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Hi Trecile, I think this may be the way we will need to approach this, Hubby just suggested this to me also. Thank youWould your husband be okay walking solo if you take a few days off?
You could taxi it bus the daily stages and meet up with him in the afternoons.
It sounds like you really need to give your feet time to heal.
On some I used the comped but they just kept filling up underneath ??, the competed ended up rolling then rippping the top. Half are 70% dry but get all soggy again.You say 'tape bandaids/dressings etc', have you tried Compeeds? I get awful blisters but I use Compeeds (sometimes several built up in layers) with 3M micropore tape over the top.
In 2014 I met a New Zeland girl who walked first day from SJPDP in new boots.She was a marathon runner but did not break her boots in.At end of day one she had terrible blisters,but determined to continue she was given some Compeed by another Pilgrim,who failed to warn her not to ""remove" UNTIL it came off itself.At end of day two she removed all the skin with the Compeed and walked the next few days in flipflops.Her courage and willpower were incredible,but be aware of the way to use Compeed.On some I used the comped but they just kept filling up underneath ??, the competed ended up rolling then rippping the top. Half are 70% dry but get all soggy again.
Thank you, If I can stop them hurting I can go on.OK a lot of people don't use them right. I am gonna be a bit gross here so brace yourself!
Ideally you leave compeed on 2 or 3 days, the gel will swell up and go pale as it absorbs the fluid. This is good, as long as the soggy gel does not burst out of the compeed or spread over so much of the compeed that they lose their grip on the skin and roll up or move (sounds like that was what you experienced). If that is happening, you may need to change them every day, and/or build up several to cover the area (you can overlap them).
When you remove a compeed there is the high risk that it will tear the skin off the blister. To stop that happening, have a very clean little pair of nail scissors handy. Start by carefully pulling the compeed back off the good skin, until you get to the soggy sticky gel. Then cut the compeed off bit by bit with the scissors, leaving the very last bit of the gel stuck to the blister. That way you don't force and pull it off. Leave that last thin layer of gel. You can then put a new one over the top. I secure them with 3M Micropore (a very soft paper tape) to stop the edges sticking to my socks and peeling up. I cover the whole thing and more, to protect the whole area. I also use Micropore on areas I think might be about to blister. Sometimes I remove all or part of the Micropore if it's getting messed up, and replace it, but keep the compeed underneath on longer.
I do drain blisters with a sterilised needle if they are very big and I can feel the pressure of the fluid, but I don't believe in threading (dirty and gross). If you leave compeeds on for 2 or 3 days, keep an eye on them - redness spreading out would indicate infection.
I don't use Iodine or Betidine, as I think over use damages the skin, if I want to clean up blisters I buy a kilo of salt and make a soak. I have had an infected blister, and I went to the doctors and got oral antibiotics.
Sometimes my feet look like something out of The Mummy, but they don't hurt and I can carry on.
Thanks Bala, definitely altering my gait which is throwing my hips out. Taxi is looking better and better for a day or two.Karen, I vote with the taxi-ahead group. If you are losing sleep because of pain your feet are in tough shape and need time to heal.
Your feet sound a lot like mine did after 12 days of walking, massive blisters and swelling and soreness that made each step worse than the last. Plus, I had been overcompensating so much for pain that I damaged my knee on top of it and ended up unable to walk without a cane for over a week.This is not worth it.
I taxied our last 2 days (had always planned only 14 nights) and they turned out to be real blessings. I had a chance to reflect on my journey without being consumed by pain, and was able to rest up and give my body a chance to start healing instead of expending all my energy on continuing to walk.
Plus, I got to greet dozens of pilgrims passing by the bar where I parked myself til my DH arrived. Fun.
The taxi was a bit pricey, but worth every cent. And on day two I found a fellow injured peregrino to share with, so that helped lower the cost and increase the camaraderie.
Whatever you decide, good luck to you!
I think it depends on what areas and percentage of your feet is blistered, how deep the blisters are, and so if it's feasible to reliably compeed and tape all those areas so that walking isn't painful. Sometimes blisters in awkward places can be impossible to dress effectively. I sometimes even get blisters that creep under my toe nails! But if you can achieve a full compeed and micropore coverage and get it to stay on reliably, in my experience this can be quite amazingly not painful, considering the war zone under the dressings.Thank you, If I can stop them hurting I can go on.
Hi everyone, I am torn. We started in Leon just under 2 weeks ago and soon after got blisters on both feet from new orthotics for PF. Tape, bandaids/dressing (ect.) , removed orthotics ( a lot better) and have just been putting up with it though still getting new blisters. Yesterday we stuffed up and took a wrong turn so O'Cebrerio to Samos took 35.6 km (8.5hrs), today we walked into Sarria a measly 12km and my feet and I have had enough. We are on distance deadlines each day with 22,25,28 km days (never again). Not sleeping due to aching is not helping, Thoughts and suggestions welcome. (Five days walking to go) Hubby is fine with no blisters.
Hi everyone, I am torn. We started in Leon just under 2 weeks ago and soon after got blisters on both feet from new orthotics for PF. Tape, bandaids/dressing (ect.) , removed orthotics ( a lot better) and have just been putting up with it though still getting new blisters. Yesterday we stuffed up and took a wrong turn so O'Cebrerio to Samos took 35.6 km (8.5hrs), today we walked into Sarria a measly 12km and my feet and I have had enough. We are on distance deadlines each day with 22,25,28 km days (never again). Not sleeping due to aching is not helping, Thoughts and suggestions welcome. (Five days walking to go) Hubby is fine with no blisters.
Thank you, If I can stop them hurting I can go on.
So disappointing for you.
I decided to turn my thinking around when I got blisters and see them as a tool for learning . That way I didn't feel sorry fir myself
What did I learn ?
* listen to my body and be observant
* my feet are important and not to be neglected
* stay in the moment and deal with it
* blisters are a great way to empty mind of other rubbish
* listen to all advice then use own common sense to find what works
* suffer in silenceyes really .... I personally found if no one was around I had NOONE to whinge to so I just got on with it .... that may not work for everyone but I found it interesting
* there is a lesson to be learnt in EVERY Situation.... like it or not
* Ultreia my most favourite Spanish word
The Camino is great but not worth torturing yourself for.
Take a taxi, get well and come back and do it again in the future - I mean, look how much knowledge you've gained!
Be brave.
I am happy with what I have achieved/ learnt ect too the point of If I don't walk into Santiago de Compostela it is all good.
Thanks everyone, I have always been double socking, boots were perfect until the orthotics . Have been draining the blisters but obviously they can't breathe in my boots. Current plan is I walk alternate days possibly, so rest, walk, rest, walk, walk. I am happy with what I have achieved/ learnt ect too the point of If I don't walk into Santiago de Compostela it is all good.
Hi everyone, I am torn. We started in Leon just under 2 weeks ago and soon after got blisters on both feet from new orthotics for PF. Tape, bandaids/dressing (ect.) , removed orthotics ( a lot better) and have just been putting up with it though still getting new blisters. Yesterday we stuffed up and took a wrong turn so O'Cebrerio to Samos took 35.6 km (8.5hrs), today we walked into Sarria a measly 12km and my feet and I have had enough. We are on distance deadlines each day with 22,25,28 km days (never again). Not sleeping due to aching is not helping, Thoughts and suggestions welcome. (Five days walking to go) Hubby is fine with no blisters.
It sounds like you have a plan! One thing I did not see mentioned in this thread that really helped me is changing up the insoles of my shoes when my feet started hurting. I bought a couple different versions (size, material) of insoles at a Farmacia and switched them out when things got painful.
The change of "scenery" for my feet (just a slight change in positioning) was instant relief, and insoles are lighter than carrying a second pair of shoes.
Get youself professional advice, probably best from a podiatrist. It is possible to become really seriously unwell from infected blisters.Good advice here... can I just add that if the pain is preventing you from sleeping, the pharmacists are really good and can give you some stronger pain relief, maybe a codeine paracetamol combo, which will hopefully take the edge off and let you slerp.
Great tip! I'd never heard of doing that before. Would you remove the original insole from your shoes, then? Or just put the farmacia insoles on top of the originals?
My wife has specialy made insoles from the podologist.Great tip! I'd never heard of doing that before. Would you remove the original insole from your shoes, then? Or just put the farmacia insoles on top of the originals?
Hi everyone, I am torn. We started in Leon just under 2 weeks ago and soon after got blisters on both feet from new orthotics for PF. Tape, bandaids/dressing (ect.) , removed orthotics ( a lot better) and have just been putting up with it though still getting new blisters. Yesterday we stuffed up and took a wrong turn so O'Cebrerio to Samos took 35.6 km (8.5hrs), today we walked into Sarria a measly 12km and my feet and I have had enough. We are on distance deadlines each day with 22,25,28 km days (never again). Not sleeping due to aching is not helping, Thoughts and suggestions welcome. (Five days walking to go) Hubby is fine with no blisters.
Hey there Karen, how are things going? Sitting here hoping to hear a happy ending to your story - don't leave us hanging please!Thanks everyone, I have always been double socking, boots were perfect until the orthotics . Have been draining the blisters but obviously they can't breathe in my boots. Current plan is I walk alternate days possibly, so rest, walk, rest, walk, walk. I am happy with what I have achieved/ learnt ect too the point of If I don't walk into Santiago de Compostela it is all good.
Hi everyone, I am torn. We started in Leon just under 2 weeks ago and soon after got blisters on both feet from new orthotics for PF. Tape, bandaids/dressing (ect.) , removed orthotics ( a lot better) and have just been putting up with it though still getting new blisters. Yesterday we stuffed up and took a wrong turn so O'Cebrerio to Samos took 35.6 km (8.5hrs), today we walked into Sarria a measly 12km and my feet and I have had enough. We are on distance deadlines each day with 22,25,28 km days (never again). Not sleeping due to aching is not helping, Thoughts and suggestions welcome. (Five days walking to go) Hubby is fine with no blisters.
Hi everyone, I am torn. We started in Leon just under 2 weeks ago and soon after got blisters on both feet from new orthotics for PF. Tape, bandaids/dressing (ect.) , removed orthotics ( a lot better) and have just been putting up with it though still getting new blisters. Yesterday we stuffed up and took a wrong turn so O'Cebrerio to Samos took 35.6 km (8.5hrs), today we walked into Sarria a measly 12km and my feet and I have had enough. We are on distance deadlines each day with 22,25,28 km days (never again). Not sleeping due to aching is not helping, Thoughts and suggestions welcome. (Five days walking to go) Hubby is fine with no blisters.
YES! Woot, woot and well done you two.Hi everyone thanks for all the useful advice. We made it into SDC yesterday (wwooo hhhoo). We (I) will definitely be looking at different options "Next " time. Xx
Hi everyone, I am torn. We started in Leon just under 2 weeks ago and soon after got blisters on both feet from new orthotics for PF. Tape, bandaids/dressing (ect.) , removed orthotics ( a lot better) and have just been putting up with it though still getting new blisters. Yesterday we stuffed up and took a wrong turn so O'Cebrerio to Samos took 35.6 km (8.5hrs), today we walked into Sarria a measly 12km and my feet and I have had enough. We are on distance deadlines each day with 22,25,28 km days (never again). Not sleeping due to aching is not helping, Thoughts and suggestions welcome. (Five days walking to go) Hubby is fine with no blisters.
Follow these steps for no blisters.
Thanks everyone, I have always been double socking, boots were perfect until the orthotics . Have been draining the blisters but obviously they can't breathe in my boots.
Don't be silly.I suspect that some that wear boots do so because they believe pain and suffering is part of the Camino experience,
Hi everyone, I am torn. We started in Leon just under 2 weeks ago and soon after got blisters on both feet from new orthotics for PF. Tape, bandaids/dressing (ect.) , removed orthotics ( a lot better) and have just been putting up with it though still getting new blisters. Yesterday we stuffed up and took a wrong turn so O'Cebrerio to Samos took 35.6 km (8.5hrs), today we walked into Sarria a measly 12km and my feet and I have had enough. We are on distance deadlines each day with 22,25,28 km days (never again). Not sleeping due to aching is not helping, Thoughts and suggestions welcome. (Five days walking to go) Hubby is fine with no blisters.
I also suffered from blisters. I went to a hospital to see a doctor and was told not to walk for 3 days. I had cellulitus. I used public transportation and began again when I was able. I visited a massage therapist. They are wonderful there. He worked on my feet. Prescribed arnica for the pain. I felt bad but then I gave myself credit for the few hundred miles I walked. Eventually I was able to walk my last 100km. What an experience. I learned a lot on that camino.Hi everyone, I am torn. We started in Leon just under 2 weeks ago and soon after got blisters on both feet from new orthotics for PF. Tape, bandaids/dressing (ect.) , removed orthotics ( a lot better) and have just been putting up with it though still getting new blisters. Yesterday we stuffed up and took a wrong turn so O'Cebrerio to Samos took 35.6 km (8.5hrs), today we walked into Sarria a measly 12km and my feet and I have had enough. We are on distance deadlines each day with 22,25,28 km days (never again). Not sleeping due to aching is not helping, Thoughts and suggestions welcome. (Five days walking to go) Hubby is fine with no blisters.
I think the liner sock or wearing a second thinner sock underneath your existing sock is a great idea as suggested it prevents friction@notion900 provided some good advice on the removal of compeed ... it can be very harmful if not used correctly. @poogeyejr also gave some good advice on blister draining if needed. Cut a big enough hole in the blister to allow it to continue to drain and not close up again. Using a needle usually allows the blister to seal back up and swell. Just make sure to keep them clean and air dry as much as possible. Betadine or providine-iodine is a good disinfectant. You could make a diluted solution to soak your feet by putting a prep pad into some water with salts.
As far as the foot pain, have you tried the Spanish version of Voltaren (Voltarin Forte) on the remaining parts of your feet? It should help alleviate some of the pain. In addition, there is vitamin I (buprofen).
Lastly, try to determine the root cause of the blisters. Is there something in your shoe or boot that is irritating (use an engo patch, feminine pad, duct tape etc.)? Are you wearing waterproof shoes or boots (they may not be breathing, consider changing them out, changing socks often)? Are the shoes or boots to tight (loosen the laces, switch them out). Are the shoes or boots to loose (lace them differently to stabilize your feet, lots of videos on youtube)? Can you wear 2 pair of socks (introduce a thin liner) to transfer the friction between the socks rather than between your sock and foot? Can you elevate your feet when you stop for 20 minutes (let gravity work), take off your socks and let those puppies breathe an dry out?
Buena Suerte!
Are you seriously.?I suspect that some that wear boots do so because they believe pain and suffering is part of the Camino experience.
It is if they don't fit correctly or you haven't worn them in sufficiently enough beforehandAre you seriously.?
I walk trails and in the mountains for about 45 years now , always wear boots and I had never blister .
Wearing boots has nothing to do with pain and suffering as a part off the Camino.
Wish you well,Peter.
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