Martin Phillips
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2018
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I was training for the Camino and I was doing very well but I got a lack of balance after 9 miles. I recovered but later in the year when I was doing hill route the lack of balance returned. I was staggering like a drunk and I fell as darkness had fallen. A runner was on the trail and he helped me back to my car. That took three hours. Does anybody know of this problem. Needless to say I haven'd done the Camino as I stopped walking and I am now trying to restart the process. I'm 66 years old and I have Diabetes 2. Any advice?
According to me, you have to concern with a doctor. At your age, it is sometimes difficult to do Camino.I was training for the Camino and I was doing very well but I got a lack of balance after 9 miles. I recovered but later in the year when I was doing hill route the lack of balance returned. I was staggering like a drunk and I fell as darkness had fallen. A runner was on the trail and he helped me back to my car. That took three hours. Does anybody know of this problem. Needless to say I haven'd done the Camino as I stopped walking and I am now trying to restart the process. I'm 66 years old and I have Diabetes 2. Any advice?
Yes see your doctor, there can be many causes.
My mother had low blood pressure and would keel over. My friend keels over with low blood sugar and rising up quickly.
I suffer from vertigo (linked with Meniere's) but have learned to orient myself with visual cues, and rarely have an issue now unless there is complete absence of light. There are things I do to help myself, leave lights on if I know I'm coming home in the dark, or car headlights (note to self - do not collect firewood from under the house without the car headlights on). If I do have an issue walking fast helps me keep upright.
My sister who suffers much more has changed her diet and takes medication to assist.
Once the issue has been diagnosed, you can learn how to cope with/prevent.
I have a balance disorder which hugely impacts my walking. Narrow trails, ledges, rocks, anything with a drop to one side (esp the left side), stream fording, etc are all a nightmare for me & take a long time to negotiate. Also if I walk too long (more than 25kms) I start doing the drunk, staggering thing you describe. I haven't got to the passing out stage because I know & understand my condition & adjust my actions accordingly. I am the most awkward & least sure-footed walker you can imagine & therefore lack confidence on any surface other than road or substantial trail.I was training for the Camino and I was doing very well but I got a lack of balance after 9 miles. I recovered but later in the year when I was doing hill route the lack of balance returned. I was staggering like a drunk and I fell as darkness had fallen. A runner was on the trail and he helped me back to my car. That took three hours. Does anybody know of this problem. Needless to say I haven'd done the Camino as I stopped walking and I am now trying to restart the process. I'm 66 years old and I have Diabetes 2. Any advice?
I was training for the Camino and I was doing very well but I got a lack of balance after 9 miles. I recovered but later in the year when I was doing hill route the lack of balance returned. I was staggering like a drunk and I fell as darkness had fallen. A runner was on the trail and he helped me back to my car. That took three hours. Does anybody know of this problem. Needless to say I haven'd done the Camino as I stopped walking and I am now trying to restart the process. I'm 66 years old and I have Diabetes 2. Any advice?
Are you on Blood Pressure medication?I was training for the Camino and I was doing very well but I got a lack of balance after 9 miles. I recovered but later in the year when I was doing hill route the lack of balance returned. I was staggering like a drunk and I fell as darkness had fallen. A runner was on the trail and he helped me back to my car. That took three hours. Does anybody know of this problem. Needless to say I haven'd done the Camino as I stopped walking and I am now trying to restart the process. I'm 66 years old and I have Diabetes 2. Any advice?
According to me, you have to concern with a doctor. At your age, it is sometimes difficult to do Camino.
Why are you asking us? I was a pharmaceutical rep for many years and people always asked my advice. I was a rep for Actos. I am pretty sure you know this drug as you have Type 2 Diabetes. I will tell you what I tell everyone. Go see your doctor immediately. IMMEDIATELY! If your diabetes is monitored by your Endo and not your family doctor go see him too! Diabetes is part of Metabolic Syndrome as you well know. Never ask laymen for advice. It is like asking a six year old to explain String Theory. I did not read all of the comments here but I doubt any medical professional is going to venture a diagnosis without a face to face examination, tests and having your medical history in front of them. GO TO YOUR DOCTOR PLEASE!!!!!I was training for the Camino and I was doing very well but I got a lack of balance after 9 miles. I recovered but later in the year when I was doing hill route the lack of balance returned. I was staggering like a drunk and I fell as darkness had fallen. A runner was on the trail and he helped me back to my car. That took three hours. Does anybody know of this problem. Needless to say I haven'd done the Camino as I stopped walking and I am now trying to restart the process. I'm 66 years old and I have Diabetes 2. Any advice?
Why are you asking the Forum, rather than you doctor?!I was training for the Camino and I was doing very well but I got a lack of balance after 9 miles. I recovered but later in the year when I was doing hill route the lack of balance returned. I was staggering like a drunk and I fell as darkness had fallen. A runner was on the trail and he helped me back to my car. That took three hours. Does anybody know of this problem. Needless to say I haven'd done the Camino as I stopped walking and I am now trying to restart the process. I'm 66 years old and I have Diabetes 2. Any advice?
I don't have blood pressure problems. I had to retire 7 years ago following a fall down stairs at work. I had been doing extensive walks for nine months - 12 to 20 miles a day, usually for 5 or 6 days per week. When the imbalance struck I wasn't dizzy, just weak from the knees down. Thanks to everyone for their help. Seeing my doctor is pointless. Perhaps I need to be more aggressive with him.I also have diabetes (type 2) and after some miles or so I find that my blood sugar has dropped. Hate to ask the obvious but did you check your sugar when you were dizzy. I solved my problem my stopping every 5 or 6 K and eating a half energy bar (basically consume about 50-80 calories and my problem doesn’t occur.
I have asked the doctor but he makes no diagnosis. He just tells me to get back walking and charges me €50. I am re-training in a smaller way and I find in difficult over 4 to 5 miles but I will endure.Why are you asking the Forum, rather than you doctor?!
EndocrinolI have asked the doctor but he makes no diagnosis. He just tells me to get back walking and charges me €50. I am re-training in a smaller way and I find in difficult over 4 to 5 miles but I will endure.
Thank you so much for commenting and sharing Kaz. It’s quite comforting to know I’m not the only hiker with these problems. I too am doing everything I can to not let it prevent me from walking. I head off to the Via DeLa Plata in a few months.I have a balance disorder which hugely impacts my walking. Narrow trails, ledges, rocks, anything with a drop to one side (esp the left side), stream fording, etc are all a nightmare for me & take a long time to negotiate. Also if I walk too long (more than 25kms) I start doing the drunk, staggering thing you describe. I haven't got to the passing out stage because I know & understand my condition & adjust my actions accordingly. I am the most awkward & least sure-footed walker you can imagine & therefore lack confidence on any surface other than road or substantial trail.
A crucial element for me is using one walking pole to 'steady the ship'. Also I often look for alternative routes more suitable for my issues.
Despite my disorder, I have walked thousands of kilometres on a variety of trails. I'm currently walking the full Via Francigena & have been on the trail over two months with a month to go. Long walking days through France, mountain sections in Switzerland, etc have all posed problems but they can be overcome.
Go & see a Dr/Specialist, get a proper diagnosis, then you can work around your condition & get on with your Camino...once you know exactly what you're dealing with, you may just have to go your Own Way.
Best wishes.
My doctor sent me to a neurologist. After MRI’s we’re now onto Nerve Conduction Studies. We’re ruling everything out. I too look like a drunk lady sometimes. It’s very unsettling but keeping positive and I’m still walking.I don't have blood pressure problems. I had to retire 7 years ago following a fall down stairs at work. I had been doing extensive walks for nine months - 12 to 20 miles a day, usually for 5 or 6 days per week. When the imbalance struck I wasn't dizzy, just weak from the knees down. Thanks to everyone for their help. Seeing my doctor is pointless. Perhaps I need to be more aggressive with him.
As one who is in the health care professions, I would day that state of health differs widely and there are some who would be considered reasonably healthy people who wouldn’t and/or shouldn’t do the Camino. The author did reference that “sometimes” it isn’t possible for one to do a Camino. Bless all that are able— they have much to be thankful for! I’be heard and seen a few in their 90s who were able to do it, and some in their 50s who can’t yet would go on to live into their 90s. Let his physician make the call on this one. And let’s not all forget that the spirit of the Camino is not limited to the physical trail. Buen Camino to everyone, on or off the trail.
The Health System in Ireland is chaotic. We have ill patients waiting on stretcher beds in all our hospitals in full public view. Our economy looks good but it isn't. My doctor is a nice guy but I think he is blocked by a disastrous system. I have private insurance but it makes no difference.Finding a new doctor isn't always easy. Perhaps for the time being someone could go with you? It is a lot more difficult to wave two persons goodbye.
Telling you to go back to walking wasn't a bad advice btw, rather basic, but good in a limited way. Obviously you need more.
My plan is to start at Burgos. I am working on the Brierley book but I can alter that. I would hope to get to Santiago in 21 days plus 4 days resting.This may come as a shock to some and a liberation to others.
Looking at the training schedule that @Martin Phillips describes, he has already walked the distance of a entire Camino Frances a few times over and he would have easily finished within 8 weeks (with weekends off on top of that).
It all comes down to what you consider a camino. If you must start in St Jean, must cross the Pyrenees, must hike at least 20 kms a day or even the Brierley stages.... there is no obligation, these are all self-imposed criteria. 5 kms a day will get you to Santiago. It will only take more days, some planning and a few taxis or a bus. That's all. You don't have to do it all at once either, many Spaniards walk one week and return the next year for the next week. The King of the Belgians has been walking the CF for some years now, one week at Easter, with all his family. I don't know where he started or when, perhaps one day he said to the Queen let's go for a walk and they left their Palace in Brussels and began following shells.
Unfortunately, I know the problem all too well Lindy Lou; other walkers hop, skip, jump & are off into the distance in no time while I'm still there 20 mins later trying to negotiate a tree root or rocky steps...Thank you so much for commenting and sharing Kaz. It’s quite comforting to know I’m not the only hiker with these problems. I too am doing everything I can to not let it prevent me from walking. I head off to the Via DeLa Plata in a few months.
I hope to go in 2020 due to financial issues. I am now doing 4/5 miles per day with no problems to date. Thank you for your advice.Chris, you were fortunate. For several reasons I had to retire early, my health insurance was $1500 a month and I am healthy! I could not afford to use it. Enough of that.
Martin, are you set that you are going before too long? When? You do not have to walk long days, even 4-5 miles a day will get you there. Personal experience is that there will aways be people who will help you when you might need it.
I am currently undertaking Camino Primitivo. A few days before I left England I would get out of bed and feel very dizzy. After a few days this subsided but I want to UK doctor before my flight. She checked blood pressure, heart and reassured me I wasn't having a heart attack or stroke. Her diagnose a virus. The day of flight to Oviedo I woke up feeling dizzy again but this eased by time I took flight to Oviedo. We had a couple of days there but day before we were due to start Camino I felt really dizzy and sick. It was raining and I went for a walk in the street I could barely walk straight as if I had drunk too much alcohol and room spun when I lay flat on my back in bed. My brother yo took me to the medical centre and the doctor was excellent. She repeated what UK doctor did and a lot more. Her diagnosis was I was suffering from Vertigo and she explained that the stones in my ears weren't in balance. I have previously had an operation in middle ear for cholestearoma was always worry for ear infection and this balance issue. Vertigo sounded better than a brain abscess infection! Any way she gave me an injection and some tablets, which I am taking and they are doing the trick. First few days Camino started feeling dizzy but walking clears up issue throughout day. I am now feeling more like myself and don't leap out of bed and take a bit longer. Suggest you visit medical centre if you are in Spain and ask them to explore all your concerns properly. In my case, looking back with initial diagnosis dismissal of my dizziness as a virus is worrying. I very nearly abandoned my Camino before I started and was researching flights home. Tomorrow is day 8 on Camino. I hope you feel better and can proper assessment for correct treatment and reassurance.I was training for the Camino and I was doing very well but I got a lack of balance after 9 miles. I recovered but later in the year when I was doing hill route the lack of balance returned. I was staggering like a drunk and I fell as darkness had fallen. A runner was on the trail and he helped me back to my car. That took three hours. Does anybody know of this problem. Needless to say I haven'd done the Camino as I stopped walking and I am now trying to restart the process. I'm 66 years old and I have Diabetes 2. Any advice?
This would happen to my Mom, turned out it was simple dehydration from her meds. Hope your answer is something this simple and easy to fix. I’m your age and did Sarria to Santiago last fall. Headed for first stage in mid September. Buen Camino!My doctor sent me to a neurologist. After MRI’s we’re now onto Nerve Conduction Studies. We’re ruling everything out. I too look like a drunk lady sometimes. It’s very unsettling but keeping positive and I’m still walking.
Are you taking any Rx eye drops? My OP drops gave me vertigo. I was in PT for imbalance for 5 months until I figured out it was the eye drops. After I stopped taking them, my vertigo went away in about a month.I was training for the Camino and I was doing very well but I got a lack of balance after 9 miles. I recovered but later in the year when I was doing hill route the lack of balance returned. I was staggering like a drunk and I fell as darkness had fallen. A runner was on the trail and he helped me back to my car. That took three hours. Does anybody know of this problem. Needless to say I haven'd done the Camino as I stopped walking and I am now trying to restart the process. I'm 66 years old and I have Diabetes 2. Any advice?
I am so sorry! I am starting the Camino Frances (my first Camino!) on Sept 11 - I will have turned 68 ... I don't think age per-se is a detriment. Nor are all health issues! I know several people who have walked a Camino with health issues - but they have made sure they were fit enough and cleared by their doctor. And my husband who is several years older is joining me. We are just going to go at a much slower pace than the young ones!I was training for the Camino and I was doing very well but I got a lack of balance after 9 miles. I recovered but later in the year when I was doing hill route the lack of balance returned. I was staggering like a drunk and I fell as darkness had fallen. A runner was on the trail and he helped me back to my car. That took three hours. Does anybody know of this problem. Needless to say I haven'd done the Camino as I stopped walking and I am now trying to restart the process. I'm 66 years old and I have Diabetes 2. Any advice?
I am now doing 4/5 miles per day with no problems to date.
I'm not an avid salt user. I never add it to any meals. At one stage when my calf muscles were getting stiff and painful I used diotalite for calf cramps and it worked wonderfully. I haven't used it for a long time. I only drink herbal teas and camomile is one of them as well as 3 pints of water a day. 18 months ago I was walking 12 to 18 mile per day (5/6 days per week) and I didn't have any problems until the lack of balance set in. It hit me on two occasions and the second one scared me. I got down from the hills with the help of a a guy from the Republic of Georgia. My daughter wanted to call the local mountain rescue. tI was a difficult time but I have only started walking again recently - 4/5 miles each session. I know I can build myself back up to 10/12 miles in 5/6 day week but I must be mentally prepared for this.That's a good thing.
One thing nobody has mentioned, so I will: are you getting enough salt?
Or, another thought: if you stop and rest for a few after 4 miles, are you then good for another 2 or 3? 6.2 miles is 10 km after all. If you stop for a cuppa manzanilla (no sugar) about 3 miles into your day, can you then walk for another 4 miles and stop for lunch? Then another 2 or so before calling it a day? That's a respectable day's walk on the Camino!
Sticks are my friend, but I still managed to get "road rash" twice on the same knee while walking the Norte. Lots of us wobbly folks are out here with you!
Suggest you visit medical centre if you are in Spain and ask them to explore all your concerns properly. In my case, looking back with initial diagnosis dismissal of my dizziness as a virus is worrying. I very nearly abandoned my Camino before I started and was researching flights home. Tomorrow is day 8 on Camino. I hope you feel better and can proper assessment for correct treatment and reassurance.
Feeling alot better, thanks. Just completed day 10 to A Fonsagrada. Loving the Primitivo pleased I stayed to do it and didn't go home. Still taking the last of my medication. If I bend down/get up suddenly still get a little woozy. When I complete Camino and get back to UK to seek another appointment with ear specialist at hospital to get a review and further check up.This is pure brilliance. Make it part of your Camino, @Martin Phillips. Go see a doctor in Spain before you start. Look up the terms of your Irish insurance, big chance that they will cover this.
You don't have to wait until it happens again. You don't have to solve the problem before you go on the Camino, visiting a doctor on the Camino may help solve the problem instead.
I hope you are doing fine @jostony !
Good on you for sticking with the Camino and ruling out possibilities.I am currently undertaking Camino Primitivo. A few days before I left England I would get out of bed and feel very dizzy. After a few days this subsided but I want to UK doctor before my flight. She checked blood pressure, heart and reassured me I wasn't having a heart attack or stroke. Her diagnose a virus. The day of flight to Oviedo I woke up feeling dizzy again but this eased by time I took flight to Oviedo. We had a couple of days there but day before we were due to start Camino I felt really dizzy and sick. It was raining and I went for a walk in the street I could barely walk straight as if I had drunk too much alcohol and room spun when I lay flat on my back in bed. My brother yo took me to the medical centre and the doctor was excellent. She repeated what UK doctor did and a lot more. Her diagnosis was I was suffering from Vertigo and she explained that the stones in my ears weren't in balance. I have previously had an operation in middle ear for cholestearoma was always worry for ear infection and this balance issue. Vertigo sounded better than a brain abscess infection! Any way she gave me an injection and some tablets, which I am taking and they are doing the trick. First few days Camino started feeling dizzy but walking clears up issue throughout day. I am now feeling more like myself and don't leap out of bed and take a bit longer. Suggest you visit medical centre if you are in Spain and ask them to explore all your concerns properly. In my case, looking back with initial diagnosis dismissal of my dizziness as a virus is worrying. I very nearly abandoned my Camino before I started and was researching flights home. Tomorrow is day 8 on Camino. I hope you feel better and can proper assessment for correct treatment and reassurance.
I'm not an avid salt user. I never add it to any meals. At one stage when my calf muscles were getting stiff and painful I used diotalite for calf cramps and it worked wonderfully. I haven't used it for a long time. I only drink herbal teas and camomile is one of them as well as 3 pints of water a day. 18 months ago I was walking 12 to 18 mile per day (5/6 days per week) and I didn't have any problems until the lack of balance set in. It hit me on two occasions and the second one scared me. I got down from the hills with the help of a a guy from the Republic of Georgia. My daughter wanted to call the local mountain rescue. tI was a difficult time but I have only started walking again recently - 4/5 miles each session. I know I can build myself back up to 10/12 miles in 5/6 day week but I must be mentally prepared for this.
Thank you Lindy Lou. Buen Camino.Good on you for sticking with the Camino and ruling out possibilities.
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