Sarah Layli Sahrapour
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances (2015 November)
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As some of the other posts say, it sounds like your boots are too tight and if you are needing to put dressings on the blisters ,this will make them tighter still. Are your socks thick? Try liner socks or ordinary men's socks you can buy anywhere -- generally. Also I find that adhesive plaster( the one on a roll) over the blister helps to stop chafing in the boot and won't take up too much space. I have to wear boots a size larger than my shoes and thin socks as I have plenty of space for feet. I suffered dreadfully with blisters on 1st Camino and know now that it was due to lack of boot space. If blisters broken, clean with iodine, but try and leave the plaster on as long as possible. Really feeling for you right now as so many of us have suffered with blisters at one time or another. AnnetteWell, I've walked 7 glorious days so far on my first Camino. I've been making my way on the Portuguese coastal route which, other than today's light morning rain, has been fantastic walking weather of 60-70 degrees and mostly sunny. I've walked through beautiful fishing towns and mountain towns, past beaches and winding city streets. It's been a great Camino so far, but I'm not sure if I can continue now.
The past 3 days I started battling blisters. At first they were crippling pains that caused stabs at each step. Gradually I've learned how to manage them and now they are, if not mostly subsided, at least under reasonable control. Now, however, a new pain has come up. This one seems unrelated to the blisters, and more troubling. It's not a surface pain like the blisters, but a deeper feeling in the bones of my foot that with each step the side of my foot is being intolerably crushed. It's like my right foot is in a vice that clamps down harder with each step. I tried loosening my shoelaces, but this hasn't helped much. I feel like it might be a nerve problem! I think I will take a day off here in Vigo and rest-- the worst thing I think is for me to injure my foot seriously while on the Camino in the middle of towns. I hope it feels better tomorrow but, if not, I may have to complete this Camino later! Has anyone else been in a similar situation?
Now, however, a new pain has come up. This one seems unrelated to the blisters, and more troubling. It's not a surface pain like the blisters, but a deeper feeling in the bones of my foot that with each step the side of my foot is being intolerably crushed. It's like my right foot is in a vice that clamps down harder with each step. QUOTE]
Hi Sarah,
Not beeing a native speaker I'm a bit unsure of what you describe, but it sounds like tendonitis or, as Anemone mentioned above, plantar fasciitis. You asked if anyone has been in a similar situation. Oh yes: plantar fasciitis on Vía de la Plata in 2012. Impossible to go on. Both feet feeling like walking on razors. It is the worst pain in my feet I have ever experienced, much worse than tendonitis. If you only have modest pains I'm sure it is manageable but in the end I couldn't even put my feet on the ground. Somehow, tendonitis is very common on the Camino but you seldom hear of plantar fasciitis. I would suggest that you take a rest day as soon as you feel anything like it, because ignoring the pain and think you are "super-man/woman" (as I did) is not going to work.
Tendonitis or plantar fasciitis means your feet are tired and need to protest, so I was wondering how long your stages are and if you get enough sleep? I got it because I did too long stages and thought I could manage with just a few hours of sleep. And when it started to hurt I just neglected it and tried to endure, which eventually broke me down. Bad pilgrim...
Anyway I hope it is neither, and that you can solve the problem with arranging shoes or socks as mentioned above. Please let us know!
Good luck Sarah!
/BP
Well, I've walked 7 glorious days so far on my first Camino. I've been making my way on the Portuguese coastal route which, other than today's light morning rain, has been fantastic walking weather of 60-70 degrees and mostly sunny. I've walked through beautiful fishing towns and mountain towns, past beaches and winding city streets. It's been a great Camino so far, but I'm not sure if I can continue now.
The past 3 days I started battling blisters. At first they were crippling pains that caused stabs at each step. Gradually I've learned how to manage them and now they are, if not mostly subsided, at least under reasonable control. Now, however, a new pain has come up. This one seems unrelated to the blisters, and more troubling. It's not a surface pain like the blisters, but a deeper feeling in the bones of my foot that with each step the side of my foot is being intolerably crushed. It's like my right foot is in a vice that clamps down harder with each step. I tried loosening my shoelaces, but this hasn't helped much. I feel like it might be a nerve problem! I think I will take a day off here in Vigo and rest-- the worst thing I think is for me to injure my foot seriously while on the Camino in the middle of towns. I hope it feels better tomorrow but, if not, I may have to complete this Camino later! Has anyone else been in a similar situation?
Thanks for the replies, I'm going to try to look for new insoles tomorrow for my shoes, if my feet don't feel better. I don't think it's a problem with the shoe itself as I've worn these same shoes on backpacking trips many times with no one, but I wouldn't be surprised if the insoles have gotten worn down.
I do have a question, though. Can anyone recommend a good store in Vigo for buying insoles? My Spanish doesn't seem to be good enough to explain this well to the guy at the hotel. Thanks so much!
Well, I've walked 7 glorious days so far on my first Camino. I've been making my way on the Portuguese coastal route which, other than today's light morning rain, has been fantastic walking weather of 60-70 degrees and mostly sunny. I've walked through beautiful fishing towns and mountain towns, past beaches and winding city streets. It's been a great Camino so far, but I'm not sure if I can continue now.
The past 3 days I started battling blisters. At first they were crippling pains that caused stabs at each step. Gradually I've learned how to manage them and now they are, if not mostly subsided, at least under reasonable control. Now, however, a new pain has come up. This one seems unrelated to the blisters, and more troubling. It's not a surface pain like the blisters, but a deeper feeling in the bones of my foot that with each step the side of my foot is being intolerably crushed. It's like my right foot is in a vice that clamps down harder with each step. I tried loosening my shoelaces, but this hasn't helped much. I feel like it might be a nerve problem! I think I will take a day off here in Vigo and rest-- the worst thing I think is for me to injure my foot seriously while on the Camino in the middle of towns. I hope it feels better tomorrow but, if not, I may have to complete this Camino later! Has anyone else been in a similar situation?
Many good responses on this thread. As someone who like Falcon269 mentioned also has constant foot pain, I can only add that you've done well to recognise that this is a new and different pain. As well as seeing someone for advice, it may need a few extra days rest. I have neuropathy of the feet (nerve pain) and at home manage it with weekly acupuncture. To reduce the chance of other problems I have occasional foot, leg and hip massages and foot joint mobilisation, both to ensure flexibility of the joints and muscle relaxation throughout the feet. (less pressure on nerves in legs and feet) But on my 2 Caminos (one in September) none of this, so I massaged my own feet gently to help better manage and hopefully slightly reduce the pain for the following day. If it's a pinched nerve at joints due to the walking on uneven surfaces or blisters (both changing your gait) then massage may create a type of traction and ease the pressure. It will help with daily swelling after walking anyway. Swelling too means less room in the shoes. I hope it settles soon. All the best.Thanks for the advice, everyone. Falcon, I agree with you, it is a new pain, and I think it is related to how my feet were compensating for the blisters. I'm going to get it checked out tomorrow when places open again, and not take any risks!
"I disagree with another poster's advice not to limp - limping is not a person's choice, its the body's natural protective mechanism to take weight of an injured part of the body to give it the best chance to heal."
I think that we have to agree to differ hereI have found that when pilgrims limp to compensate for a pain they start to get other pains and stresses because of the deformed way that they then walk. Trying to walk normally automatically cuts pace length and speed drastically until the other parts of the body have slowed down and are walking in sync. At home we rest but out there pilgrims usually just won't stop! (the rascals!) - if one walks slowly and carefully without a put-on limp then all the parts flex normally rather than abnormally - mind you, I have come across some whom I have told to stop walking until they healed as the damage was too bad to be able to walk normally, if at all!
I'm not saying I am 'right' and you are 'wrong', not at all, only that we have a different approach - and, in fact, possibly not a different approach at all as you may be speaking of those seriously injured whereas I am speaking of those lightly injured - so all is well.
Buen Camino
@David ...When the body feels the need to limp, it is to take weight off the injured structure thus reducing further injury. For example, if someone breaks a bone in their foot and tries to walk normally, they will apply a force that the foot simply cannot bear as its structural integrity has been compromised. This is why we often give people crutches, to take further weight off the injured limb.
So pretty much what I am saying is, for acute injuries (recent injuries) limping is fine - its your body's self protective mechanism, but definitely something that we don't want to be long lasting. Chronic limping is definitely harmful and can lead to many other secondary joint issues.
Anyway that's my 2 cents worth
...I have found that when pilgrims limp to compensate for a pain they start to get other pains and stresses because of the deformed way that they then walk. Trying to walk normally automatically cuts pace length and speed drastically until the other parts of the body have slowed down and are walking in sync. At home we rest but out there pilgrims usually just won't stop! (the rascals!) - if one walks slowly and carefully without a put-on limp then all the parts flex normally rather than abnormally - mind you, I have come across some whom I have told to stop walking until they healed as the damage was too bad to be able to walk normally, if at all!...
"I disagree with another poster's advice not to limp - limping is not a person's choice, its the body's natural protective mechanism to take weight of an injured part of the body to give it the best chance to heal."
I think that we have to agree to differ hereI have found that when pilgrims limp to compensate for a pain they start to get other pains and stresses because of the deformed way that they then walk. Trying to walk normally automatically cuts pace length and speed drastically until the other parts of the body have slowed down and are walking in sync. At home we rest but out there pilgrims usually just won't stop! (the rascals!) - if one walks slowly and carefully without a put-on limp then all the parts flex normally rather than abnormally - mind you, I have come across some whom I have told to stop walking until they healed as the damage was too bad to be able to walk normally, if at all!
I'm not saying I am 'right' and you are 'wrong', not at all, only that we have a different approach - and, in fact, possibly not a different approach at all as you may be speaking of those seriously injured whereas I am speaking of those lightly injured - so all is well.
Buen Camino
Well, I've walked 7 glorious days so far on my first Camino. I've been making my way on the Portuguese coastal route which, other than today's light morning rain, has been fantastic walking weather of 60-70 degrees and mostly sunny. I've walked through beautiful fishing towns and mountain towns, past beaches and winding city streets. It's been a great Camino so far, but I'm not sure if I can continue now.
The past 3 days I started battling blisters. At first they were crippling pains that caused stabs at each step. Gradually I've learned how to manage them and now they are, if not mostly subsided, at least under reasonable control. Now, however, a new pain has come up. This one seems unrelated to the blisters, and more troubling. It's not a surface pain like the blisters, but a deeper feeling in the bones of my foot that with each step the side of my foot is being intolerably crushed. It's like my right foot is in a vice that clamps down harder with each step. I tried loosening my shoelaces, but this hasn't helped much. I feel like it might be a nerve problem! I think I will take a day off here in Vigo and rest-- the worst thing I think is for me to injure my foot seriously while on the Camino in the middle of towns. I hope it feels better tomorrow but, if not, I may have to complete this Camino later! Has anyone else been in a similar situation?
Well, I've walked 7 glorious days so far on my first Camino. I've been making my way on the Portuguese coastal route which, other than today's light morning rain, has been fantastic walking weather of 60-70 degrees and mostly sunny. I've walked through beautiful fishing towns and mountain towns, past beaches and winding city streets. It's been a great Camino so far, but I'm not sure if I can continue now.
The past 3 days I started battling blisters. At first they were crippling pains that caused stabs at each step. Gradually I've learned how to manage them and now they are, if not mostly subsided, at least under reasonable control. Now, however, a new pain has come up. This one seems unrelated to the blisters, and more troubling. It's not a surface pain like the blisters, but a deeper feeling in the bones of my foot that with each step the side of my foot is being intolerably crushed. It's like my right foot is in a vice that clamps down harder with each step. I tried loosening my shoelaces, but this hasn't helped much. I feel like it might be a nerve problem! I think I will take a day off here in Vigo and rest-- the worst thing I think is for me to injure my foot seriously while on the Camino in the middle of towns. I hope it feels better tomorrow but, if not, I may have to complete this Camino later! Has anyone else been in a similar situation?
@Bethesda um what a pain (pun intended). But good on you for at least not allowing yourself to become permanently crippled. Never let that unexpected ending diminish your huge achievement. Congratulations to you!
The emphasis on walking the last 100 km to Santiago is so overestimated. I always love the Cathedral, and the town of Santiago, and I love walking in Galicia and I love the vitality of the last 100km, with all the new and enthusiastic pilgrims. But I am absolutely over the need for a little piece of paper.
In medieval times you would have been a contender for the Puerta del Perdón at the Iglesia de Santiago in Villafranca - the door through which those who were unable to continue to Santiago passed and received forgiveness. We tend to forget that for most medieval pilgrims that was the main purpose of walking the pilgrimage.
... The emphasis on walking the last 100 km to Santiago is so overestimated. I always love the Cathedral, and the town of Santiago, and I love walking in Galicia and I love the vitality of the last 100km, with all the new and enthusiastic pilgrims. But I am absolutely over the need for a little piece of paper. ...
For some of us, me included, it is actually important to arrive at the tomb of St.James, if possible under our own steam. And no, it is not about the piece of paper ... Buen Camino, SY
Thank you all so so much for the helpful replies! I ended up taking two days rest in Vigo, tried different ways of bandaging my blisters, and most importantly bought new insoles! This last in particular helped me a lot, and I was able to continue my Camino after all. I'm now in Padron, and hopefully I'll make it to Santiago tomorrow! Since Vigo I've had the usual foot tiredness, but no more internal foot pains, thankfully. I think in addition to the insoles, just staying put for a few days did me a lot of good. While I don't know exactly where I stand on the limping question, I do know that I am now much more sensitive to it and won't allow myself to limp for hours like I did in Oia and Baiona. Limping is a sign that something needs to change!
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