We have been traveling and visiting New Mexico’s state parks now for over a month. We started out at Navajo Dam near Farmington. Elevation there was only at 6100 above sea level.
Now to some that isn’t really much-while to others anything over 4000 feet is too high. Last year while working at James M. Robb/CO River State Park near Grand Junction, we had a older lady that came from the mid west area that got elevation sickness and we were barely over the 4000 feet. She ended up having to cut her family visit and go back down to sea level. I really felt sorry for her and her family-for that meant going almost back home. I remember saying to Brian that I sure hope that never happens to us while we start our adventure.
Now 12+ years ago when we started to live in an RV and I went to my doctor for my “last” check-up with him; I remember him telling me due to the fact that I do have bad lungs (Severe Chronic Asthma)-I would have to take altitude climbing very serious and gave me strict instructions to go by; and they were: anything over 4000 feet, I must only go about 500 feet a day, come back down at night, got back up during daytime for about 2-3 days. At any point if I felt heaviness in my chest-descend immediately and don’t go back up! He didn’t think I could ever really go high in elevation and stay any length of time.
Have I taken his advise? Well, no not actually. And I haven’t done bad-until now….Since starting our travels, each year my asthma has improved greatly. Recently I had donated my nebulizer machine to a clinic and no longer carry any kind of inhaler. But I almost wish now that I at least have an inhaler.
I had no trouble ascending from 4000 feet to 6000 feet. Even at 7000 feet, I still wasn’t showing much sign of distress in my lungs or chest. Oh I occasionally would have a little shortness of breath after extreme hiking and would have to take short breaks to catch my breath, but Brian too was having the same effect-so nothing too worry about. Just take it easy and go slow.
Now that we have ascended to over 7500 feet, breathing started to get a little more stressful. We have been here for over a week and only hiked a couple of days with rest in between. Shortness of breath was coming more frequent-but for the both of us. I notice since being here, that I’m a little more short temper and agitated and didn’t’ know why. Surely by now we should be well adjusted to the elevation. wrong!
Generally, yes, a week adjustment is sufficient for some to acclimate their bodies to elevation. BUT it actually takes 3 months for a body to develop more red blood cells to get your oxygen level back to normal. During this time your body retains more water fluids that actually can go to your heart, lung and brain.
That still wasn’t the total case for me when we made a quick dash to the urgent care in Tierra Amarilla in NM. I started out having difficulty a few nights ago waking up with what I thought was a racing heart. I ignored it until it happened again the other night. But upon getting up yesterday I still had chest pain (felt as though Brian was sitting on my chest and wouldn’t get off), and very short of breath. As I moved around, I felt better. Going into Chama to run errands, felt fine. But after coming back and doing some work, the shortness of breath came back along with the chest pain and the racing heart. I knew it wasn’t a heart attack, but also knew something just wasn’t right.
Upon entering the clinic I was taken back immediately. an EKG was taken and my theory was right-I wasn’t having a heart attack. But it wasn’t my lungs either-for they had no wheezing and sounded clear. Which also meant there wasn’t fluid building either. So what was causing me to be in distress?
The last several days we have been socked in with rain and humidity which was enough to cause an onset of severe inflammation on all of my cartilage in my chest and rib bones. The inflammation was putting added stress on my heart-making it feel as though it was racing.
The doctor was hilarious! As she is pressing on my chest bone, asking me if that hurt-Brian makes the comment back that oh no we got a quack! She turns around and actually smacked him!
But in all seriousness, I had to have an anti-inflammatory shot to reduce the swelling so that I can get back to enjoying life! I actually had a wonderful team and got excellent care in such a small tiny community.
But at first the doctor talked about us having to descend back down. I was devastated, for we already had paid for the Cumbre & Toltec Train ride and I wasn’t ready to leave the area yet! I now don’t have to leave!
But here is a few tips for those that are planning on traveling to higher country and they are not acclimated to the elevation:
Unfortunately because my lungs are damaged due to past asthma attacks, I will not be able to spend any time over 9000 feet and above. I can go for the day and be okay, but not overnight. So elevation I must always know how high I’m at.
Remember: this is just an advise, and before any elevation climbing, check first with your own physician before going on such an adventure and don’t ignore your own body’s warning signs. Only you know what your body can or cannot handle.
Now to some that isn’t really much-while to others anything over 4000 feet is too high. Last year while working at James M. Robb/CO River State Park near Grand Junction, we had a older lady that came from the mid west area that got elevation sickness and we were barely over the 4000 feet. She ended up having to cut her family visit and go back down to sea level. I really felt sorry for her and her family-for that meant going almost back home. I remember saying to Brian that I sure hope that never happens to us while we start our adventure.
Now 12+ years ago when we started to live in an RV and I went to my doctor for my “last” check-up with him; I remember him telling me due to the fact that I do have bad lungs (Severe Chronic Asthma)-I would have to take altitude climbing very serious and gave me strict instructions to go by; and they were: anything over 4000 feet, I must only go about 500 feet a day, come back down at night, got back up during daytime for about 2-3 days. At any point if I felt heaviness in my chest-descend immediately and don’t go back up! He didn’t think I could ever really go high in elevation and stay any length of time.
Have I taken his advise? Well, no not actually. And I haven’t done bad-until now….Since starting our travels, each year my asthma has improved greatly. Recently I had donated my nebulizer machine to a clinic and no longer carry any kind of inhaler. But I almost wish now that I at least have an inhaler.
I had no trouble ascending from 4000 feet to 6000 feet. Even at 7000 feet, I still wasn’t showing much sign of distress in my lungs or chest. Oh I occasionally would have a little shortness of breath after extreme hiking and would have to take short breaks to catch my breath, but Brian too was having the same effect-so nothing too worry about. Just take it easy and go slow.
Now that we have ascended to over 7500 feet, breathing started to get a little more stressful. We have been here for over a week and only hiked a couple of days with rest in between. Shortness of breath was coming more frequent-but for the both of us. I notice since being here, that I’m a little more short temper and agitated and didn’t’ know why. Surely by now we should be well adjusted to the elevation. wrong!
Generally, yes, a week adjustment is sufficient for some to acclimate their bodies to elevation. BUT it actually takes 3 months for a body to develop more red blood cells to get your oxygen level back to normal. During this time your body retains more water fluids that actually can go to your heart, lung and brain.
That still wasn’t the total case for me when we made a quick dash to the urgent care in Tierra Amarilla in NM. I started out having difficulty a few nights ago waking up with what I thought was a racing heart. I ignored it until it happened again the other night. But upon getting up yesterday I still had chest pain (felt as though Brian was sitting on my chest and wouldn’t get off), and very short of breath. As I moved around, I felt better. Going into Chama to run errands, felt fine. But after coming back and doing some work, the shortness of breath came back along with the chest pain and the racing heart. I knew it wasn’t a heart attack, but also knew something just wasn’t right.
Upon entering the clinic I was taken back immediately. an EKG was taken and my theory was right-I wasn’t having a heart attack. But it wasn’t my lungs either-for they had no wheezing and sounded clear. Which also meant there wasn’t fluid building either. So what was causing me to be in distress?
The last several days we have been socked in with rain and humidity which was enough to cause an onset of severe inflammation on all of my cartilage in my chest and rib bones. The inflammation was putting added stress on my heart-making it feel as though it was racing.
The doctor was hilarious! As she is pressing on my chest bone, asking me if that hurt-Brian makes the comment back that oh no we got a quack! She turns around and actually smacked him!
But in all seriousness, I had to have an anti-inflammatory shot to reduce the swelling so that I can get back to enjoying life! I actually had a wonderful team and got excellent care in such a small tiny community.
But at first the doctor talked about us having to descend back down. I was devastated, for we already had paid for the Cumbre & Toltec Train ride and I wasn’t ready to leave the area yet! I now don’t have to leave!
But here is a few tips for those that are planning on traveling to higher country and they are not acclimated to the elevation:
- Don’t go from 0 to 100 ! What I mean by that, is let’s say you are at sea level and you plan on camping at 10,000 feet above sea level. Do it in increments. Start at 4000 feet for a night, then climb a few thousand and stay for another night or two. Providing you are not having any difficulties or your body isn’t in stress.
- Once in high elevation: don’t over exert yourself-even if you feel fine. Wait a day or two. Even setting up camp can be stressful to your heart and lungs and you don’t know it.
- Don’t drink alcohol the first night or two-again give your body time to adjust. alcohol goes to the blood stream faster in higher elevation.
- Take water pills and an anti-inflammatory pill (ibuprofen) to help reduce extra fluid build up in your body. But please consult your physician first; specially if you have any medical conditions.
- Headaches. This is normal to most that ascend. But if gets extreme-then it’s probably a warning sign that you may need to descend.
- Loss of Appetite: This could be the beginning and warning sign that something isn’t right, don’t ignore it!
- Agitation or Grumpiness: Remember, less oxygen the higher you go, which means less oxygen for the brain-can make one more grumpier than normal.
- Shortness of Breath: this is very common when ascending and can be expected. However, if gets extreme even when sitting down-then it’s time to think about descending! Seek professional help!
- NAUSEA: If you get to the point that you feel sick, you need to seek professional help and descend immediately!
- Dizziness Or Light Headed: Once again-you need to descend ASAP! This means fluid is starting to build and you need to go back down and seek medical attention.
Unfortunately because my lungs are damaged due to past asthma attacks, I will not be able to spend any time over 9000 feet and above. I can go for the day and be okay, but not overnight. So elevation I must always know how high I’m at.
Remember: this is just an advise, and before any elevation climbing, check first with your own physician before going on such an adventure and don’t ignore your own body’s warning signs. Only you know what your body can or cannot handle.
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