Altitude Sickness Tips

[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?

[solobiker]

My advice would be to drink, drink, drink. Also would you have time to have a day to two to get acclimated to the altitude before going higher or expending a lot of energy? It is also important to eat even though you may feel sick. I had AMS really bad once and DH made me eat which helped a lot. Good luck and have fun.

[Tokie]

It usually takes me 3 days to acclimate, but it is important that you have enough red blood cells! We are "recovering vegetarians" - but still prefer to eat salmon or vegetarian dishes. But we are traveling from sea level to the rockies for a 1000 mile bike tour in a few weeks. We are almost always on the very low side of normal for anemia, So we have been eating steak about two or 3 times a month - and it has helped our hematocrits rise to good solid upper mid range values. Your body can use the iron in red meat much better than the iron found in vitamins,vegetable,fish or poultry sources. Some people take a diuretic called Diamox to treat/prevent altitude sickness - you would get an rx from your doctor. It is important to heed your body though - altitude sickness can be very serious! Tokie