I have ET and am going to Tenerife with my daughter and granddaughters next week. I would dearly like to go to Mt Teide but the guide books warn about altitude sickness even for fit people. Does anyone know if MPNs make the likelihood of contracting altitude sickness more or not. I am a bit anaemic now as well so this wont help.
Sally
Can't help re altitude sickness and MPN's I am afraid but just to say have a great holiday. Liz C x
I wouldn't worry about Mt Teide ,we went there on holiday and we really didn't realise it was that high. Drove up in a bus, it's not like Mt. Everest . They have a little show at the top with a volcanic pit. so enjoy it.
I have E.T. and have enjoyed several holidays to Switzerland and Italy using the Great Railway Journeys company as I do not wish to fly.
At first I was a little worried about the height of the Mountains but the altitude did not affect me very much. Only on one time did I feel a little odd and I stayed in the lower part of the town and my husband went on further (by train).
Last year we went to the Reichenbach Falls and to the Jungfraujoch which is Europe's highest railway. I did take my inhaler and I was careful to take things relatively easy and to sit down with a coffee while others did the strenuous bits.
I am 64 and have had E.T. for over 10 years.
I hope you enjoy your holiday and have a great time with your family.
Thank you for your replies. I think I will enjoy the ride and take it easy.
Sally
I have ET and was 68 when I went to Peru. Altitude sickness can effect anyone the most fit and healthiest. I was fine but a young healthy 29 year old was not.
Just enjoy and have a great holiday.
The only thing I read when I first contracted pv, in the pamphlets I was given for information, was that high altitude can trigger the red blood cells to proliferate and therefore I tend not to go to high. Having said that, where I live at the moment is higher than normal and so beautiful. The highest point here in Corfu is Pantocrator which is still a baby height compared to some awe-inspiring peaks elsewhere but I always tend to err on the side of caution where altitude is concerned. Whatever you do have a lovely holiday!
I have been up the Jungfrau and the Telepheric at Mont Blanc and just a bit breathless if I moved too qickly.
have a good holiday
Town Crier
Hi there!
I just read your post with much interest as I have ET (although it could well be PV)-- after 8 years you'd think it would be more clear! Anyway, I just returned from Vietnam and one of the places we visited was Sapa, which is in the Northern Vietnam region in the mountains, bordering China. I didn't even think about the possibility of altitude sickness prior to going, but I wish I had! I was very ill with it, and on top I contracted a case of food poisoning/gastro. I then researched while I was there (and in my hotel bed) and read that people with MPN are more prone to altitude sickness.
Hate to be a kill joy, but I'd prefer to let fellow MPN'ers know so they can then make an informed choice. I have never experienced altitude sickness previously, (I just turned 40), so it was a shock and disappointment. As our night train slowly made its way back to Ha Noi, I could feel myself improve. I was in bed for three days though, our entire time in Sapa, so wasn't much fun!
Take care and enjoy your trip--- whichever way you decide to go!
Josie- Australia
ET JAK2+
Aspirin, Hydrea
Thank you all for your replies. It seems that, although any blood problem can make you more prone to altitude sickness, fit, young, people can get it too. I have decide that at my age, 72, and with my health, if I don't do it now I never will. I have got good insurance which covers my previous history and I might get run over tomorrow!
I'll let you know how I get on.
Sally
My consultant said the only thing I couldn't do was very high mountains like some in Africa. However I did when going up a volcano in the Carribbean get altitude sickness briefly, got badly out of breath, but so did a healthy 19 year old. So I expect it depends on the individual, how fit you are and how you are the the time you do the climb
Hello Little-friend-Susan, I have had some advice from Prof Harrison for you about this and she has said that there is no increase in likelihood, and that you should follow standard precautions, however, this reply is general advice as we don't have access to your medical history. Best wishes and enjoy your holiday, Maz.
Thank you for that Maz. I will post on the forum when I get back to tell everyone what happens.
Sally
ET and living at higher elevation 
ET/PV and going to high altitude 
learning about ET
ET and HRT
