Disney after recovering from illness..

[TwoCortWort]

Hey All!

We are just under 3 weeks from our check-in for our 2 week visit. I am still recovering from having shingles (I am just at the 2 week mark of being diagnosed) and I am still rebuilding my strength from being basically house bound for a week. I feel like I may not survive 2 weeks at Disney at this rate. It's bad enough I had to miss out on the family trip out to Colorado this past week, but I don't want to be the one that cuts the fun down and away if I don't have the energy back. I am back walking twice a day and that wears me out and I was at a musical yesterday plus a 2 hour to and from car ride and I was in bed asleep by 9:30 last night. The affects of shingles aren't too bad pain wise, but its like my energy level is not there at all.

Any tips? I have been sick while at Disney and just pushed through it, but all I need is my immune system to be crashed and get something else this summer.

 

[Jennytoon]

I totally understand the psychological "Ack, not me!" that may be the instantaneous response, but have you considered getting a wheelchair? They are not only for people who are permanently disabled, they are also for people who can walk ... but just not that far or that much. Sure, there will be people who give you looks when you park your wheelchair and walk through a short queue, but what do they know? They shouldn't be judging anyway.

One more suggestion; if you do end up going this route and were planning on using Disney transpo, you might consider renting a car to make the process easier and give you more flexibility about where you use it (for instance you can just leave it in the car if you go to TS dinner at a resort after the parks and don't need it).

ETA: I should say that I also understand not being the one that wants to be the slow draggy one, but from the other side of that I would rather wait for a family member and go at the pace that everyone can enjoy than get more done in the parks at the expense of spending time together as a group. That's just me, but there is a possibility that your family will feel the same.

 

[mondragon]

I totally understand the psychological "Ack, not me!" that may be the instantaneous response, but have you considered getting a wheelchair? They are not only for people who are permanently disabled, they are also for people who can walk ... but just not that far or that much. Sure, there will be people who give you looks when you park your wheelchair and walk through a short queue, but what do they know? They shouldn't be judging anyway.

One more suggestion; if you do end up going this route and were planning on using Disney transpo, you might consider renting a car to make the process easier and give you more flexibility about where you use it (for instance you can just leave it in the car if you go to TS dinner at a resort after the parks and don't need it).

ETA: I should say that I also understand not being the one that wants to be the slow draggy one, but from the other side of that I would rather wait for a family member and go at the pace that everyone can enjoy than get more done in the parks at the expense of spending time together as a group. That's just me, but there is a possibility that your family will feel the same.

It's nothing to do with the walking. You are literally exhausted. Wheelchair will not help. My neighbor went through shingles last year and felt extremely fatigued every day for about 2 months. It's not fun. I am being honest, op you are going to have to take it easy. Don't overdo it and don't feel obligated to try and keep up with others. You don't want to get a shingles rash while on vacation. Stay hydrated and keep Motrin on hand for the headaches.

 

[jec6613]

The last time I went to WDW I was at the 3 week mark from a shingles diagnosis. Now, I was 29 at the time, so I recovered pretty quickly overall, but I essentially poured coffee on the problem and was okay. A bit stiff a few times, and I caught a catnap on Ellen's Energy Adventure, but no major issues. Your immune system will react differently, but the best advice I can give is that if your body tells you to take a minute while you're there, you should do so.

 

[mondragon]

The last time I went to WDW I was at the 3 week mark from a shingles diagnosis. Now, I was 29 at the time, so I recovered pretty quickly overall, but I essentially poured coffee on the problem and was okay. A bit stiff a few times, and I caught a catnap on Ellen's Energy Adventure, but no major issues. Your immune system will react differently, but the best advice I can give is that if your body tells you to take a minute while you're there, you should do so.

Good advice. Always listen to your body and don't push it.

 

[minnie mum]

If you're 3 weeks away from your trip you will be contending with the relentless Florida heat and humidity on top of your fatigue. But at least the parks are open late. Have you discussed afternoon resort breaks with your family? On top of taking a more relaxed approach to park touring (and there is NOTHING wrong with finding a quiet place to rest while the rest go on a ride!l) having a rest during the hottest and most crowded part of the day would let you recharge for the evening.

I hope your recovery continues smoothly.

 

[ArwenMarie]

If you still have three weeks, I think you still have time to feel better and regain some energy. Hang in there!

 

[mondragon]

If you still have three weeks, I think you still have time to feel better and regain some energy. Hang in there!

Shingles takes a long time to leave the body. Its not like a cold. Maybe by August op will be better.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Shingles takes a long time to leave the body. Its not like a cold. Maybe by August op will be better.

I've had shingles, I'm well aware. I still think three weeks is an optimistic amount of time in which to regain some energy. Three days would be another story.

 

[Jimsig]

Skip the wheelchair and rent an ECV. You will probably wear yourself out more having to use a wheelchair or wear out family members from having to push you. There are a number of places to rent ECV's from and they will deliver to your resort as well. We have rented them twice for my wife for fatigue issues related to cancer. The first time she was basically undergoing chemo, her doctor gave a few week break before the trip. If she hadn't used it she would have been toast each day by 3pm. The second time she was just over 4 months post cancer surgery that has a 3 month total recovery, in the end she never used it but gave her piece of mind to have it. We have used Apple Scooters both times and have been very happy.

 

[disnut8]

Skip the wheelchair and rent an ECV. You will probably wear yourself out more having to use a wheelchair or wear out family members from having to push you. There are a number of places to rent ECV's from and they will deliver to your resort as well.

I agree with this. I've never had shingles but had a co-worker who did. She was off work for a while and came back weakened and it took a while for her to get back up to "speed". So, the walking would not be good for you (she could do her work from a chair with minimal walking) and you would conserve your energy to build up again. Just about all Disney World queues are handicapped accessible so it's not like you and your family would be skipping lines by having an ECV. Most times, you'd just be like any other guest in the regular line. And the times that you aren't, your family can join you but you might have to wait for a vehicle that can access you.

I was in a manual wheelchair with my husband pushing me and he obviously couldn't push me into a ladies room so I just got up and used the wheelchair as a walker and no one said a thing to me. That was a short time in a wheelchair and yours will be a short time at Disney World with an ECV. You may look healthy but you aren't. I looked healthy but wasn't.

Don't get the ECV just for you - get it for your family. Oh - and do what my dad did when he rented one. He went around World Showcase at Epcot and asked other ECV users if they wanted to race him!

 

[TwoCortWort]

I have never rented a wheelchair or ECV, my parents are like should we just cancel and I am like heck no! I will look into these options, but right now and still working on walking twice a daily...but by 9:00 at night I am ready to crash and go to bed. The pain in my elbow is a bigger issue it seems over my fatigue. I didn't realize how this could wipe you out. I am hoping my age and having this will be on my side too.

 

[BalooPA]

I actually got sick AT Disney once, in the middle of a trip, with a stomach virus. Missed a couple of days, and then on the first day back, I had no strength from dehydration and fatigue. I rented a scooter, and it was a GODSEND. Kept me from missing another day in recovery. If you think you will need one for the entire trip, I would suggest renting one offsite, as it is MUCH cheaper. I have been looking into these options since I would like to take my parents, and they both have knee and back issues. If you think you may be able to handle a few days without, then just pick one up any day you feel you need one.

 

[JennyDrake]

I also vote for renting an ECV!! I've had excellent service from Walker Mobility.

Especially in August when the heat is BRUTAL. You have no appreciation for the energy you will expend just getting from your room to INSIDE a park.

I think you should plan a midday break for yourself--even if no one else. the LAST thing you want to do is overtax your immune system by getting fatigued and dehydrated.

 

[RogueKnits]

From what I understand, shingles is very much an individualized thing with how your body reacts. Some people have a much worse time than others. My 90 year old grandmother had a fairly mild case several months ago and didn't seem to have much difficulty, but my dad had it years ago and took quite a while to get back to "normal". If it were me, I would go, but just understand you may need to take more rest breaks and have a more relaxing time than typical. Hopefully you will be feeling much better by then.

 

[disnut8]

I have never rented a wheelchair or ECV, my parents are like should we just cancel and I am like heck no! I will look into these options, but right now and still working on walking twice a daily...but by 9:00 at night I am ready to crash and go to bed. The pain in my elbow is a bigger issue it seems over my fatigue. I didn't realize how this could wipe you out. I am hoping my age and having this will be on my side too.

Continue doing your walking but really look into renting from an offsite company. It's no big deal - they deliver and pick up from your resort - onsite or offsite. When I had my manual wheelchair (and my husband had one on an earlier trip), I was able to call just a few days before the trip and had absolutely no problems at all.

I would advise renting the ECV now so it's all taken care of and then, if you need to change to a manual wheelchair or even a walker, you can do that. The MOST important thing right now is to continue on your recovery so taking care of a simple thing like reserving an ECV means one less thing for you to think about before your vacation. That time should be used for recovery. One phone call or a visit to the website and then you can concentrate on your recovery.