Hope this isn't seen as a flippant question but do other people find it difficult to go on holiday now ?
Not sure I want to take a flight anyway or a long car journey.
After skin cancer have been avoiding the sun but taking Vit D3 but seems I need the sunlight now.
Would appreciate any feedback.
I know I could not sit for long enough to go on a long haul flight but I don’t like flying anyway so it’s not a problem.
We used to have a camper and drive to the south of France every year but we got rid of that and travelled by car in 2019. Unfortunately I broke my wrist in 2020 and fractured my sacrum in 2021.
So for the past few years (since covid really) we have driven to lovely Cornwall and we stop off overnight in a hotel half way. I like to be warm and preferably dry but I can no longer take the heat like I used to when I was young and I’d rather stay out of direct sun.
Thats just my choice because I’m sure a lot of people with osteoporosis fly and drive long distances to go on holiday. What sort of holiday do you have in mind?
Like you, I no longer want to do long flights. We've had holidays in Devon and Cornwall years ago stopping off half way but can no longer travel so far from Yorkshire, it's a long trip. A trip to the coast now means crowds and a fight to park. Jersey was a favourite until we lost our airport. In the past we've been to the Lakes but it's too busy now. Have to face up to the fact I can no longer walk too far or stand for too long and be grateful for what I can do. Thanks for your reply.
I think you are right. You just have to be grateful for what you can do. We find seldom go far at the weekends because everywhere gets so crowded. Would you qualify for a blue badge to help you park more easily? A lady in my Pilates group has just got one. She has scoliosis and lots of problems and really ought to have had one long ago but she soldiered on until her daughter took her in hand and made her apply. She said that if they went to a concert, by the time they found somewhere to park she was worn out before she even got to her seat. What is it the call Yorkshire? God’s Country? Hopefully you can find a holiday spot you love close by.
I don't qualify for a blue badge and hope I never do if you can understand my meaning. I'll look for something closer to home.
Hi Viking1822 - I'm like you. I have a compound fracture of the spine and need to be able to get up and walk around. My family live abroad and before I fractured my spine I had assisted support through the airports. It wasn't a comfortable journey and in Heathrow we were put into an enclosed room and left for quite a while before being transported to the department gate. No restaurant to pass the time with a meal. No window shopping or booking into anywhere for a comfortable area away from the crowds. On top of that it now costs far more for health insurance. Unfortunately I don't have a good private pension to fly 1st class. I found it took me ages to recover!! If you can afford 1st class you will be fine. Good luck.
Oh dear that sounds awful and must have spoilt your holiday. I'm beginning to think of looking at cottages or hotels close to a small town or village with places of interest. I'm stumped really. Hope you have a better experience this year.
The assisted support at Stansted is very good. They give you the option of having your travel companion wheel you and then basically you can go where you like before boarding. Also you go through security via a special lane.
Have to admit I haven't flown since my diagnosis of osteoporosis so I don't know what help is available if there is a long wait. Stansted sounds very good.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'difficult' but I go to Spain as my daughter has settled there with her Spanish husband. I use the wheelchair assistance offered at Stansted and it has been brilliant. I am not a wheelchair user but cannot walk the distances required in the airport. The flight is generally just under 3 hours and usually by Ryanair which is not the most comfortable airline but I make sure I have something soft to put behind my back.
I don't like too much sun and usually wear a hat but I think it is important to get some on your skin. Also I think I benefit by a dose of brighter light.
I have family in Spain and used to fly to Malaga but then it was another 90 mins inland. As I only used the airport I wondered what a holiday in Malaga itself would be like. Too busy or quiet places to visit too ? I can't stand the heat now and have to cover up but I think I need some sun now. However, I'm not sure about flying.
We have spent many long weekends in Malaga during January or February. Most years we have had good sunny weather. My daughter and her husband drive to meet us and my other daughter flies out too. There is the cathedral to look round, the Picasso Museum, the old town, harbour and some nice beachfront restaurants to visit but you may need a taxi.
I have 6 spinal fractures so try to be as comfortable as I can and always have water and painkillers with me. I'm prepared to endure some discomfort for the benefit of being away with my family.
This February we are going to Olhao which is close to Faro airport in Portugal.
Thank you, that's exactly the sort of information I wanted to know.
Hi
I feel the same as it was my husband’s 80th birthday last year and I was very ill as had been diagnosed with OP and in a lot of pain but a lot better now so we had lots of holidays planned and my poor husband missed out on them but we are starting to plan a Cruise as Saga pick up and drive back but I won’t fly as too uncomfortable on a plane due to spinal fractures.
Will also plan a holiday in Devon or Cornwall and stop for overnight stay.
Your cruise sounds a good idea. think the journey to join the ship would be too far. Good look planning your next holiday.
I loved our flying holidays. But since my T9 compression fracture and my discs degenerating, herniating, we've stopped flying as the day after I was in agony. And at times it lasted the whole of my holiday visiting doctors for stronger meds etc. We try to cruise now. Comfy car to get to Southampton about 1.5 hours away. I still get some back pain but not as much as flying. I know the beds are amazing cruising too which helps a lot. When you factor in the comfort, all food anytime of day included, entertainment if you want it and wake up in a different port every day it's practically on par with a flying hotel holiday cost wise.
Cruising does seem the answer, thanks for your comments.
Fred Olsen runs cruises from Newcastle or Liverpool. I’ve not cruised recently myself, but there is a lot of information online & there are some excellent YouTube channels. You could also do a mini cruise with DFDS, which is a cheaper way to see how you get on first. We went on one many years ago to Sweden & we thoroughly enjoyed it.
I fell and broke my hip and needed full hip replacement. Found out I had osteoporosis after dexta scan. I’m now in Barbados enjoying the sunshine for two weeks. Book a holiday.
Lucky you - enjoy.
Sun is vital for our health and especially our bones. I take Vit. D daily but try to get 20 minutes of sun daily. This won't burn your skin but gives you a good massive dose of vitamin. D. I did have skin cancer 20 years ago and since I began taking vit. D and walk outside for natural sun (20 minutes) I have had no other bouts of skin cancer. I feel better too.
Dream on dream😅 where in UK can we get a daily dose of sun? Please tell me and we'll relocate 😅 joking aside, when on the rare occasion the sun does appear I go outside even when it's freezing out. Do you reckon winter sun delivers D3 ? I'll have to Google it, it just makes me feel more like living!!
I live in the USA and also in a region closest to Canada so we don't get much sunshine esp in winter. That said, I take Vit D daily and get out into the sunlight for 20 minutes when it's available. Natural sunlight gives quite a large dose of Vit D and well worth it when you can get it. In our region, as yours, supplementing is usually required for adequate Vit. D.
I was advised to have 20 minutes of sun on my skin too. Good advice !
Trips can be taxing...but possible with good planning. Shorter trips are better, but longer flights, 5,6 hours to daughter's state in the pacific NW area of WA are okay, but I have to get up and down a bit, and use the disability rules to get early entry etc. Pushing that wheeled luggage can be taxing, but I try to lift weights, exercise more, fill that thing up and push it around before a trip. We also go for a longer trip instead of off on a plane in just a few days...that gives time to recover and visit of course. Take twice the meds you need, take extra food with you as well, that helps when strange food could throw you off the first few days. Be patient, don't stack a lot of activities in, pace yourself so you don't get overly tired.
That's a good point about meds and food. I daren't get hungry due to another medical problem. It's a bit of a shock at first coming to terms with being able to do less activities but I've accepted what I can and can't do now. Thanks.
I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis a couple of months ago and now take daily teriparatide injections. Fortunately, I’ve never had a spinal fracture and can walk easily without assistance.
I’ve booked both a flying holiday and a European rail holiday for this year. My only concern was keeping the medication cool but I’ve been provided (free, on request) with a specialised padded cool bag that’s just the right size for my Movymia pen and cartridges. I’ve also made sure that all the hotels I will be staying in have a mini-bar fridge where I can store the medication.
Also, on request, I was sent a letter to present to airport / railway security to stress that the medication had to be taken in hand baggage and that it could not go through an x-ray scanner.
I’m not anticipating any problems but will share any relevant experiences.
I know that I am lucky compared to others with osteoporosis but my advice is to live life to the full as best you can for as long as you can.
Pick the right holiday for you, and enjoy!
Indeed you are extremely lucky not having fractures, it sounds as if you were one of the fortunate ones that found out in time before the damage was done. Living in pain daily is pretty wearing to put it mildly!! I'm interested, how did you find out you had osteoporosis without having a fracture?
I broke my arm in an accident in April 2021, during the Covid lockdown. A few months later, I received a letter telling me that I would be invited for a bone density scan. Nothing more was heard until May 2023 when a letter arrived asking if I still wanted to be on the ‘waiting list’ for a scan, to which I said ‘yes’. Fast forward to September 2024 and my son-in-law gave me a hug that caused me to scream in pain. I reckoned that he’d accidentally cracked one of my ribs. A phone call to the number I’d used previously resulted in me being told that my case had slipped through the net and an appointment was made for a scan within the week.
After the scan I was immediately told that I had severe osteoporosis in both my spine and hip and would have to be referred to the hospital consultant. Lucky for me, I got a phone call within 2 weeks offering me a cancellation appointment if I could get to the hospital within an hour, which I was able to do. That’s when I was prescribed teriparatide.
The consultant did say that most women he saw already had spinal fractures and I obviously had never had any. I don’t know if this is down to a lifetime awareness of holding my core firm and my back straight - from years of ballet as a child, and of weight training as an adult - or maybe it’s just good luck. I should say that I’m 71 years old and try to workout three times a week. I’ve found one of the trainers at the gym very helpful since my diagnosis; making sure that I’m doing the right kind of weight bearing exercises while protecting my spine.
That's really interesting, thanks for replying. My Osteoporosis isn't considered severe, the lowest was my hips at -1.5 and yet I've fractured 7 vertebrae 🤷🏻 I've had a Zolendronic Acid infusion just before Christmas but couldn't have the injections as I'm not considered severe enough! I sincerely hope that you don't ever fracture your spine, it's awful xxx
I also have severe osteoporosis in my spine-4. I broke my wrist at the age of 45 due to a fall. I was told then that my bones were fragile. At the age of 60 my son hugged me and also thought I had broken a rib but after a xray confirmation I had not. 2 years later I had a dexta scan to be told that I had osteoporosis. I also have never fractured and hopefully won't. I am active and also work quite a heavy job. I have declined any medication so far but will rethink it at some point.
Thanks for your advice and you are right, we should try to live life to the full. Hope you enjoy your holidays.
The main obstacle for me with international travel is paying travel insurance
to cover osteoporosis.
We have a caravan and travel in Australia - no more off road and corrugated road travel! Did the long distance flight OS last year and booked again this year - part cruise and part independent travel. No problem with mobility so plan to continue while I can. Flying long distance I now go business class.
Decision Time about bone drugs
Do spinal fractures show on an X-ray?
Severe pain in spine and knee's. 
my dilemma Denomosab
