Have a herniated disk, looking for suggestions

[RweTHEREyet]

I have recently been diagnosed with a herniated disk and I have had one spinal injection and some acupuncture which has held the pain at bay for about two months. I can feel the pain creeping back in a little more each day. Before the injection I could not stand at my bathroom sink long enough to wash my face and brush my teeth. Right now I can do those things with discomfort, but not a lot of pain.

We have a huge family trip to WDW planned for the end of September, son and dil coming in from California, etc., and we will be there for 10 days. The trip was put into motion over a year ago, with airfare booked already for some and would be costly to cancel at this point, or I would say let's do the trip later.

I am starting to get worried about how I will be able to handle the parks. I will probably get another injection before the trip, but even with that, I am not able to walk great lengths or stand for extended periods of time.

In thinking about renting a scooter, I am concerned that I would be subject to comments and ridicule when people saw me being able to get out of the scooter and walk a little ways or negotiate a short line. If I didn't have a scooter, then I doubt I would be able to make it much past the morning at any of the parks.

Anyone have suggestions of any kind for me about renting/using a scooter and how to make things a little more doable and not such a pain for the rest of the group, etc. I know I won't have a handicapped tag for the car, does that mean we would get the luck of the draw when we drove to the parks?

I am such a newbie at all of this, and I thought that those of you who deal with these things on a daily basis might be able to help me out a bit.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Schmeck]

I just squirted Diet Pepsi out my nose - maybe SueM could fix the typo in your title?

Definitely get a scooter, and don't worry about comments. Most people will understand the 'getting out of the scooter' scenario, as most people understand that there's a lot of walking at WDW.

Practice with one at home before you go.

Tell the CMs in the parking lot that you have a scooter, and need to park at the end of a row - would that be helpful? I'm thinking there might be an area for people without tags but with devices near the HP section too - someone else may know what it's called?

 

[POOHsie]

I use a scooter full time. On the internet you will read hateful comments, and it's so sad. However, I can attest that when you are at WDW, you won't encounter any of that awfulness. I think others will agree with me.

If you have a scooter in your vehicle but no handicap placard, tell the parking lot CM about your situation. They can either place you in certain spots at the end of certain parking rows (where you don't need to worry about the tram), or they may direct you to the handicap lot. HOWEVER, the handicap lot consists of blue painted spots where you need a handicap permit, AND there are also plain spots. Park in the plain spots. Orange Co. Sheriffs patrol that lot and write $250 tickets all the time.

My sister was recently diagnosed with a herniated disc. Her condition caused numbness in her leg and pain. She was a good candidate for surgery. It was a relatively non-invasive procedure using laser, and her scar was just a few inches long. She was home from the procedure same day, and moving around pretty good in less than 2 weeks. But she's strictly on light duty. Says the feeling is returning to her leg slowly. Has someone talked to you about surgery?

Be sure to visit SueM's Sticky at the top of this Forum for great info, including scooter rentals. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

 

[deegack]

Dh had a herniated disk our last trip. He found it better to use something to lean on( he used the stroller but a rollanator would work as well). Take it slow, take some extra heavy pain meds and use the jacuzzi at night.

He had surgery a couple months after the trip and felt better when he woke from surgery

 

[bidnow5]

Disney is the best place to ride a scooter most people are so overwhelmed with so much to see they don't notice who is on a scooter. I have had almost no problem in Disney locally in stores and malls is a nightmare sometimes but Disney is always wonderful for me

 

[stitchlovestink]

I have recently been diagnosed with a herniated disk and I have had one spinal injection and some acupuncture which has held the pain at bay for about two months. I can feel the pain creeping back in a little more each day. Before the injection I could not stand at my bathroom sink long enough to wash my face and brush my teeth. Right now I can do those things with discomfort, but not a lot of pain.

We have a huge family trip to WDW planned for the end of September, son and dil coming in from California, etc., and we will be there for 10 days. The trip was put into motion over a year ago, with airfare booked already for some and would be costly to cancel at this point, or I would say let's do the trip later.

I am starting to get worried about how I will be able to handle the parks. I will probably get another injection before the trip, but even with that, I am not able to walk great lengths or stand for extended periods of time.

In thinking about renting a scooter, I am concerned that I would be subject to comments and ridicule when people saw me being able to get out of the scooter and walk a little ways or negotiate a short line. If I didn't have a scooter, then I doubt I would be able to make it much past the morning at any of the parks.

Anyone have suggestions of any kind for me about renting/using a scooter and how to make things a little more doable and not such a pain for the rest of the group, etc. I know I won't have a handicapped tag for the car, does that mean we would get the luck of the draw when we drove to the parks?

I am such a newbie at all of this, and I thought that those of you who deal with these things on a daily basis might be able to help me out a bit.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Why don't you talk to your Dr about getting a temporary HC hang tag? Here where I am, it's really not that difficult to get a temp (6mo) one. Might be worth checking out and there isnt a cost involved at the MVA.
I would suggest getting an ECV from an offsite rental co if you have that much pain. And you need to not care what others think about you getting up from the ecv. Sitting all the time is TERRIBLE for a herination. I speak from experience. I have had a disc the was a SEVERE rupture (almost to the point of emergency surgery). I had surgery to fix it. 3 days post op I fell down an entire flight of steps and reruptured and had 2nd surgery months later but ended up with worse irreparable damage now. I now have herniations on the other side and in the middle of that same disc. So I speak from experience that sitting too much is not good for a herniation. Besides every surgeon (6 that I have seen for additional opinions since I ended up with more problems after my 2nd surgery) told me this too! So get up and walk around and move some too! But you can't worry about others opinions or comments. My last suggestion...be selective in what you ride so you don't do more damage. Jarring and intense bumping "could" damage it more....seriously!! If you have pain meds be sure to take them with you and I would suggest keeping them locked in the safe in your room.
I hope you are able to enjoy your trip and aren't too uncomfortable! Good Luck!


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[RweTHEREyet]

I just squirted Diet Pepsi out my nose - maybe SueM could fix the typo in your title?

Caught it myself, I thought before anyone saw it, but evidently not. I sat at my desk with a most embarassed look on my face and my fingers could not fix that mistake fast enough. Oh my--I don't even have one of those.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I use a scooter full time. On the internet you will read hateful comments, and it's so sad. However, I can attest that when you are at WDW, you won't encounter any of that awfulness. I think others will agree with me.

If you have a scooter in your vehicle but no handicap placard, tell the parking lot CM about your situation. They can either place you in certain spots at the end of certain parking rows (where you don't need to worry about the tram), or they may direct you to the handicap lot. HOWEVER, the handicap lot consists of blue painted spots where you need a handicap permit, AND there are also plain spots. Park in the plain spots. Orange Co. Sheriffs patrol that lot and write $250 tickets all the time.

My sister was recently diagnosed with a herniated disc. Her condition caused numbness in her leg and pain. She was a good candidate for surgery. It was a relatively non-invasive procedure using laser, and her scar was just a few inches long. She was home from the procedure same day, and moving around pretty good in less than 2 weeks. But she's strictly on light duty. Says the feeling is returning to her leg slowly. Has someone talked to you about surgery?

Be sure to visit SueM's Sticky at the top of this Forum for great info, including scooter rentals. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

Yes, my orthopedist has talked to me about surgery, but we are going to try physical therapy and one or two more spinal injections before going that route. I have numbness in addition to the pain, always feels like my leg has gone to sleep.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

As far as pain meds, they had me on tramadol, which I took for about a month, then had me taking two every four hours. I started developing a lot of side affects and had to quit them, so now I am just on 500 mg. Tylenol, but the pain is getting worse and I may have to ask for something else.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I do appreciate the input.

 

[Schmeck]

As far as pain meds, they had me on tramadol, which I took for about a month, then had me taking two every four hours. I started developing a lot of side affects and had to quit them, so now I am just on 500 mg. Tylenol, but the pain is getting worse and I may have to ask for something else.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I do appreciate the input.

Ask the doctor for something (strong) just for your trip? There are quite a few choices out there, and they would give you a temporary break from the pain, enough to enjoy your vacation.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I just squirted Diet Pepsi out my nose - maybe SueM could fix the typo in your title?

One more quick thing, sounds like you weren't aware that you can fix your own titles.

Just select edit
you will see an advanced button, select that
Then you can edit your own title

But then, you may not make the kind of typos that I do, and you may not need to know this.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Ask the doctor for something (strong) just for your trip? There are quite a few choices out there, and they would give you a temporary break from the pain, enough to enjoy your vacation.

If going this route I would seriously advice doing homework BEFORE the trip. You will want to KNOW how you react to medication beforehand instead of just taking some along and popping one in WDW and possibly find yourself in a situation you find not acceptabel. Esp. when talking about traditional stronger pain medication.

 

[Schmeck]

If going this route I would seriously advice doing homework BEFORE the trip. You will want to KNOW how you react to medication beforehand instead of just taking some along and popping one in WDW and possibly find yourself in a situation you find not acceptabel. Esp. when talking about traditional stronger pain medication.

Yes, I agree, definitely try it out first if you haven't been on it before. I was once given an anti-anxiety med to take after being diagnosed with melanoma. I took my first dose on a school night (I work in a school), could barely get up the next morning - so tired! Stupidly, I took another one that morning, per the doctor's orders, and fell asleep at school! Ended up all I needed to take was a half dose at night to keep me from having an anxiety attack the next day.

 

[crashbb]

Am I the only nosey person seriously curious about the original title was? Sounds like it was good.

OP - I don't have experience with herniated discs but definitely second/third the suggestion of testing any drugs before your trip. I've had strange reactions to drugs (for example - I was warned that percocet would cause drowsiness, instead it had me bouncing off the walls).

 

[ttintagel]

it's a small world is a whole nother ride when you're on pain meds.

 

[Schmeck]

Am I the only nosey person seriously curious about the original title was? Sounds like it was good.

OP - I don't have experience with herniated discs but definitely second/third the suggestion of testing any drugs before your trip. I've had strange reactions to drugs (for example - I was warned that percocet would cause drowsiness, instead it had me bouncing off the walls).

I'm not sayin' (I'll PM you?)

 

[Simba's Mom]

I also have a herniated disc. Here's a tip about rides, specifically KS. If you go on it, be sure to get one of the first couple rows. There's not much more painful than sitting near the back of the truck and going over a bump. I cringe remembering it.

 

[JennyDrake]

Yes, my orthopedist has talked to me about surgery, but we are going to try physical therapy and one or two more spinal injections before going that route. I have numbness in addition to the pain, always feels like my leg has gone to sleep.

I've had about every back problem there is. The McKenzie back program (PT) worked WONDERS for my 2, slipped discs. In addition, Pilates (a good program--not run of the mill at a gym) has almost eliminated back issues in my life! I live on a farm, work hard, ride horses, etc. There are still things I can't do (lift from below knee height) and sitting for long periods results in sciatic pain, but my quality of life in my late 40's is higher than it was 10-15 years ago.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RweTHEREyet

Yes, my orthopedist has talked to me about surgery, but we are going to try physical therapy and one or two more spinal injections before going that route. I have numbness in addition to the pain, always feels like my leg has gone to sleep.

I've had about every back problem there is. The McKenzie back program (PT) worked WONDERS for my 2, slipped discs. In addition, Pilates (a good program--not run of the mill at a gym) has almost eliminated back issues in my life! I live on a farm, work hard, ride horses, etc. There are still things I can't do (lift from below knee height) and sitting for long periods results in sciatic pain, but my quality of life in my late 40's is higher than it was 10-15 years ago.

my PT was McKenzie back certified...only one of two in the county and neither officially accepted our insurance! But the office took my ins benefits as though I was in network and treated me anyway since my situation was so bad. She worked w/ me for 9 mo but my damage was so extensive, she really couldn't help me much. She was one of the first to do the McKenzie program. It's wonderful if you can get it to work right!!


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[bedogged]

I use a scooter full time. On the internet you will read hateful comments, and it's so sad. However, I can attest that when you are at WDW, you won't encounter any of that awfulness. I think others will agree with me. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

I agree with this. I never have had anyone be anything but kind to me.