I have just returned from what should have been a wonderful Christmas holiday visiting my newest grandson in Colombia. Unlike the previous trip to the city 4 years ago, I was greeted with the realization that my body didn't care much for the elevation differences, Often times I tell people about simply reminding my body mentally about remembering to breath on any good day at home. This trip was like constantly gasping without letting people know I was just trying to get air to live and never subsided in the 10 days we visited. I experienced the reactions of elevation sickness the entire time. Nothing would work. No amount of PD meds would relieve the discomfort. My CBS/THC didn't even dent it. I lost two complete days in a hotel room. The only redeeming thing is I got tp meet and hold my 5th grandchild. Hope I get to again sometime! The whole trip ;eft me too much time to worry about my own fragile future.
Bogota Christmas: I have just returned from... - Cure Parkinson's
Bogota Christmas
How unfortunate for you Pelley. I have to remind myself to take deep breathes on occasions and not to hold my breath. I get relief with asthma medication.
Feliz navidad y próspero año nuevo
Elevation sickness means you needed more oxygen. Breathing deeper and faster might work. People that don't have elevation sickness do this automatically.
I had a problem when I visited the high altitude city of Cusco, Peru. Right from a pressurized plane cabin to the city without an opportunity to get acclimated. There are soroche pills in South American pharmacies. Ask your doctor if they're compatible with Parkinson's meds.
My wife was prescribed oxygen, when we made a trip to a higher mountainous region, in order to get more oxygen, to breathe better. It worked fairly well, when she was on oxygen. She would have not enjoyed the trip, and been in a lot of discomfort, if we would have gone on our trip, without oxygen for her. I can only imagine how very difficult it was, for you!
I believe diamox is fairly effective in this situation. It's not a drug I would want to be on for long but to provide temporary relief it's probably worth it. I had to used it for an acute glaucoma crisis in my injured eye
I had a similar breathing experience when we went with my son's family to Breckenridge to ski. Elevation over 10,000 ft. Gasping for breath throughout the seven days. Awaking in a panic because I could not breathe. In retrospect, I should have had a tank of oxygen delivered. We are going to Park City, UT next month for a week. Elevation 7,000. I am having oxygen delivered to the house before we even arrive.
You might want to get Big and Loud therapy at your local hospital or rehab facility. As PD progresses it gets harder to control speaking and breathing functions. This therapy teaches you how to manage that. My husband’s voice had lowered to a whisper prior to therapy and very quickly worked back to normal. It is like any other physical exercise in that one must continue the exercises in order to keep the results. We were very fortunate..his voice therapist was also an opera singer so knew all about muscle control from that point of view. I assume the oxygen level is lower in some places and makes it harder to access. You might ask your dr if you should carry portable oxygen when going into thin air.
Can I ask those of you who replied how long you've had Parkinson's? I am going with family to Breckenridge in February and anxious about the elevation. City is 9,200 feet. I am staying in Denver 2 nights before to acclimate. We were in Colorado in late September/early October but we drove from the east coast--made a road trip out of it--so I had time to acclimate before we got there. Did fine on a day trip at 12,000 feet. But I am leery of sleeping. Years ago we stayed in Grand Lake, CO, and I recall waking up that first night feeling like I couldn't breathe.
I have read Motrin or other NSAIDs are helpful. Anyone know if compatible with L/C?
For many individuals, two days is not enough. Google: altitude sickness red blood cells.
I was in Bogota 3 years ago when my daughter and son in law first moved there. It took a couple days but my body adjusted and I tolerated it. This time nothing helped! I was a shaking gasping basket case for ten days and almost embarrassed to go out.
I live 3 miles from the ski area Breckenrdge at 10,000 feet. portable oxygen is very helpful for the tourist visiting, but if not available, drinking LOTS of water will help hydrogenate your system and help with the symptoms of altitude sickness. Even going down to Denver for a day means another lost day to re-aclimate for me.
Thank you. I have just learned about portable oxygen and plan to pick up in Denver. Do you know where you can buy? A friend told me fits in your purse.
I think most pharmacies carry it, but it may require a prescription if you purchase more than one. call any Walgreens drug and inquire. Have a safe trip.
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