Peripheral Neuropathy and walking the Camino

[Fishtail]

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

 

[Turga]

I have no personal experience in that area, but I wish you all the best in your recovery and, hopefully, a Buen Camino.

 

[mspath]

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

Fishtail,
For several other posts regarding Neuropathy enter this term in the space above the blue box marked search on the top left of this page.
Good luck with your query and whenever/wherever you do walk Buen camino!

​

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

This time start in Puente de Reina to avoid the nasty downhill sections where you need good footing. Pamplona would be okay if you take the road down from the Alto del Perdón instead of the trail with the rolling rocks.

 

[sugargypsy]

Hi,

Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?

I too have got neuropathy and felt unsure, how this would work out, before I walked the CF in 2019.

I started in Pamplona, didn't have to skip any part. I walked slowly, used my poles when walking downhill. Everything worked out fine.

 

[dick bird]

Ask your doctor about this but maybe some practice walks locally with a friend would be one way of finding out what you can do safely and comfortably. Anyway, Buen Camino.

 

[Fishtail]

Ask your doctor about this but maybe some practice walks locally with a friend would be one way of finding out what you can do safely and comfortably. Anyway, Buen Camino.

Thank you for the suggestion. I’m walking 7 miles with ease, but no pack or poles

 

[Fishtail]

I have no personal experience in that area, but I wish you all the best in your recovery and, hopefully, a Buen Camino.

Thank you! There’s many wonderful pilgrims along the way to give support and encouragement

 

[Fishtail]

Fishtail,
For several other posts regarding Neuropathy enter this term in the space above the blue box marked search on the top left of this page.
Good luck with your query and whenever/wherever you do walk Buen camino!

​

Thank you!

 

[Fishtail]

Hi,

I too have got neuropathy and felt unsure, how this would work out before I walked the CF in 2019.

I started in Pamplona, didn't have to skip any part. I walked slowly, used my walking sticks when walking downhill. Everything worked out fine.

Sounds very doable for me! Thank you

 

[okright]

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

Hi, I’ve had peripheral neuropathy in my lower legs, feet and fingers for 25+ years. Doctors have no clue what caused it. But since having a B12 injection every 10wks it’s not gotten any worse.
I start my first camino in less than a couple weeks. So you probably have advice for me?
My advice is first to ensure you have comfortable gear. I found it very hard to even get a pair of boots that fit properly when you can’t feel your feet.
You need to get in a habit of regularly checking where you have no feeling. In the early days I’ve had cuts and blisters for days without feeling any discomfort. Not good if you want to avoid infection.
And lastly, I find walking poles a great help especially for balance. Get a professional Nordic walker to teach you, even if you think you know how to use them . I recommend the Black Diamond Alpine FLZ trekking poles. They’re adjustable and fold up tiny to fit inside your rucksack.
Good luck.

 

[sharon w]

I also have peripheral neuropathy as a result of chemotherapy. I have found the days I walk, the better my feet are. Even my balance is improving. My doctor told me balance is affected because you can’t feel the placement of your feet on the ground. Therefore poles I think are a good idea.
Vitamin B12 helps in the treatment of nerve damage, which is what peripheral neuropathy is. I also rub magnesium gel on my feet at night.
I plan to walk the Camino as soon as my treatment is finished. I currently am walking 4-7km for 5 to 6 days a week.

 

[Ant]

I have chemo induced PN in my feet and right hand. I have found that long walking (5 caminos) improved my condition. Especially the first two caminos, the Camino frances and norte. In addition to all the other good advice re poles, boots, socks, massage etc cold water soaks for the feet work for me. You have to work out what works for you. I'm never pain free buy I can manage it without use of any meds or pain killers.

 

[dutchwalkagain]

Hi My husband has Neuropathy and was nervous too. We went last June for 3 weeks and he LOVED it. Had barely any pain during our walking weeks. Which was a huge bonus for him. We walked only up to 17 km a day . And he was happy he had his hiking poles. We're going back coming April for another 3 weeks and this time (weather permitting) we will start in SJPP . Have fun !!!!

 

[EdN]

Everyone is different but here's my story for what it's worth. I developed neuropathy in my right leg as a result of a SCUBA accident in 2015. I take medication (gabapentin) and have walked the Frances and Portuguese camino since. I took my meds, used poles, bought quality clothing and equipment, and checked myself out daily. I also took a day off in Leon. Listen to your body the same way you do now...make sensible choices and accept help when needed. Remember, you can always stop and restart later.

 

[Bumpa]

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

Fishtail: one of the benefits of this forum is that there is always someone with similar issues and therefore a wealth of thought on almost any topic. I to have peripheral neuropathy which has no known cause and affects both hands and feet. My feet feel as though they are appendages affixed to the ends of my legs without all of the necessary wiring allowing me to coordinate them with the rest of my body. I often am not sure where they are in relation to the rest of me. I have had significant falls when the toe of one foot catches on the heel of the other when I am focused on something other than the feet. I sometimes feel that I should be walking as if I had no belt and need to have my legs wide as if I need to keep my pants up. You will have seen the look on younger people at the mall. LOL.

I pitched head first down a steep hill on a gravel road when I was paying attention to a farmer moving a large flock of sheep. It was particularly embarrassing as I was wearing a kilt and there were people behind me. I jumped to my feet and was dusting myself off when a fellow walker, obviously a baseball fan, said: "I don't care what the umpire said, I thing you slid into second base safely"

Hiking poles are an essential part of your walking as balance can be an issue. My main advice to you is; PAY ATTENTION to your body when walking and know where you are placing your feet and keep your feet under your body as much as possible. Particularly when going down hill and on rough surfaces. No leaping from rock to rock or extending your leg out some distance in front of you. This is not an unsurmountable issue, I have been on a Camino 6 times, but requires adjusting the way you move. Stretching, frequently, during your day is beneficial as well. Be careful and above all...keep moving.

 

[Fishtail]

Fishtail: one of the benefits of this forum is that there is always someone with similar issues and therefore a wealth of thought on almost any topic. I to have peripheral neuropathy which has no known cause and affects both hands and feet. My feet feel as though they are appendages affixed to the ends of my legs without all of the necessary wiring allowing me to coordinate them with the rest of my body. I often am not sure where they are in relation to the rest of me. I have had significant falls when the toe of one foot catches on the heel of the other when I am focused on something other than the feet. I sometimes feel that I should be walking as if I had no belt and need to have my legs wide as if I need to keep my pants up. You will have seen the look on younger people at the mall. LOL.

I pitched head first down a steep hill on a gravel road when I was paying attention to a farmer moving a large flock of sheep. It was particularly embarrassing as I was wearing a kilt and there were people behind me. I jumped to my feet and was dusting myself off when a fellow walker, obviously a baseball fan, said: "I don't care what the umpire said, I thing you slid into second base safely"

Hiking poles are an essential part of your walking as balance can be an issue. My main advice to you is; PAY ATTENTION to your body when walking and know where you are placing your feet and keep your feet under your body as much as possible. Particularly when going down hill and on rough surfaces. No leaping from rock to rock or extending your leg out some distance in front of you. This is not an unsurmountable issue, I have been on a Camino 6 times, but requires adjusting the way you move. Stretching, frequently, during your day is beneficial as well. Be careful and above all...keep moving.

 

[Fishtail]

Thank you! You describe many of my same symptoms. Your advice is very helpful. I have the poles, haven’t used them since I’m only walking 4-5 miles a day. And yes. my sense of position of my legs is poor. I fall/trip for same reasons. The loss of muscle strength in my thighs make it hard to climb stairs, climb over big logs. I usually sit and swing over them. I’ll fall forward if I lean too far forward and don’t stay focus.I wear flat shoes as any heels makes me want to tilt forward since my sense of balance is off.
Do you have a favorite shoe or special socks and toe protection?
Thank you!

 

[Bumpa]

Thank you! You describe many of my same symptoms. Your advice is very helpful. I have the poles, haven’t used them since I’m only walking 4-5 miles a day. And yes. my sense of position of my legs is poor. I fall/trip for same reasons. The loss of muscle strength in my thighs make it hard to climb stairs, climb over big logs. I usually sit and swing over them. I’ll fall forward if I lean too far forward and don’t stay focus.I wear flat shoes as any heels makes me want to tilt forward since my sense of balance is off.
Do you have a favorite shoe or special socks and toe protection?
Thank you!

I have good luck with the Hoka Bondi 7's. Lots of cushioning and support

 

[Fishtail]

Hi, I’ve had peripheral neuropathy in my lower legs, feet and fingers for 25+ years. Doctors have no clue what caused it. But since having a B12 injection every 10wks it’s not gotten any worse.
I start my first camino in less than a couple weeks. So you probably have advice for me?
My advice is first to ensure you have comfortable gear. I found it very hard to even get a pair of boots that fit properly when you can’t feel your feet.
You need to get in a habit of regularly checking where you have no feeling. In the early days I’ve had cuts and blisters for days without feeling any discomfort. Not good if you want to avoid infection.
And lastly, I find walking poles a great help especially for balance. Get a professional Nordic walker to teach you, even if you think you know how to use them . I recommend the Black Diamond Alpine FLZ trekking poles. They’re adjustable and fold up tiny to fit inside your rucksack.
Good luck.

Good advice. Thank you! I really appreciate your advice about footwear and gear. Chemotherapy is the reason for my neuropathy. Time, accupuncture, and just walking helped most. I’m advised to only take the RDA of B vitamins because of my cancer history

 

[Fishtail]

I also have peripheral neuropathy as a result of chemotherapy. I have found the days I walk, the better my feet are. Even my balance is improving. My doctor told me balance is affected because you can’t feel the placement of your feet on the ground. Therefore poles I think are a good idea.
Vitamin B12 helps in the treatment of nerve damage, which is what peripheral neuropathy is. I also rub magnesium gel on my feet at night.
I plan to walk the Camino as soon as my treatment is finished. I currently am walking 4-7km for 5 to 6 days a week.

First, blessings to you as you go through your cancer journey. Hopefully yourneuropathy will stay where it is. I’m 21 months out from chemo. It’s taken me this long to get my strength, energy and desire back to walk the Camino again. But again, I’m 70, that could also play into my recovery

 

[slowtraveler]

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

Hi Fishtail:
Thanks for bringing this subject up. I’ve not heard this mentioned before. I have been treated with chemotherapy in 2011, 2016, and a bone marrow transplant in 2019. I have pretty extensive neuropathy in my feet, too. I walked the Camino Frances last year from April 1 to June 1. I embraced the reality that I was going to be a very slow and careful walker. I always used my poles, even on level surfaces, and particularly appreciated them on rocky downhills. Sometimes kind fellow pilgrims would notice how slow I walked and offer to carry my pack - what a wonderful community we have on the Camino! I didn’t need my pack carried but felt and appreciated the love.
I was careful at the end of each day to check my feet, just in case I’d developed a blister that I couldn’t feel. Once, walking on the path through Pamplona, I tripped over my own feet and suddenly found myself face down on the pavement. Within moments a group of young Spanish residents had picked me up onto my feet and surrounded me with earnest concern. My experience was that God graciously provided what I needed on the Camino as I needed it.
My encouragement is that there is room for us slow and careful walkers with neuropathy to be extra careful and to take whatever time we need. We may even receive more opportunity to see and be where we are as we go because we are going slower 🙂.
May God bless you on your Camino.
Warmly, Daniel

 

[slowtraveler]

I see that I just incorrectly stated that I’d walked from April 1 to June 1st. It was April 28th to June 1st. A senior moment on my part!
Daniel

 

[estorildon]

I have had PN since 2013 and I walked numerous Caminos in varying degrees of pain through 2019. Throughout those years I found the long distance walking was very therapeutic. I have tried every sort of treatment and medication known with very little success. At 76 y.o. I have had to give up even walks around town. I wear brace on my right leg to keep my foot drop from causing trips and fall and trust me I have had my share of them. I am forced to walk with a cane and my son would prefer that it was walker but I still have my pride. I have made the decision this year to limit my Camino activities to volunteering as a hospi and hopping on a bus or train to experience the Way. Good luck.

 

[Bumpa]

Hi Fishtail:
Thanks for bringing this subject up. I’ve not heard this mentioned before. I have been treated with chemotherapy in 2011, 2016, and a bone marrow transplant in 2019. I have pretty extensive neuropathy in my feet, too. I walked the Camino Frances last year from April 1 to June 1. I embraced the reality that I was going to be a very slow and careful walker. I always used my poles, even on level surfaces, and particularly appreciated them on rocky downhills. Sometimes kind fellow pilgrims would notice how slow I walked and offer to carry my pack - what a wonderful community we have on the Camino! I didn’t need my pack carried but felt and appreciated the love.
I was careful at the end of each day to check my feet, just in case I’d developed a blister that I couldn’t feel. Once, walking on the path through Pamplona, I tripped over my own feet and suddenly found myself face down on the pavement. Within moments a group of young Spanish residents had picked me up onto my feet and surrounded me with earnest concern. My experience was that God graciously provided what I needed on the Camino as I needed it.
My encouragement is that there is room for us slow and careful walkers with neuropathy to be extra careful and to take whatever time we need. We may even receive more opportunity to see and be where we are as we go because we are going slower 🙂.
May God bless you on your Camino.
Warmly, Daniel

Many thanks for this post. Too often we can feel that we are alone. A feeling of having partners in our difficulties allows us to move forward, even if slowly

 

[Laura M]

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

Hello Fishtail,
A helpful source is the Facebook group (worldwide, with 24K members), Peripheral Neuropathy Success Stories. You'll find all kinds of suggested remedies and several members who have walked the Camino.

 

[Goyo]

Hi,

I too have got neuropathy and felt unsure, how this would work out, before I walked the CF in 2019.

I started in Pamplona, didn't have to skip any part. I walked slowly, used my walking sticks when walking downhill. Everything worked out fine.

Hi sugargypsy,
Felicidades on your walk in 2019!

So, leaving Pamplona, did you take the road from Alto del Perdón to avoid the trail with the rolling rocks, as suggested by Rick of Rick and Peg, or did you just go for it?

 

[sugargypsy]

So, leaving Pamplona, did you take the road from Alto del Perdón to avoid the trail with the rolling rocks, as suggested by Rick of Rick and Peg, or did you just go for it?

I walked the trail with the rolling rocks, though I must admit, it was really hard on my feet. The stony path is, if I remember correctly, about 3 kilometers long. It took me almost an hour for each of those kilometers.

When I reached Uterga I was soooo tired. I just fell into my bed after showering and was asleep immediately - with wet hair, no dinner or taking care of my laundry.

Nevertheless: I did not regret walking that trail. My memory of that day is still very intense and very positive.

 

[Goyo]

I walked the trail with the rolling rocks, though I must admit, it was really hard on my feet. The stony path is, if I remember correctly, about 3 kilometers long. It took me almost an hour for each of those kilometers.

When I reached Uterga I was soooo tired. I just fell into my bed after showering and was asleep immediately - with wet hair, no dinner or taking care of my laundry.

Nevertheless: I did not regret walking that trail. My memory of that day is still very intense and very positive.

Kudos to you for your effort and perseverance, and thank you for responding to my question. I have only just begun to plan my camino, and feel fortunate to have found this forum of so many people ready to share their experiences of what truly sounds like a life-changing endeavor. Gracias.

 

[Jan Vida]

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

I have neuropathy from chemo too. I also have stiff joints particularly in my hands. Ill be practicing with poles before i go.I find symptoms are worse on those days I give into the fatigue and don't move too much. That's my only suggestion., to keep moving.
Thank you for asking the question. I've read some good tips and I'm determined to do the Camino before time runs out. 😁

 

[SandieR]

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

Oh this sounds just like me. You’ve put it into words exactly describing me. I have had a lot of chemotherapy for both bowel cancer and ovarian cancer - 2 diagnoses 2.5 years apart in 2011 and 2014. Neuropathy ever so be slightly improved in the first few years post chemo but now I just accept it’s a permanent side effect and the price for staying alive. The thigh weakness was something I thought so unique to me. I don’t have faith in my own body weight alot of the time. But I keep on walking…. In my pre cancer days I was a marathon runner and an Ironman triathlete but now I’m a walker. And I’m loving it.
I am booked to do Camino Frances from mid August. I can’t wait. Walking has been so good for me. I use 2 hiking poles and feel perfectly comfortable with them although I know I’m slower on downhills. I just walk my own pace and carefully place my feet on uneven ground. I take my time/no risks and that’s what I’ll continue to do.
Best wishes for your Camino.

 

[EugeneB]

Hello! I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2019. In 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and among other treatments had chemotherapy. Residual side effects include loss off sensation of touch in fingers and toes, like trying to feel texture through gloves, but more troublesome is leg nerve damage from chemo, causing leg, especially thigh weakness i.e. No jumping skipping or log rolling. It’s pretty permanent if not better after a year.
I’ve done acupuncture, supplements, exercise and of course walking.
Anyone have experience and suggestions for walking the Camino under these circumstances?
Thank you IVAR for creating this great community

Hi, So sorry for your pain and suffering. I am 65 year old male and in August 2020 I had part of my small intestine removed due to blockage from "soft tissue Ewing sarcoma" and went through 17 cycles of chemo for 13 months. Among many other problems I also had numbness on the fingers of left hand during and for several months after chemo. For the last 2 1/2 years I've been walking (Religiously) 3 times a day. Started at 20 minutes at a time and now 40 minutes. While walking inside my house (was told not to be in the sun during the therapy and for a few months after), I was tossing (only a few inches off my hands) and catching 2 tennis balls or 2 500ml plastic bottles (full). It seemed to have helped my condition of neuropathy on the hand.

In Sept/Oct 2022 (one year after completion of chemo), my wife and I walked Camino Frances from Roncesvalles to Santiago. We let my physical condition dictate how far we walked each day.
Most days we walked around 20 km.

I did Camino because I wanted to LIVE not just exist....in fear. Doing Camino was a great confidence builder. Hoping to do a few more.

 

[Fishtail]

I have good luck with the Hoka Bondi 7's. Lots of cushioning and support

Thank you