Herniated disc in neck - anyone else?

[Lil'Simba]

I have a herniated disc in my neck that was under control until someone rear-ended me last week.
I'm hurting right now, but I'm getting treatment. My trip is in 3 weeks.
I'm not a roller coaster or thrill ride seeker anyway, so missing those won't be an issue. What I'm wondering about are the rides that seem tame, but have some 'rough and bumpy' spots. Can you guys tell me which ones to be on the lookout for?
Also, I was thinking about having my dr. prescribe a brace for me to be on the safe side during some rides, but will they allow me on anything with a brace on?

Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[SueM in MN]

Most of the really bad ones do have warnings -
You can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue.
For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space
• Test Track

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
• Space Mountain

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours
• Rock N Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl
• Dinosaur

There are 2 I can think of not on the list that people have found problematic. One is Spaceship Earth; it's not jarring at all, but some have found it painful on their back/neck during the last third of the ride when you are going down a hill backwards. The neck resting on the hard plastic head cushion can be painful. Haunted Mansion has a similar situation.

The new Toy Story Mania is not on the list, but does 'whip' around quickly while going from one game to the next.

 

[SueM in MN]

I
Also, I was thinking about having my dr. prescribe a brace for me to be on the safe side during some rides, but will they allow me on anything with a brace on?

Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated. Thanks

forgot one answer. They will not prevent you from riding unless your brace would cause a problem for other guests. They put out the warnings and, for the most part, it is up to you to decide whether or not they apply to you.

 

[mechurchlady]

Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. It is fun and safe but you must have at least one friend driving behind you to provide an idiot-prevention barrier. They can and will run into you HARD. It has a warning not because the ride is dangerous but because of people rear ending you.

Watch the video on Toy Story Mania as you kind of whip around a corner which may upset some people though it did not look that bad.

 

[Lil'Simba]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer! It helps a lot!

 

[lizanne]

I came to this forum looking for some insite for my DH (he recently had a stroke but is doing quite well), then I saw this thread. With all that's going on with DH I forgot that I have a herniated disk (as of 2/08) and this will be my first time going to WDW with this problem. I just wanted to thank all for the info. I think this is going to be more of a site-seeing trip this year / less rides.

 

[NADINENURSE]

I have herinated discks in my back, and even when they are "good" I would not take a chance....please don't take a chance, don't ride some of these rides, how would you feel if you had to spend the whole vacation flat, in the hotel room as you have agreivated (bad spelling theer !) the disc- BE CAREFUL !!!

 

[Piper]

I have a plate and 8 screws in my neck, and many, many herniated and otherwise messed up disks in my lumbar spine and 2 tumors on my thoracic spine. There are still a lot of rides I can do (and I do avoid those mentioned above.) You will find lots of ways to have fun. Just take it easy--listen to your body--and enjoy!

 

[Lil'Simba]

I was actually relieved when I read the list. There are really only 1 ride from each park that I had hoped to go on - as I said, I'm not the thrill ride seeker.
Can I ask, for those of you that have ridden them, what is the problems with Dinosaur and Kali River Rapids?
Also, is the 'green' Mission Space any better?

Thanks again for your response.

 

[mechurchlady]

Dinosaur is a rough ride. Indiana Jones in DLR and Dinosaur use technology that allows the computer to simulate a wild and bumpy ride. There is no upper body harness so your body is whipped around, check youtube for videos of the ride. I have ridden both rides and never again for Indy and one more time for Dinosaur then I stop. Imagine being in a a jeep offroading and hitting bumps and swerving to avoid things. Both have a history of complaints of back pain inducement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqHiapvpRy4&feature=related
Kali Rapids is like all rapids rides in that you can get bumped into walls or spun rapidly. I never did it, yet. The ramp to the top may mean being on your back or hanging from your seat at the top of the raft for a minute. Some of the rapids area can mean up and down bobbing which may jar a fragile back.

I loved the Rapids at DCA and would probably have to be pried off Kali Rapids. I had not real problems with the similar ride at DC but at times that ramp was just too much when they stopped it because there were too many rafts in the system or the system slowed for guests or whatever.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Great info. I had surgery 12 yrs ago for my lower back. Now I have a herniated disc in lower back again, a bit of scoliosis, and some other stuff. I'm able to manage my back problems (knock on wood) and function normally.

I have avoided all of the above mentioned rides except KS. You're right, it is bumpy and jarring but I do okay with it.

I went over the list of do's and don't's with my PT. I know that I can't do anything like StarWars and Dinosaur. My back snap crackles and pops on those. Not good! She also said nothing with a hard drop on my seat. I really want to ride Splash. I never have. Please describe to me what the ride does.

TIA

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Just one thing to look out for, that most people would never think of: the boat rides, such as Small World, Pirates and the Mexico ride can bump into each other while waiting for unloading. This isn't a very big bump, and the boats have bumpers on them to absorb most of the impact, but it's worth remembering. I reckon as long as you know to brace yourself towards the end (as soon as you can see that you're about to bump into the boat in front) and maybe sit with your back away from the back rest for this last little bit, you should be fine.

Just a couple more random thoughts. The teacups might not be good for you, as it can get up to a far speed, and there's no head support, so your neck has to be able to withstand the sideways Gs. This one is nice and easy to stand and watch, so you can get a feel for it. The roughness of it depends, in part, on the other people you're riding with, and how fast they spin the cup. Another ride that depends on who you're riding with is Dumbo (and triceratops spin, magic carpets etc). These can be very gentle rides, but it is possible to make them jerk, if you flip the up and down switch quickly enough (yes, I was one of those evil children who tried to make her parents feel queasy on Dumbo ). So again, watch it for a bit before you go on it, and make sure whoever you're flying with, knows to be gentle with you. Buzz Lightyear is another one that can be whipped around a bit by the driver, but can be fairly gentle as long as you're with a careful driver.

If you get to the front of a line, then change your mind about it, don't be embarrassed to tell the CM that you don't want to ride. The wilder rides have 'chicken exits', for people who change their mind at the front of the line, but you should be able to get out of the line for the milder ones if you need to as well. If you are unsure about a ride, you can ask the CM at the entrance questions about it, but be aware that they won't always know what would be good or bad for you. If there's a ride you'd like to do, but aren't sure about, try to find videos of it on YouTube, or send other members of your party in as guinea pigs, before you ride.

I may be over-estimating how gentle you need to be with yourself, but I wanted to give you everything I could think of, so you can decide for yourself. Basically, look after yourself, don't be afraid to ask about a ride, and don't go on any of the obviously vicious ones (no Tower of Terror, just in case you hadn't guessed ). Oh yes, and if you need to lie down for a bit, to take the strain off your neck, they have cots in the First Aid centres that you can use for a short while.

Hope this helps!

 

[maryt01]

i think that i hurt my nbeck on sm. dinosaur is too rough for one who has neck problems.