PV and high altitudes.

[Pevans1052]

Just returned from a vacation in Breckenridge CO. Elevation was over 11,000 feet. Most of my family membrrs experienced headaches, shortness of breath and fatigue for a day or two but then seemed to aclimate ok. I, on the other hand did not acclimate well and continued to have headached, shortness of breath and fatigue for the entire week. I read that prolonged expisure of very high altitudes can cause secondary PV.

I am on hydrox and baby aspirin and have primary PV. Am wondering if travel to high altitudes could be life threatening for folks like me?

[hunter5582]

Exposure to high altitude triggers erythropoiesis in everyone due to the hypoxia. The reason people adapt is that they build a higher level of RBCs. Most people tolerate this OK since it is a natural adaption to the reduced levels of oxygen. For those of us with PV, the implications of increased production of RBCs are a bit more complex.

Suggest you review your question with a MPN Specialist who can best advise you on your specific risks in spending extended time at high altitude.

[EPguy]

You're right about the 2ndary PV. (actually it doesn't have the "V", Vera means the "P" is the source of the trouble rather than a result of something else, like altitude) Adding the two types of Polycy together makes a lot of PV.

This study showed <<even moderate hypoxia associated with 5,000 feet elevation should be considered as independent prothrombotic risk factor (with PV).>>

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

That was for PV patients living full time at that height. So not entirely comparable. But 11k is really high and adding an RBC enhancing event to PV seems concerning. I was at 7,000 last Spring for a week and had a bad time. I think I need to add such trips to my "used to be fun" category.

[davidguitar]

I can't comment on the PV relationship but I have skied all around the US and Europe and found that the Breckenridge area was the only location that caused me significant altitude problems. Of course, susceptibility varies with the individual. I had a friend who had life-threatening altitude-related pulmonary edema there. One of the issues is that the accommodations are also at pretty high elevations so I don't think you can easily recover after a day high on the mountain. The last time I skied in Colorado I studied the topographical map and found a motel that was about 15 miles away from the ski area (Winter Park) but where the altitude was below 6000 feet. That seemed to work for me. I have never had any significant altitude problems in Western skiing in Utah, Lake Tahoe areas and New Mexico. Great skiing and not too high elevations. Further, sleeping accommodations are at reasonable altitudes. I would stay away from that area of Colorado if I were you.

[Quitojohn]

I live in Quito Ecuador for 9 years. Elevation is 9.500 feet pressure altitude. High daily temperatures skyrocketed this to 11.000 feet density altitude. My RBC was always around 10. I regularly climbed volcanoes up and flew ambulances up to 15.000 - 18.000 ft. (and occasionally 21.000 unpressurized but with addn'l oxygen) Years later I developed PV. I have always wondered of PV was caused by this...