Oy. I might be "That Guy."

[slappy magoo]

Thanks all. Barring anything else unforeseen and not necessarily having to do with my situaiton, we're going, no doubt. My thing with the kids is, they are at the just-right age, the age where everything is magical and no one is really that much of a jerk, and that time for kids, if they get it at all, is brief is precious. So while I'm willing and able to say hey screw those people we'll never see them again who do they think they are, I just hold that period of innocence inside of them dear. I can't be responsible for the behavior of others, but I also know me; I know my temperament and I know the extent of my sarcasm and scorn. I'm just as worried about what I might say to others who might comment to me as I am worried about those who might make comments. It's that fine line between not caring what others think, but also not taking insults or catcalls (if there are any) in stride, because we shouldn't have to take anyone's crap either, you know what I mean? So do I teach them to ignore others when they're not nice? Heck some people who aren't nice get even meaner when you ignore them, so that might be a good lesson at WDW but not IRL. Do I teach them to confront mean-ness? If they don't have the muscle to back it up? Again, not a factor at WDW, but we're only there for about a week, that's a lesson that will continue to have repercussions.

Which is why I'm really trying and hoping to get better. One less thing to worry about.

 

[Gig 'Em Mickey]

My husband has the same thing - he actually has herniations in L3-L4 and L4-L5. He has the numbness down his leg, pins and needles that won't go away - it's brutal. We went to WDW in February and he used a scooter (we used scootaround.com - they were fantastic). It was tough negotiating the crowds in MK but for the other parks - and getting to EPCOT from Beach Club - it was a necessity. He also went to the hot tub EVERY DAY in the afternoon for 15-30 minutes and when he came back to the room used a TENS unit I picked up at Target for around $30 and put more heat on it (we have a microwavable heat wrap and WDW gave us a microwave). The walking was tough but moving around actually helped with his pain. Be VERY careful with lifting things even if you start to feel better. He had slow progress and actually got to the point where he was feeling minimal pain and decided to have a truckload of mulch delivered and he has had constant pain since April. Good luck - I know it's not easy.

If you have a doctor recommending applying HEAT to bulging or herniated disc I'd find another doctor. The pain is caused by inflammation and swelling (protrustion) of the disc material against the nerve. Heat will make this inflammation worse. Ice reduces swelling and inflamation. Heat can help loosen tight muscles that are being used to compensate in other areas, but I'd never put heat on the affected disc area itself.

 

[DManRightHere]

Most rides can accommodate wheelchairs in the line. You won't really need to wait too long if you plan FP well. Our week and a half trip in may we never waited over 20 minutes for anything except tsm which was 35. So you could just stand in the quees if possible.

The most awkward thing about a wheelchair or ECV is getting on busses, but if you have a wheelchair I think you could just fold it up and carry it on.

People will always judge, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[NYwdwfan]

If you have a doctor recommending applying HEAT to bulging or herniated disc I'd find another doctor. The pain is caused by inflammation and swelling (protrustion) of the disc material against the nerve. Heat will make this inflammation worse. Ice reduces swelling and inflamation. Heat can help loosen tight muscles that are being used to compensate in other areas, but I'd never put heat on the affected disc area itself.

Hubby insists that heat is the only thing that makes it feel better. His doctor told him he can't hurt it further so if that's what works, go for it. He has some sort of muscle atrophy in his leg as a result of whatever is going on in the back (it was explained to me but not much was retained) and the heat helps there.

 

[Figaro928]

I like to think that kids are so caught up in the fantasy world that they become oblivious to the real world. (After all, how many kids like to people watch in wdw vs how many adults) My kids, although pretty young, barely even knew that there were other guests there.

Now - as for you - you make sure you take care of yourself. While a back brace just sounds so apealling in the summer's humidity, wear a good one. Learn some yoga stretches that work for you & that you can do easily on the fly. I know it's crazy but try some essential oils too.. as a fellow back pain sufferer i swear by a combo of clove, helichrysum, peppermint and wintergreen.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!

 

[cw1982]

It's that fine line between not caring what others think, but also not taking insults or catcalls (if there are any) in stride, because we shouldn't have to take anyone's crap either, you know what I mean? So do I teach them to ignore others when they're not nice? Heck some people who aren't nice get even meaner when you ignore them, so that might be a good lesson at WDW but not IRL. Do I teach them to confront mean-ness? If they don't have the muscle to back it up? Again, not a factor at WDW, but we're only there for about a week, that's a lesson that will continue to have repercussions.

Which is why I'm really trying and hoping to get better. One less thing to worry about.

I understand what you're saying here perfectly. I deal with this all the time with my students, especially when kids get into situations where they feel like they need to defend themselves. Heck, yesterday I had to deal with a girl on the softball team who was behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner because she didn't like the calls the ref was making.

In my experience, it's best to try and do what we can to teach kids how to define that thin grey line and pick their battles. There's a difference between putting up with snide remarks and allowing someone to do real harm. If your kids are still at that age where all should be right with the world, they may be a bit young for that thought process, but then again kids often learn by the examples being set around them, so even if you're not having outright discussion about these things, they're still picking up on your actions and learning from them (for better or for worse lol).

This is where it becomes even more important for kids and parents to have open communication, and lots of it. I think if more parents were having discussions with their children about how to handle adversity, rather than expecting kids to learn this stuff at school, there would probably be a lot fewer fights happening in schools.

Sorry to go off on a tangent there lol.

 

[Gig 'Em Mickey]

Hubby insists that heat is the only thing that makes it feel better. His doctor told him he can't hurt it further so if that's what works, go for it. He has some sort of muscle atrophy in his leg as a result of whatever is going on in the back (it was explained to me but not much was retained) and the heat helps there.

Oh it absolutely makes it feel better. No doubt there. It just a temporary mask though. Ice might be less pleasant in the short term, but in the long term, at least in my experience, there is more comfort. And it sounds like your doc is not necessarily recommending heat, just saying it's ok and won't hurt. That's different than prescribing it as a course of treatment.

 

[Chernaboggles]

Thanks all. Barring anything else unforeseen and not necessarily having to do with my situaiton, we're going, no doubt. My thing with the kids is, they are at the just-right age, the age where everything is magical and no one is really that much of a jerk, and that time for kids, if they get it at all, is brief is precious. So while I'm willing and able to say hey screw those people we'll never see them again who do they think they are, I just hold that period of innocence inside of them dear. I can't be responsible for the behavior of others, but I also know me; I know my temperament and I know the extent of my sarcasm and scorn. I'm just as worried about what I might say to others who might comment to me as I am worried about those who might make comments. It's that fine line between not caring what others think, but also not taking insults or catcalls (if there are any) in stride, because we shouldn't have to take anyone's crap either, you know what I mean? So do I teach them to ignore others when they're not nice? Heck some people who aren't nice get even meaner when you ignore them, so that might be a good lesson at WDW but not IRL. Do I teach them to confront mean-ness? If they don't have the muscle to back it up? Again, not a factor at WDW, but we're only there for about a week, that's a lesson that will continue to have repercussions.

Which is why I'm really trying and hoping to get better. One less thing to worry about.

Totally understandable. Honestly though, you may be stressing out a lot about something that won't be a big deal. There might be one or two comments or an occasional pair of rolled eyes, but tons of people use wheelchairs and ECVs in the parks. It's very unlikely to be the endless parade of verbal abuse that you seem to be envisioning. Lots of people are judgmental, but most are quiet about it.

Besides all that, if you're using a wheelchair, you're not skipping lines, you're just sitting while you're in the regular line or using an alternate door. Unless you're planning to roll through the park demanding front of line access, running over little children and snatching people's Dole Whips, I don't think you have much to worry about.

 

[slappy magoo]

Oh it absolutely makes it feel better. No doubt there. It just a temporary mask though. Ice might be less pleasant in the short term, but in the long term, at least in my experience, there is more comfort. And it sounds like your doc is not necessarily recommending heat, just saying it's ok and won't hurt. That's different than prescribing it as a course of treatment.

For me, I'm only applying heat during a TENS treatment, apparently the heat in tandem with the shocks do more good than just the shocks. But in my situation I wasn't told to apply heat on a regular basis or anything like that. Heh, they're treating me a bit like an archaeological dig, handling one layer of pain and stress before burrowing down to the next level, versus just diving in and yanking what they want out.

 

[JIMINYCR]

My DW has been w/c bound for years. At first she was self conscious of what others would think too. Now she takes the time to educate the few idiots she encounters about disabilities. If you're in a w/c I'm not judging or thinking you're trying to scam the system. I'm thinking... poor guy he needs it. And also thinking... too bad he's got to be in one while he's at WDW. Your kids, like my DS will learn to be more sensitive and caring about others life situations by watching you cope with your issues. Enjoy the trip and dont let the few morons you may encounter bother you. Oh and the transportation CM's are fantastic in assisting you, they are the best.

 

[slappy magoo]

My DW has been w/c bound for years. At first she was self conscious of what others would think too. Now she takes the time to educate the few idiots she encounters about disabilities. If you're in a w/c I'm not judging or thinking you're trying to scam the system. I'm thinking... poor guy he needs it. And also thinking... too bad he's got to be in one while he's at WDW. Your kids, like my DS will learn to be more sensitive and caring about others life situations by watching you cope with your issues. Enjoy the trip and dont let the few morons you may encounter bother you. Oh and the transportation CM's are fantastic in assisting you, they are the best.

And that's the biggest thing for me - if I have to use one I will but I'd prefer not to, if only because then, heck, if we get off one ride and want to run to the other, we can. If I want to pick up my kids just to give them a hug and a kiss, or hoist them on my shoulders so they can get a better view of a parade, I want to be able to do all of that. And I don't want most of my thought process while at WDW being "Geez this hurts," not paying attention to what the kids are saying or doing or feeling or experiencing because I just can't wait to get back in the room and try to stretch out the pain. The potential comments from others would just be the rancid icing on the moldy cake.

 

[NYwdwfan]

@slappy magoo one other thing I thought of - it's obvious to avoid the more intense rides but one hubby didn't think to avoid (and subsequently regretted) was the Winnie the Pooh ride - Tigger's bouncing spot almost brought him to tears.

 

[KCheatle]

This is a great reminder not to judge a book by it's cover. I'll admit that I'm guilty of thinking certain people were faking it. Albeit, it's usually when it's a group of 20-somethings who look and act like a rowdy bunch of college kids with one friend, who appears totally fine, and they all cut to go on ToT or something. I usually don't assume it of grown adults. But, even still, I'll have to remind myself this trip that I don't know the circumstances, and, if they are cheating, then that's on their conscience, not mine.

I certainly hope you feel better soon and wish you all the best!

 

[slappy magoo]

@slappy magoo one other thing I thought of - it's obvious to avoid the more intense rides but one hubby didn't think to avoid (and subsequently regretted) was the Winnie the Pooh ride - Tigger's bouncing spot almost brought him to tears.

Thanks for the heads up. Honestly, I haven't even thought about whether or not the rides themselves might present me with pain. While my back can hurt based on the positions I'm in, the leg pain seems more random, I can get a Charley-horse like twitch that lasts hours without doing anything unusual.

 

[The Tuna]

I had to use a scooter for a couple of months when i herniated the exact same disc. I felt like saying sorry to everyone and that was just at Wal-Mart. In the end if people are that worried about people in wheelchairs getting in line in front of them then they have far worse issues in their own lives. Every time I see a teenager or youngish looking adult in a wheelchair i tend to think what a shame, I hope they can get over whatever is ailing them. Go have fun, enjoy being with your kids, and don't worry about people who have obviously uninteresting lives.

I did physio therapy and that was the only thing that helped. I had been doing massage, chiro and acupuncture before going to physio. I felt better in 3 days and was back on my feet in 2 weeks. There is no worse pain than telling your kid no to showing them love or crying in pain in front of them. Nerve pain is terrible.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I was the woman who went to Disney and felt bad about using a GAC. I was 8 months pregnant and had SEVERE Siatic Nerve Pain and was also put on bed rest 3 weeks before my trip, my flight I was told I would loose it due to not buying insurance and for the 800 I paid for the flight My Dr told me I could go as long as I took my time and relaxed as often as possible. While getting into line at LM in MK A couple with 2 kids talking to each other said " Must be nice to cut the line due to being lazy and told a CM I should be kicked out. The CM told her that he does not control who gets GAC and that she was on vacation and should enjoy her self and not worry about other people behind her. Ever since I heard that lady talk about me being " lazy" I lost my will to Care! She was the only person who said any thing like that me during that trip probably due to every one else noticing me waddling around holding my back ha ha!

 

[NYwdwfan]

Thanks for the heads up. Honestly, I haven't even thought about whether or not the rides themselves might present me with pain. While my back can hurt based on the positions I'm in, the leg pain seems more random, I can get a Charley-horse like twitch that lasts hours without doing anything unusual.

Ugh - I've seen hubby have the same thing - hopefully it will subside as his has come and gone in waves for years. Good luck.

 

[Tiggerish]

The guy that looks like he doesn't need any assistance like a wheelchair, but does and then provokes the ire of everyone around him for "cheating the system."
I've been diagnosed as having a herniated disc, L3-L4. It's irritating the nerve that runs down my right leg. It's a bit like sciatica. It often feels like something is reaching in my leg and yanking up on it. I can be just standing and then all of a sudden need to lift my right leg like a flamingo. For the past few weeks it's been practically all-consuming. Just agony. I'm seeing a pain specialist and chiropractor and acupuncturist. Apparently, despite decent blood pressure and a low pulse, I am a ball of tension and can relax to the point where a chiropractic adjustment can take the pressure off that nerve to stop the pain in my leg.

I received a painkiller injection last week. I could get another, though a side effect is a raise in my blood sugar; I can be practically on an atkins diet and still have higher blood sugar than I ought to have. So I'm trying to exercise as much as I can (which isn't much) to strengthen my core and make it easier to get the back-crack I need to get to stop irritating the nerve.

The insult to injury - it hurts to pick up and hold my children. To say No, I can't pick you up Daddy's back hurts, to a 2 year old, is like saying I reject you and withhold love from you. Lot of tears in the house until I can get to a couch or on the floor and give hugs.

On top of all this, we're planning our WDW trip. At this point, never mind the kids, *I'VE* been looking forward to this trip too much to cancel it. Even with the 20 hour drive, I won't let this get in the way of going. But I worry that the standing in line is going to be agony if the injected painkiller starts wearing off. If that happens, my doctors told me I should get a wheelchair, plus then my 2 year old can at least be on my lap which will take pressure off my back versus standing and holding her. But I can already hear the comments from other guests - I'm not in a cast, my legs are attached to my body, I show no outside symptoms of injury, no shaking, no nerve damage bending my leg in unnatural ways, etc. Therefore I must be faking it for sympathy and line cutting privileges (yeah, I know, FP+, you still wait, blah blah blah, it's all perception vs reality), hey where did you get your wheelchair, loser I want to cut in line too, etc. Wow, you sure got out of that wheelchair easy, jerk, too good to wait in line with the rest of us?

I gotta get better. Either that or a fake cast so I "look the part."

@slappy magoo, I feel your pain and you have my sympathy. I herniated a disc at WDW last year and it was excruciating. Physical therapy took about two months to relieve it; like you, they had to loosen my lower back and piriformis to fix the disc. Good luck with your treatment, and if you have to get a chair, get a chair.

I went a whole week at disney with a herniated l5-s1. The pain sucks, but activity can actually help, in my case.
That said, who cares what other think. You're there to enjoy your vacation. As long as you're considerate of others while hot-rodding in your cart you'll be fine. ; )

From someone who's been in your position though, the steroid shots can help some, but ice and stretches are going to be your best friend. If it's actually herniated get it fixed. I tried all the conservative treatments, and my bulge eventually herniated. I had a microdiscectomy. Easy as pie and fixed me up. And a chiropractor and accupuncture is unlikely to address the actualy cause though it might temporarily mask the symptom.

This is exactly what happened to me. L5-S1, and I had to walk off the pain; couldn't sit. My PT treatment included heat, ice, and electric current. Then exercise. The better I stick with the exercise, the better I feel.

 

[Goofyernmost]

For the first time in my life, when I attended the US Open in Pinehurst on Fathers Day, even though I had not planned it and until I got there did not even give it a thought, I ended up needing to use a scooter. I started out walking and within a short period of time my leg started to hurt so bad that I had to stop. I couldn't take another step. I gave in, I had to or I was going to waste the $135.00 that I spent for admission. (Take that all of you people that think $100.00 for an entire day at Disney is too high priced)

There were two things that I discovered. The first was that you will be spending your entire day looking at the butt in front of you. That's OK, if the butt is attractive, however it usually isn't. And second those things have no actual brakes. They stop shortly after you let go of the throttle, but not right away. There is a delayed reaction time. I cannot tell you how many times people just stepped in front of me and some where looking right at me when they did it. I didn't hit anyone but it sure would have been easy enough to do. You cannot force people to pay attention to their place in the universe, but, you must be prepared to either leave enough room, when you can, to stop or ready to listen to the mindless dribble shooting from the mouths of class A, number 1 jerks (I tried to keep it civil) who do not recognize that they are the ones responsible for most all collisions that happen between pedestrian and scooter. The plus side is you can get through a long day without needing a train car load of Aleve to manage to get some sleep.

 

[GrammieBee]

You are crossing your bridges before you come to them. If you are in pain, sit down. Most people make no negative assumptions about why you need a wheelchair or scooter. For the few that have a problem with it; it is their problem, not yours. They are unhappy people always looking for something to complain about.

In regards to your children; depending on their level of maturity, you can tell them that some people are unhappy people or say that they didn't get their share of pixie dust that day. Most children have had at least some experience with other mean children and know that some people are not nice. It will not take away their enjoyment of WDW as much as if your thoughts were preoccupied with how much you hurt.