Backpacking, Hostels, "Basic" Travel And Arthritis

I just got back from 'my' podo-orthotic specialist who made me a pair of custom insoles for... foot pain! Who would have thunk it? Expensive, but they have helped me in the past and have to be re-measured every few years. Have you already explored that route or is this totally new and unexpected to you?

(For info, growing older is new to me, too. But I continue to travel 2-3 months every winter, in the same style that you describe. I think it's possible to travel, solo and intrepid, but it's also wise I find, to recognize what's happening, so take the room with ensuite bathroom, and sagely choose the half-day trek, not the 5-day one.)

Try the Good Feet Store---it worked for me.

i could have written this post myself. I am just beginning to have some arthitis problems in legs and feet, dammit. I will definitley follow this fhread.

Me too. I'm hoping that my new knees will give me a new lease on life, but I have been travelling regardless of limited walking ability. If I am travelling with someone, they generally understand, and let me decline the long walks, as long as I let them do them.

Have just returned from 10 weeks backpacking with a weeks stay every now and again if feeling tired and frazzled. Its good to have a kitchen and do your own cooking for a while. I just could not believe the amount of travellers with walking sticks and frames. Very dedicated to spending the kids inheritance, one bloke was 82. Keep on trucking.

Hi,

"I am not one to shy away from challenges." You just said it all. Go for it, take it on - you can always pull out if the going gets a little too tough. Enjoy those travels.

About 10 years ago a Mexican doctor told me to take cod liver oil capsules for my osteoarthritis. It helps prevent new arthritis areas from forming and also chips away at the old stuff. I had some annoying osteoarthritis in my back and it's disappeared. It takes awhile.
They have good fold up canes for traveling.

I totally know what you are talking about too. My left foot has got very painful so that I use a insert thingy in that shoe....that leg is a little shorter so it helps lift too. Still, when out walking all day I always have a bottle of ibuprofen in my shoulder bag to use. The foot doctor has recommended a cortisone shot before trips ..........am putting it off so far. Anybody had help from those? I used to always travel with a backpack but lately I mostly use a carry on size wheelie bag.....so that my foot does not have to carry the extra weight. I miss the feel of my backpack.

taranaki - In late 1993 had a series of cortisone shots in my big toe that had suffered nerve damage. The consultant said I needed surgery but then I would not have been able to take off on my year-long RTW in 1994. I've not had any trouble with the toe since then. That's not quite the same as arthritis, but I also had arthritis in my shoulders and got the shots for those at the same time. Have never needed any follow-up, on feet or shoulders.

I also have pain in my left foot, got insert thingies made, which worked well for a year, after which they were useless. In 2010 I bought a pair of Sketchers Shape-Ups (for trekking), just on a whim, and from that day on I've not had any foot pain at all. My problem is that I have two "ankle" bones on each foot (from childhood), which stretches the flexy tendons/muscles/whatever, making them deteriorate to the point where I could not flex my feet at all for hours after a short walk. Before I got these shoes I could only walk pain-free for about 20 minutes. Now I can keep going on and on and on. As well, I can walk in sandals and thongs/jandels again,something I haven't been able to do for years. Bliss!