[UncleWede]

I live basically at sea level. Heading to my dads cabin for NYE and its at about 6500 feet. I've already started hydration, but what else can I do (besides coca leaves) to help fight off altitude issues? I tend to get raging headaches and my blood sugar can take a real beating, plus I tend to get very combative when I don't feel my best

[954Stealth]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I live basically at sea level. Heading to my dads cabin for NYE and its at about 6500 feet. I've already started hydration, but what else can I do (besides coca leaves) to help fight off altitude issues? I tend to get raging headaches and my blood sugar can take a real beating, plus I tend to get very combative when I don't feel my best

A hyperbaric chamber would help! Also bring some Gingko, keep drinking water, and don't do anything too strenuous for a few days!

[P1]

I'm with you on the headaches mate... Awful.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I live basically at sea level. Heading to my dads cabin for NYE and its at about 6500 feet. I've already started hydration, but what else can I do (besides coca leaves) to help fight off altitude issues? I tend to get raging headaches and my blood sugar can take a real beating, plus I tend to get very combative when I don't feel my best

Originally Posted by P1et

I'm with you on the headaches mate... Awful.

Headaches at 6500ft?

I get them at about 8000ft, but just drinking lots of water and taking it easy for a day usually helps.

When i go to altitude it's typically in Colorado, so i've become accustom to stopping in Denver for a night to help acclimation. Works very well for me.

Just a month ago i was out west and spend the day at about 8000ft. But i was at 5000ft the day before and 5000ft the day after. No ill affects from the 8000ft, though i'm not sure if it's because i was acclimated by the day at 5000ft or only being at 8000ft for a day. Maybe you can take trips to lower altitude areas during the days you're there? Should help you acclimate.
retty sensitive to altitude to feel affects at 6500ft. I've lived at sea level all my life.

The only time i got altitude sickness, like puking, massive headache, body ache, went to the hospital, etc... was when we went straight up to Keystone and had a 3 hour dinner at 14,500 only a few hours after arriving. Was not a good trip. Luckily, we were there for 8 days with 5 days of lift tickets. Cause i was down for the count for 3 days. Ever since then i make sure we either fly or drive into Denver and stay a night there. Still do mass quantities of water though along with regular Advil, at least 2 a day, usually before boarding.

Ultra hydration and acclamation is about all you can do though. You must be pretty sensitive to altitude to feel affects at 6500ft. I've lived at sea level all my life.

[UncleWede]

I can handle the labored breathing, that is just expected. I do seem to have some extra sensitivity, hence why I was looking for any ideas. There is no option for a mid-range night over, we are 3 hours drive from the cabin so it's straight to 6500 from sea level. As I'm the "pack leader/mule" for the group that goes, I have to do all the work as soon as we get there. Pack in the bags, turn on the water, get the heater running, build a fire, etc.

I almost went to the hospital one time when my cousin got married in Vail. Both his parents are Drs and they ordered me off the summit (14,000+) where the party was at after seeing me. Then, just dropping back down to 8000 made a huge difference, and I was able to go out with the group in town the next day.

Advil, just to relieve the headache? Or something more like thinning the blood before I get there?

[GarySL]

Altitude effects at 6,500' are symptoms of something more serious. Unless you are going into Ironman training, chilling at your Dad's cabin is not going to be a problem. Relax.

[UncleWede]

It's not the altitude sickness that I think I got at the summit of Vail, this is just general complaining and not being 100%. Chilling isn't in the cards with the ATVs and hauling wood and shoveling snow off the driveway. If the TV works, I can chill on NYD and watch Oregon lose

[JasonCSU]

As others have suggested, staying hydrated and giving your body some time to acclimate is key. Going straight from sea level to 6,500' and then doing strenuous work is going to be taxing. I'd say, either have someone else do that work and relax for a bit when you get there, or stop somewhere along the way around 3,000' for a little while (maybe grab some lunch) and see how you feel there.
​​

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I can handle the labored breathing, that is just expected. I do seem to have some extra sensitivity, hence why I was looking for any ideas. There is no option for a mid-range night over, we are 3 hours drive from the cabin so it's straight to 6500 from sea level. As I'm the "pack leader/mule" for the group that goes, I have to do all the work as soon as we get there. Pack in the bags, turn on the water, get the heater running, build a fire, etc.

I almost went to the hospital one time when my cousin got married in Vail. Both his parents are Drs and they ordered me off the summit (14,000+) where the party was at after seeing me. Then, just dropping back down to 8000 made a huge difference, and I was able to go out with the group in town the next day.

Advil, just to relieve the headache? Or something more like thinning the blood before I get there?

looks like you've got little choice but to get there and do work.

I'm no Dr. but the ibuprofen being anti inflammatory may help get oxygen to your muscles as you work. Also may help with the headache. 6500ft being relatively low for altitude sickness, may just be a headache that you can work though with some minor pain reliever. As suggested above, maybe make it a 4 hour trip and take an hour for lunch at a lower altitude. Now sure how much an extra hour will help. Going from 0 to 6500 in 3 hours is almost instant.

This will sound stupid and i have no idea if it helps, but before i go out west i do some breathing exercises that are supposed to increase your lung capacity. Don't know if it helps, but i do it anyway.

Is this the first time you've pre-hydrated or do you typically do that? Last time my whole family went to colorado for ski trip some of them listed to me about drinking mass quantities of water and some didn't. those who didn't were laid up in their rooms for a day. Those who did, were fine the whole trip.

Hope it works out, you need to recruit some help for set up! Don't you have kids or something; cash in on that slave labor! haha

[UncleWede]

Since the Vail experience, I always try to do the hydration before. I don't always start early enough, and sometimes I just can't take this many leaks in an hour while at work I will try to do some Pranic breathing the next couple of days.

My boy is 15, I can't quite get him to do the closing of open water lines reliably enough to trust him with a flood in freezing weather. If the water doesn't get into the electric water heater before that gets turned on, the heating elements burn out real quick. I've had a few times where we didn't take showers because I had to go back to town and buy new elements, and they weren't readily available. I haven't been there in a few years to know whether dad is keeping a spare set on site. He always helps with packing stuff into the cabin now.

My nephew-in-law will probably get the heater and fire assignments this year.

[MrPrena]

My house is located at 5400' from sea level.
I think 8800' is where I can really feel the difference when I run/jog or power walk.

First day, I would not jog or walk real fast. I would take it easy on a stairs as well.

[upstatedoc]

get some xanax stat.

[954Stealth]

Originally Posted by Frank White

Get in shape.

Round is a shape

[MisterSkiMask]

6500 should not give you any problems, I do it frequently, with friends and kids who all live very close to sea level

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Drink heavily. The next day just blame the alcohol for feeling like crap.

[UncleWede]

^ I'm not sure if the Tanq is still in the freezer or not, might have to stock up on tonic and get a new bottle at the last grocery store.

[miiipilot]

If you regularly exercise (cardio), you will be fine. Stay hydrated though. Make sure you keep drinking water even if you aren't thirsty.

[iDriveanXi]

I believe a viagra will help out with altitude sickness. Also will help against pulmonary adema from altitude. If you plan on any climbing while in the Mountains or plan to visit some tittie bars I'd say it's a win win

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by iDriveanXi

I believe a viagra will help out with altitude sickness. Also will help against pulmonary adema from altitude. If you plan on any climbing while in the Mountains or plan to visit some tittie bars I'd say it's a win win

Post of the month!

[Nkc]

Excessive masturbation. Thank me later.

[Whostheboss]

Originally Posted by Nkc

Excessive masturbation. Thank me later.

lol

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Nkc

Excessive masturbation. Thank me later.

Cause, or cure?

Upstate, can you write me a prescription (not that I really need one)