Backpacking, Hostels, "Basic" Travel And Arthritis

Due to arthritis I've had one ankle fused and two knees replaced - in the past 6 years. During that time I've also spent 6 mos of most years traveling - 1/2 internationally and 1/2 in my own camper in North America. When I am in better shape we do things like backpack around SEA or South America. When I'm struggling we rent cars and small RVs.

We just keep going - husband has stenosis of the back and had a hip replaced 3 years ago. So we are pretty much the poster-kids for arthritis and traveling :)

I always have my folding walking sticks in a day pack and use them a LOT on the cobblestoned streets. They keep my hips/back aligned and take a considerable amount of weight off my feet. I use orthotic inserts in my shoes and have very good walking shoes with rocker soles. I take pain meds with me and an icepak and a hot water bottle. Very hard to buy those in other parts of the world! I've tried.

Don't be afraid. Arthritis is debilitating and painful but it won't kill you. Even if you have a bad attack you can still get yourself onto a train or plane with the help of walking sticks. On this last trip my illeo-sacral joint dislodged in my back and I'll be rehabbing that for months to come but I would not have missed the trip for anything.

These days we are easier on ourselves than we were ten years ago, for sure. I hope I still have some backpacking trips in me but increasingly we are enjoying the luxury of renting small campervan type RVS - our own bed, our own food in the fridge, our own porta pottie :) We use taxis more and treat ourselves to more comfortable (cleaner) guesthouses with better beds.

But we keep going. We just returned 2 weeks ago from 2.5 months in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. We spent last May-August in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. So YES we keep going!

If you'd like to read about some of our adventures go to our website; http://www.lifewellspent.com

Here is a very useful site - [http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/AboutArthritis/Conditions/Osteoarthritis] - also with links to other sites.
It seems to be a very-well-balanced site, which isn't aiming to sell anything.
Acupuncture is one suggestion which may be of help. But the site also recommends exercise, etc.

I've found travelling with walking stick can be useful - alerts cabin crew and security staff that you have issues. They hae always been helpful. Mine is a carved wooden one I bought in Solomon Islands more than 20 years ago, not a fold-up one, but I have no difficulty getting it into overhead lokers on planes.

Also, look into massages at different places when you travel. Generally much less expensive than at home, and helps with many pain issues which arise.

welcome to the club. I have recently started having problems with knees and feet. I go see a Rheumatoligist tomorrow, and I have been referred to the Arthritis society for education and physio. I have had mild arthritis in my hands for years, but have been able to control it with meds, but the meds aren't even touching the lower extremities. I may need a change. Cortisone shots are good. I have had them for bursitis and they made a real difference. No need to curtain travels, just travel a bit slower, carry a bit less, and carry a lot of analgesics

A good wheelie bag is better than a backpack. I put up a couple of postings about the one I took away with me last trip, which is far and away the best I've ever used on a trip. You'll find them if you do a search for "cabin max"

I think (moderate) exercise plus cod liver oil might be the way to go.

For example, I've always been a bit of a couch potato but this year I took up zumba. The amount of energy it's given me has been amazing. And I heal faster, too.

I overdid it at one session and my knees told me so. Then, I went running to catch a bus (something I've never done in my life until recently - what me? Run?) and landed awkwardly,badly spraining a ligament. That was five days ago. I am almost back to normal walking again. In fact, two days ago I walked a couple of extra miles just because I could!

Many thanks to all for reassurance. When I was told it was arthritis I was pretty devastated as it meant the end to certain plans I had and was determined to do e.g. I love hiking and was intending to thro' hike the Pacific Crest Trail; not something to do with arthritis in your feet !!

But, as it would seem travelling with backpack in a "down to earth" way is still possible, on reflection, I could have had so many other things "go wrong" that I should be grateful it was not worse.

I am 57 and these days I am continually shocked at ageing process. Used to be you pull a muscle (or bruise something, etc.) and ignore it and next day it has all gone anyway. These days pull a muscle and it seems to take ages to get better - probably because I continue to behave as a 21 year old and ignore it and next day pull it again but worse ....

Anyway, thanks to all for the reassurance.

Arthritis is a right of passage to any decent traveller. As you can see, most of us creak somewhere.

For me it's my knees. So I had physio before my recent trip to Laos, to make sure I could manage squat toilets - getting down and up again without clinging onto the walls. (I needn't have worried - their toilets were spotless).

I find it's easier in warm climates - so maybe head for the tropics. I have a rucksack (so much easier on unruly pavements) but keep the weight right down - it's wonderful how little you need. And I accept all offers to help carry it for me! I carry plenty of painkillers, and take them whenever I need them. I don't do trekking with a crowd of young people who will have to wait for me persuading my knees up and down mountainsides, but did have an individual guide in Nepal who was quite happy to walk at my pace.

And I'm just beginning to wonder if I can't manage top bunks on night trains - that swinging down to go to the loo in the night when the train goes round a corner...

So - as you can see from here - everything is possible if you decide that it is. Enjoy your travelling.

I've got (mild) arthritis in both shoulders, knees, hips and likely to get it in my left hand-doc made no mention of my right hand but I am starting my long term travels at the end of the year, I'm selling up so will be, technically, homeless, intend to travel and rent a place wherever I land. If the arthritis becomes too debilitating then I'll come home, if not, home will be wherever I am. Compromises-I'll be booking low beds on trains/hostels, no backpack, inclines rather than steep climbs. Bring it on