I am not an experienced climber but I want some advice for altitude sickness for climbing over 10k ft.

I want to know how to avoid altitude sickness... I read  but my Dr. had never heard of it. Is this advised?

Thanks, kaly

Hi Kaly:

Some climbers use acetazolomide (Diamox) while climbing to help their bodies adjust while acclimatizing, others use it to help them sleep at night. Also I heard that It does have to be prescribed and some doctors have never heard of it.

Tips: When first ascending above 10,000 feet is to average 1,000 feet per day. So you have to climb from 10,000 to 13,000 in one day, but to sleep at 10,000, and the next day to sleep at 13,000, and the third day just rest at 3,000 feet. In this way you will make 3,000 feet in 3 days.

Good luck and let us know if this helps you,

PS: "Acetazolamide (Diamox®) is a medication that forces the kidneys to excrete bicarbonate, the base form of carbon dioxide; this re-acidifies the blood, balancing the effects of the hyperventilation that occurs at altitude in an attempt to get oxygen. This re-acidification acts as a respiratory stimulant, particularly at night, reducing or eliminating the periodic breathing pattern common at altitude. Its net effect is to accelerate acclimatization. Acetazolamide isn't a magic bullet, cure of AMS is not immediate. It makes a process that might normally take about 24-48 hours speed up to about 12-24 hours"

See more here

Good advice.  Thanks

For keeping altitude sickness at bay, i do two things. I try to keep my elevation gain under 2000 ft. per day, and i eat foods that are natural blood thinners, along with taking aspirin or ibuprofen before going to sleep. Most of my trips happen between 9,000-14,000 feet and i never get altitude headaches unless i gain more than 4000 ft. between campsites.

Some people also interpret headaches that are due to dehydration as altitude sickness. You should be drinking a lot of water when hiking at high altitudes to the point where you have to pee often and it’s clear.

I’m pretty sure Diamox just masks the effects, and if you're having serious altitude sickness issues (HACE or HAPE), then it won’t let those symptoms show until it wears off. Just take it slow when you're gaining altitude, and enjoy the scenery.

-Ted

sorry, Dexamethasone is the drug that masks high altitude sickness. Diamox does not mask high altitude sickness.