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July 8, 2009, 1:30 pm
Flag as Inappropriate Halo47  

I just traveled up from Florida to Southwest Colorado last week. I got a horrendous case of altitude sickness with symptoms of headache, major tingling in arms and legs, dizzy and faint, feeling weird pressures in limbs and head. I ended up stopping a few times on teh drive from Denver to Gunnison to take a few hours' break and then finally went to a clinic. They gave me a drug to help change my ph balance so I could oxygenate better but would give me any oxygen because they said I was oxygenating fine. I didn't really get it. Anyway, after 4 days I finally acclimated and am now doing fine.

Wow, I've never heard of that. I know major altitude changes can give you a headache or make you dizzy but I didn't know about the other symptoms. I have to admit that what they told you about the pH and stuff doesn't make a lot of sense to me, either. Glad to hear you're doing better, though. I hope this was a permanent move and you don't have to go through it again going back!

That does seem perplexing. Were you traveling up to one of the mountaintops in Colorado? You mentioned that you were headed to the Southwest. I'm not sure if there are mountain ranges there or not, that's why I ask. But, yes I would think there would be a difference in the altitude between possibly south Florida and parts of Colorado. At least you drove it, imagine what it would have been like to have flown it and to be sensitive to the changes. I am glad you are feeling better. :)

I would be confused too. Why would they give you something to help you oxygenate better if you are oxygenating fine? I am glad you are feeling better now though.

I know that altitude affects a lot of stuff, hence the different cooking instructions for people living at high altitudes. However I didn't know it was anything to do with PH-what it is it that changes your body PH?

Well, at least I'm not the only one feeling confused about the ph thing. :)

Lana, I went to (an am currently at) a ranch outside Gunnison, Co. It's about 8600 ft and is in the Rocky Mtns.

Thanks for all the good wishes.

I went to Denver last weekend and had to go up several mountain passes. I definitely suffered going up them and was exhausted by the time I finally got down to Denver (a mere 5280 ft). This really surprised me after having adjusted, and felt fine for many days, to 8600 ft.

But the good news is, when I drove back up a few days later I had no reaction whatsoever and felt great. Yay!

Normally when I fly I am more or less okay,since I have gotten used to the bumpy flights. There was one time when I got a real bad headache that lasted a week or so, my ears hurt as well and I felt dizzy ll the time. I eventually got some medication from the doctor which fixed it.