Camping with chronic pain

[Lemoncakelemon]

Anyone managed camping with chronic pain? Any tips etc?

I have no experience with chronic pain but camping always results in an array of aches and pains. I would say think carefully about your equipment and which jobs you do. Putting up tents can be a backbreaking as can a lot of camping chairs. Also air beds and sleeping on the floor. I would say a camping bed with a nice thick self inflating mat would be best. And the garden chair type camping chairs which are a bit firmer and have more support. I'll post some links. Also make sure you have nice warm bedding and a hot water bottle and a hat in case it gets cold at night.

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/padded-folding-chair-p47876.aspx/Khaki/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrqzBhAoEiwAXVpgomL3Y1qKzi1_AqddBUblB_6jLnEM3SjZ52vrxwFYgBbMIdqJEL1iJBoCwuIQAvD_BwE

https://www.millets.co.uk/15983967/hi-gear-slumber-campbed-15983967/1990408/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrqzBhAoEiwAXVpgomTM0T0aVA9PILn-D6v61tIfqyC-Xi-hUtTlOLwlLVii3Uq9JrA0yRoCOEAQAvD_BwE

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/self-inflatable-camping-mattress-ultim-comfort-70-cm-1-person//R-p-307396?mc=8759611&c=grey&utm_term=8759611-4564006&gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=gb_t-intbra_ct-shopp_n-generic-pros_ts-pro_f-cv_o-roas_spd-msp_spu-msp_sp-msp_pt-pb_pnl-com_l-en_pp-gads_bm-roa_pr-cpc&utm_term=_n-generic-pros_ts-pro_spd-msp_spu-msp_sp-msp_pt-pb_l-en_High%20Performers&keyword=&network=g&placement=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrqzBhAoEiwAXVpgounpZnxXbXX-mdbwPPmSOmXuQlwuzdhV1WGaqWm_lSv46MnQvh1whBoCHYcQAvD_BwE

Bro if pain where / what? Camping in a tent? What will your sleep set up be?

Yep.

Book a hotel.

It's hard.

Make sure you have a very supportive and comfortable bed. Air beds are not that good - we have camp beds, and mine has a good SIM which is a godsend.

You need a very good, comfortable and supportive chair, mine is a vango - I went for a large seat, high back and arms. I've also got a foot stool.

Don't get cold, so warm pj's, hot water bottle etc. are essential. I am considering taking an electric blanket as even in July/August costal sites can be quite chilly at night.

Be prepared for a trek to showers and toilets, most campsites have push button showers which is a pain - we go to the same campsite each year, purely because they have decent, spacious and unlimited shower time (thanks to the fact they don't have push button showers and the water is hot. They also have a coffee shop with comfy sofas and armchairs which were absolute bliss when camping chairs get too much.

You will walk a lot more than you think, so if that's an issue, be prepared, good trainers will help.

I always make a list of the nearest B&B's just in case I need a night in a decent bed and a soak in the bath. Painkillers. All of them.

I've camped for years, but DH and DD know that sometimes it's not as comfortable for me as it is for them, I manage fine, but we will be upgrading from a tent to a caravan because my back and hips are steadily getting more painful.

It sounds quite high risk. Camp beds are low so difficult to get in and out of. Until you know your set up, it can be easy to get cold and if it rains everything ends up slightly damp. You need to step over tent threshold and guy ropes, then it's a walk to the showers over possibly uneven ground. Shower blocks are often poorly heated and the hot water is sometimes on a timer. Everything needs lifting in and out of the car. You can't always keep your car by your tent, so shopping needs carrying across the site, along with water and washing up.

If you have plenty of support and can test the needs before you go, it's a lovely low key holiday. You can just sit outside your tent in the sun with a cup of tea. No pressure to do anything, because part of camping is watching the world go by and chatting to the neighbours.

Why are you thinking of camping when you have chronic pain?

Is there any alternative?

I have chronic back pain and I camp every year. My partner is good at stepping up to do the cooking etc if needed if I’m struggling. My tip would be to not push yourself too hard, take breaks when needed. For me that means lots of stopping to lie down and rest on walks and things. I love being out in nature and find it really enjoyable. I have a bell tent and I take a self inflating air mat, my duvet, pillows and blankets. It feels very cosy in my tent.

This. Camping is hard enough on your body without chronic pain! It will be miserable OP and not relaxing or ‘holiday-like’ in the slightest, don’t do it unless you absolutely have to.