For example, when I developed a rash on my feet, an English headmaster offered me an anti-histamine he takes for a chronic rash condition. "Prescription strength, powerful and completely safe", he told me, and offered me four. I was worried the rash would seriously hinder my ability to continue walking, so I took one just before going to bed, then as I lay in bed, I thought, what have I done? Here, I've downed a prescription strength medication from a guy I've barely met, with unknown side effects or potential allergic reactions. I should have broken off a small piece and taken that. I tossed and turned a bit, and awoke later -- I was alive and I was glad. And I decided not to take anymore. Instead, I walked into the next pharmacy along the way the next day and, lacking the vocabulary to describe my situation, I took off my shoes and socks and showed the woman my feet and came away with some cortisone cream, that seems to be mellowing out the rash.
Not exactly a drug, but with a cult-like following is a product called Compeed, for blisters. When I first noticed the rash on my heel, I mistook it for a hotspot/pre-blister, as did a Brit named Tom who said, "you better get some Compeed on that". This stuff is legendary on the Camino Forum, so I thought I'd try it. In essence, Compeed is a translucent, flesh-coloured, extra thick hunk of what appears to be duct tape, that is sold in various shapes and sizes (e.g. Heel patch). On it went. The next day, I realized I had a rash, not a pre-blister, as the rash had spread up my heel above my shoe. And after how many sweaty kms and a couple showers the Compeed was holding fast, like glue. As I lay in bed, I thought, what have I done? I've stuck duct tape over my rash! Anyway, a day or two later, the Compeed finally released its grip and peeled away, leaving the rash no worse than before. And I was glad.
We've been guilty of pushing stuff too, The other day, a young fellow from Tennessee asked if we had any anti-inflammatory. I said, "hey man, we've got Ibuprofen SIX HUNDRED. Awesome stuff". We gave him a flat. He said, "far out man, I haven't had a hit of that since I broke my ankle." Laying in bed, I thought, what have I done? I've just given some kid I barely know a huge amount of super-duper extra strength Ibuprofen. It could kill him, especially if it reacts with all the red wine they keep pushing on us. He was still alive the next morning... and I was glad.
It's strange,, but Ibuprofen 600 seems to be the normal strength here -- at least that's what Jan got when she went into a pharmacy (green cross). There's also an Ibuprofen gel making the rounds for sore muscles and some powerful smelling linament that clears out a large room when someone applies it.
And finally, during my never-"ending" diarrhea saga, neither a visit to a pharmacist nor a hospital yielded any drugs. I was not looking for drugs, just some reassurance I was not in imminent danger, which I received. However, a day later, an Irish pilgrim friend who happens to be a dentist, heard my story and gave me an Imodium. I thought about it, and was tempted to stop the madness, but fearing I might end up with a repeat of "what have I done?" and an opposite end problem, I just said no to Imodium and I was glad.
Drugs. They're everywhere. Even on the Camino.
And I'm glad.
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