help-I threw my back out

[NYMom]

We leave early on wed morning for WDW. As (bad) luck would have it, I injured my back last week moving boxes and furniture into our new addition.
I've been on bedrest(self-prescribed) and am taking 4 prescription medications . I am slowly feeling better although walking long distances /standing brings agony. We have been planning this trip for months and I do not want to disappoint my DH & DSs and cancel. We will be staying at the Beach Club.

Do I need a Dr note to rent a wheelchair or ecv?
How do I go about doing this?
Is there an area at any of the attractions where I could sit and wait while my family waits on line and then I could join them if it is an attraction that I could do?
Any tips on traveling/touring would be appreciated. TIA

 

[FutureMrsC]

I don't have answers to those questions, but as a person with a gift for throwing her back out, I HIGHLY recommend thermacare heat wraps for backs... they last about 8 hours on me... granted, I can't take them off or they'll stop working, but they're wonderful... they allow me more mobility than I'd have otherwise when I'm in such pain from my back.

Lots of pixie dust for you!!!

 

[NYMom]

I'll have DH get me some tonight.

 

[CowboyCO]

I am the sufferer of cronic back problems and it is imperative that if you will be traveling on Wednesday to do a couple of things. First off -- NO heat for the first 48 hours!!! ice only as described below.

Go to the chiropracter and get adjusted. It will relieve the pressure on your nerves and reduce the pain and accelerate healing.

The muscle spasms that go along with back problems need to get worked out. Prescription medications help, but you really need a therapeutic deep-tissue massage. If you go to a medical physical rehab office, they can also do ultrasound to help relieve your back spasms.

Sleep only on your back with a pillow underneath your legs to keep them elevated. The only other position is on your side in a half-fetal position with a pillow between your legs to keep your spine straight.

Take a small pillow on the trip to support your lower back while travelling.

Ice your injury for the first 48 hours for 10-20 minutes on, hour off , on, off, on, off as much as you can. Make DH your foot servant. After 48 hours, alternate cold and heat in the same intervals to promote circulation and healing. Satrt doing light stretching. Lie on your back and grasp one knee and lowly pull it up to our chest and hold for 15 seconds. Slowly release and repeat with other leg. Do 5 reps and hen do the same with both knees raised.

Good luck -- I can be put down for 4 days and in pain for weeks following an injury, so take care of yourself.

Also, now that you have injured your back, you need to do daily stretching and do core strengthening excercises. Excercises that use the big balls are excellent for this. Swimming is also excellent. Walking is good as well. Don't do too much too quickly, so you don't reinjure it!

Pixie dust to you!

Also -- for your trip-- go out and buy Icy Hot or similar Sports related muscle creams. They do help. Hubby needs to give you real backrubs every evening (and maybe every morning to get you loosened up). Disney vacation and Backrubs daily-- thats a Disney Dream come true!

 

[NYMom]

for all your great advise.
I'm calling my DH right now to show him your post regarding massages morning and night!

 

[Michigan]

You don't need a note to rent an ECV or wheelchair. The lines are all wheelchair accessible so you can stay in the chair with your family in the lines. Unless a CM sends you to another place to enter the line. FYI you may wait longer then the "regular" line to board the ride.

 

[Cheshire_cat]

Also, remember the new travel restrictions regarding liquids and creams! Maybe take some in a new sealed box? Or put it on before you get on the plane and put it in your luggage!

Good luck and take it easy

 

[NYMom]

Michigan, I'm glad to know that for most attractions I will be able to stay with my family. After all this is our FAMILY vacation. It wouldn't be fun waiting all by myself.

&
CheshireCat, for the reminder. I'll follow your tip and put some on before we go thru security at the airport :
flower:

 

[Michigan]

Michigan, I'm glad to know that for most attractions I will be able to stay with my family. After all this is our FAMILY vacation. It wouldn't be fun waiting all by myself.

&
CheshireCat, for the reminder. I'll follow your tip and put some on before we go thru security at the airport :
flower:

Even if you have to go in a different entry your family still goes with you.

 

[spiceycat]

you can probably get a free wheelchair at the front desk/bell services. ask bell services when you drop off your luggage on the way to the front desk.

this chair can ride on the WDW buses - you don't need to fold it up unless you feel fine. of course if you feel fine - why take the wheelchair.

 

[CowboyCO]

One last thing-- Try to limit your activities to short spans if you can. ie.-- walk a little, ride a little. Try to take a rest back at the hotel in the middle of the day if you can. Make sure you are sitting with good posture. Sitting is one of the worst things you can do with a bad back. Walking is better if you have any stamina and then to rest each day lying down to give your body a break.

When I'm back -- Vicodin is my friend, my confidant.

 

[WHIT1]

I don't have answers to those questions, but as a person with a gift for throwing her back out, I HIGHLY recommend thermacare heat wraps for backs... they last about 8 hours on me... granted, I can't take them off or they'll stop working, but they're wonderful... they allow me more mobility than I'd have otherwise when I'm in such pain from my back.

Lots of pixie dust for you!!!

I love these things they were the only thing that kept me working. I wore them the whole shift. Did you know if you put them in a plastic bag you will get more wear out of them,especially if you don't want to wear them the whole 8 hours. This way you don't waste them.

 

[FutureMrsC]

WOOHOOO- WHIT, that just made my day! I'm definitely going to try that next time! Not hoggin' the thread, just wanted to say thanks!

 

[Master Mason]

As someone that suffers from a chronic sore back, to many years of stocking grocery shelves when I was younger.... I have found that when my back hurts, wearing my birks helps a tremdous amount. I have heard good things about crocs and am waiting for a pair to to be delivered to try them out... but I swear by the birks. I even bought a pair of the shoe style ones that I can wear with a suit when I have to as well.

 

[MySonAdoresPoohBear]

A similar thing happened to me. I rented an ECV from off-site. I did not ride it all the time, but rather used it for about 20 minutes, then walked a bit throughout the day. It was an additional expense but well worth it as I wasn't going to go on any rides and the chair was very comfortable.

At the end of the day, I iced my back down for 20 minutes. Bell services has a freezer that I kept my ice pack in and we would walk to get it and then my husband would take it back.

BioFreeze worked wonders during the day. It comes in a roll on gel that my kids could roll on for me.

I took a waist float along and "hung" in the pool occasionally just to stretch myself out and get some additional disk space.

Hope you have a wonderful trip. J.

 

[Karalynn]

I will second the suggestion for Biofreeze!!! My friend is a massage therapist and specialized in deep tissue. She turned me on to it and it is really good! I would suggest if you use this or something like it (icy hot-ben gay) have someone massage it into your back.

I would also be careful having a deep tissue massage before seeing a Md or Chiroprator, just to rule out any disc issues. I could be wrong, but I don't think the mt would do deep tissue if you are in acute pain anyway? Just a thought!

Try to take it easy and I hope you are feeling better and have a great time!
Here is some for ya!!!!

 

[NYMom]

for your great advise and kind wishes.

I am feeling a little better today. I started mild yoga stretches
yesterday and feel less tight.
We do plan to take an afternoon break daily and
will inquire about the wheelchair at check-in.

I have my Birkies(LOVE THEM), thermocare, icy hot,
pillow and meds packed in their appropriate places.

We'll be off to the World first thing in the am!!!
Thanks again!

 

[NYMom]

Returned home on the 30th. We had a great time! The first few days were a little rough, but I took it slowly & with my beloved Birkies, a daily mid-day break, thermacare, ben-gay and precription meds I got through it. After day three, I felt fine except for some tolerable pain at night (which was quickly taken care of by Percocet and massage). I didn't need a wheelchair, and after a while, the walking helped me. By the end of our trip, I was able to ride all the attractions that I love including ToT & EE (with a little help from my meds). I stayed away from the jerky rides like ST and Dinosaur. I'm feeling back to normal now. Thanks again!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

glad to hear you had a good time.