Altitude Sickness - Is it that serious?

[DIY]

Ive been reading a lot about this and it sounds like it could be a problem. Im from PA and we are around 1500, we will be hunting at 12-13000. We are going to try to take it easy the first day, however my gut tells me our excitement will push us.

Some Questions:

Anyone try Diamox from the doctor?
Anything to prevent this
Wilderness Athelete Products?

Ive also heard taking aspirin a month before everyday to thin blood is good

Thanks

 

[JG358]

It can be very serious.

I'm sure he'll chime in but A3d took Diamox last season... sounded like it helped

 

[rye_a]

Here are some good perspectives on your question:
http://www.rokslide.com/forums/show...-life-threatening&highlight=altitude+sickness

 

[bbrown]

It can be and every year we have a few clients that suffer from it - some worse than others. One thing we use is Alkaseltzer (SP?) - not sure exactly what it does but it usually seems to help when someone is feeling it.

 

[OR Archer]

It can definitely put a damper on your hunt. I hunted at 11500-12500 last season and the first morning I was sick as a dog.Screaming headache and very nauseated. Lots of water and aspirin every four hours helped me out. Took three days before the headaches went away completely. It would be in your best interest to get to your hunt destination a few days early and just camp out at the trailhead to get acclimated if at all possible.

 

[philw]

One of the best things you can do to mitigate the effects is to get to you spot, or near it (in elevation) as many days before the strenuous work as possible to let your body adjust.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

Theoretically Viagra will help although you might have some explaining to do. Sleep low, hunt high my friend.

 

[Jeff Martin]

Allow time for acclimation (1-3 days)
Hydrate, Hydrate and Hydrate (very important)

Note:
Diamox is not a medication for altitude sicknes. That is important because if you do get really sick. This will not help. Diamox helps your body acclimate

Aspirin does thin blood but does not produce more oxygen in the blood. That is a common misconception.

I have used Diamox but it made me tingle really bad. Also made me sluggish......i stopped taking it and just guzzled more water and aspirin/Ginko

 

[a3dhunter]

As mentioned by Jake, I have used Diamox the last two years.
It is not a substitute for common sense, and you still need to be aware of what your body is telling you.

I found if I started taking Diamox morning and night 3 days before my hunt, it definitely helped me acclimatize.
I also found that getting to high elevation and sleeping there overnight, then taking it easy the first morning helps more than anything else. By afternoon you can usually be at about 80-90 %, and 100% by day two.

I have also experienced some tingling from Diamox. When I take it at altitude in the morning I can feel a tingling in my hands and finger tips for about 15 minutes. Then it goes away.
Another side effect of Diamox is it makes anything carbonated taste like crap.

I found I only had problems with altitude sickness over 11,000 feet. (coming from 3,000 feet).

Once you start suffering the effects of altitude sickness, I have found that if I descend below 8500 feet I start to recover. Even if for just 4-6 hours, I can then head back up the mountain.

I have only had 2 rough times with altitude sickness, and 1 more that wasn't too bad, but those times have made me very aware of how my body can turn against me.

Others have stated before, you are more prone to altitude sickness if out of shape or "big boned"
Some symptoms can be confused with dehydration until they get severe. Drinking a lot of water can help quite a bit.

If anyone has any specific questions about my experiences, feel free to pm me. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy....well, okay, maybe just one guy!

 

[Heather Stomper]

I have, thankfully, never suffered from altitude sickness. However, it seems that if someone is going to get hit with it, the 9000' mark is usually it. After many climbs on Mt. Adams, attempts at Mt. Hood and some high jaunts on Rainier, every person I have been with that has been afflicted got the splitting headaches, some nausea and fatigue as we crossed through 9000'.

Stay well hydrated. Eat well. Sleep at 9000' or lower until you acclimate. Or as one said earlier, go up high to hunt and descend to sleep and recover. One of my partners suffered for 3 days at the Colorado Kifaru Rondy a few years back...he lives at sea-level, 6 hours hours later we were setting up camp at around 11,000' feet and he suffered through 3 days of agonizing headaches.

Early research on viagra was actually done at high altitudes because it is a vasodiolater (sp) and will increase blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain, theoretically helping carry more oxygen and lessening the effects of high altitude.

 

[TxCazador]

I got a bad case of it last week. For 3 days I was at 8-9500 with no problems. On the 4th day we were going to hike up Mt. Elbert in Colorado (14337').
We went to bed at 10200' the night before hike. At 12 am I woke up getting pretty sick. Getting worse by the minute. Ive been at 12000' + many times with no problems. I packed up and left camp at 1:30 am and headed down to 7900'. Within 2 hours, I was 75% better.
All the other times I would drink Liqumins Stamina Electrolytes daily for about 2-3 weeks before trip. It is suppose to get more oxygen in blood.
I did not do it this time, and paid the price.
FYI- I did see a small canister of oxygen that has 128 breaths for about $50, at a sporting goods . Might be a good purchase in future.
Ill tell you now from experience. A.S. will kick your butt.