Altitude sickness

[straighttalking]

I've just read this article tiredthyroid.com/high-altit...

I'm planning a visit to Bolivia to La Paz and am now reconsidering on the basis of this article which is extremely off putting. Should I rethink this trip? Does anyone know about this?

[helvella Administrator]

I suggest you read an old thread. Here:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

However, having read it, do remember that posting onto an old thread is likely to be missed by most members.

[jimh111]

La Paz is very high altitude. I don't think there is a thyroid problem but if going there I'd recommend staying at lesser altitudes for a few days rather than flying dtraight in. It takes time to adjust. I found altitudes above 2800m a bit of a problem and I believe La Paz is about 4000m.

[elwins]

Went to Lima a few years back and travelled around, managed the altitude sickness alright, was given plenty of advice by the tour group leader, which I listened to and tried to act on. Just made sure I listened to my body, but managed to do everything on the trip. I agree with everything jimh111 says. I feel you just have to enjoy life.

[straighttalking]

Very happy to live life but just don't want to put myself through something horrible for the sake of it. I'm encouraged though by both your responses. I'm hoping to work in the slum areas (I've done this before in Africa) and strangely less worried about the obvious risks than acclimatising to the altitude. Thank you to both of you for sharing your experiences.

[katey]

Hello, yes, totally agree with the responses above. I went trekking in Himalayas a couple of years ago and climbed to 4500m. I followed the normal procedures...Trek high and sleep low is the normal advice. I also got a prescription of acetazolamide (diamox) from my GP and took it preventatively. (Google it). The best guides normally carry it to give to people experiencing symptoms but I took it for four days during 3-4000m. I

[lisabax]

Had a trip to Quito in January. I am hypo but I wasn't affected any more than others around me and I was better than some. The Americans in our tour group said ttey could get something for altitude sickness from their physicians but I believe whatever it was had side effects. Why not talk to your doc if you are worried? But it would be sad to miss it

[straighttalking]

The response to my question has been extremely reassuring. I'm so grateful to all of you. It's so hard to navigate the scaremongers and the 'common sense'. I'll be meeting one of my daughters out there who has been travelling round the world. I'm now excited about seeing her after such a long time and not worrying about the altitude sickness. Thanks so much everyone.