Disney World with a programmable VP shunt

[Disneyfanatic82]

Hello everyone, just a few quick questions. In January of this year I had to have a programmable VP shunt placed due to Psuedo Tumor Cerebri. I am 31 years old and will be coming to Disney World at the end of October for my honeymoon. My shunt is programmed via high power magnets, so I have to be cautious whenever I have an MRI. They usually take an X-ray to make sure the pressure didn't change. I know the monorail uses magnets, I'm wondering if it is safe for me to ride the monorail. My neurosurgeon was unsure if the magnet was strong enough to affect the settings. Also, can anyone offer any other tips for enjoying the parks with a VP shunt. I was told I have no ride restrictions, but I'm still a little nervous. Thanks everyone!

 

[disney david]

Hello everyone, just a few quick questions. In January of this year I had to have a programmable VP shunt placed due to Psuedo Tumor Cerebri. I am 31 years old and will be coming to Disney World at the end of October for my honeymoon. My shunt is programmed via high power magnets, so I have to be cautious whenever I have an MRI. They usually take an X-ray to make sure the pressure didn't change. I know the monorail uses magnets, I'm wondering if it is safe for me to ride the monorail. My neurosurgeon was unsure if the magnet was strong enough to affect the settings. Also, can anyone offer any other tips for enjoying the parks with a VP shunt. I was told I have no ride restrictions, but I'm still a little nervous. Thanks everyone!

The monorail has wheels that move it and it runs off power not sure it has magnets. The ride I would stay away from is the people mover that use magnets to move you along the track not sure how power fully if you need to stay of space mountain and aster orbiters since they are near it. But the monorail has wheels and a motor that's way some if the track is black from the tires. Maybe someone will come along and say different by from what I know their no magnets it runs off power.

 

[Michigan]

I had a pseudo tumor cerebri with papilledema in the 80's. Worst headaches ever.

My 15 year old has a programmable shunt and rides the monorail probably 100 times a year and she also does thunder mountain and goofy roller coaster without any problem. There is a roller coaster at Busch Gardens that has the strongest magnetic field of any coaster in the USA and we just avoid that entire area.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

The only rides I would concerned with is R n R Coaster- The launch utilizes magnetic force and Peoplemover as stated above..

I no need to worry about the monorail at all- very little to no magnetic force used

 

[DisneyDude71]

This!

The only rides I would concerned with is R n R Coaster- The launch utilizes magnetic force and Peoplemover as stated above..

I no need to worry about the monorail at all- very little to no magnetic force used

 

[Disneyfanatic82]

Thanks everyone! I have had no problems so far with the shunt and I'm trying to keep it that way It's just a little scary knowing I have something in my head that is controlled by high powered magnets. I've researched it a lot and according to what I've read a machine has to be running at 1.5 Tesla or greater to cause a disturbance. I've had two MRI's and neither messed with the setting. However, my neurosurgeon told me he once had a patient who traveled abroad to Japan and their mass transit system changed her valve setting. I absolutely can't wait for our trip though! I plan on avoiding the rides mentioned above, since it's far better to be safe than sorry. Thank you again for all of your help! I truly appreciate it!

 

[samnbilly]

Can you contact the manufacturer of your shunt? Do you have a representative or anything?
Sometimes they have different recommendations per manufacturer with any device.
It may help to see what if any restrictions apply to the device?
Best of Luck!

 

[Michigan]

Can you contact the manufacturer of your shunt? Do you have a representative or anything?
Sometimes they have different recommendations per manufacturer with any device.
It may help to see what if any restrictions apply to the device?
Best of Luck!

If an MRI hasn't changed the setting its doubtful anything else would. MRI's always change my daughter's shunt setting.