wdw and high dose pain killers?

[scojos]

i was just wondering if anyone has done wdw whilst taking pain killers?
what sort of issues /problems did you encounter?
im on tramadol following gastro problems (removal of gallbladder/infection)
surgery was last summer, however still in alot of pain, which comes in waves, sometimes im fine, others i cant move.
have already decided if its a "bad" period to hire an ecv, as excercise makes it worse. under a gastroentrologist, trying to figure what, if anything, triggers the attacks, which last about 3-4 days.
so, any tricks from people who have done this?
thanks for your help
tracy

 

[scrapbookworm]

What are you asking about? Side effects? I've had back troubles since I was 18, and I always have to take some sort of pain medicine, whether an Ultram or a narcotic, while at WDW.

 

[scojos]

tbh, im wondering wether heat/humidity sun has any differnet effect, am i likely to be dehydrated more easily because of them?
i know i can get water from vendors to take drugs, also, how can i find out wether my drugs are "allowed" in the USA...i was prescribed some anti biotics last trip that were not allowed in the us and was stopped at customs
ok, really, how am i going to cope with everything AND the pain??
tracy

 

[jmartinez1895]

I'm not sure how to find out if a medicine is ok to bring other than doing an internet search or tying to contact your local customs agents. As for taking meds in the parks, be sure to talk to your pharmacist about all of the possible side effects. Also try to make yourself drink water at regular intervels, even if you do not feel thirsty at he time. If you bring pain meds with you, carry only what you need for the time that you will be in the park with you ( maybe an extra one ) and be sure to leave the rest in the safe in your room.

 

[scrapbookworm]

Like jmartinez1895 said, you'll probably need to ask customs about what prescriptions you can bring with you. Tramadol, aka Ultram, is legal here. Medications affect everyone differently. Your dr or pharmacist can best advise you on what side effects to expect. As for my own experiences, I might be a little more sensitive to the sun when I'm taking a pain medicine, but take breaks and drink plenty of water.

 

[Momelie]

I think you'll be fine, as long as you bring your prescription with you in its labeled bottle. I believe tramadol is in pill form, correct? Last summer I did the opposite journey and took mine into the UK (different meds) and I just had to have mine in their prescription boxes (mine are in patch, pill and tube forms). Strangely enough, one of mine - the tube one - is an OTC in your country, so I was strongly tempted to stock up, LOL!

As far as physical symptoms, I think you should keep your water bottle handy. I would invest in one of those gel packs that go around the neck, if possible. I have chronic arthritis pain, so am very familiar with the effects of pain meds, and I think that the main thing will be to stay cool and not get too tired. Remember that you want to use the pain meds to take care of the pain BEFORE you know its there, not after its already made itself known, if that makes sense?

Also, I second the idea of keeping the prescription in the safe in your room once you get there, you just can't be too careful!

The one tip I have after gall bladder surgery is to go easy on the mustard - then again, after eating the UK mustard, you might think ours is extremely mild.... but that's what did a number on me after I had that surgery! Also, if you do rent an ECV, which I highly recommend, practice if possible before you arrive so you are a little familiar with how to brace your body for the ups and downs and stuff so your tummy won't be tender.

I think you'll do just fine, and I hope you have a wonderful trip! Let me know if there are any specific questions I can answer, I'll be happy to, if I can. And excuse any typing errors, I don't have my glasses on right now, LOL!

 

[scojos]

I think you'll be fine, as long as you bring your prescription with you in its labeled bottle. I believe tramadol is in pill form, correct? Last summer I did the opposite journey and took mine into the UK (different meds) and I just had to have mine in their prescription boxes (mine are in patch, pill and tube forms). Strangely enough, one of mine - the tube one - is an OTC in your country, so I was strongly tempted to stock up, LOL!

7out of interest what drug to we have you dont? your drug shelves impressed me greatly! my ds has severe asthma and we could buy stuff for him OTC we need on precription here..

yes, tramadol is in pill form, though i have several liquid drugs which are anti acid, anti spasmodic and various other things, im on 6 meds per day, though its the tramadol i was worried about...i can get anti acids OTC if necc (i love your walgreens, i want to bring one home with me, the best thing you can buy we cant is the "night time" pain killers with a mild sedatitive to help you sleep

im not sure how i could practise using an ecv, tbh im hoping i wont have an attack, but knowing my luck, i will, and i just wanted some advice, i am also travelling with 3 kids, 1 with asd and the other with add- so im very concious their needs will come before mine, and therefore if i can preempt my issues before i get there, so much the better
thanks
tracy

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

tbh, im wondering wether heat/humidity sun has any differnet effect, am i likely to be dehydrated more easily because of them?
i know i can get water from vendors to take drugs, also, how can i find out wether my drugs are "allowed" in the USA...i was prescribed some anti biotics last trip that were not allowed in the us and was stopped at customs
ok, really, how am i going to cope with everything AND the pain??
tracy

First up, you'll need to check if your medication is FDA-approved. Only those meds are allowed into the US. The list is pretty easy to google. You'll want to check on brandname and on working substance as medications can have different names in different countries. On the list; you're OK. Not on the list; not allowed.

Second; you'll need to find out what type of medication your taking along. Something pretty harmless like a tylenol doesn't need a lot of paperwork other than being in it's original package and with the prescription info on the bottle/package. Meds that fall under the opiumlaw, are "smuggle-potential' etc. those do need a bit more of paperwork. I've found it to be quite a task to find out what was needed (always soooo lovely when the US Ambassady can't even tell me what I need to do to be allowed to take my meds into the US ), but basically it comes down to the precautions mentioned before PLUS a declaration of your doc stating per medication your name etc. , that you need them, which dosage you use, for how many days you've got on you, how much in total. Each of the declarations needs to be signed by the doc.

In the parks? Life as usual, IMHO. I tend to do more while at WDW, but just like at home if I do more, I'll need to adjust my medication and/or ride out the consequences. I do use somewhat more painkillers during a trip, but always after talking it through with my specialist and a very veyr small amount compared to my daily usage. You'll want to talk these types of things over before hand, things are different for everybody.

I've found weather to be of more influence on my pain itself than on the meds. For me, warmth is heaven. It allows my body the option the decrease pain somewhat, which is of course always great. Haven't noticed any real effects of the weather on how the meds are working. Hydration; again, depends on the specific medication and person.

Best thing is if you can try things out as much as possible at home so you know how you'ld normally react to the specific med and dosage. This way you can be aware of any changes because of weather, you doing more, having a flare up, whatever. ESPECIALLY if you're considering an ECV while using meds that can influence your driving ability. Any painmeds that can make you sleepy or a bit out of it can influence negatively and you don't want to find that out while you're on a busy MainStreet and now what? You'll want to be familiar with what you're abilities are when using the meds so you can make the best choices for you and all others around. We don't want you running over Maleficiant or something

As far as storage goes; as always with stronger medications they need to be dealt with in a safe way. Out of reach for any 'grabby' hands. A safe can work great for that.

How to cope with everything and pain? How do you deal with pain when it hits you when you are at home? Voilà you've got your answer right there. Sure, some things might be altered if possible to allow you to enjoy the trip as much as possible but the basic guide lines will stay the same. If you need breaks; take breaks. If you need to stick with a routine; do so. And remember yourself you don't want to go overboard, not while at WDW of all places. You'ld rather slow down a bit early and/or take your meds than go overboard and have to deal with those consequences. If you'ld go for the meds at time X, now you might want to do so at time X-1, same for the ECV etc. Be that bit kinder to your body, allowing yourself to enjoy as much as possible without crossing a line so far you'll end up paying for it in too big of a way. Have fun!

 

[Momelie]

out of interest what drug to we have you dont?

Believe it or not, Voltaren gel! Its prescription over here, and not a generic at that. I found out that it was OTC by accidentally falling on my you-know-what at Boots and knocking over a whole rack of it, LOL! So of course I had to buy some....

I can tell you that Tramadol/Ultram is a drug that I had no problem taking from the US to Italy in 2007, if that helps. I'm pretty sure its on the FDA list. I was even surprised that my stronger stuff last year was as easy to take as it was, just as long as I had my stuff in the prescription boxes, it wasn't a problem.

 

[bouncycat]

I always take my narcotics to WDW. I have to!! Right now I have Lortabs, and they're not that potent compared to something like percocets. I have had tramidol, and it doesn't do much for me. As long as it doesn't make you sleepy, then you should be fine. Mine don't make me dehydrated or nothing like that, just makes me happy and pain free!! My family likes me like that! the more pain i'm in, the grouchier I get. But, you do wanna keep cool, and like a PP said, make sure you know how it effects you...or you'll be falling asleep on Small World!! YIKES!!!

 

[peemagg]

Just an idea for a drug that you might be on that might not be allowed threw customs, is to see if your pharmacy and doctor can work out a small prescription for you and have it called in over here to a pharmacy close to Disney. I don't know if this is possible, but it might be an option for making sure you have what you need.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Just an idea for a drug that you might be on that might not be allowed threw customs, is to see if your pharmacy and doctor can work out a small prescription for you and have it called in over here to a pharmacy close to Disney. I don't know if this is possible, but it might be an option for making sure you have what you need.

If something isn't allowed through customs, it isn't allowed on it's countries territory. Customs only check stuff to make sure it's allowed on and into their territory. The only option for meds any countries customs doesn't allow is to switch to different medication for the trip and/or go without totally.

Logic really, otherwise one countries 'habits', legislation and point of view could be forced upon another country.

 

[D-ko]

As far as Tramadol, it dehydrates me a little, so make sure you drink plenty of water, especially since you'll be out in the hot sun.

Just an FYI, Tramadol is not a high dose pain killer I take it in conjuction with narcotic pain meds ...

 

[scojos]

As far as Tramadol, it dehydrates me a little, so make sure you drink plenty of water, especially since you'll be out in the hot sun.

Just an FYI, Tramadol is not a high dose pain killer I take it in conjuction with narcotic pain meds ...

well its strong enough for me

thanks for all your info guys, i really appreciate your help, and hope someone else will benefit from the info
tracy

 

[BayouMickey]

Look on the bright side, if it hits you good enough, it will give a new meaning to "Magic Kingdom"

 

[D-ko]

I threw the part of it not being a high dose pain killer because Tramadol and Vicodin (a narcotic, for example) have different side effects/things to worry about, and 'high dose pain killer' sounds like a narcotic, so you might get different sets of 'advice' ...

I'm sorry .. I'm really specific about things! lol

 

[scojos]

thats fine honey,i didnt take it as an insult
tracy x

 

[Emagine]

The only way I made it through in April with my Flare up of Fibro and a Lumbar Sprain to my back was with a concoction from my Dr. I had no probs taking them in with me. I not only had the bottles which I kept in a locker in case I needed them but I also had one of those little cases which holds just a few pills in a fanny pack close on hand.

It was the only way I did it. Only prob I had was I kinda forgot the golden rule that you should not mix drinks with them and had one at Epcot one day. Just was silly but nothing major.

You will be fine as far as the meds go, watch the sun.

 

[Donut23]

DH and I were at our beloved Grand Cali in DL last December - shortly following one of my knee surgeries. I had a pharmacy along any junky would be proud to have.

I didn't take a pill unless I REALLY needed it but when I did.......

One GOOD thing about having them along.......you don't mind waiting in line as much!!!!! Apparently I babbled to anyone who would listen!!

 

[nobodies36]

No probs with travelling with Tramadol as long as you carry only what you need with a few spare days for emergencies and carry a letter from your GP stating that you have been prescribed this medication and the dosge etc. Keep the meds and letter in your hand luggage. As a general rule, always leave meds in original containers with the pharmacy label on too.

I've flown from UK to USA twice on a pretty high dosage of Tramadol among numerous other drugs that need to be properly documented.

Stay out of the sun as much as possible, stay well hydrated and ir you are prone (like me) to being violently ill if you take two tablets too close together, try to keep an even tighter schedule when away, especially if you are considering an ECV as it could impact driving ability. Practice an ECV at any major supermarket here or ask in any shop that sells ECVs.

You know your own body best, but do look after yourself too as putting yourself first for a few minutes to rest/rehydrate/rent an ECV, could work as being able to put the children first for the rest of the day.

Hope that puts your mind at ease (I remember wondering what I would do if I made a mistake and they took all my meds off me at the airport).