Need to carry some extra weight and volume this time

wynrich · Sunday at 9:33 PM

My healthy and robust husband recently found that he must use a catheter in order to pee. He has to do intermittent catheterization 4 times a day. All is going well, but the question on our minds is how to do a camino? We are planning to walk this April on the Portuguese Coastal camino from Porto to Patron and then transfer and walk later stages of the Primitivo.

The big issue at this point is the weight and volume. For the four weeks we plan to be walking, he'll need nearly 8 pounds (3.6 kilos) of disposable catheters and associated gear. So, the options we have considered:

1) Bring an extra suitcase and send it ahead every day via baggage transfer. (We've never done baggage transfer so this would be something new for us.)

2) Mail the catheters ahead to various "caches" along the way.

3) Somehow get a prescription in Portugal and then in Spain to procure the catheters in pharmacies along the way.

4) Some combination of the above since, the further we go, the less we'll need to carry.

We have these questions:

1) Have you or someone you know had experience with this sort of thing on the camino or while doing long trips?

2) Have you had any experience getting a prescription of any kind in Spain or Portugal?

3) Are there issues mailing things from Portugal to Spain or vice versa?

4) Have you had experience "caching" things along the camino?

5) How reliable and easy is baggage transfer along the Portuguese Coastal way and also on the Primitivo?

6) Have we missed any other options?

Any advice is welcome. Many thanks. (Feel free to private message if this is something you'd prefer not to discuss quite so publicly!)

SabsP · Sunday at 9:41 PM

I have had a client with this kind of ailment.
Your best bet is to bring it over from home and use baggage transport on the Camino. Service is very reliable.
Legislation and refund for these type of catheters vary from country to country. Even in Europe self. Comes with some paperwork here.
So best to take it up with your own health provider. A letter that your partner needs this equipment might come in handy.

Good luck!

dick bird · Sunday at 9:43 PM

Number 1, pack transfer would be safest and easiest, 5 eu a day and very reliable. Catheters would surely be available along the way as a back up, possibly without a prescription, but if you have one, get it translated into Spanish and Portuguese.

SabsP · Sunday at 9:45 PM

dick bird said:
Number 1, pack transfer would be safest and easiest, 5 eu a day and very reliable. Catheters would surely be available along the way as a back up, possibly without a prescription, but if you have one, get it translated into Spanish and Portuguese.

Like I wrote : these catheters are very specific and depending on kind of healthinsurance pricey.

trecile · Sunday at 9:45 PM

It seems to me that the easiest option is daily bag transport, which is available for both the Portuguese and Primitivo routes.

I have friends who used Top Santiago on the Portuguese, and there are several options including Correos on the Primitivo.

Support for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago | Carrying Backpacks on the Camino de Santiago | Luggage transfer for the Camino de Santiago | Transport your backpack on the Camino de Santiago from stage to stage, from accommodation to accommodation,

Support for pilgrims | Backpack transport | Luggage transfer | We transport your backpack on the Camino de Santiago from stage to stage, from accommodation to accommodation. Store your luggage for as long as you need during your pilgrimage. | TopSantiago, Walk with us, walk weightlessly. Book...

www.topsantiago.com

Rucksack transfer on the Camino de Santiago

Correos transfers your rucksack, suitcase or luggage along the Camino de Santiago stage by stage

www.elcaminoconcorreos.com

dbier · Sunday at 10:41 PM

I used TaxiCamino until either Ferreira or Boente on the Primitivo, and then was pretty seamlessly transferred to JacoTrans for the rest of the way. With WhatsApp and envelopes, quite easy...as long as you've made a reservation where you're shipping your bag to.

In Spain, you're not likely to be able to ship a bag to most municipal/Xunta albergues or to many Airbnbs, so keep that in mind. To best use luggage transport, make a reservation at a donativo, private albergue, or pension/ hotel at least the night before. Again, WhatsApp is your friend.

Also, you're from the US, so you won't have health insurance or an easy way to pay for health care without buying travel insurance . And depending on what you have to use, farmacias in Portugal/Spain may or may not have access to those specific products.

Bring and daily ship, IMHO.

SabsP · Sunday at 10:46 PM

Wellknown brand Coloplast available in Spanish pharmacies but so specific they will most probably pre-order and not have much in stock.

▷ Comprar Productos Coloplast | Luaterra.com ®

Comprar Productos Coloplast al mejor precio online | Productos para la Ostomía | Envíos en 48 Horas ➤ Profesionales farmacéuticos.

luaterra.com

J Willhaus · Sunday at 11:08 PM

I would always carry what you need for at least 2 days supply in your pack in case there is some mixup with bag delivery. I would send my clothes ahead before I would send my medications and CPAP supplies. If we ship a bag, I carry all the medical stuff and we just forward Phil's pack with the clothes and toiletries. That's just me though.

wynrich · Sunday at 11:55 PM

Thank you. It is good to know that there is good pack transfer in Portugal and to have some specific recommendations.

wynrich · Sunday at 11:59 PM

SabsP said:
Wellknown brand Coloplast available in Spanish pharmacies but so specific they will most probably pre-order and not have much in stock.

▷ Comprar Productos Coloplast | Luaterra.com ®

Comprar Productos Coloplast al mejor precio online | Productos para la Ostomía | Envíos en 48 Horas ➤ Profesionales farmacéuticos.

luaterra.com

Thank you! My husband does have a prescription here in the US and Medicare does cover the cost nicely. The ones shown in what you just sent are a good price. Daily cost would be less to buy there than baggage transport would be. But, getting a prescription that would work in Spain would probably be tricky. And, like you said, not every pharmacy would carry what he needs. (Google search revealed prescriptions would most likely be necessary.) Also thanks for advice to bring a letter to cover questions these might bring up while going through customs, etc.

wynrich · Monday at 12:00 AM

J Willhaus said:
I would always carry what you need for at least 2 days supply in your pack in case there is some mixup with bag delivery. I would send my clothes ahead before I would send my medications and CPAP supplies. If we ship a bag, I carry all the medical stuff and we just forward Phil's pack with the clothes and toiletries. That's just me though.

Good advice!

JustOneGuy · Monday at 9:28 AM

wynrich said:
My healthy and robust husband recently found that he must use a catheter in order to pee. He has to do intermittent catheterization 4 times a day. All is going well, but the question on our minds is how to do a camino? We are planning to walk this April on the Portuguese Coastal camino from Porto to Patron and then transfer and walk later stages of the Primitivo.

The big issue at this point is the weight and volume. For the four weeks we plan to be walking, he'll need nearly 8 pounds (3.6 kilos) of disposable catheters and associated gear. So, the options we have considered:

1) Bring an extra suitcase and send it ahead every day via baggage transfer. (We've never done baggage transfer so this would be something new for us.)

2) Mail the catheters ahead to various "caches" along the way.

3) Somehow get a prescription in Portugal and then in Spain to procure the catheters in pharmacies along the way.

4) Some combination of the above since, the further we go, the less we'll need to carry.

We have these questions:

1) Have you or someone you know had experience with this sort of thing on the camino or while doing long trips?

2) Have you had any experience getting a prescription of any kind in Spain or Portugal?

3) Are there issues mailing things from Portugal to Spain or vice versa?

4) Have you had experience "caching" things along the camino?

5) How reliable and easy is baggage transfer along the Portuguese Coastal way and also on the Primitivo?

6) Have we missed any other options?

Any advice is welcome. Many thanks. (Feel free to private message if this is something you'd prefer not to discuss quite so publicly!)

First, let me congratulate you and your husband's for the tenacity. I truly admire you both

.

Second, how much weight and volume does this catheter take up?

MikeJS · Monday at 11:01 AM

wynrich said:
My healthy and robust husband recently found that he must use a catheter in order to pee. He has to do intermittent catheterization 4 times a day. All is going well, but the question on our minds is how to do a camino? We are planning to walk this April on the Portuguese Coastal camino from Porto to Patron and then transfer and walk later stages of the Primitivo.

The big issue at this point is the weight and volume. For the four weeks we plan to be walking, he'll need nearly 8 pounds (3.6 kilos) of disposable catheters and associated gear. So, the options we have considered:

1) Bring an extra suitcase and send it ahead every day via baggage transfer. (We've never done baggage transfer so this would be something new for us.)

2) Mail the catheters ahead to various "caches" along the way.

3) Somehow get a prescription in Portugal and then in Spain to procure the catheters in pharmacies along the way.

4) Some combination of the above since, the further we go, the less we'll need to carry.

We have these questions:

1) Have you or someone you know had experience with this sort of thing on the camino or while doing long trips?

2) Have you had any experience getting a prescription of any kind in Spain or Portugal?

3) Are there issues mailing things from Portugal to Spain or vice versa?

4) Have you had experience "caching" things along the camino?

5) How reliable and easy is baggage transfer along the Portuguese Coastal way and also on the Primitivo?

6) Have we missed any other options?

Any advice is welcome. Many thanks. (Feel free to private message if this is something you'd prefer not to discuss quite so publicly!)

When I had to have a catheter for a week it just had a tap on the end so I could pee as ‘normal’. I am sure that for longer I would have needed more than 1, but the weight would be negligible. Would this not be an option?

basquelady · Monday at 2:36 PM

wynrich said:
My healthy and robust husband recently found that he must use a catheter in order to pee. He has to do intermittent catheterization 4 times a day. All is going well, but the question on our minds is how to do a camino? We are planning to walk this April on the Portuguese Coastal camino from Porto to Patron and then transfer and walk later stages of the Primitivo.

The big issue at this point is the weight and volume. For the four weeks we plan to be walking, he'll need nearly 8 pounds (3.6 kilos) of disposable catheters and associated gear. So, the options we have considered:

1) Bring an extra suitcase and send it ahead every day via baggage transfer. (We've never done baggage transfer so this would be something new for us.)

2) Mail the catheters ahead to various "caches" along the way.

3) Somehow get a prescription in Portugal and then in Spain to procure the catheters in pharmacies along the way.

4) Some combination of the above since, the further we go, the less we'll need to carry.

We have these questions:

1) Have you or someone you know had experience with this sort of thing on the camino or while doing long trips?

2) Have you had any experience getting a prescription of any kind in Spain or Portugal?

3) Are there issues mailing things from Portugal to Spain or vice versa?

4) Have you had experience "caching" things along the camino?

5) How reliable and easy is baggage transfer along the Portuguese Coastal way and also on the Primitivo?

6) Have we missed any other options?

Any advice is welcome. Many thanks. (Feel free to private message if this is something you'd prefer not to discuss quite so publicly!)

I have experience. Send me a DM

lt56ny · Monday at 3:54 PM

SabsP said:
I have had a client with this kind of ailment.
Your best bet is to bring it over from home and use baggage transport on the Camino. Service is very reliable.
Legislation and refund for these type of catheters vary from country to country. Even in Europe self. Comes with some paperwork here.
So best to take it up with your own health provider. A letter that your partner needs this equipment might come in handy.

Good luck!

You gave some great advice there

J Willhaus · Monday at 5:34 PM

MikeJS said:
When I had to have a catheter for a week it just had a tap on the end so I could pee as ‘normal’. I am sure that for longer I would have needed more than 1, but the weight would be negligible. Would this not be an option?

Probably not the same diagnosis so not the same treatment.

SabsP · Monday at 5:36 PM

MikeJS said:
When I had to have a catheter for a week it just had a tap on the end so I could pee as ‘normal’. I am sure that for longer I would have needed more than 1, but the weight would be negligible. Would this not be an option?

J Willhaus said:
Probably not the same diagnosis so not the same treatment.

Indeed so many variations possible.
Good that posters offered the OP to engage in direct messages.

mattythedog · Monday at 5:39 PM

wynrich said:
My healthy and robust husband recently found that he must use a catheter in order to pee. He has to do intermittent catheterization 4 times a day. All is going well, but the question on our minds is how to do a camino? We are planning to walk this April on the Portuguese Coastal camino from Porto to Patron and then transfer and walk later stages of the Primitivo.

The big issue at this point is the weight and volume. For the four weeks we plan to be walking, he'll need nearly 8 pounds (3.6 kilos) of disposable catheters and associated gear. So, the options we have considered:

1) Bring an extra suitcase and send it ahead every day via baggage transfer. (We've never done baggage transfer so this would be something new for us.)

2) Mail the catheters ahead to various "caches" along the way.

3) Somehow get a prescription in Portugal and then in Spain to procure the catheters in pharmacies along the way.

4) Some combination of the above since, the further we go, the less we'll need to carry.

We have these questions:

1) Have you or someone you know had experience with this sort of thing on the camino or while doing long trips?

2) Have you had any experience getting a prescription of any kind in Spain or Portugal?

3) Are there issues mailing things from Portugal to Spain or vice versa?

4) Have you had experience "caching" things along the camino?

5) How reliable and easy is baggage transfer along the Portuguese Coastal way and also on the Primitivo?

6) Have we missed any other options?

Any advice is welcome. Many thanks. (Feel free to private message if this is something you'd prefer not to discuss quite so publicly!)

You have plenty of time to lose 4 lbs each and then split the load. Much simpler, cheaper and more convenient than all other noted options

wynrich · Monday at 6:09 PM

JustOneGuy said:
First, let me congratulate you and your husband's for the tenacity. I truly admire you both .

Second, how much weight and volume does this catheter take up?

Thank you. At first we were taken aback by this development and wondered how it would work out with traveling but we now are sure it will be ok. This process uses a 19" long disposable catheter tube, 4 times a day. So about 120 tubes to carry (at the beginning, at least). Total weight about 8 pounds, volume, quite a bit.

wynrich · Monday at 6:21 PM

mattythedog said:
You have plenty of time to lose 4 lbs each and then split the load. Much simpler, cheaper and more convenient than all other noted options

We are seriously considering this option! The first part of the Portuguese Coastal is fairly flat so we could both probably manage to carry more weight. The volume is perhaps the hardest part. As far as losing weight beforehand ... hmm. It's hard to think of much weight in our packs that we could leave out. After so many caminos, we pretty much have it down to a science. As far as weight on our bodies ... Both of us have lost quite a bit of weight over the last year (on purpose by doing Weight Watchers). I've been at my goal for several months so probably shouldn't (or couldn't!) lose more. My husband is pretty close to his goal as well. But maybe he'll be able to lose 4 more pounds.

J Willhaus · Monday at 6:32 PM

I

wynrich said:
We are seriously considering this option! The first part of the Portuguese Coastal is fairly flat so we could both probably manage to carry more weight. The volume is perhaps the hardest part. As far as losing weight beforehand ... hmm. It's hard to think of much weight in our packs that we could leave out. After so many caminos, we pretty much have it down to a science. As far as weight on our bodies ... Both of us have lost quite a bit of weight over the last year (on purpose by doing Weight Watchers). I've been at my goal for several months so probably shouldn't (or couldn't!) lose more. My husband is pretty close to his goal as well. But maybe he'll be able to lose 4 more pounds.

I would need to weigh all our CPAP and medicines, but pretty sure it might come to at least 4 poinds each.

wynrich · Monday at 6:36 PM

MikeJS said:
When I had to have a catheter for a week it just had a tap on the end so I could pee as ‘normal’. I am sure that for longer I would have needed more than 1, but the weight would be negligible. Would this not be an option?

Thanks for writing. It is good to hear of others' experience. My husband is reluctant to go this route, at least at this point. It's something he'll probably have to do for a lifetime.

wynrich · Monday at 6:39 PM

J Willhaus said:
I would need to weigh all our CPAP and medicines, but pretty sure it might come to at least 4 poinds each.

Yikes! And that doesn't get lighter as you go along. Well, not a lot lighter anyway.

J Willhaus · Monday at 7:38 PM

wynrich said:
Yikes! And that doesn't get lighter as you go along. Well, not a lot lighter anyway.

Well we have a special moisture filter that has to be replaced weekly so for a 12 week trip, we each bring 13 just in case. So we are actually throwing out one per week as well as taking the 12 weeks of pills and injections so by the end the load gets a little lighter. You'll get used to it and if it is what you need to do, then you'll figure put a way for it to work.

OzAnnie · Tuesday at 2:00 AM

wynrich said:
We are seriously considering this option! The first part of the Portuguese Coastal is fairly flat so we could both probably manage to carry more weight. The volume is perhaps the hardest part. As far as losing weight beforehand ... hmm. It's hard to think of much weight in our packs that we could leave out. After so many caminos, we pretty much have it down to a science. As far as weight on our bodies ... Both of us have lost quite a bit of weight over the last year (on purpose by doing Weight Watchers). I've been at my goal for several months so probably shouldn't (or couldn't!) lose more. My husband is pretty close to his goal as well. But maybe he'll be able to lose 4 more pounds.

Good luck with this planning @wynrich

Congratulations on the outcome and maintenance of your weight loss and health. Wow - I’m so impressed.

Your experience with previous caminos and ability to keep your backpack light will guide you in the right decision. Would it be possible to start out trying to carry the extra yourselves and decide after a couple of days whether to go with pack forwarding ?
Buen camino to you both.

freyam · Tuesday at 2:04 AM

MikeJS said:
When I had to have a catheter for a week it just had a tap on the end so I could pee as ‘normal’. I am sure that for longer I would have needed more than 1, but the weight would be negligible. Would this not be an option?

An indwelling catheter (IDC) as suggested above carries risks of infection and other complications over the long term that regular self-catheterisation helps to avoid. Probably not a viable option here. Best let the treating team advise.

dcmyntti · Tuesday at 10:11 AM

wynrich said:
My healthy and robust husband recently found that he must use a catheter in order to pee. He has to do intermittent catheterization 4 times a day. All is going well, but the question on our minds is how to do a camino? We are planning to walk this April on the Portuguese Coastal camino from Porto to Patron and then transfer and walk later stages of the Primitivo.

The big issue at this point is the weight and volume. For the four weeks we plan to be walking, he'll need nearly 8 pounds (3.6 kilos) of disposable catheters and associated gear. So, the options we have considered:

1) Bring an extra suitcase and send it ahead every day via baggage transfer. (We've never done baggage transfer so this would be something new for us.)

2) Mail the catheters ahead to various "caches" along the way.

3) Somehow get a prescription in Portugal and then in Spain to procure the catheters in pharmacies along the way.

4) Some combination of the above since, the further we go, the less we'll need to carry.

We have these questions:

1) Have you or someone you know had experience with this sort of thing on the camino or while doing long trips?

2) Have you had any experience getting a prescription of any kind in Spain or Portugal?

3) Are there issues mailing things from Portugal to Spain or vice versa?

4) Have you had experience "caching" things along the camino?

5) How reliable and easy is baggage transfer along the Portuguese Coastal way and also on the Primitivo?

6) Have we missed any other options?

Any advice is welcome. Many thanks. (Feel free to private message if this is something you'd prefer not to discuss quite so publicly!)

Hi. 1.8 kilos each is not a huge burden and this will give you way more freedom and flexibility in your day to day planning. Having to make a certain distance in a day because your stuff is waiting for you can be a nightmare should something happen. Buen Camino.

wynrich · Tuesday at 3:14 PM

OzAnnie said:
Good luck with this planning @wynrich

Congratulations on the outcome and maintenance of your weight loss and health. Wow - I’m so impressed.

Your experience with previous caminos and ability to keep your backpack light will guide you in the right decision. Would it be possible to start out trying to carry the extra yourselves and decide after a couple of days whether to go with pack forwarding ?
Buen camino to you both.

Thank you, @OzAnnie. That is really nice of you to say.

I think we'll try exactly that: start out carrying and see how it goes.

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MickMac · Tuesday at 10:37 PM

Need to carry some extra weight and volume this time

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