- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF: April/May 2018. CF Aug/Sep 2018. CF May/June 2019.
CF: Aug/Sep 2019, CF: Aug/Sep 2020
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I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
Have u though to check for rheumatoid arthritis?I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
Have your Doctor check you for Polymyalgia Rheumatica. It’s an autoimmune disease that can come on quite rapidly and leave you almost bed bound. Prednisone can be like a miracle drug in the treatment of Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Google it and see if this sounds like what you’re experiencing. Just a thought.I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
Thank you SO much @GettingThere !!
I got food poisoning in A Coruña and later, at home, had nasty joint and back pains more severe than the usual and which were not helped by usual anti-Inflams. This may be the reason!!
Thanks so much for posting. I’ve been experiencing exactly this and did have food poisoning.Did you have any sort of stomach upset while in Spain? I ask because my mother was hit with food poisoning in Sarria and just as she started feeling better her joints started doing just what you describe. It was a type of reactive arthritis which can occur following an infection. In her case probably salmonella. Her GP back home said it's more common than people realise. That's despite much of what you find on the web only mentioning a few rare conditions associated with it. She was lucky and it slowly settled down after a few wks but some stiffness persisted for a few months. It can take a while. That may not be what you have but symptoms sound similar. I don't think there's a test for it or much that can be done except wait for it to subside, but talk to your doctor.
Good luck!
Thanks so much for posting. I’ve been experiencing exactly this and did have food poisoning.
Could that be the root cause of something that manifested itself about 15 weeks later ?
Unlikely I would think. I just raised the question in case you had experienced anything like this just before your symptoms started. As far as I know it would occur within a short time. It sounds like your symptoms are due to something else, so it's great to hear you'll be seeing a rheumatologist. All the best!
I don't know if this is relevant but 6/7 days after the first onset of my symptoms I started to feel less energised (unusual for me) and took a rest day at the wonderful Alb. Casa Domingo in Casanova.
The stiffness, swelling and general tiredness continued through to the end of my Camino in SdC.
A great shame as I had been looking forward to continuing on to Finistere.
Sadly just no longer had the energy....
About 20 days. Toes, foot numbness, knees a bit in the hips, no energy. Really strong case of food poisoning before. I thought it was just post Camino pain and fatigue, muscle healing.How long after the food poisoning was it before you noticed the first symptoms ?
Perhaps an infection disease specialist?I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
Mike, is there a tendancy toward Gout in your family?I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
Mike, is there a tendancy toward Gout in your family?
I ask only to keep pulling on strings that will lead to discovery. I read your original post three times looking for clues. My family on my father's side does have a history of gout, and in the past I have experienced what you are experiencing, including wrists and knees. Uric acid loves to settle in these, and other areas. Sounds like we can eliminate—in your case—gout as a culprit.
I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
Crikey, you must feel rather frightened by this, i would be!
Lyme's doesnt always show up in the first blood test and it is normal to get another a few weeks later.
Your specialists will find out but what it sounds like is your immune system trying to carry on fighting something that may be long gone.
I was tic bit on Camino a while back, recognised what it was and had the course of double dose antibiotics then a later blood test to see if clear. Which it was, but for a long while now have been suffering from post Lyme's, horrid and blood tests on other sufferers show no positive, so it is believed it just may be the immune system carrying on attacking something that is no longer there, so was wondering if yours may be a similar thing.
Mind you, if it turns out that you were bitten by a spider will you let us know if you develop any super powers???
Seriously, I wish you well and hope you get this sorted.
By the way. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by inflammation due to the immune system overreacting.
I suggest that you edit your post and remove your email address. On a public forum it's an invitation to spammers and scammers. Members can contact you via private message.O my goodness, Mike, you could be speaking about me right now! I walked Camino Francis 30 days, May June this year. Just before departure my thigh muscles were feeling tight especially when I tried to stretch in bed and I had about 5 inch strip across my back that felt sensitive. Nothing unusual about my (4th) Camino except I had a really sore knee...put it down to too much deep bending with pack on my back intentionally picking up garbage.Got home (Vancouver Canada) end of June and then 2 by two , groups of muscles began to follow the first, upon stretching and sensitive back strip started to get wider. My wrists went right into carpal tunnel distress.
It's October 2nd and now probably all my muscles are affected, painful, I can not turn or bend at wrists and am wearing splints through the nights. Last week my daughter told me my voice is changing and I can no longer make fists.
Luckily through hospital emergency I was referred to a Neurologist who checked me fully and ordered MRI's of my spine, for this Saturday. I also through him got referred to a Critical Response Rheumatoligist Clinic who I am to hear from by tomorrow.
My situation is looking like my immune system attacking my muscles and nerves, a situation which needs quick diagnosis before more losses occur. My email is XXXXXXX.Com. Let's you and I keep in touch and share further developments. I highly recommend you get your doctor to start calling in Specialists. Fondly sandi
Please don't discount Lyme because of a negative test. The test is very flawed. I have had Lyme since 2012 and have tested + only once, 3 years into treatment.I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
Please don't discount Lyme because of a negative test. The test is very flawed. I have had Lyme since 2012 and have tested + only once, 3 years into treatment.
It seems that you pushed it a fair bit and I wonder if you have developed “Overtraining Syndrome”. It’s a well described condition with lots of info on the internet. I have had to learn the hard way and listen to my body having developed some of the well described symptoms that I had not previously known about.I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
Thank you...I never thought of that. fondly sandiI suggest that you edit your post and remove your email address. On a public forum it's an invitation to spammers and scammers. Members can contact you via private message.
I suggest that you edit your post and remove your email address. On a public forum it's an invitation to spammers and scammers. Members can contact you via private message.
Right under your post there are 4 "buttons" - Report, Edit, Delete & Bookmark. Click on Edit.How do I edit?
Thanks, Mike. If you are comfortable sharing the results of your Thursday exam, that could be helpful to others and would be appreciated. We may not be doctors, but some of the members of this forum have had inexplicable ailments of which many doctors are unable to properly diagnose. Enter 'the wisdom of crowds': your adoptive Camino family that is obviously concerned for your health. JohnPlease do not misunderstand me John, it is my understanding that my symptoms are not typical for gout.
I am most grateful for your input and shall certainly bring this possibility up with the specialist on Thursday.
Thank you John. My motivation for starting this thread was really to find out if there were others with similar symptoms, others perhaps who were further along the road to becoming well again than I am.
Equally there could well be others who are no nearer to finding a diagnosis than me, and therefore to let them know that they are not alone and that possibly by sharing our collective experiences we could all benefit from one another.
This thing started about three weeks into my recent Camino and whilst entirely possible that the walk was merely the trigger for something that had otherwise lain dormant in my system for a while, my instinct tells me that something, hitherto unexplained, happened on the Camino and was more likely the cause.
That something could be an insect or spider bite.
It could be a parasite hiding in food.
It could be a bacteriological or viral infection.
Or it could be something else entirely...
Whatever it is I am happy to share on this thread the results of any diagnostic tests as and when I get them.
It is comforting to know that my adoptive Camino family is out there and I am grateful.
Sandi. Thank you so much for your prayers and good wishes.
It seems we are both in similar boats and the rapid spread of muscle pain must be very distressing for you.
I hope that you get an appointment with a rheumatologist very, very soon as it seems they are the specialists in this field...
My appointment is at 9am UK time tomorrow - I'll post an update just as soon as I get home.
Hi Sandi. I'm just down the road from you in Anacortes. I'm not a doctor, but I suppose I am at an age when I see friends experiencing health conditions that were foreign to us in our youth. When I saw your comment, "My situation is looking like my immune system is attacking my muscles and nerves..." I immediately thought of one of my hiking group friends who suffered through Guillain-Barre Syndrome which does what you are describing. I'm attaching a link to a website that might be helpful. https://healthprep.com/immune-syste...ent=52926561810&utm_term=what is gbs syndrome . My friend is okay now, but it took a year for her to regain all the movement she had before she was hit. Just pulling on a string, Sandi. Best wishes, JohnO my goodness, Mike, you could be speaking about me right now! I walked Camino Francis 30 days, May June this year. Just before departure my thigh muscles were feeling tight especially when I tried to stretch in bed and I had about 5 inch strip across my back that felt sensitive. Nothing unusual about my (4th) Camino except I had a really sore knee...put it down to too much deep bending with pack on my back intentionally picking up garbage.Got home (Vancouver Canada) end of June and then 2 by two , groups of muscles began to follow the first, upon stretching and sensitive back strip started to get wider. My wrists went right into carpal tunnel distress.
It's October 2nd and now probably all my muscles are affected, painful, I can not turn or bend at wrists and am wearing splints through the nights. Last week my daughter told me my voice is changing and I can no longer make fists.
Luckily through hospital emergency I was referred to a Neurologist who checked me fully and ordered MRI's of my spine, for this Saturday. I also through him got referred to a Critical Response Rheumatoligist Clinic who I am to hear from by tomorrow.
My situation is looking like my immune system attacking my muscles and nerves, a situation which needs quick diagnosis before more losses occur. . Let's you and I keep in touch and share further developments. I highly recommend you get your doctor to start calling in Specialists. Fondly sandi
You'll be in my thoughts, Mike. Best, JohnSandi. Thank you so much for your prayers and good wishes.
It seems we are both in similar boats and the rapid spread of muscle pain must be very distressing for you.
I hope that you get an appointment with a rheumatologist very, very soon as it seems they are the specialists in this field...
My appointment is at 9am UK time tomorrow - I'll post an update just as soon as I get home.
Hi Sandi. I'm just down the road from you in Anacortes. I'm not a doctor, but I suppose I am at an age when I see friends experiencing health conditions that were foreign to us in our youth. When I saw your comment, "My situation is looking like my immune system is attacking my muscles and nerves..." I immediately thought of one of my hiking group friends who suffered through Guillain-Barre Syndrome which does what you are describing. I'm attaching a link to a website that might be helpful. https://healthprep.com/immune-syste...ent=52926561810&utm_term=what is gbs syndrome . My friend is okay now, but it took a year for her to regain all the movement she had before she was hit. Just pulling on a string, Sandi. Best wishes, John
Great news @tigermike steroids are amazing. I do have fantastic health care. I’ll try to go in next week but I am feeling much better too. I’m going to schedule another massage.UPDATE....
Got a call around 3pm from the hospital.
They were concerned about a test result - my potassium was off the charts.
Asked if I could pack a toothbrush and return - said they'd retake the test, but if the figure was confirmed I'd be admitted immediately.
Not good news - but the fact that they were on the ball certainly was.
The second test was normal - potassium nicely within limits.
So it was a false positive (or is that negative ?)
Anyway, they kept me there a while just to be sure, then gave me a preparatory blood thinning injection in my tummy for tomorrow's DVT scan and sent me home.
Phew !
What a relief.
And you know what ? - and I hope that I'm not imagining things - but I think that the dreaded steroids are kicking in because the swelling is going down - and the pain is receding.
I don't know where you are in the world @Glamgrrl but if you have access to good medical care, and you think you might have reactive arthritis, go see a specialist.
I'm so very glad, and blessed, that I did. Good luck !
UPDATE....
Got a call around 3pm from the hospital.
They were concerned about a test result - my potassium was off the charts.
Asked if I could pack a toothbrush and return - said they'd retake the test, but if the figure was confirmed I'd be admitted immediately.
Not good news - but the fact that they were on the ball certainly was.
The second test was normal - potassium nicely within limits.
So it was a false positive (or is that negative ?)
Anyway, they kept me there a while just to be sure, then gave me a preparatory blood thinning injection in my tummy for tomorrow's DVT scan and sent me home.
Phew !
What a relief.
And you know what ? - and I hope that I'm not imagining things - but I think that the dreaded steroids are kicking in because the swelling is going down - and the pain is receding.
I don't know where you are in the world @Glamgrrl but if you have access to good medical care, and you think you might have reactive arthritis, go see a specialist.
I'm so very glad, and blessed, that I did. Good luck !
@tigermike you are on the mend by the sound of it. Good.
I thought I was 'following' but apparently not. So glad to have double checked today and found all these updates. What good news, Mike! From my husband's experience steriods (Prednesone) is a game-changer for some specific conditions. Wishing you continued recovery on this curve in your camino. loving kindness sandiThanks @Iriebabel this is my hope too.
Mike, 18 months ago I got the same symptoms as you! Your description is textbook for me. I had just returned from a trek in Nepal. With your CRP elevated (and likely sed rate too but not always), you could have what is called Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR). The best thing about it is, it is NOT a lifetime sentence! It runs it's course over usually 2-5 years but averages 2-3 usually. I am a retired critical care RN and diagnosed myself. The bad thing is, the rheumatologist has only one thing to offer for the pain and stiffness...steroids. To get a definitive diagnosis, you can do the trial of steroids (per your doctor) for a month and if your symptoms disappear (mine totally did after the first 3 days of the pill), it is considered definitive. I've had it bad for 18 months but I continue to exercise, do yoga, walk a lot and even hike in the mountains once a week and my husband and I will do the camino in Portugal next March come hell or high water. But the symptoms are far worse and most often at rest and are very challenging, especially because the pain and stiffness migrates all over the place at different times and its hard to sleep. But beat it!!!! I chose not to stay on steroids due to the long-term effects (I question if the cure is more harmful than the disease!) but many others can't take the pain. I wish you well and keep a positive attitude. I'd thought my trek triggered it, but it tends to be genetic and runs in Scandanvians and Northern Europeans four-fold, and usually hits people age 45-80 yrs of age. Good luck! I swear it sounds like that's what you have. I hope this helps you out.I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
Tigermike, I just sent you a reply further down because I hadn't read all the other entries you had made since your original one. However, I would sincerely request you ask your rheumatologist ifMy appointment with the specialist Rheumatologist this morning was extremely thorough.
Unlike recent conveyor belt, rapid turnover experiences with my local GP surgery, he took his time, appeared genuinely concerned, asked probing questions and seemed careful not to jump to conclusions.
For example the recent spread of swelling from my knee to calf - I now have to return early tomorrow morning for a DVT scan - after the 55 minute consultation I was sent for further blood tests, filling nine separate vials for immediate analysis - evidence enough, I think, that he's being very cautious.
The acute pain in my right shoulder is, he believes, Bursitis and not Adhesive Capsulitis (frozen shoulder).
And this is linked to the symptom cluster that includes the pain and swelling in my wrists and knee.
His diagnosis ?
Reactive Arthritis: The question of what, precisely, triggered the reaction will hopefully become clearer once the blood work results are in.
Meanwhile he has put me on a one month course of Steroids (yuck) 4 x 5mg of Prednisolone each morning for one week, the dosage to be reduced by one tab/day (3 x 5mg) the following week, etc.
That, he hopes, will knock it squarely on the head - the main worry thereafter will be if the thing returns as longterm steroid treatment is not without risk of serious side effects.
So was this Camino related ?
Possibly - only the blood tests will be able to conclusively answer that.
But he thinks not - merely that it began whilst on the Camino - essentially saying that it could have happened at any time.
Should this deter anyone from walking the Camino ?
In my view, absolutely not !
You continue in my thoughts, Mike. You're going to beat this! John
I second this speaking as the mother of a chronic Lyme patient.I'm so sorry. This is quite scary I am sure. My first thought was Lyme Disease as well...it needs to be ruled out that it is not a chronic case. Although they have ruled this out as an acute infection, I think a course of doxycycline pending a consult with an Infectious Disease Specialist/MD is in order. Buena Suerte, pilgrim. Prayers are with you.
I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
My sister was diagnosed with this 5 years ago. It came on very suddenly, almost overnight and Prednizone drastically reduced her symptoms.Have your Doctor check you for Polymyalgia Rheumatica. It’s an autoimmune disease that can come on quite rapidly and leave you almost bed bound. Prednisone can be like a miracle drug in the treatment of Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Google it and see if this sounds like what you’re experiencing. Just a thought.
I've now been home from completing my second Camino Frances this year and am extremely unwell.
On the first I left SJPDD on April 15th and arrived in SdC on May 18th.
The second started in SJPDD on August 7th arriving 33 days later on September 8th.
Camino 1 was an absolute joy, no blisters, great weather, fantastic people etc and I felt as if I was walking on air for weeks after my return to the UK. Hence my decision to do it all over again as soon as I could and that opportunity presented itself quite quickly.
Camino 2 was equally great, apart from shin splints on my right leg which resolved itself after rest, ice, elevation and ibuprofen.
A couple of days before O Cebriero I began to notice some swelling and pain in my left wrist, but put this down to, rightly or wrongly, a possible sprain from swinging my backpack on and off several times each day.
Ibuprofen helped with the discomfort and locally bought Radio Salil helped with the swelling.
The 'sprain' then mysteriously spread to my right wrist and I began to suspect that this was a more serious form of inflamation.
Since returning home to the UK the swelling has not abated, neither has the pain, and Ibuprofen no longer works.
My left knee is now swollen and this is spreading to the upper calf.
Both sides of my neck ache and I have developed a 'frozen' right shoulder.
Quite frankly I'm now hobbling around in a lot of pain, unable to perform the simplest of tasks that require any form of wrist action, am fatigued and the polar opposite of how I felt after Camino 1.
My doctor ordered blood tests and the CRP is considerably elevated; indicating that my body is fighting 'something'.
Lyme Disease was suspected but the blood work was negative.
So here we are today, wrists still swollen almost one month later - with no sign of letting up and no clue as to what is ailing me.
I am otherwise a fit 65 year old, one who cycles regularly (although have no chance of doing that right now), eats well, doesn't smoke and drinks red wine in relative moderation, and never goes running off to the doctor without a very good reason.
It seems clear that I 'contracted' sometime between August 7th and the end of that month.
Was I bitten ?
We live in a global village, and the Camino brings people together from across the globe.
So was I infected by another pilgrim ?
My fear now, understandably, is that this might well spread further and that it might take weeks for my doctor to come up with the correct diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.
If any of my symptoms sounds familiar, please respond soonest - I feel genuinely debilitated and unwell.
Many thanks.
Mike
Awesome, Mike! You are an inspiration. From time to time, please keep your Camino family advised of your movement.
Well, Mad Mike: quite a story. I just skimmed through everything till I read your final diagnosis. Some guy. Have a great camino. Never say die. I say this as one who is due to have an MRI on my gammy knee on Friday, hoping it will not require an operation....
We belong to the same club...
Finally got my diagnosis...."Seronegative inflammatory oligoarthritis (peripheral spondyloarthritis pattern).
Quite a mouthful....
Its a reactive form of the disease and my recent experience post-Camino was almost certainly as a result of some peculiar bug I contracted on 'the way'.
My rheumatologist plugged some cortisone into my right bursa on Friday and am feeling sooooo much better.
So much better in fact that...
Will be setting off on my third (and certainly last) Camino this year on December 1st from SJPdP
Well they don't call me 'Mad Mike' for nothing
Glad to hear you are getting better and got a "proper" diagnosis. Hope to see you in Santiago soon after your Camino! BC SY
As one ageing mad geriatric to another good on you tiger. I’m a doctor with two hip replacements and only manage to keep going with the aid of the anti inflammatory Meloxicam 15mg daily. No side effects after 20 years. I just completed The Portuguese from Lisbon. My body didn’t enjoy it at all and after a couple of weeks I doubled the dose. It got me there in 24 days. It took a couple of weeks to recover but now I’m better than ever. Injections of cortisone are a temporary bandaid. Good luck tiger, once we give in we’re done for. There’s no rush for that.
Oh, yes! It's called wine. Preferrably a nice Rioja which will be vicariously offered up in your direction as you cross the Rio Ebro into Logroño...
So, Mad Mike, don't know where you are geographically, but if you are in the USA, I send greetings for a Happy Thanksgiving. Cheers!
The article is very helpful and so appreciated it. I'm getting worked up and it helped me sort out so much and clarify my symptoms so hopefully it will be easier to figure it all out!Wonderful that you have a diagnosis - and may you heal quickly and completely, Mike.
Maybe TMI, but for those who are interested, here's a review article about various kinds of seronegative arthritis. There are more than a few causes the body to be hurting like this!
This is exactly what happened to meDid you have any sort of stomach upset while in Spain? I ask because my mother was hit with food poisoning in Sarria and just as she started feeling better her joints started doing just what you describe. It was a type of reactive arthritis which can occur following an infection. In her case probably salmonella. Her GP back home said it's more common than people realise. That's despite much of what you find on the web only mentioning a few rare conditions associated with it. She was lucky and it slowly settled down after a few wks but some stiffness persisted for a few months. It can take a while. That may not be what you have but symptoms sound similar. I don't think there's a test for it or much that can be done except wait for it to subside, but talk to your doctor.
Good luck!
Apologies for my late reply, please see today's update.....Did you have any sort of stomach upset while in Spain? I ask because my mother was hit with food poisoning in Sarria and just as she started feeling better her joints started doing just what you describe. It was a type of reactive arthritis which can occur following an infection. In her case probably salmonella. Her GP back home said it's more common than people realise. That's despite much of what you find on the web only mentioning a few rare conditions associated with it. She was lucky and it slowly settled down after a few wks but some stiffness persisted for a few months. It can take a while. That may not be what you have but symptoms sound similar. I don't think there's a test for it or much that can be done except wait for it to subside, but talk to your doctor.
Good luck!
Hi GlamgirlThis is exactly what happened to me
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