Altitude Sickness Tips

[Aggie_Ama]

My husband and I are planning an active (cycling, hiking, cycling) vacation in the mountains of New Mexico next month and I am concerned about altitude sickness since we will be riding at 6,000-9,000 ft.

A couple weeks ago we went to Fort Davis, TX, which is 5,000 feet and I experienced mild altitude sickness. I had the lack of appetite due to nausea, the fatigue, swelling hands and headaches. The riding out there was horrible due to my lack of energy and I am concerned now for New Mexico. Any tips for dealing with or preventing altitude sickness? I drank water like a camel in Ft. Davis and still was dehydrated much of the trip.

[teigyr]

Have you talked to a doctor about it? I guess I'm used to mountains (and I fly a lot) so it's never been a factor but 5,000' seems low to feel it in such a drastic way.

I know when I fly on long trips, especially if I am sleeping, I can wake up and feel out of breath. I also get really puffy...but that's fairly common and I am not moving around.

I'm sorry I can't be of help but I'd say to go get it checked out. Hopefully there's something you can do, I'd hate for you to feel miserable

[bmccasland]

Make sure you drink a lot of water. Usually it takes a couple of days for your body to adjust to the lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes. So, try to take it easy the first couple of days. Back when I lived in the mountains, I knew a guy who claimed he couldn't adjust, but he was also unhappy about his job, living in a small town, and life in general. I think attitude is part of the formula. Instead of sweating about not being able to deal with low oxygen, think about what fun you'll have!

Deep breathing exercises help too. Is your iron count OK? If you don't have happy red blood cells, it's hard for them to transport the oxygen that you breathe in.

Enjoy the clean mountain air and the clear blue skies for me!

[Tuckervill]

I got mild altitude sickness when I went to Breckenridge, CO from the flatlands of central Arkansas, so you're not alone.

But, I went to Santa Fe last summer and rode my bike and I don't recall any symptoms. In CO, after the first day I was fine. Maybe try not to ride the first day you're there, and don't drink any alcohol. When you take a rest stop on the way (I assume you're driving), get out and walk around and maybe do some jumping jacks to get your heart pumping a little. I think that would have helped me (but I was on a bus for the whole trip).

Karen

[smilingcat]

If possible get there one day early and just take it easy and drink lot more water than usual. Also take an asprin or two to help you with possible headache.

the thin air tends to dry you out much faster so you need to constantly be drinking water. Stay away from alcohol. If you experience nose bleed the first night or two, this is fairly common so don't panic. And try to get more sleep than usual. Also scale back on your planned exertion from normal as you will not have the same stamina.

How do I know this? Personal experience. I have been living at sea level for more than 30 years now. And every three four years, I go up to places like Snowmass Colo. Altitude there is 8000 feet and goes up. Also visit my family back in Salt Lake City Utah and where they live is up around 6,000 feet elevation.

Try not to worry too much. Take it easy, slow and really enjoy yourself in New Mexico. It's beautiful there.

smilingcat

[Crankin]

I got altitude sickness in Boulder, which is at about 5,000 feet. I felt dizzy and shaky, tired for about 2 days. Then I adjusted to that, but when we went up to Nederland and Rocky Mt. National Park which were 8,000 and 11,000 feet, I was tingling, pale, and sweaty. Breathing wasn't too cool, either. Since we kept going back and forth between these altitudes, it sucked. I did a little ride on one of our last days in Boulder and I was slow. I guess I could adjust, but I definitely will not go on a vacation anywhere at elevation. Who wants to feel sick for almost the whole trip?

[Aggie_Ama]

We just got back Sunday from Red River, it was a great trip. I will have to post on the ride this weekend, it was spectacular.

The Diamox did help reduce the issues with the altitude. I drank a lot of water and pink lemonade. The Diamox did make cokes taste metallic and flat but I would have one a day anyway because I couldn't quit caffeine cold turkey! It did make me a bit tingly. The worst was when I went to bed one foot felt asleep. I did have very mild nausea much of the trip. I just didn't feel like eating much but was able to eat more than when I was in Fort Davis. Honestly though I often feel like this on trips to strange (new) places. I also was fatigued but that could have been the back to back 50 hour weeks at work before the trip.

As for the sun sensitivity, it is hard to say if that was an issue. The day of the ride I forgot sunscreen and ended up with a pretty nasty sunburn. I was in the sun from 9-7 so who knows that it was the Diamox.

All and all it helped but I still felt the altitude. I would probably take it again though because it was better than the last trip.

[OakLeaf]

Welcome back! Glad you had fun, looking forward to your full report!