I’m going to have to cancel.

Just two knees so far Steve. Agree - the still being alive bit is a bonus!

Nfk Dumpling.Totally agree with you,two replacement knees and hips makes it impossible to get down or up.What a palaver I have if (or when) I fall over. Not a pretty sight to say the least. At least I'm still alive.

What bad luck before your trip, however you can always go another time when you are better.

Thing now is to get a letter from your GP, there will be a charge for this after he as examined you, get this done asap.
Then contact the insurance company who will ask for proof of the illness. Take a photo of the letter from the GP and send this as an attachment to them by e-mail asking them for confirmation.This will save time.
Then phone up your travel company to cancel the trip and ask for an e-mail from them to confirm the amount paid in writing which you need to forward to the insurance agent for their information.
You may or may not have to make several phone calls but keep on top of it and best of luck you shouldn't have a problem.
Years ago when I had dental treatment in the US my insurance paid out to me while I was still travelling they were fantastic.
Stay-sure on the other hand when I had things stolen wouldn't pay out because I was already covered on by Home contents insurance. I ended up not claiming because it might have put up my premium. To say I was annoyed was an understatement.

We have done the trip previously jalima and it will be tiring. I'm trying to be very sensible and will discuss pro's and con's with physio but postponing until October holiday means I can't get the package we want and it will cost several hundred pounds more!
Today I am very optimistic and want to be Supergran!!!!!
Will look into the poles option - thanks for the suggestion.

mcem It is quite strenuous, or so I am told. Are you able to postpone rather than cancel?
Otherwise, using two walking poles could be helpful, I found that better than one stick after breaking my ankle.

I would 'phone your insurance company, they will ask for a medical certificate from your doctor (mine recently charged £35 for this). The insurance company will want to see your original invoice and cancellation document. I cancelled a holiday in May and with the back up of my doctor the insurance company refunded minus £40 excess. Luckily I had only paid the deposit and cancelled just before I had to pay the full amount, even so the amount involved was over £500. Also be sure for each holiday booked you declare every pre-existing condition to the insurance company as if they can wriggle out of paying up they will.

In February I booked a week in Disneyland Paris for DGCs (18,9,7) and myself. 3 weeks ago I broke my leg!
I have full insurance cover but am very keen to go.
Tomorrow I see a physio and will discuss things but since I am walking with one stick and with no pain, I think I can do it on 10 July!
Wonder if physio has some miracle exercises!!

I found acupuncture really helped sciatica.

Ouch !!! yes contact the insurance company now !! With regard to the sciatica ....stretching and massage always work for me .....and one day when I couldn't bear to walk, I forced myself to walk to the village (3km) and back .....by the time I got back it was a lot better !!! nearly gave up from the pain but it worked !!!! better than pain killers.......give stretching and massage a go !

Sorry to hear about your pain Howjado. My brother developed asthma just before he was due to go on a cruise and knew that he wouldn't be up to it as there were a lot of shore visits, but his doctor wouldn't give him the letter for the insurers so he lost his money. Two days before the cruise, he dropped dead. His children got the cruise money back!

You will need to ask your doctor to write a letter stating you are not fit enough to go on the holiday due to the excess walking and other related travel. You will have to pay for the letter, about £30, and the doctor will take a few days to do it ( that's if he agrees with you!).

I had a similar thing a few years back. I developed a strained ligament and had been planning on walking up Mt Etna. It wasn't going to happen. My doctor was really difficult about writing a letter but did reluctantly. I cancelled the holiday about a week before the date and let the insurance company know ( Nationwide). I got the full cost of the holiday back minus the excess.

You might still be able to go if you do the exercises and see the physio howjado I do hope so it’s so disappointing if it’s something you’ve look forward to but if you can’t go I hope the insurance sorts out so you don’t lose too much

Thanks for all your replies. My osteopath gave me a position to lie in on the floor that took the pain straight off, but I struggled so much to get up, I was soon back in pain. I have seen a physiotherapist twice this week and am very impressed with the machine she used, so have ordered a TENS machine for home. Just about to write to the insurance company now.

A good chiropractor or a doctor who practices acupuncture might be able to help your sciatica.

If you need to cancel get a Doctor’s letter for insurance company.

good luck with the insurance, and more importantly I hope you get the sciatica sorted. I've trapped a nerve in my back and have been in hideous pain for a few weeks, like sciatica pain. not funny so I do sympathise! I find nurofen, then paracetamol 2 hours later, then nurofen 2 hours after that etc is the most effective. Extra strong pain killers dr. gave me made me so dizzy I couldn't function. Gentle walking helps too. Hope all goes well.

Been there when it comes to cancelling a holiday for health reasons. All I can suggest is that you read every single word on your insurance documents, mainly ie is this an on going issue ?did you know about your problem and were you having medical treatment for it before booking the holiday.The list is endless.A tens machine as one comment suggests does help and see your GP for stronger meds and do not 'drink' anything stronger that water/ tea /coffee fruit juice while on this strong pain medication.Is there no way you can take this holiday as I fear cancelling is not going to be easy without losing your money.

I hope you took out your holiday insurance from the date you applied for it, not the dates of your holiday.

I do that exercise too, but on the bed not on the floor! I’d never get up either!

Tell the insurance company now

Have you tried a Tens machine? Quite cheap from chemist, for me it has been better than any physiotherapist. On the physios advice I use it constantly when in pain rather than for 15 minutes as per instructions. If you got one today you could be feeling much better in a couple of days. As an aside, my daughter used a much stronger form of the same whilst in labour and it was the only pain relief she needed. Good luck. If it works, enjoy your holiday.

I find when I am away all pain seems to disappear. GP Said it is the adrenelin kicking in.

Try acupuncture.It works.

NfkDumpling, we'd make a good double act. Probably funnier 9to others) than many a TV comedy show !

Nooo - nobody watches me getting up! There was a time when I could do the cross leg sit down / stand up thing. But no more.