the thing that finally knocked out the pain was a steroid shot (2 actually). Since then, 3 years ago, I've been ok. I walk a lot though.

So the drive down could be bad but once there if you avoid the radical rides you may find you feel better just because of the amount of walking. Depending on how bad it is though, I might reconsider driving. Or figure out how to ride prone instead of sitting - that might help. It may not bother you that much during the ride but the consequences of the ride could ruin your trip - that would really be unfortunate.

Best of luck - I can so relate! Barrie

 

[prestonsmomma]

Thank you all so much for your help. I knew I wasn't the only one determined to go to Disney even with a bum back. I walk daily but I haven't been able to do much of anything buy lay down this week. I'm concerned about the drive as well. We will be driving my mini-van so hopefully I can stretch out pretty well in the back seat if I start to hurt and we will be stopping frequently anyway as my 4 year old has a bladder the size of a small green pea (as does my MIL for that matter) so that might help. Or maybe now my DH will see fit to take SW up on a Ding. The most disappointing thing is that it looks like I will definately miss Everest and I SOOO wanted to ride it. The rest are no biggie to me, been there done that and it will just be an excuse to go back.

 

[LorieR]

I want to thank everyone for their responses to the OP too! It made me feel much better about my back and my upcoming trip to WDW in 33 days!! I am 54 years old and cried when I had to call to cancel our 10/31-11/7/06 trip! I felt so bad for the CM on the phone!! I have had cancer twice so in the whole scheme of things if I have to pop some Motrin or Alevel to help me enjoy Disney World then so be it! DH had wanted to see the Christmas decorations in the first place, so now he gets his wish!!

 

[Uncle Albert]

I've got it too. I have had it for 3 months now and I've had an MRI and gone to specialists and nothing helps but time and making the area stonger and stretching.

I'm tired of it. But I'm still going to WDW in 9 days. he-he.

I think I will stay away from Dinosaur. And Star Tours.

Uncle Albert

 

[jngwright]

Went with a disc extrustion in Nov 2004, no way was I cancelling the trip! (I'm a stubborn gal) My prescriptions and PT didn't help and my sister ended up pushing me in a wheelchair. What finally alleviated the PAIN (!!!!) was 4 ibuprofin every 6 hours, at the advice of my doctor. It was magic (for me).

 

[prestonsmomma]

I've got it too. I have had it for 3 months now and I've had an MRI and gone to specialists and nothing helps but time and making the area stonger and stretching.

I'm tired of it. But I'm still going to WDW in 9 days. he-he.

I think I will stay away from Dinosaur. And Star Tours.

Uncle Albert

Hey and you are just down the road from me a little bit. Have you tried acupuncture yet?? I swear that is the only thing getting me through it.

 

[Uncle Albert]

I have not tried acupuncture....Maybe I can get Minnie to walk on my back?

I've been in Detroit for the past 5 weeks. It's nice to be back in NC.

Uncle Albert

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest go to the disABILTIES! Forum. There are lots of people there who have or had medical problems. Also, we have a "disABILITIES! FAQ" which is the fifth item down on the list. You should be able to get a lot of helpful information there

 

[Redbudlover]

Everyone is different - I had a disc problem that lasted longer than expected which a lot of times means it is chronic. They had me on cortisone treatment that helped a lot but they cannot keep you on it indefinitely. Finally I had to have a lumbar injection of cortisone. It was a miracle! Immediate relief and the pain has not come back with this caveat. A good friend who is an orthopedic surgeon said the best way to keep it from recurring is to exercise every single week for the rest of my life. To do strengthening and core exercises. I took his advise and feel 20 years younger! No backpain, good balance, good flexibility, strong.

One other thing - my doctor asked me after my injection if I did a lot of traveling and I said yes. He gave me a script for a cortisone "package" to be used for an emergency if I was away and the pain returned. Just enough to keep me going until I could get back. I would ask your physician for something like that for your trip.... I still carry it with me on trips!

 

[elainabelle]

I have DDD (degenerative disc disease), this includes buldging discs, spinsl surgery, herniations, fracture, etc. I deal with some level of pain all the time, but I absolutely positively won't stop being active. My survival guide to back pain and vacations:
-good walking shoes
-lots of ibuprofen, narcotics for back-up if you go into bad spasms
-a back cushion for the car ride
-if you are flaring up, a back support(looks like a big ace bandage)
-stretch,stretch, stretch (a.m., in parks, before bed)
-let others carry purse, backpack, fannypack, etc
-bring heating pad for sleeping
-just keep walking, I've found the best thing for pain is not to give into it but to work through it

I'm sorry you are in pain. Back pain is horrible. Hang in there and have a great trip!