Altitude sickness - anyone ever experience it?

[pammypooh]

We will be in Colorado in June and have read that sometime altitude sickness can be a problem. Anyone have any experience with it or advice? I have read to stay below 7,000 ft your first day.

Thanks,
Pam

 

[Beth76]

I don't have any tips or advice, but I did faint after being in the mountains for only a few hours. We were in the condo and I felt fine. I just blacked out and fainted. That's the only time in my life I have ever fainted. I woke up right away and felt fine. Never had any other problems.

 

[tc]

Hydration is the key. I've never experienced it because I've lived in Colorado many years, but I asked my doctor. My mother was coming to visit, and I was concerned about her. He told me that drinking water is extremely important. Start before you come and continue while you're here. Also, rise in elevation slowly. If you can, hang out in Denver for a day, and get used to it. Then proceed higher. Denver is just over 5,000 feet.

Have fun in our beautiful state!!!

 

[DizMare]

We were in the Wasatch mountains in December- I believe it is 8,000 feet?

My dh and I noticed some difficulty sleeping thru the night, and I had an increased resting pulse rate. I didn't notice any diffculty breathing while skiing, but I did get out of breath while rushing to pack everything on the last day (don't know if I can totally blame that on altitude )

It didn't effect my two young teens at all and they have mild asthma.

You can google to get info on symptoms and prevention. I believe staying well hydrated is one preventative.

Can't wait to go again!

 

[Blondie]

Yep, I had it while touring Colorado many years ago. It hit me when we were in Leadville, and it came on very suddenly. I felt dizzy, nauseated, headache, was very tired and out of breath just walking across the street. It passed in about a day or so, after we slowed down and stayed in one place for more than a day!

 

[katerkat]

My sister puked at the bottom of Pike's Peak, but was fine at the top! Anyway, hydration and taking things slow are key. Don't go there expecting to race a marathon the first day!

 

[Rajah]

Yup, been there, done that. And because of it, I always try to spend the first day and night below 7000 ft and spend the first 2-3 days taking it easy, and I haven't had a problem since.

In my case, it was extreme dizziness, almost passed out, couldn't see straight (literally, barely could see), and very hot and sweaty. It hit me after riding the cable car to the top of Sandia Peak just 2 hours after flying in to Albuquerque after coming from sea level (yeah, real smart there ). Rode the car up, hiked to the lookout point, rode the car back down in a very crowded car, got off, and almost passed out. Won't do that again. In my case, I just had to sit down with a cold wet washcloth on my face for about 20 minutes and I was okay. Weak, but okay. But I was also brought back down below 7000 ft.

DH had some serious problems the first time we took him to the mountains, but we've since discovered that for the most part in *his* case it was car sickness (which he'd never had before) combined with a panic attack at 11,000 feet when he's used to sea level. We now take it easier when he goes to Albuquerque or higher and he's been fine the past two trips, including this trip when he went to 10,000 feet again for the first time in 3-4 years.

The best things I can recommend if you're coming from sea level or thereabouts:
*Spend the first 12-24 hours below 7000 ft, preferably one night so you *know* you're not doing anything. If you're *driving* so the altitude adjustment will be slower, this isn't as necessary.
*For the first day or three, take it easy. Stay in the car for the most part and see what you can see from there, or stay at the cabin or whatever. Don't do any hard hikes, and if you *do* do any walking, take it slow and take deep breaths. Be very conscious about your breathing and that you're getting enough oxygen. And if you feel tired or short of breath, STOP and catch it. Even if you've done nothing but walk 100 feet.
*Try to stay below 8000 or 9000 feet for the first 2-3 days and work yourself up to the elevation if you're planning to do some hiking. For example, first 24 hours stay below 7000 and walk in the parking lot. Next 24, walk around a bit at 7000 but again take it easy.
*Stay hydrated. Especially if you come from a humid environment. It's very, VERY easy to get dehydrated. If you're thirsty, drink water. If you're not thirsty, drink water.
*Know your limits and LISTEN to them. If you start feeling bad, STOP immediately and rest. If resting doesn't help, have someone get you back down below 7000 ft ASAP
*Don't *worry* about it. Be aware of the possibility, be aware of your body and what it's telling you, but don't worry. If you worry and focus on it, you're actually *more* likely to have a problem and panic (another of DH's problems).
*If you do start having a problem, *stay calm*. Do what you have to do to get back to a lower altitude and don't ignore the signs, but don't panic either. If you can get yourself back to 7000 ft or lower quickly (like in a few hours, not a day or two), you should be just fine.

For an example... this trip, when we went up to Pagosa Springs, we spent one night in Albuquerque and even walked slow in the parking lot of the restaurant where we went for dinner. Next morning, did just fine walking at normal speed at Walmart. Then we went up to Pagosa (just below 8000 ft) and around there even just walking up a slight incline required several stops and left me panting. So, I went *VERY* slow and did okay with it. Two days later, I was able to make that same walk and more at almost normal speed. 6 days after arriving at that elevation, we went to Mesa Verde and I was able to make a 3 mile hike involving climbing up and down stairs and rocks and stuff at about 8000 ft with absolutely no problem, because I'd taken it easy the first few days and worked up to it. Two days after *that* and I was able to walk around on pretty much level pull-overs and take pictures of the mountains on the way to Telluride at 10,000 ft and didn't even realize it was 10,000 ft. No problem. But trying to walk up a hill I had to take it slow again.

The point: Take it easy, and your body will adjust. And if your body doesn't, then get back down to a lower altitude ASAP.

BTW -- where in Colorado are you going?

 

[missypie]

When I went to Santa Fe, NM I had a terrible headache for the first day. I've been at much higher altitudes, including the top of the Jungfrau in Switzerland and it's never bothered me, but Santa Fe did me in.

 

[Keli]

Not to hyjack this thread or anything but I misread the title as "attitude sickness". I've never had altitude sickness but I've been sick of my dd's attitude on more than one occassion, lol.

 

[holycow]

I read an article years ago saying that you should take asprin before heading to high altitudes as it thins the blood...I take a yearly trip to the mountains...10000.feet...and don't have any problems...hydration does help too ...so I can't say if it is plecebo or really helps! lol


I've know people who've just blacked out...my DS was 14 when it hit her...and a friend of ours came skiing with us and was physically ill most of our trip...vomiting etc...wasn't pretty.


Good luck!

Holycow

 

[pammypooh]

We are driving from east coast. Have reservations at the Garden of the Gods Campground. Has a Colorado Springs address. Will stay there for 2 nights. Then we go to Mesa Verde for another 2 nights. I plan to take it easy - read shop. Would like to visit Garden of the Gods. DH plans to take shuttle up Pikes Peak and ride bike back down. (part of a tour package) I wanted no parts of that! I will be happy with my pictures from the base of Pikes Peak. At Mesa Verde will only do trails/tours defined as easy. BTW - We have 2 DD's age 8 & 7.

I will be certain that we all are drinking lots of water.

Thank you all for your input.

Pam