Herniated Disk and Scooter

[dj2]

ugh. i get to go back to the world in a few weeks (yay!), but i have to bring along a back problem. i hurt my back awhile ago and just found out it's a herniated disk. will probably need surgery in january. meeting with the surgeon next week.

i'm so sad because two doctors told me what i knew anyway--none of the "wild" rides. if it's got a back warning, i can't do it.

that vented, i'm trying to think positively. there'll still be plenty to do, see and eat.

so, what should i keep in mind as i scooter through the world (i have ms-related mobility issues)?

I know i've got to sit up with good posture (keep my back straight), and that I should stand up/walk every so often/change my position. dr prescribed a course of medrol (spelling?) for me to start the day we leave, to help a bit with the pain.

anyone have some more tips for me for touring with a bad back?

-dj

 

[shovan]

I have degenerative disc disease that is not treatable with surgery, yet. I will probably need surgery down the road. I am still able to walk & get around. But keeping up with my DH who has MD and uses a power WC in WDW is tough. This next trip we take I will probably bring his old scooter with me to get around. I have to say though when I'm in WDW everything always seems to feel better!! I know for myself changing positions often is the key to feeling better. I have a lot of trouble with long car/plane trips. I have to get up & move around or else!! Also take your meds before you start hurting. I find if I try to hold off & not take them, it doesn't work as well. Good Luck & have Fun!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

This next trip we take I will probably bring his old scooter with me to get around.

Before the trip, especially if it has not been used for more than a year, you might want to have the batteries checked and/or replaced.

 

[LindaR]

I have degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and have had two spinal surgeries (for those herniated discs) and now have my lower spine fused. So I have been to WDW before surgeries and after each one.

For me, I find it really really important to take a break in the middle of the day and go back to the hotel to lie down for 1-2 hours (change of position). I don't use any devices and walk everywhere, take lots of breaks to sit down (meals, usually) but I have found that laying down totally takes the pressure and gravity off my spine and enables me to go back to the parks for 5 or more hours after that.

We've been to WDW several times so for us, it's not always about getting alot "done". If I am having a "bad back day" then we do more people watching than attraction riding (we've been there and plan on going back, so not a big deal if we don't get a chance to visit a particular attraction). I've also found now that I am fused...that there are actually a few rides that I can tolerate that I am not supposed to. Big Thunder Mountain is my favorite and I can ride that one time. The Autopia is pretty rough (low riding no shock absorbers!). But there are SO MANY other things to do and see that the rides that you cannot tolerate should not really affect your visit. Have a wonderful time.

 

[n2mm]

After my back surgery this past March, the only rides that really got me (granted I went to WDW only 6 weeks after surgery) were dinosaur and the safari. Why? because I avoided the rides I knew might bother me, and didn't think these would. Ouch, on the safari after the first pothole. Same with the jerking of dinosaur. I went back 4 months after surgery (Aug 06) and am back to riding everything again. Before my surgery (in March 06) we went the month before and I rode Expedition Everest, because I knew I would not be able to ride it for 6 months after surgery. Maybe I was not as bad as some, because I never needed a scooter. I suffered for years and spent 2 years in and out of PT and had steroid injections in my spine 3 times. I was glad to get the disectomy in March and am back to my old self (drug free and pain free) and back on the tread mill and walking several miles a day at lunch. Also back to riding all of the rides again with no problem. Didn't like taking the pain meds because it interferred with my visits to the margarita stand in Mexico. Good luck to all.

 

[dj2]

thank you everyone for your help.

For me, I find it really really important to take a break in the middle of the day and go back to the hotel to lie down for 1-2 hours (change of position).... I have found that laying down totally takes the pressure and gravity off my spine and enables me to go back to the parks for 5 or more hours after that.

this sounds like a great idea. i know lying down really feels best. we're staying off site, though, and at christmas time i'm not sure we'll be able to re-enter that park due to the crowds--parking lots and even parks might be closed. do you think it would be ok for me to use the first aid station to lie down for 20-30 minutes to let my back "decompress", or would that be inappropriate?

-dj

 

[LindaR]

Yes, you can use the first aid station!!!!! You might need a couple of these breaks to see you thru the day.

Maybe on your NEXT (!) visit you will stay onsite. We visit the hot tub and then I lie down (dd reads or watches TV) and I feel good and ready to go back to the parks.

 

[dj2]

oh how i wish we could afford to stay onsite. but with the price of timeshares being less per night than a value resort (we're paying $299 total, including taxes, for all 7 nights), i don't think we'll ever get to stay onsite again.

i've never been to the first aid station before. do you think they have room? i'd hate to think i was taking space from someone with more pressing needs than me resting/relieving my back....

 

[shovan]

oh how i wish we could afford to stay onsite. but with the price of timeshares being less per night than a value resort (we're paying $299 total, including taxes, for all 7 nights), i don't think we'll ever get to stay onsite again.

i've never been to the first aid station before. do you think they have room? i'd hate to think i was taking space from someone with more pressing needs than me resting/relieving my back....

Wow, that is a good deal! Everytime we've been to the first aid station, there hasn't been anyone else there! They are very nice & helpful. If they would happen to be busy, you can always leave & go find somewhere off the beaten path to rest. Good Luck!

 

[shovan]

Before the trip, especially if it has not been used for more than a year, you might want to have the batteries checked and/or replaced.

Thanks CF! It's been a few months since it's been used, so I will have to remember to check before we take off for WDW!

 

[dj2]

i just returned from the surgeon. his assessment of rides which are okay for me was a little more "allowing" than the neurologist! he said rollercoasters would be ok, just nothing that bumps. i'm on a mission now to see if any of the rides which i thought i couldn't do might now be possible.

i'm thinking goofy's barnstormer might be ok--but i can't remember if it's jerky or smooth.

assuming i can even climb into a space mountain seat w/o causing too much pain, do you think that one is smooth enough?

what about expedition everest? haven't been on that one yet--i know it goes backward--but is it jerky or smooth?

same question for green mission space and rock'n rollercoaster....

also, is the backlot tour bumpy?

any help will be appreciated!

-dj

 

[LindaR]

Wow, I haven't been since Everest opened but I don't think I will be able to ride that one. In my experience, the rides that are in the dark (Space Mountain and RNR Coaster are very difficult because you can't see to anticipate (and brace youself) the twists and turns and so you really get slammed around.

Test track is something that I can ride once IF I am having a very good day. One thing that really surprised me was the Autopia!!!!Thought I was gonna have to end our vacation. Very low to the ground, hard to enter/exit, and very very bumpy. That really jerked. AND when people bump into the rear of your car.......

 

[LindaR]

Oh, will never be able to help with Mission Space......between my back and the fact that I have motion sickness........it will be a cold day...before I try that one!

Tower of Terror is a one time/very good day sort of ride, too.