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Leaving on my first Camino in the morning & I'm terrified. Please help!

Elisha said:
He used an sonar ultrasound & thinks he found a stress fracture in my ankle.
Click to expand...

Elisha, if that's really the case...it may be letting go time.
If I were in your shoes I'd get to Pamplona and see someone there for another opinion before I did any serious walking. And listen to the pain. If it is so bad as to make you nauseated...the ankle is trying to tell you something.
I'm so sorry this is how your camino is unfolding. But not to lose hope. There may be a way forward, perhaps using a bike - it'll just take 'thinking sideways' to find out what that is.
 
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Elisha said:
I have my Keen hiking sandals
Click to expand...
Give them a try immediately to see if there is a relief.
If you need 2 pairs , Pamplona has a great shop.
Last 4 years have only worn Ecco sandals [ with socks early if cold ] because of bursitis in the back of my heal.
 
[QUOTE="Thornley, post: 610789, member: 3306"
]1/Get to St JPP
2/Walk to Orisson 7km
3/Next day walk to Col Lepoeder , 12km and order the taxi to Roncesvalles.[ This is very easy to arrange] This avoids the treacherous down hill which will not help your situation in any way.
[The above is only advised in good weather .
If its raining or fog don't even consider.
Get the bus to Pamplona and wait 3 nights for your mates.]

4/ From Roncesvalles walk to Biskarreta , 11km, where a taxi or bus will get you to Zubiri or God forbid Larrasoana which ever one your mates have booked.
** [ If nothing has been booked stay @ Hotel Akerreta , Larrasoana .
Beautiful people , lovely-classy accommodation and without doubt a lift to Pamplona if needed ]
5/ If staying in Zubiri instead get taxi or hosts to within 11km & walk along the river to Pamplona[/QUOTE]

I would not do more than this , all down hills taken out and you will now know if sandals will suffice
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
biarritzdon said:
I tried it last year on a bike due to severe neuropathy in my right foot. It was my 7th time to do the Camino. It turned out to be a very bad idea, I could not climb hills, I gave up after a week and started walking.
Click to expand...
While I don't agree that cycling is a "bad idea" in general, it may be for some, and it definitely is NOT a way to avoid walking. I have taken my bike from Estella to Hontanas, and Santiago to Finisterra to Muxia. There have been many places where I had to walk uphill pulling it, or walk downhill because it was too steep for the brakes. And I got a flat tire from going too fast in a rocky area, and had to walk many kilometers to the city (I had no spare tube).
 
Elisha - thank you for a brave posting - thank you to all the forum memebers who have posted replies with such deep wisdom and experiences. Elisha there is great support for you as expressed by many in this reply string - you will know what to do when you get to the start of your Camino - take one day at a time - enjoy each moment - it is your Camino, it is no one else's, there is no right or wrong way to do this, it is an opportunity to be on a journey toward a greater insight that is beyond the physical with like minded people who care - there are many people who care on the Camino de Santiago they will be there to help when you need the help....Buen Camino
 
My honest opinion is, find a way to start in Roncevalles and walk very short stages for 3 or 4 days. There are enough places to stay, and even if you look like a "wimp" you are walking and building up your endurance. If you are still in pain jump ahead to Puenta la Reina, take a rest and start all over from there. BTW, I am the one who suggested Voltaren earlier and I use it daily when I walk but it only masks the pain.
 
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It absolutely breaks my heart to post this, but in the past few hours it’s finally all come crashing to a head. I won’t be leaving tomorrow on my Camino. The Camino I’ve spent 2 years planning, obsessing over & have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on. All the flights, accommodation, the gear... the endless days of reading books, blogs & course this forum... I won’t be able to get this much leave again from work for years. I can’t give the leave back & now I’m left in the debris of my stupid ankle on the other side of the world from home. I’m beyond devastated & there’s really just no words at this point. My emotional pain is palpable I’m sure.

Since seeing the physio the pain has only increased & if it’s a stress fracture as assumed, I’m acutely aware that walking on it comes with great risk. Therefore I feel as though I’m left with no choice. I can’t believe I’m in this situation, it’s absolutely surreal.

The irony of this whole thing is that I sustained the injury on my way home from the Sydney Pilgrims Meeting 11 days ago. I twisted my ankle coming down off a gutter after the meeting & assumed at the time that it was only superficial. Obviously it wasn’t. I managed it at the time with complete rest, ice & anti inflammatories but none of it was enough. The pain has only increased tenfold & tonight I’m physically in a position where I can barely get myself from the couch to bed.

So here I am in London with a handful of options.

1) I stay here in London with a friend for 4 weeks, get treatment & attempt to meet my friends in Leon on the 11 May. The UK has reciprocated Medicare benefits with Australia so I should be able to get decent care;

2) If it’s not better in 4 weeks, I stay here in London for 6 weeks & meet my friends in Prague. We have 4 nights booked there after the Camino, followed by 3 nights in Dubrovnik & a week sailing trip to Split, flying home on the 17 June;

3) Or, as a Flight Attendant, I can fly home from the UK to Sydney on staff travel for about $450. I cut my loses financially, go home, treat my injury & move on.

Regardless of what I decide, my injury is bad enough at this point that I need to stay put until I can walk easily on my own & get a proper assessment at the hospital. I’m just lucky that I have a friend who is willing to put me up & for that, I’m grateful.

I would have done absolutely anything to get myself out on that Camino tomorrow, but I feel at this point that it’s been completely taken out of my hands; the pain has made the decision for me. I’m well aware that the Camino will always be there, no one has to tell me that much. Right now though, the grieving process is going to take a considerable amount of time.
 
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I can only imagine how sad and disappointed you feel. Because you have the time set aside already, your options may change from day to day on how you wish to proceed. My prayers are with you.
 
I am so sorry Elisha. Your spirit is inspiring. Please stay connected and keep us informed, because whatever the outcome you are now firmly a pilgrim and a member of this albergue. I am sending you my love, and I am sure others feel the same.
For many years I was unable to go on camino despite desperately wanting to do so. I tried hard to keep myself in the present, and not spend too much time yearning after the impossible. But it was hard. I thought the time would never come. But eventually it did.
The physical camino has been there for a thousand years and will be there for the whole of your lifetime, and will be waiting when the time is right for you.
 
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Nicely stated, Kanga
 
There are so many Sydneysiders I have know in my life who enjoyed a stay in Europe for a long holiday, I would stay and take advantage of you location and the time away.
 


Some fractures are not so bad they can't be walked on, and it's sad to learn that this isn't your case.

The only bad fracture I've had while on the Camino was a wrist fracture, which was awful enough (it was a fracture in my staff hand), though I was lucky enough in that the Camino provided™ a fellow pilgrim who had the exact right medical straps in his backpack plus the knowledge of how to place them properly (my wrist looked a lot like your ankle, which is why I'm saying this), and I was on my final semi-hiking semi-hitch-hiking journey too so I already had my Compostela at that point. So I did manage, though if I'd had similar in an ankle, it would have been game over.

I'd suggest resting in London at least for a week, then see how things seem next weekend.
 
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Elisha said:
get treatment & attempt to meet my friends in Leon on the 11 May. The UK has reciprocated Medicare benefits with Australia so I should be able to get decent care;
Click to expand...

I would try [1] Elisha,
In Leon it will be an emotional reunion but maybe , just maybe in the next 3 weeks things , a miracle perhaps ? might improve for you to at least walk short days with them from that point [ very easy to do]
Get into the Hospital , find out what it is and get well as quick as possible.
Stay in Europe ,
You are in our thoughts .
 
on a totally unrelated topic Elisha...I love your purple backpack!

Go gently and good luck
 
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Oh, d**n!! I'm sorry, Elisha.
But I think you have made a wise choice.
Here's a thread from someone who walked in spite of a navicular stress fracture on day 1 of her camino - and wrote the post as a cautionary tale. It's a different injury than yours, but the message is the same: we only have 2 legs and need to listen to them.
The Camino is not going any place. And you will be out there sooner and for a longer time by healing now.
You have come all this way. So go. Meet your friends in Leon. Grieve what was, but also find the joyful places in what is, now. Leon is a fabulous city. If you can go earlier, you can go to Pamplona, Burgos as well - make a pilgrimage by bus or train or car or even bicycle. If it's the latter, though, I would not start at Pamplona. It's a nasty descent from the Alto de Perdon. So start at the bottom of the hill - Uterga or Puente la Reina - both of which would allow you to go to Eunate.

May you heal well, and may a silver lining to this very dark cloud show itself. You never know.
Thinking of you ~ buen Camino, peregrina!
Yours is more challenging journey than most, but deeper because of that.
 
So sorry @Elisha - this is a devastating blow. I think your option 1 sounds the way to go - rest up then head to León. Maybe you'll be able to travel in less than 4 weeks, so see how it goes with treatment and play it by ear. And yes, the grieving will take time too.

Take care and all the very best.
 
So sorry to hear the news Elisha. Hopefully over the next few days a plan will emerge whereby you can still enjoy yourself over there

The Camino will wait for you....
 
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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Elisha said:
The irony of this whole thing is that I sustained the injury on my way home from the Sydney Pilgrims Meeting 11 days ago.
Click to expand...

Less than 2 weeks , 3 weeks before Leon

Elisha said:
The pain has only increased tenfold & tonight I’m physically in a position where I can barely get myself from the couch to bed.
Click to expand...

My son read your posts Elisha, he is a paramedic and runs "The North Face" 100km run in the Blue Mountains every 2 years.
If sprained rest will fix / The flight would not have helped but he asked this question , could it be a ligament?
MRI as quick as you can and good luck,
 
Something like this happened to one of the other girls at work a couple of years ago. She was talking for months about some walk in Spain (we didn't know about this Camino then) and she stopped going clubbing with us on Fridays so she could go on practice hikes on Saturdays. Anyways, she way overdid it a couple of weeks before her hols and damaged ligaments or something technical in her fett and leg and that was that, she couldn't walk for ages. She decided not to go at all as she said it would spoil it for her if she couldn't walk the whole thing. She got better after a while and did it last year and was so happy to be able to complete it properly and really pleased she had not spoilt it by just going along doing bits and getting transport for the rest. So, she's now infected all of us over the past two years and we're going with her next hols to do it from Portugal as she promised us there's lots of good wine and food on the Camino.
So to Elisha, don't worry if you can't do it this time, a time will come when you can do it properly again and feel great about it and inspire your friends to do it too.
 
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Oh this is so hard! My heart goes out to you. The Camino will be there-- either in 3 of 4 weeks or in a year. I'm glad you have friends to be with.

Kate
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Hang in there Elisha. We're all out here thinking of you.

(That caring, the community, the empathy that comes from being together in difficult times, the cameraderie that comes from being together in good times, the open-hearted connection with other pilgrims, and the dropping of all sorts of stuff - physical and otherwise - that is what the camino is. This thread and many others here is one manifestation of that. It brings a lot more joy than a pub crawl. Wait til you see, @miffy. You'll be hooked, like your friend.)
 
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"...she's now infected all of us over the past two years and we're going with her next hols to do it from Portugal as she promised us there's lots of good wine and food on the Camino and that it's really just one big pub crawl kinda thing."

This is off topic-- But that is really not my experience with my pilgrimage on the Camino. Yes-- to the good wine and food, but a "one big pub crawl". No, not my experience or wish.
 
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Hi, thanks for the information and message. I deleted the bit that was offensive. I don't want to offend anybody...just happy and stoked to be going on me hols with the girls to this interesting new place. Only been to Ibiza and Benidorm previously and not on the walking part so it'll be nice to see what the country bits are like too. xx
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Yay for you !!!! Sending positive energy your way!!! I’m starting in a week and slowly the nerves are starting !!!
 
Or a glass softdrink bottle works - it hurts as you stretch the tendon out but it releases the pain from the ankle , knee or even hip that comes from this. See if yoj can get a decent orthotic in London
 
Elisha,
I can feel your frustration and pain. I wish you well and hope that you recover quickly and completely and that you find another opportunity to walk the Camino. Finally I hope that you can learn something about yourself or life from your current situation that will help you on your life's journey. Buen Camino (for the next time).
Aidan
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
So a week has gone by now since I had to make the decision to pull out starting my camino in SJPDP with my friends. It’s been a really rough week here in London, but after a lot of appointments and troubleshooting I finally got a diagnosis on my ankle. I’ve developed Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome after originally twisting my ankle. It’s very similar to Carpal Tunnel actually, which I never imagined you could develop in your ankle, but here we are! I’ve had some dry needling, physio & been given exercises, which have started to finally pay off. As a result, I’ve just booked my flight to join my friends on the Camino this Saturday in Logrono! I’m still tentative about my ankle, but if it keeps improving then by Sunday I imagine I’ll be good to go.

I’m currently trying to reshuffle all my plans, now flying into Bilbao on Saturday afternoon. Just curious if anyone has any transport recommendations to get down to Logrono as I’m having trouble finding much in the way of buses?

Also, I’m looking for a luggage courier to transport my second bag to Satiago, but again, I’m having trouble finding a company in Logroño. Any help would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks again for all your support & help over the past few weeks, you’ve all been wonderful!

Elisha
 
Awesome news, and buen Camino mi Peregrina !!
 
I'm so pleased for you, enjoy your Camino
 
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Elisha said:
I’m currently trying to reshuffle all my plans, now flying into Bilbao on Saturday afternoon. Just curious if anyone has any transport recommendations to get down to Logrono as I’m having trouble finding much in the way of buses?
Click to expand...

Just for Kanga i will offer this advice;
Saturday trains @ 6.30 am
Sunday @ 6.30 am or 5.20pm and both take 2.30 hours
Buses take 8 hours as they go via Burgos.
** Bla Bla car , which can be organised in advance through your hotel will leave @ 11.30 am and take 1.30 hours
Train is 14e first class , car is 10 euro.

Two of our favourite stays are ahead in Ventosa and Santo Domingo .
If you are struggling and feeling any pain @ Belarado get the bus and save 3 days of uninteresting, roadside walking into Burgos.
If you are struggling on the first day , do short days and still bus @ Belarado [ many do] as the days from Burgos will be a few extra km's than normal.

Elisha said:
my second bag
Click to expand...
HRH normally purchases such in Madrid , San Sebastian or Paris after we finish and then fills to the brim.
 
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Not sure why Thornley writes as he does.
Bus service by http://cuadrabuslineas.com/en/ : checked just now - schedules list 1730 and 1830 (on Saturday 28 April) with seats available on both ; can purchase online. Journey time is 1 hr 45 mins but 2 hrs 05 mins for the later service. The last bus of the day seems to be at 2030.
Correos will transport your second bag but offices will not be open until Monday.

PS : re all your medical trouble : "if it hurts, don't do it" i.e. be prepared to back off. Good luck.
 
Yes , I have a physiotherapist friend and he is so busy before the city marathon and no as busy afterwards with all the niggles just before the off. Best of luck
 
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I am so sorry you are having to go through this after so much planning. I have a daughter in Tunbridge wells if you need a place to stay
 
So happy for you that you are getting to experience the Camino. I'm sorry I have no advice on transport to Logrono, I just wanted to wish you a safe trip and a buen Camino. Ultreia.
 
I mentioned Correos for bag transport and said "offices will not be open until Monday" forgetting that May 1st is a public holiday...so no Correos negotiations until Tuesday.

I guess I am focused on next Monday (7th), a holiday in the UK ,when we fly to Seville to begin cycling on Tuesday on the Via de la Plata.

Elisha, I trust that your transport worked out yesterday?
 
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Elisha, this is such good news.
No fracture! And you are on your way - assuming you made it to Logrono.
You can take it easy as there are plenty of towns along the way if you feel the need to walk short stages.
And you can transfer your bags stage by stage until Tuesday, when Correos opens up again.
Buen Camino, peregrina!
 

Hi Elisha,

How is it going with the calf?
I feel with you since I also got quite the same problem with my calf. I am 32. I takes long time for heal at least for me.

You already started by now, however, I think for everyone preparing for the camino, with problem or not, it is good to do different kind of heel raises exercises. I had problem last two days and did parts of the camino. Hopefully I will get stronger for my next camino in August.

Buen camino!
 
So sorry to read your story Elisha, my husband developed shin splints well in the 800kms and found relief by using Rock Tape which we bought at a pharmacy along the road and applied it via phone instructions from our beautiful friend, an exercise professional in Perth. Kept it on the last 400 plus kms
 
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I know how you are feeling. I leave for my Camino in just over a week. I used to get shin splits in track. I would suggest stay plenty hydrated. Stretch calf every not ing and evening. If you come across and flat parts to walk - try walk a little bit on your heels. Also invest in calf compression sleeve
 
Its been now 2 weeks since the OP's last e/m for help
She was walking from Logrono on 29/4 , 11 days ago ,
Obviously she is well and no further troubles have occurred.
 
Thornley said:
Its been now 2 weeks since the OP's last e/m for help
She was walking from Logrono on 29/4, 11 days ago. Obviously she is well and no further troubles have occurred.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't assume all is well. I've seen many pilgrims continue to walk when others are advising them to rest.
 
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So, I made it to Logrono, all the logistics worked out & I’m now here messaging from Leon after walking in at around lunchtime. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far & every day I’m just so thrilled to be here.

That being said, starting in Logrono with an injury has caused new injuries along The Way, while my original injury has healed. I have terrible lateral foot pain, I assume because of overcompensating, but I’ve managed it with tape, buying a new pair of boots in Burgos & an incredible amount of red wine! Some days have been incredibly painful but it’s continued to surprise me just how deep I can dig & how many people out here would give you their last plaster just to see you take one more step. I’m so I ncredibly changed from being out here & although my Camino doesn’t look anything at all what I thought it would while I was planning it, it’s been the experience of a lifetime & I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

So, I’m going to enjoy a much needed rest day here in Leon tomorrow before walking forth with my Camino family on Monday. Hopefully with a bit of rest I’ll get stronger & the next two weeks might feel a little easier than what I’ve been through up until this point. That being said, who the hell knows what the Camino has in mind for me!
 
Elisha said:
hat being said, who the hell knows what the Camino has in mind for me!
Click to expand...

Not just you Elisha , everyone.
Thats why the less planning the better.
Enjoy the latter stages.
 
 
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