Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro

[Trueblue8]

I have ET and take hydroxy and aspirin and I'm thinking of climbing Kilimanjaro and wondered if anyone on here has done this or something similar. I've just hit the big Six O and keep very fit by running(700 miles so far this year). However, the climb is up to 20000 feet so not sure whether the altitude would cause any issues with the condition?

Obviously I will seek professional medical advice but wanted to see if anyone on here has any advice based on experience.

Thanks

Ian

[NewBloom]

Hi Ian, You should seek advice before you book. Last year we visited the Canadian Rockies and although the attitude wasn't as high I need to take anti sickness tablets. I still encountered some dizziness and felt wobbly at time. I also run 5k 's and participate in long walks.

I was advised not to spend too long at altitude, we did a week. Good luck if you go ahead and impressive to even consider the Challenge. X

[Trueblue8 in reply to NewBloom]

Hi, thanks for your reply, yes I will definitely seek medical advice first and also make sure I can get travel insurance! It's about an 8 day climb and I think they introduce you to altitude quite slowly, so hopefully there won't be any adverse reaction other than possible altitude sickness! Ian

[JediReject]

Hi Ian , I will start by saying that unfortunately I can't offer any advice from experience or from any other angle come to that. I get dizzy going upstairs 😨.

I just want to applaud your ambition in wanting to undertake this challenge. It's the kind of thing on a lesser scale I've always wanted to do but has eluded me in life for many reasons.

And now I'm not physically cabable.

So if you get the green light I hope you get to complete the climb. It might be worth doing one closer to home in the UK first to see how you cope.

Good Luck . . Age is but a number.

Regards - Chris

[Trueblue8 in reply to JediReject]

Thanks Chris, yes will definitely try something close to home first! There's a lot of planning to do but hopefully it will come off within the next couple of years.

[Dovme]

Hi Ian

Sounds amazing- wish you all the best in your plans. In 2018 l managed 10000 ft or 3,152 meters above sea level with a visit to the summit of Mount Monserrate in Bogota. My partner had very slight altitude sickness but l had none apart from normal temporary mild ear pressure you sometimes get on flights.

[Trueblue8]

Hi, thanks for your reply, it's much appreciated.

[cata]

I m sorry to say but stay home , high alitude increasing The production of red cells I think also for ET îs a bad thing. Regards CATA

[Trueblue8 in reply to cata]

Thank you for your reply, I will definitely be seeking professional medical advice before deciding whether to go!

[Mujer]

Hi Ian, I successfully climbed Kilimanjaro when I was 52 and there is no doubt that altitude is something you simply cannot prepare for. Out of our group of 12, only 6 of us were successful, all the others unable to cope with the altitude. They do take things as slowly as possible to give every chance of success. If you decide to go ahead you will find it an experience of a lifetime. I am so glad I did it and wish you every success but do talk this over with an MPN specialist. Best wishes.

[Trueblue8]

Thank you for your reply, it sounds like an amazing adventure. Yes I've read a lot about the altitude sickness and how it can affect different people. Had you had an MPN diagnosis before you did the climb? Ian

[Mujer in reply to Trueblue8]

No Ian. At the time I was as fit as it was possible to be regarding endurance but, believe me, altitude sickness is something no-one can predict. There was only one other female in the group, aged 28, and she too succeeded. Do so hope you are able to go. I climbed Macame route.

[Trueblue8 in reply to Mujer]

Thanks, I hope we get to go! That is one of the routes I'm looking at, the other one is the Lemosho.

[Mujer in reply to Mujer]

Macame route is supposed to be most scenic, through tropical forest at first. It is tenting all the way and temperatures of -16 deg at the summit. Do post what you decide to do and best wishes.

[Trueblue8 in reply to Mujer]

Thank you and I will do!

[MaggieSylvie]

I would take advice, but it is the haemaglobin that carries the oxygen around the body; I don't think platelets have anything to do with that. I don't take anything other than aspirin so can only speak from my experience of MDS/MPN.

[Trueblue8]

Hi, thanks for your reply it's much appreciated. Yes I will definitely take advice before booking.

[Handysmurf]

I think climbing Mt Killy is a fantastic way to celebrate turning 60. I’m not yet on HU and hope to stay off it for as long as possible. In fact I don’t take aspirin either but I’m a huge fan of using medicinal supplements.

As others have pointed out altitude can be an issue - it typically takes 2-3 days per 1000 meters to acclimate.

I realize you’re in the UK but I suggest ordering a copy of Over the counter natural cures - it’s written by a guy called Shane Ellison. It’s also available on Amazon. He’s a medicinal chemist who used to work for big pharma before he saw the light and branched out on his own. Anyways there’s some really good info in his book about how to boost ones health using natural botanical supplements.

thepeopleschemist.com/over-...

[gwr460]

Hi, One very important note re altitude. You must ensure you are very well hydrated, from experience in Nepal I went very wobbly and was made to drink a litre immediately. Problem solved. Secondly being well hydrated is vital for ET patients because of clotting/stroke risks. Lots of drinks stops and pee stops!!

Good luck,

Ian

[Trueblue8 in reply to gwr460]

Thanks for your reply, it's much appreciated and great advice.

Ian

[hunter5582]

Do let us know what you find out. I don't want to climb a mountain, but I do want to sky dive. I would love to do a HALO jump someday. What a rush!!

[Trueblue8 in reply to hunter5582]

Yes I will do!