altitude pills

[Ed B.]

Who uses altitude pills? We are considering buying some as we are basically elevation free in Michigan. 1,979 feet is as high as it gets.
We are trying to enhance our trip to CO. by skirting a little altitude sickness if possible. Mostly going to be around 8500 to 10,00 feet.
So question is, are altitude sickness pills worth buying or is it essentially snake oil? we are looking at Altitude RX Oxyboost and Herbs Etc ChlorOxygen Chlorophyll.
Any suggestions?

 

[Team Kabob]

A prescription from the DR is better. Hydration is my problem; than turns into attitude sickness. Stay the night in Denver or similar to adjust to the altitude. Good luck

 

[Ed B.]

Staying the night in Denver costs us a day of hunting. That would be the smart thing to do but it doesn't fit in our itinerary. Then again we could loose a day to altitude sickness if we get it bad.
I will for sure talk to the doc. I didn't know there was scripts for that sort of thing.

 

[JimP]

Staying the night in Denver costs us a day of hunting. That would be the smart thing to do but it doesn't fit in our itinerary. Then again we could loose a day to altitude sickness if we get it bad.
I will for sure talk to the doc. I didn't know there was scripts for that sort of thing.

You could just as easy loose your life to altitude sickness too.

Altitude sickness is not something to take lightly.

 

[husker hunter]

Get a prescription from doc, it can't hurt. I've taken then twice and never got sick. My buddy takes them every time & still got sick 2 yrs ago. His first time getting altitude sickness over 10+ hunts. It gets serious in a hurry, he had to take a helicopter ride to hospital after being sick 2 days and was unconscious at the very end. Spend a day or 2 at 8k before going to 10.

 

[husker hunter]

Get a prescription from doc, it can't hurt. I've taken then twice and never got sick. My buddy takes them every time & still got sick 2 yrs ago. His first time getting altitude sickness over 10+ hunts. It gets serious in a hurry, he had to take a helicopter ride to hospital after being sick 2 days and was unconscious at the very end. Spend a day or 2 at 8k before going to 10.

I will also add, rest and hydrate before and during trip. No alcohol or caffeine.

 

[sheephunter]

You really need to re-think your travel plans and make every effort to spend time around 5k' or so before going to higher elevations.

I work in cardiology and see people every year being brought out of the high country; I don't even wanna deal with 'em anymore, it's not like getting altitude sickness should come as a surprise to anyone. The above statements about rescues and possibly worse are accurate.

Anecdotally, I have had luck taking Tylenol Sinus to deal with altitude headaches; it works for me but might not work for somebody else.

 

[Ed B.]

I will also add, rest and hydrate before and during trip. No alcohol or caffeine.

No caffeine?? That would be a tuffy.

 

[Catahoula12]

Hydration is huge..lots of fluid even before you arrive into Colorado. Also, best idea would be to hold up a day at 5k. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Apstore]

We always try and stop and sleep at 5-7k before we get out and do anything in the high elevations. Was going to try the Wilderness Athlete Altitude Advantage this year. Lots of good reviews from guys like us coming from 1k feet. I had altitude sickness two seasons ago. It was horrible and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. The only thing that helped was getting back to the jeep and driving all the way back down the mountain -4,000+ feet. If it had gotten any worse I think I would have started to lose motor skills as I was seriously fatigued(even just sitting around) and getting dizzy with an excruciating(almost debilitating) headache. I had to spend the whole day down in town crushing Gatorade and resting. I was lucky it was only 1 day lost.

 

[Guy]

Diamox is the prescription medication for altitude sickness. They usually couple that with a prescription for Cyalis. You have to start taking the Diamox a day or two before you ascend. I believe all the other stuff is just hype, they don't really do anything a few glasses of water and a couple of Tylenol won't. JMHO. -G

 

[dirtclod Az.]

I get altitude sickness above 6-7k,No Fun!Usually I'm sick for a day,
sleep a night and I,m good to go.Hope it never goes any further than that.

 

[mallardsx2]

Just take a Viagra before hitting the high country.

I heard it helps take your mind off the altitude sickness and as an added bonus it keeps ya from rolling off your cot! lol

 

[DanPickar]

Eat foods high in iron leading up to your hunt, get some diamox and if you want cardiovascular performance enhancement at 10K ft get some cialis or viagra. I've done it before and it works great. Let the jokes roll in...I see mallardsx2 is already started. haha

 

[Ed B.]

Just take a Viagra before hitting the high country.

I heard it helps take your mind off the altitude sickness and as an added bonus it keeps ya from rolling off your cot! lol

That could cost me and the Mrs. more hunting time than staying in Denver for the night. Lol

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Gives a different meaning to the term 'Spear Hunting". You'd
make Tim Wells proud!

 

[archeranthony]

Gives a different meaning to the term 'Spear Hunting". You'd
make Tim Wells proud!

I knew I would see your face in here real soon lol

 

[ColoradoV]

Something to think about but once anyone chooses to enter the big mountains you are on their time not yours. Things like weather and acclimation to elevation are not of your control and the mountain honestly could care less about your best laid plans... Pay attention and listen to both your body and the mountain as if you go up more than about 1500 ft/day you will feel it. One day at 5kish w lots of water n greens just might buy you a day or 2 on the other end.

I live and I sleep above 8k. Getting older but it takes me about a month to 6 weeks spending part of a least 3 days a week above 12k before I feel my body come around. Or no way around it your body will work harder and recover more slowly than you are used to at elevation.

I come down during the season to sleep if possible after 48 to 72 hours even if it is a bit of a hike as I find my body recovers much better when I do. Many times It buys me a day or two on the end.

 

[Bonecollector]

Interesting ColV. I know you spend much time out & up. Curious as to your height/weight and fitness level. I'm a stat geek always trying to understand everything. Don't take these questions as critical. Feel free to pm if you want.
Much appreciated my friend.

 

[ColoradoV]

I am 6’3”tall weighing in at 202 lbs today. I played hoops in college at around 210 but was much stronger. 45 years old. By the end of archery I will be down below 195 hopefully above 190. Hard to keep weight on when hunting. Good to eat as much as I want tho!

My fitness is pretty good as we spend a lot of time out scouting/hiking/kayaking/biking as a family much of it above 10k ft up to 12k feet. Seems that one night lower in elwvation helps me a lot in recovery the older I get. So much so I plan them on now. Father was a endurance racer at elevation. I have never gotten into that.

I know that I did 2100 ft of vertical on sat w pack on and it kicked my ass for sure lol.