I get altitude sickness at low altitude (5,000 feet) and higher altitudes. Had a very mild case in New Mexico this time, we were at 8,700+ and hiked to 11,000. Mainly I just had no energy this time. The last time we went I had a case that was almost so bad I was going to go to the little clinic in the town, I took almost the entire week to acclimate. I have had some form of altitude sickness three times and never brought it home. I get headache, nausea, can hardly eat which only makes it worse, dizziness, obviously short of breath and fatigue. Every show or article I have read on altitude sickness recommends the first course of action is to descend to lower altitudes.
I agree, you probably overworked your system and now it it trying to recover. My heart rate goes through the roof at altitude, I really have to pay attenion to my monitor or else I will be wiped completely out.
Amanda
2011 Specialized Epic Comp 29er | Specialized Phenom | "Marie Laveau"
2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Road | Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow | "Miranda"
You don't have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to be great. -Lee J. Colan