altitude sickness? what to do?

[Pam P]

I live in Minneapolis MN. Thursday I flew to WY to spent a long awaited visit with my brother who lives here. I haven't been to WY since is was a kid. I had chemo on Wed. so I knew I'd be tired for a day or two whe I arrived and could handle that. I haven't been straining my energy, mostly sitting & talking & resting. I didn't feel sick until Sat./ yesterday. I rode with my brother to a tire store & we were waiting to get the tires serviced. All of a sudden I started to feel weird, dizzy, nausea, I sat down, asked my bro to get me something to drink, drank some, put the cold can on my forehead and asked my bro to sit next to me so I could put my head on his lap. I got more and more dizzy & then passed out. I woke up to my bro repeating my name over & over, finally looked around to see I was covered in my own vomit & I'd also messed my pants. I would have been totally humiliated - and was embarrassed but too sick to care much. He said I was shaking & out for over a minute he thought. He wanted me to go to er but I just wanted to go home & get in shower. I've been weak & achy since. I'm trying to get in lots of fluids & I just ate some yogurt last night. People here say it's altitude sickness & the smptoms seem to match what I've looked up on the internet. People say it usually goes away in a couple of days.I'm not high in the mtns. only about 6000 ft, but it can happen at this level. I don't go home until Fri. and can't really afford the expense of a last minute flight change. Plus I want to see my brother more - it's been a long time. If I'm not feeling better Monday I'll call my oncologist office at home & see what they recommend. Has anything like this happened to you? Thanks. Pam

[Barbara H.]

Hi Pam,
I live in the Boston area and I have had friends who have experienced this when they have skied at higher altitudes. These are friends that have no health issuues. They claim sometimes you get altitude sickness and sometimes not. You never know when you will be vulnerable. You should have it checked out because they can provide you with some oxygen for the night or when you need it. I had it when I was a child vacationing in the Rockies. I still remember how sick I was. My parents finally took me to the hospital and I was given medication that cured it in an hour. Whatever you do, don't drink. I have heared that it makes it worse.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[CLTann]

Hi,

Did you take your blood pressure when the weakness hit you? Hypotension (extreme low blood pressure) gives the exactly same symptoms. Drink plenty of fluid to increase your volume. Lie down with your head flat to the body. If your b.p. was normal, then you have the other problems. Just a thought.

Hope you feel better.

[chrisy]

What you had did match symptoms of altitude sickness. Even though your are only at 5000 feet, remember you went there from basically sea level with no chance to acclimate. Then put chemo on top of that! Drink lots of water and don't exert yourself at all, your body should get used to the altitude in a day or so if that was it. But definitely call your doctor.

Take it easy.
Chris

[BonnieR]

I feel the fact you lost consciousness warrents a visit to a doctor or at least a call to your onc.

[Terri B]

Pam,

With that kind of loss of control, it could indicate a brain injury.

I hope you visited a doctor, girl. Please let us know how you are doing.

[Pam P]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Just want to let you know I'm feeling fine now. It must of have been the altitude sickness. It came on so suddenly & seemed so extreme. But I haven't had any similar symptoms since. I am being careful to drinks lots of fluid & have not done anything more physical than stroll through a park. It's definitely killed any urge I had to hike - or drive - up the big mtns. I fly home on Friday. I have an appointment on Aug. 6 with the oncologist so will also report the incident there. Thanks again. I love it that I can come here for your wisdom & support.