LIVE from the Camino Arch cramping in Astorga!

[ChristineW67]

Hola!

Loving my Camino but my feet are suffering. Went thru swelling in Estrella, horrid blisters in Lagrona, and now cramping arches in Astorga. It's frustrating because my heart and mind and body (sans feet) are so into this trek.

I'm staying hydrated and have top dollar insoles and good foot wear that I practiced in for months. Yes, my pack is probably heavier than most but I carried it often before I arrived and I can't figure out what to dump. And my med kit just gets bigger each day.

I'm thinking electrolyte problem. Just picked up some fizzy tabs of potassium/mag. What do you think?

Also - how many stamps do I need each day? Is 1 good enough? I only have 24 more spaces.

Thanks for your help.

 

[mspath]

ChristineW67,

Have you considered resting for a day or two while you rehydrate? Or sending your pack ahead for a few days? Many pilgrims use Jacotrans .com for this and they have a very good reputation. After Sarria you should get 2 stamps per day. If you run out of space you can always pick up another Credencial on the route.

Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[Tia Valeria]

The cramp may well be lack of salts and the electrolyte should help. The sports ones with sweetener are not as good as the 'upset stomach' ones for us. We had some rehydration salts from the farmacia which made up to a litre, when they tasted good we needed them when they tasted 'sticky, sickly' we didn't. Licking salt off your hand is a quick temporary solution too - if it tastes good you need it, if it is horrible then you don't and can just wash it off.
We found that we were more prone to cramp after the Camino, maybe because the diet was more salty there and we use very little at home. Hope the problem is soon resolved.
Buen Camino

 

[Kanga]

Yes, I get cramps unless I watch my potassium intake - a few bananas get me out of trouble.

 

[Indeno]

A heavy pack and a lack of nutrients are a fatal combo on the Camino. I agree with others: drop the weight and eat more good food (which is super challenging here I realize). The pharmacy and supermercados helped a lot for me.

 

[pilgrim b]

Hola!

Loving my Camino but my feet are suffering. Went thru swelling in Estrella, horrid blisters in Lagrona, and now cramping arches in Astorga. It's frustrating because my heart and mind and body (sans feet) are so into this trek.

I'm staying hydrated and have top dollar insoles and good foot wear that I practiced in for months. Yes, my pack is probably heavier than most but I carried it often before I arrived and I can't figure out what to dump. And my med kit just gets bigger each day.

I'm thinking electrolyte problem. Just picked up some fizzy tabs of potassium/mag. What do you think?

Also - how many stamps do I need each day? Is 1 good enough? I only have 24 more spaces.

Thanks for your help.

I agree with all the above, a little rest, a couple days using http://www.jacotrans.com to ease the feet, not your back, check the salt. Then take it slowly,no point hurrying and then not making it. You are as far as Astorgia and you will definitely get another Credencial at the church in O Cebreiro, so don't worry. Why not take it easy till then and I don't only mean with the stamps keep your head up you can make ,Buen camino Christine!

 

[Tattare]

your 3 days behind me but I'm suffering from horrible tendinitis. I rested 3 days in astorga. first night at the main then last two at xan Javier by the cathedral. Both albergues are dives but xan had a fountain for soaking feet. There is also a bus that leaves to rabanal at like 1:30pm. So you can rest again. Before the big cross and the steep descent in el acebo. At the end of el acebo there is a new alberge something peregrino and its clean and nice.
the descent was bad so take the time to rest and maybe use jackotrans. I did $7 euro helped my tendinitis today. Tomorrow is a different story.

 

[pilgrim b]

your 3 days behind me but I'm suffering from horrible tendinitis. I rested 3 days in astorga. first night at the main then last two at xan Javier by the cathedral. Both albergues are dives but xan had a fountain for soaking feet. There is also a bus that leaves to rabanal at like 1:30pm. So you can rest again. Before the big cross and the steep descent in el acebo. At the end of el acebo there is a new alberge something peregrino and its clean and nice.
the descent was bad so take the time to rest and maybe use jackotrans. I did $7 euro helped my tendinitis today. Tomorrow is a different story.

Very wise Tattare ,you just take things steady, take your rests before you reach Sarria then may you be blessed with the strength of body mind and spirit to see Santiago, Buen camino.

 

[whariwharangi]

Hola!

Loving my Camino but my feet are suffering. Went thru swelling in Estrella, horrid blisters in Lagrona, and now cramping arches in Astorga. It's frustrating because my heart and mind and body (sans feet) are so into this trek.

I'm staying hydrated and have top dollar insoles and good foot wear that I practiced in for months. Yes, my pack is probably heavier than most but I carried it often before I arrived and I can't figure out what to dump. And my med kit just gets bigger each day.

I'm thinking electrolyte problem. Just picked up some fizzy tabs of potassium/mag. What do you think?

Also - how many stamps do I need each day? Is 1 good enough? I only have 24 more spaces.

Thanks for your help.

I think its due to overexertion. Muscle fatigue. Accumulation of lactic acid. Insufficient salt, calcium, and potassium. Insufficient hydration.

The stretch from Astorga to Molinaseca is strenuous and remote. I'd suggest you manage your cramping issues before going on from Astorga.

 

[Leaningforward]

Christine,

I developed tendinitis in both legs (shin splints) fifteen days from St. Jean -- ironically, because I had gotten past blisters and was feeling strong in mind and body and lengthened my stride and quickened my pace. I spent three days in a hotel in Poblacion with Carmen, before busing to Astorga, where I found a pair of forearm crutches, then taking a train to Sarria, where I completed the walk to Santiago. That experience, walking through pain, on crutches, to Santiago, will a sustain me through difficult times for years to come.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Also - how many stamps do I need each day? Is 1 good enough? I only have 24 more spaces.

This is possibly too late, but I got a new credencial in the municipal albergue in Astorga. I asked about one, and they had a good supply- just had to get all my details filled out in a book.
Margaret

 

[ChristineW67]

Thank you all for the help! I am feeling a bit better and still trudging along. I opted out of alburgues for a few nights for a room with a bathtub and some comforts of home. It's hard to heal without a good nights sleep.

I also picked up some toe-less compression socks to support my arches and cut down on the swelling. I do need to watch my diet. I may end up the only pilgrim who gains weight. But I'm just so hungry at the end of the day.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I am feeling a bit better and still trudging along. I opted out of alburgues for a few nights for a room with a bathtub and some comforts of home. It's hard to heal without a good nights sleep.

I also picked up some toe-less compression socks to support my arches and cut down on the swelling.

Keep at it. Don't be reluctant to take taxis and buses when you need to stay off your feet! Buen camino.

 

[Leaningforward]

And drink plenty of water ... Dehydration aggravates tendinitis.

 

[Kanga]

And drink plenty of water ... Dehydration aggravates tendinitis.

Yes, I agree about the dehydration. But for tendonitis try changing your footwear too.

 

[Leaningforward]

Indeed. A gel heel insert cured a case of tendinitis in one of my Achilles, by elevating the sensitive area above the heel of my shoe.

 

[ksam]

Def try changing shoes if you can. I had Crocs with me and when my feet were terribly swollen after Mansilla de las Mulas, I wore them for two days. Fortunately the terrain wasn't much so it allowed me to do so comfortably. Although there was a gal walking at the same time who did the entire Camino from Switzerland...in Crocs! That I found a bit much, but to each his own. Thinking of you today...hoping things are improving!

 

[CaminoWalks]

Sandals and thick socks should take off most pressure on your feet. I tended to get a lot of blisters, and other problems as long as I had boots type shoes. Now I walk in running shoes made for winter (Goretex),and a pair of sandals. I try to switch at least once a day (especially where the road is tarred). Can´t remember last time I had a blister after I changed into this system. If you´re walking in sandals and thick sock and it starts raining, well you get wet, but that would most likely have happened anyway - and now you only have to dry your boots. Buen Camino!