Questions about RA and Hypoglycemia

[disneyfan18_05]

Does anyone have Rheumatoid Arthritis or Hypoglycemia? I was diagnosed with both in the past 6 months. I was wondering if getting a GAC would be useful, standing long periods of time causes both pain and at times i pass out b/c of a low blood sugar. Anysuggestions or help would be great. My mom also is going with and has diabetes.

 

[disneychickforever]

I can't help with RA, but I do have Hypoglycemia. What I found useful for anything with this is to always ALWAYS carry a thing of candy, like lifesavers or cream savers. They are small enough to fit in a pocket, purse, or fanny pack, and they can lift your sugar up real high! Just make sure to pay attention to your sugar, watch for signs before you go, so you know when it is getting lower....everyone has different "cues" I personally, to be on the safe side, would bring a roll per day you are there, I always try to buy a roll a day, and my hypoglycemia gets pretty bad to the point, that at disney or if I'm on my feet the whole day, I end up using the whole roll. Also, while eating at a resturant, make sure to have some carbs...the candy is just a pickmeup, but if you have carbs in your system, they last longer....start day a hearty breakfast....

I don't think you'll need a GAC for the Hypoglycemia if you learn the signs, and according to your signature, you have about a year to learn. I don't know about the AR.

Hope I helped...

 

[ducklite]

I agree, the hypoglycemia is very easy to control, and you shouldn't have any reason to have a GAC for that. I've had it for years, and always carry some M&M's or shortbread cookies with me. When I feel a low coming, I eat a bit of one or the other, and the problem is resolved. I'm not sure what a GAC would do for that condition at all.

The RA is a different story. Will you be getting a wheelchair or ECV? I guess the question is what do you want the GAC to accomplish for you? It's not a go to the head of the line pass to cut down waits--in fact WDW is very specific in asking people with GAC's to use a Fast Pass for this purpose.

Not all rides have alternate entrances, in fact these days most queues are shaded and can accomodate wheelchairs, so a GAC would probably not be much use.

I get one only in the hottest months so I can wait in a shaded area due to my asthma, but I"m finding more and more the lines have been reconfigured to offer shade in the regular queue, or there's just no place to be in the shade (think "Dumbo") so it won't help anyhow.

Like I said, what do you want a GAC to accomplish for you? The answer to that question will help determine if you really should get one or not.

Anne

 

[samkj]

My mom has RA, but doesn't use a GAC. But that is just her, she is not the type to want special treatment. She is reasonably controled at the time (one hip has been replaced, the other will eventually need it) so she doesn't feel she needs it. She uses fast passes wisely and takes breaks as needed.

I'm sure there are many people with RA that would benefit from a GAC, its just not something my mom needs.

 

[zumbergc]

I suspect if you get a ECV or wheel chair then you wouldn't need a GAC for the RA.

If you bring snacks with you, and suppliment your meals with your healthy snacks you should be fine with the hypoglycemia.
Just make sure to eat regularly. I always carry food with me. I tend to not to rely on sugar to pump my sugar back up as I get a rollar coaster affect.
Pack some hi protein snacks, and whole grain carb snacks.

I get the rollar coaster effect, sugar high (after eating the candy) , then sugar low after my body pumps me full of insulin. Then eat more candy, back up, then back down. I eat high protein meals with complex (whole grain) carbs. White flour products are just sugar in disguise as far as my body is concerned. If your a whole grain bread eater. Some resorts sell a whole grain bread. Pop those into some zip lock bags. Counter service meal with white bread becomes, whole grain sandwich with the bread switched. I prefer to bring my bread from home, as its better tasting than what the resorts carry, and sometimes its hard to find it the whole grain too.

I do of course on occasion need to take candy, or a juice to pump up my sugar, but my body would be not happy to be pumped full of lifesavers all day long. Making better food choices throughout the day is going to make me feel better and my trip more enjoyable. If i do need to suppliment with juice/candy, I make sure to get a good meal in me, to stabilize my sugar, and stop the rollar coaster.

I've seen hypoglycemia discussed on other boards. I'm not saying don't eat the candy. For me it causes me more problems, and I end up feeling worse, with the eat candy sugar up, sugar down when my body pumps me full of insulin. I use to do that as a kid, I've had hypoglycemia most of my life, as far back as i can remember. Riding the bus home in the afternnon as a kid, the sweats, dizziness, shaky hands. I use to pop jolly ranchers. Now, I avoid all processed white flours, sugars. If I want something sweet I eat fruits, not candy. For me, i process natural sugars better.

I tend to bring fruit along with us on the plane. A bag of apples at times. Then I eat an apple when I feel i need a lift.
Also watch your pop/cola intake. Lots of sugar hidden in the pop.

Connie

 

[ducklite]

I'm not saying don't eat the candy. For me it causes me more problems, and I end up feeling worse,
Connie

FYI--Like I said, I eat "a bit." Five or six M&M's. Enough to bring my sugar level up a bit so I can finish what I'm doing then get some real food. I'm not talking about eating an entire bag.

Anne

 

[LBAK]

I have RA and I don't get anything special for Disney. I just take it very slow and I make sure I am at a resort with a hot tub. That I found is a necessity for me. I take my anti-inflammatory's before I go in the morning and we take many breaks. I have to be honest, when we come home I can't move for 3 days. This trip I was contemplating renting an ECV but I haven't been able to bring myself to do that yet. I look fine to everyone and I always get the "look" if I use my handicap tag when I park. I can't imagine the looks I'd get using an ECV when I look and move pretty good. I'm still undecided but I have a few weeks to figure it out. Wear great shoes, New Balance sneakers work for me. Take it slow!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't already, check out the disABILITIES FAQs. There is information about renting ECVs/wheelchairs, some links to past threads on this board that might be helpful and some information about GACs. (I agree with the other posters that a GAC will probably not help you a whole lot, especially if you have an ECV.

 

[Madibeme]

I just got back from 11 days there. I have RA and it affects my ankles the most. I got an ECV and it was a God send. I used Randy's Mobility in Orlando. As far as lines most parks are accessable with the ECV except the Magic Kingdom. There most times you enter through the exit. Never once was asked for a GAC. I have only needed a gac in MGM once. Everywhere else I went to a cast memebr at the entrance and they directed me. Most told me standard queue or fastpass. The only other special admission was with test track. They had broken elevators so they hand wrote me a fastpass with the standard queue wait time and then had me enter in the exit. If the elevators were workign I would have been sent through the standard queue. I have had RA for 7 years and tried almost everything to battle it. If you have questions feel free to ask.

 

[starflower]

I have both RA and Hypo, so you're not the only one. The last time I went to Disney I wasn't as bad off with the RA as I am now, and could make my way through the lines and such pretty normally. This year I've developed serious arch and ankle damage and have difficulty walking or standing for any length of time.

For the Hypo, I carry a pack or two of peanut butter crackers with me for when I feel my blood sugar start to dip, and I take a rest if I start feeling woozy. I also eat whenever I start to feel even a little hungry, because that's usually my body's cue that I'm in need of something.

For my trip in August, I'm going to be renting an ECV or wheelchair. I'm hoping for an ECV, actually, but we haven't decided just yet. I don't plan on getting a GAC because I don't think it will do much for me that can't already be handled by having a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[lovethattink]

I have hypoglycemia. I find that something with protein and carbohydrates together gets my levels up faster. (peanut butter on a banana or cracker really help me. Don't know what I'd do if I ever developed a peanut allergy.)

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

I have both too. I've had RA for 7 years and I don't do anything different at Disney. I've actually thought that all the walking loosens me up a little. (not the next morning mind you...) Hopefully you will be able to find a good med before you go. That makes ALL the difference in what accomodations you will need, if any.

As for the blood sugar, I agree with the poster who said to avoid too much candy/sugar. Candy always makes it worse for me but I do well with a handful of nuts.

Good luck!

 

[schlepsnort]

Hi, I've had RA for about 30 yrs now (I'm only turning 31 this Aug.), I have two hip replacements and one entirely fused ankle/foot. Right now I'm on Enbrel which helps a great deal but doesn't take care of it all (as far as pain/stiffness goes). My plan for WDW is this:
We are going in the end of Sept.
Aug I see my Rheumy and since my knee is currently bothering me I'll probably request a cortisone shot for it.
I will be doing my Enbrel right before we leave.
I'm bringing with me an extra bottle of prednisone to stave off stiffness.
I'm also packing Ben Gay, Motrin, and Extra Strength Tylenol. In the a.m. I take the Motrin and Tylenol before I even start to feel pain. In my life I've learned that if I anticipate the pain and do something before it happens, it's more manageable.
Then after a day at the park I will soak my feet in a hot bath tub, rub ben gay all over my feet, ankles, and knees, take a prednisone, motrin and tylenol and get sleep.
While at the park I will NOT get a GAC, I will just take a lot of sitting breaks with my feet up. We are traveling with our three kids (4, 2, and 6 mo) so they are my built in reasons to sit and rest every hour or so! Also I will take tylenol/motrin throughout the day (about every 4 hrs).
I know it sounds like a lot of pill popping but this is what works for me and after almost 3 decades of this disease shredding my body I've figured out what works and what doesn't.
Trust me, either way I'm sure when we get home my body will crash and I will be useless for about a week. But at least then I can sit and look at all of our photos and memories!!
Good luck, if you have any questions feel free to ask!

 

[schlepsnort]

We plan on using Fast Pass as much as we can to avoid standing in any ridiculously long lines ( I can handle about 20 min. of standing, unless the line moves pretty quickly, I can handle a little longer if we are moving and not just standing still...)
HTH

 

[Juliah]

My DD has hypoglycemia due to an enzyme deficiency. When she has symptoms, the best thing we have found for her to eat is a handful of mixed nuts.

To avoid getting symptoms in the first place, DD eats small, frequent meals. She also eats raw constarch mixed in apple juice or yogurt four times a day. Cornstarch digests very slowly, so it helps her avoid the roller coaster effect that zumbergc described.

Good luck with your medical issues, and I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

Hi, I've had RA for about 30 yrs now (I'm only turning 31 this Aug.), I have two hip replacements and one entirely fused ankle/foot. Right now I'm on Enbrel which helps a great deal but doesn't take care of it all (as far as pain/stiffness goes). My plan for WDW is this:
We are going in the end of Sept.
Aug I see my Rheumy and since my knee is currently bothering me I'll probably request a cortisone shot for it.
I will be doing my Enbrel right before we leave.
I'm bringing with me an extra bottle of prednisone to stave off stiffness.
I'm also packing Ben Gay, Motrin, and Extra Strength Tylenol. In the a.m. I take the Motrin and Tylenol before I even start to feel pain. In my life I've learned that if I anticipate the pain and do something before it happens, it's more manageable.
Then after a day at the park I will soak my feet in a hot bath tub, rub ben gay all over my feet, ankles, and knees, take a prednisone, motrin and tylenol and get sleep.
While at the park I will NOT get a GAC, I will just take a lot of sitting breaks with my feet up. We are traveling with our three kids (4, 2, and 6 mo) so they are my built in reasons to sit and rest every hour or so! Also I will take tylenol/motrin throughout the day (about every 4 hrs).
I know it sounds like a lot of pill popping but this is what works for me and after almost 3 decades of this disease shredding my body I've figured out what works and what doesn't.
Trust me, either way I'm sure when we get home my body will crash and I will be useless for about a week. But at least then I can sit and look at all of our photos and memories!!
Good luck, if you have any questions feel free to ask!

Ahhh, prednisone...my dearest friend and worst enemy.
I'll undoubtedly bring some on my upcoming trip - good thing we've got free dining!

 

[schlepsnort]

Prednisone makes me feel like a bottomless pit! It's terrible! But at the same time, I take it and I feel invincible and flexible and all that good stuff...Talk about the double edged sword...
Right now I'm taking it to help my knee and boy, my ankles are puffy!! I think I may have to take Diurex again to help relieve the water retention...
It's just a never ending cycle...but we survive!