RAS and rollercoasters

[RASconcerns]

My 12 year old daughter is desperate to go on the school trip to Barcelona in the summer. She only has one average 1 RAS attack a year but she manages early warning signs well by squatting etc. The trip involves being unsupervised for several hours at a time in small groups in a theme park. She wants to go on all the rides and I don't know what to do or say to her or to the school.

I want her to be safe but also independent.

She's had attacks since she was 2 and although I've visited this site hundreds of times I've never felt so lost and in need of support.

[drumsnotdead]

I was fine with rollercoasters as a teen with RAS so long as I managed to clench when I was on them. I'm not sure how much help this is to you in making you feel better. I had many RAS attacks in a year but rollercoasters actually didn't impact them, and they don't now in adulthood either. Can you explain to the school how to deal with an attack if it happens?

[Stoney1]

Hi, I understand your anxiety and worry. I have a two year old with RAS, you have to think when she is older she will no doubt live on her own. For now speak to the school, so they understand, and if she is comfortable, the friends she will be with, she explains to them too so if she does have one, they know what to do x

[Duvetdaytoday]

First time poster so hope I’ve done it right...

my 8 year old son has approx 2 RAS attacks a year mainly caused by pain however he did have one on a roller coaster this year which I think must have been as he was so scared (it was his first time on a grown up ride). Luckily it was brief and he recovered and enjoyed the rest of the day. Maybe take your daughter to a theme park before hand to see how she copes as she might not have any trouble and it will put your mind at rest. We are doing Disney World next year and will be avoiding anything which looks too scary for him!

[RASconcerns in reply to Duvetdaytoday]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. My daughter seems to be down to one a year or so. We're going to do Alton Towers in the spring. It's harder now as she wants to be more independent and the unpredictability of the attacks is tough.

I wish I knew that she's going to grow out of them. I really hope you have a lovely time in Disneyland!

[Stoney1]

Hi, I previously replied. I know it's so hard, you have to push yourself to let her be independent and do things others would do. My nearly 2 year old has had approx 70 episodes, iv pushed myself to go back to work 3 days and he enjoys nursery, don't get me wrong some days my anxiety is through the roof x

[Wink]

I have three daughters with the conditon, now all in their 20s. I have it too. My advice is to let her go on the trip. Let staff know she needs to be in a group with a buddy who knows about the condition. Tell her to use her common sense and not put herself or others at risk. Rides involve elevated adrenaline levels, so she is highly unlikely to pass out on a ride.

[RASconcerns in reply to Wink]

Thank you so much- I really appreciate your reply and value your advice! Any guidance about how to handle the approaching teenage years? She hasn’t started her periods yet and I’m wondering how she will cope.