Altitude Sickness Tips

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:03 am

ibdave, what were you being treated for?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 10:17 am

A dangerous snark deficiency

Mojojita · Post by **Mojojita** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 10:51 am

Hi Ya Fish!

I warn/remind campmates before we leave for the playa every year that we are a NO DRAMA camp (unless I am stirring it up for my own sick pleasure) and that if you commit such party foul, you must get water and go sit for awhile. It works like an adult time-out.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 1:09 pm

I remember that one. Its dont get too Hungry, Angry, Lonly or Tired. If all of those are taken care of, no problem will seem that hard to handle. One or more get out of wack and all hell can break loose and its prepotionate to how many thing on that list are neglected. psych 101.

jcliff · Post by **jcliff** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 5:06 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:
Mojojita wrote:
jcliff wrote:I think anynone that suffers altitude sickness at Burning Man probably is suffering from an overlaying case of "the nerves." 4,000 feet shouldn't affect anyone's body chemistry unless they have an overlaying case of meth addiction.
...
I have noticed a correlation to the general bitchiness of others there too - I've never had a playa meltdown but have seen it many times and I think the altitude may have a lot to do with it by contributing to feelings of exhaustion. (In addition, of course, to sleep deprivation, increased exercize, heat, and over-stimualtion).
I'm with you Mojo. At times the battle of getting to the playa or whatever just hits people sideways.

Wow, I hope my reply didn't fall into "the bitchiness" of others. You're both right....packing, transport, traveling, carving out a playa home, (sometimes building a home,) unpacking, dealing with new neighbors is exhausting = the nerves.

Still, it's rare that a reasonably healthy person suffers altitude sickness at 4,000 feet.....normally it doesn't become a factor until a traveler reaches 8,000 feet.

MOD NOTE: turned code back on........

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:27 pm

I remind myself of a scene in City Slickers where Billy Crystal snarls "I'm on vacation!" Getting there, getting all my stuff there, then attempting to hit the ground running is just too much. It is extreme, certainly it jumbles emotions. After setting up, I sit in my shade. I watch the world around me, and I just relax. I nap. I take it easy. I don't attempt to see and do everything, or even a lot. I wander and see what I see. One of the nights generally I don't do anything at all, just hang out and go to bed early. I don't worry about what I'm missing. I'm already there. It's a vacation from working hard, and from worrying. I yell, "Hell yeah!" when it is requested by neighbors. This year, I will be sure to start the purposeful hydration much earlier, and avoid the Tuesday noon "did I pee yet today?" and ensuing headache. I notice my hands do get a little itchy and swollen, something I always equated with altitude, maybe it's just heat. I agree with Figjam... being mindful of how you feel (HALT) goes a long way towards avoiding the unexpected dive into a deeper discomfort.

Rommel · Post by **Rommel** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 10:08 am

The number one biggest mistake some people make it that they get there after X many hours, is: getting drunk, running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, and watching the sun come up as their still actively partying... and passing out on the playa.

Do yourself a favor and just chill/relax the first day of two you get there;
get-some-sleep.

I've seen people over-task and not pay attention to their general well-being, on the first couple of day's they are there. From then on, their hurting, miserable, cranky SOB's for the rest of the event... what's the point of not enjoying your burn because you didn't take care of yourself early on. You didn't pay X for a ticket, drive X many miles only to have a bad, self-inflicted experience because you were not taking care of yourself.

Do yourself a favor, and take care of yourself for the first couple of days.

You'll thank yourself come Sat & Sun

Rice · Post by **Rice** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 10:19 am

I've seen people over-task and not pay attention to their general well-being, on the first couple of day's they are there. From then on, their hurting, miserable, cranky SOB's for the rest of the event... what's the point of not enjoying your burn because you didn't take care of yourself early on. You didn't pay X for a ticket, drive X many miles only to have a bad, self-inflicted experience because you were not taking care of yourself.

Absolutely true!!! I have been that person.... {sorry to those I annoyed!!

}

Once I leave the pavement, I see what I see. I cannot see everything anyhow! No worries, No stress!!

I listen to my body and my burn is good. Things just happen anyhow, so why kill yourself??

Above all: Relax

--
Rice

Rusted Iron · Post by **Rusted Iron** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:12 pm

I prescribe a lot of acetazolamide to prevent altitude sickness. I don't even think of offering it to anyone who will be below 2500 meters.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:47 am

Rusted Iron wrote:I prescribe a lot of acetazolamide to prevent altitude sickness. I don't even think of offering it to anyone who will be below 2500 meters.

How serious is the diuretic effect in dry areas?

Interesting that it is used for Marfan's.

thesandman · Post by **thesandman** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 10:38 pm

i am drooping in from tempe arizona thats it 1100 feet, so i figure to be safe at 4000 feet not a big diff to me.

Snow · Post by **Snow** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 10:45 pm

I go down in elevation nearly 2500' from my house, does that give me super powers?

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sat May 01, 2010 6:29 am

Snow wrote:I go down in elevation nearly 2500' from my house, does that give me super powers?

it might depend on who you're going down with?.............

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Sat May 01, 2010 2:35 pm

Snow wrote:I go down in elevation nearly 2500' from my house, dose that give me super powers?

I see you're in VC
My wife and I are planning to hike up Mt Davidson if the snow ever melts

DiveDogFLL · Post by **DiveDogFLL** » Wed May 05, 2010 4:23 pm

Rommel wrote:The number one biggest mistake some people make it that they get there after X many hours, is: getting drunk, running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, and watching the sun come up as their still actively partying... and passing out on the playa.

Do yourself a favor and just chill/relax the first day of two you get there;
get-some-sleep.

...

Do yourself a favor, and take care of yourself for the first couple of days.

You'll thank yourself come Sat & Sun

Right!

...and I remember my 1st Halloween, when my parents said don't eat too much candy the 1st night! LOL!!!

HAS anyone brought or tried Oxygen tanks ? can you stop in the medical center and get 10-15 minutes?

this works very well for decompression sickness.... and Hangovers.... so I'm told.

-for Me, I think it will be the HUMIDITY Change..
I don't think 4k is not too bad... when I went skiing in CO I didn't feel too bad. think that was around 6-7k.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu May 06, 2010 8:49 am

DiveDogFLL wrote:
HAS anyone brought or tried Oxygen tanks ? can you stop in the medical center and get 10-15 minutes?

I doubt it. The medical people are, like any other department, maximizing their funds, and becoming the free source of pain releif for those who didn't manage their hangovers well doesn't seem like a wise use for my money.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu May 06, 2010 8:58 am

I think a nebulizer at the lowest setting, used for sleeping, would probably help with the whole process.
It's not very expensive to do.
You can rent a tank and only have to buy the nebulizer.
The only caution I've been given is not to overdo the oxygen.

A prescription is required to get medical grade oxygen.
I don't know why.

LostinReno · Post by **LostinReno** » Thu May 06, 2010 9:14 am

DiveDogFLL wrote:-for Me, I think it will be the HUMIDITY Change..
I don't think 4k is not too bad... when I went skiing in CO I didn't feel too bad. think that was around 6-7k.

You should be fine if you've been skiing and had no issues. I lived in Northern Florida for a while in the late 80's, my first week back in Nevada was a mess! Bring lots of lotion, the heavy duty moisturizing SPF kind (which I still use out there) as well as some kind of moisture stuff for your nose. Your nose will be a mess the first couple of days up here. My nose cracked continually for the first couple of days back home (and this was without playa dust in the mix, of course back then, there was other factors with the nose.....um..nevermind, anyhoo!). Every time I laughed my nose would bleed

A neti pot or some "Ocean" spray will help lots!

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Thu May 06, 2010 2:42 pm

May I suggest going to your local airport. A mechanic may be able to hook you up with supplemental Oxygen tanks and nasal cannulas. Many pilots carry the same and might have spares or backups. You might also check your local hospital. Many have rental facilities for medical supplies. Use medical grade gas, welding Oxy is not pure enough...

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Thu May 06, 2010 2:44 pm

Do not use Vaseline on your face if using Oxygen, petrol products are flammable.

curiousgnate · Post by **curiousgnate** » Thu May 06, 2010 3:27 pm

although i am from the mile high city, i would say that a lot if not most problems come from the heat. If you look at the med records of our beloved city a ton of people are dehydrated and overheated. I recommend bringing a cooling vest, drinking water and electrolytes, and wearing sunscreen. I am always cranky for the first day, but then mellow out on the second!

LostinReno · Post by **LostinReno** » Thu May 06, 2010 3:48 pm

curiousgnate wrote:although i am from the mile high city, i would say that a lot if not most problems come from the heat. If you look at the med records of our beloved city a ton of people are dehydrated and overheated. I recommend bringing a cooling vest, drinking water and electrolytes, and wearing sunscreen. I am always cranky for the first day, but then mellow out on the second!

I'm so looking into the cooling vest. Thanks! I didn't even know there was such a thing. I have no thyroid and sometimes controlling my body temperature can be troublesome. I had one pretty bad day out there last year because of the heat and it wasn't really that hot out. Of course the hangover I was nursing didn't help the situation any.

curiousgnate · Post by **curiousgnate** » Thu May 06, 2010 7:29 pm

check out the hyperkewl vests i got one for 30$ and it saved my life out there last year! I wasn't a cranky puss. well worth the investment. just dunk in ice water every few hours and you are all set!

LostinReno · Post by **LostinReno** » Fri May 07, 2010 10:40 am

curiousgnate wrote:check out the hyperkewl vests i got one for 30$ and it saved my life out there last year! I wasn't a cranky puss. well worth the investment. just dunk in ice water every few hours and you are all set!

Thanks! I think I'll order one tonight!

http://coolbandanas.com/vests/6529-sportvests.htm
Found the vests on this linky, they also have a do-rag that looks like it has potential.

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Sat May 08, 2010 3:18 pm

I have one for wearing around my neck at work. For $35 I might invest in one with summer just around the corner, hopefuly.
They make something like that for our cannine friends as well. They call it a "swamp cooler for dogs."

Snow · Post by **Snow** » Sat May 08, 2010 7:46 pm

Not much snow left round these parts, except for me.

Aw man, I was SO looking foreward to slathering my face in vasaline before heading into the dust storm with my O2 mask.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat May 08, 2010 8:20 pm

A few types of cooling gear I found.
Note that there are distinct types.
Some work in humidity.

http://www.mscooling.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooling_vest
http://www.arcticheatusa.com/
http://www.safetysmartgear.com/OccuNomi ... Vests.html
http://miracool.com/vests-cooling.htm
http://www.glaciertek.com/
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/produc ... RecID=5151
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/group. ... upID=KCOOL
http://www.polarproducts.com/surgeon.html
http://www.ems1.com/ems-products/outerw ... ooling-ves t-inspired-by-racing-technology-showcased-at-FDIC/

Snow · Post by **Snow** » Sat May 08, 2010 8:57 pm

I have one of those cool bandana's for my neck. It's great for toiling away in the sun. I do suffer from heat exhaustion if I don't watch myself.

Rusted Iron · Post by **Rusted Iron** » Sun May 09, 2010 4:41 pm

I prescribe a lot of acetazolamide to prevent altitude sickness. I don't even think of offering it to anyone who will be below 2500 meters.

Gyre asked: How serious is the diuretic effect in dry areas?

It's can be a problem. Electrolyte imbalance is a recognized adverse reaction. One trick that I've learned is to prescribe only 125mg, which is half the usual dose. So far, everyone has tolerated it well and it's worked for them. I've even rx'd 65mg a couple of times, for smaller people, (usually little old ones, going to Machu Picchu.)

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun May 09, 2010 6:17 pm

A pill splitter can be your best friend (as long as it isn't something time release or has to be enteric).
Even when you have to take a full dose, taking it by spacing out a dose seems to reduce most side effects for me.

I rarely find a drug i can't reducee the standard dosage on.
Maybe I'm not so unusual in being able to do this?
It makes doctors nervous, but when I am tested for effect, always good.
For instance, I reduced lipitor by 75%, effectiveness dropped by 5%.
Side effects on the liver, etc virtually vanished.

Altitude Sickness Tips

Altitude Sickness Tips:

Shouldn't be a problem

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