Altitude meds

[Australian fan]

So, am getting my packing list organised and I’m facing the big question. Do I go to the doctor and get meds for altitude sickness or not?

I have opted for meds the last two visits and have avoided altitude sickness but they mean you can’t drink and they do make me feel kind of slow and a bit stupid.

I did get really sick from altitude sickness the first time I visited Sante Fe which is lower than Telluride though so am crowdsourcing here. Who else uses altitude sickness meds? Who doesn’t? Are there alternatives?

Thanks, I realise you aren’t doctors ( well I guess some of us are) but am interested in those who have tried both options. Did you cope with Telluride without altitude sickness meds? And yes, I agree that the inevitable jet lag and 3xhaustion after 16 or 17 hours in coach to get there makes everything much worse!

Thanks Festivarian family


Did I mention I cannot wait?

 Listening to: Playing a bit of the Ramones

[ToddG]

I've never experienced altitude sickness, and I travel from 1,000ft to above 8,000 at minimum 2-3 times per year for years. Now I do experience some slight headaches, and of course a bit of shortness of breath while exerting myself. My wife who's a med/pro says she'll do some further research, but she says that coming directly by plane to Denver and heading straight into MTNs is obviously the worst way to acclimate. As you already know best non prescription is loads of water. Maybe invest in some of those mini O2 containers about 10-15 bucks each.

 Listening to: Tangerine Dream-Sorcerer

[Australian fan]

Thanks Todd. Just read a piece in NY Times and it specifically talks about Telluride. I reckon I better go the safe route and use the meds. Cannot bear to miss a second of the festival. Won’t drink, will have to chill out other ways I guess.

[erndog]

I’ve taken Diamox (Acetazolamide) before it works.  Asprin or Ibuprofen can work, too, but probably not as effectively.

You can drink with with Diamox, but don’t overdo it.  It makes carbonated beverages (beer) taste exceedingly more bubbly.

[ToddG]

Can you get the script and only take them if you are experiencing problems, or is it something you have to take prior to achieving elevation?

[burnsgirl]

"coming directly by plane to Denver and heading straight into MTNs is obviously the worst way to acclimate. "

Oh dear.  This is exactly what we are doing!

[BuckeyeDog]

Most of the time we drive, so it seems to help that we get acclimatised on the way. Sometimes we will get a room in Ridgeway, Ouray, etc.. the day before land rush, so we are usually not too bad. Ibuprofen seems to work, but what I think works best is don't drink too much the first day, and get a good night's sleep. You will feel so much better when you wake up. But that is a rare luxury at the campground. That cool mountain air will do wonders for you!

[BanjoMatt]

I had my first bout with it two years ago.  I think the sun was more to blame than the altitude.  Drinking dark beer for breakfast probably didn't help too much either.  I got pretty dizzy and nauseous.  Last year I decided not to drink alcohol and stayed very hydrated.  I didn't have any problems whatsoever. 

[Pirate Looks at --]

I have not taken any medication for altitude sickness. We always drive in and spend the night in SLC and Moab on the way so we sort of acclimate along the way. I think "excess in moderation" is the key!

[burnsgirl]

Not only are we driving from Denver on Wednesday, but we'll head up the mountain for First Grass and Dierks as soon as we get there.
No beer for me!!!

 

[ToddG]

We make the drive in two days, staying the night somewhere between Taos and Durango, but from 5 hours into the 16 hour drive we are above 5,000ft. So we get a nice slow advance in elevation and by the time we reach Telluride we'll have two days of being above 5-6k. Also the drive is excellent time to chug lots of H2O. I can lie to myself all day and say I'm going to take it easy on the beer. But I know as soon as we unload the car, possibly while unloading I'm going to crack/pop open a beer, followed most likely by a few more till I've acclimated my blood alcohol levels. If I get a headache I'll run down to the farmacy and get some extra gummies.  And then return to the prescribed beer, water, beer, water and repeat as the doc orders.

[ToddG]

I'm requiring meds for my festival anxiety. I'm going crazy waiting for June 15th when we load the car and leave. I have one concert, and a festival before that to distract me. What do you all do to keep your mind off Telluride? I've gone through all our gear, packed and loaded gear into proper containers. Made and edited my clothing list, and have the cold weather clothing out and organized. Can it just be June already!

[FaceOnMars]

So, am getting my packing list organised and I’m facing the big question. Do I go to the doctor and get meds for altitude sickness or not?

I have opted for meds the last two visits and have avoided altitude sickness but they mean you can’t drink and they do make me feel kind of slow and a bit stupid.

I did get really sick from altitude sickness the first time I visited Sante Fe which is lower than Telluride though so am crowdsourcing here. Who else uses altitude sickness meds? Who doesn’t? Are there alternatives?

Thanks, I realise you aren’t doctors ( well I guess some of us are) but am interested in those who have tried both options. Did you cope with Telluride without altitude sickness meds? And yes, I agree that the inevitable jet lag and 3xhaustion after 16 or 17 hours in coach to get there makes everything much worse!

Thanks Festivarian family


Did I mention I cannot wait?

Personally, I would suggest supplemental oxygen vs. Rx ... it's a much more direct solution with far fewer side effects.  Another thing you can do is to buy a cheap pulse oximeter for $20, such as:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073R7RP6Y/ref=asc_df_B073R7RP6Y5482634/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B073R7RP6Y&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242089033130&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12863453489797137392&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029145&hvtargid=pla-421386342125

In which case, you'd always have access to real time data of your blood's oxygen saturation levels ... letting you know in quantitative terms where you're at or if you need more / less oxygen.

My dad visited me in Ophir last summer and I had him test himself with my pulse-oximeter.  It turned out he was in the low 80's ... which is below normal.  A neighbor who's a doctor said most people would be throwing up with other symptoms with those levels, but some people are able to tolerate low levels.   To be safe, he rented an oxygen generator and used it overnight ... which seemed to help his body maintain more acceptable levels during the subsequent day without actually using the O2 (during the day).   My neighbor who's a doctor mentioned medication, but my dad felt it wasn't worth it given the chance of side effects given he's a diabetic with other health issues.

I know you can buy or purchase canisters of oxygen for intermitent use, but you might also need a prescription for this too.  In any case, best of luck!

[KMurf]

I come from Texas and <1000 ft elevation.  The first few days I make it a point to drink lots and lots of water and take it easy on the alcohol.   As long as I do that and hold off on any long hikes and such for the first 2-3 days I don't have any issues. 

[Australian fan]

Can you get the script and only take them if you are experiencing problems, or is it something you have to take prior to achieving elevation?

Nah, you take them two days prior.

It is ok, I will be the slightly slower, very much sober person talking in an accent you can’t follow, easy!