Adjusting to altitude -- Diamox works

imported
#1

After a week hiking in Colorado, I can tell you first hand that Diamox (acetazolamide) WORKS. Diamox is a prescription drug which helps your body adjust to rapid ascents in altitude.

I live at sea level and have experienced symptoms of altitude sickness at 5,000 to 6,000 feet. This time I used Diamox and experienced no altitude sickness except for mild fatigue the third day, on this schedule:

DAY ONE: Flew from sea level to Colorado Springs (over 6,000 feet)
DAY TWO: To Gunnison (7,700 feet)
DAY THREE: Started at the trailhead in the West Elk Wilderness at between 8,000 and 9,000 feet.
DAY FOUR: Crossed Storm Pass at 12,600 feet, then descended to about 9,500 feet.
REST OF TRIP: Between 9,000 and 10,500

It’s not hard to get a prescription. I called my eye doctor (opthemologist), told him I was going hiking at high altitudes in Cololrado, faxed him some literature on the drug and he wrote me a week’s prescription. Here’s a good link:

http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/altitude.html

steve hiker

#2

Hmmm, the last few trips I’ve done to height, two days drive to 10,500’ and two day drive to 9,300’, from sea level, both had the usual fatigue…but only for twelve hours and then normal high mileage days. We keep the sugar and water up and don’t over do it the first day, maybe that helps. Probably depends on your arobic capacity and how fast you can increase red cell count. You’ve heard of the athletes blood doping? Shoot up and extra bunch of reddies for the extra energy. Maybe a nice t-bone the night before. :tongue

Bushwhack

#3

Steve,
Did you have any dehyration problems? Maybe a little kidney discomfort? I used Diamox on my CT hike this August and quit using it after 3 or 4 days. I was pissing a lot and getting kidney discomfort. On the upside I didn’t get any symptoms of altitude sickness. Not even a little headache or nausea. I drank plenty of water and was in excellant shape aerobically. I have had kidney stones in the past. I stayed a day in Denver and hiked fairly slow the first 3 days. hafdome

hafdome

#4

But that’s probably b/c I made sure to drink lots of water. On the other hand I hardly pissed at all, just barely enough to make a ring around my tent to keep the bears away:eek: . No doubt my body was soaking up all the water I took in. Real low humidity the whole time, even at night.

I’m sure if I hadn’t taken Diamox and ascended that rapidly I would have had some serious altitude sickness. Where I live in south La., a foot above sea level is high ground. And at 10 feet (like when going over an overpass) you start to get dizzy.

steve hiker

#5

Steve: That Princeton link has a lot of good information and self monitoring facts. Out west it’s so easy to go high fast and get the negative effects. Thanks for the info.

Jim Suovanen