Rockies Trip

[koako]

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of yall have been to the Rocky mountains. Well, I've been thinking about a trip to the Rockies but I'm worried about the high altitude. I was just wondering if the high altitude would have an effect on me?
I don't wanna go there and then get sick, I've heard that mountain sickness can cause some people to retain fluid in their lungs....So, that doesn't sound very good. So yeah, if yall have any experience that would be great. Thanks!



EDITED:  Moved to correct topic. Rerun - Admin.

[Joe]

I live in Colorado Springs, at just about 6500 feet. The thing we tell visitors here is to avoid alcohol and caffeine, and to stay hydrated. I guess I would ask what your modality is and what your fluid restrictions are. If you are on PD and pretty lax with the fluid restrictions, you should be in good shape. Do check with your team and see what they recommend. And by all means, enjoy your visit, it's beautiful country out here.

[jeannea]

Definitely ask your doc. But I would think you're ok unless you have heart problems and/or need oxygen.

[noahvale]

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[Joe]

Oh, here's a plus...if you enjoy alcoholic beverages, one drink at 7,000 ft. or higher is equivalent to 3 at sea level!

Have a great time!!

And vice versa noahvale, I love it when I go down to sea level, I can drink forever!   

[PrimeTimer]

I spent a couple years living in Colorado Springs. During my first few weeks I drove (tried) to Denver to shop but had to turn around and go back home because I felt sick. Nothing major but nonetheless, enough to make me want to go home. Also felt sick after drinking just one beer. Since it kept happening, I feared it was more than just a case of the flu but then mentioned it to one of the locals, who then told me about high altitude sickness. Also had nosebleeds every day for the first few months. Eventually I became acclimated. There is an Olympic training center in Colorado Springs and if I am remembering correctly, high altitude produces more red blood cells which in turn, produces endurance which is one of the reasons athletes like to train there.

[nursey66]

When we went to the Rockies , I was the one who had problems. I was unable to get out of the car to get a picture !!! Hubby , with the transplant did well. We did bring along a small pulse ox [ finger type, you can get at Walmart for about 29.00 & they work realy well ]That is the worst part , thin air cuts your 02 states way down. I got really dizzy. My stats were in low 80's.

[koako]

Wow everyone thanks for the information. I'm kind of nervous now about the trip. We'll be headed towards Denver, so I hope nothing too bad happens. Also the thing about drinking is really getting to me, do you mean any fluid intake will be increased? or do you mean you'll be getting drunk faster LOL ?

Update: Hey so I got back from my trip to the Rockies, surprisingly everything turned out very well. The elevation had no effect on me it seemed. Although I do admit, I was sooo thirsty while I was there. I was gulping down so much water, so I guess you need to really keep an eye on that, but luckily I still have urine output so it wasn't too bad. It is so beautiful out there. Definetley will have to go visit again.