Altitude changes and CF

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MicheleGazelle

New member
When I moved to the High Desert (more than half a mile above sea level, iirc), I only had trouble with getting enough oxygen while sleeping during the first few weeks. So if I were going to take a child with CF to a high altitude, I would look into supplementing oxygen at night. On the up side, living at a high altitude for about 2 1/2 years or so probably helped save my life when I moved and ended up with bedridden with pneumonia. My ribcage size changed while I lived in the High Desert. I think the increase lung capacity it caused has benefited me enormously ever since. I think if some allowances can be made and some support provided to make sure it's not a crisis, spending some time at high altitude can be a good thing. You might read up in advance on treatments for altitude sickness. Taking the right supplements beforehand might reduce the problems it can cause. I think there is info on that or a medication you can take or something.

Good luck with this.
 
M

MicheleGazelle

New member
When I moved to the High Desert (more than half a mile above sea level, iirc), I only had trouble with getting enough oxygen while sleeping during the first few weeks. So if I were going to take a child with CF to a high altitude, I would look into supplementing oxygen at night. On the up side, living at a high altitude for about 2 1/2 years or so probably helped save my life when I moved and ended up with bedridden with pneumonia. My ribcage size changed while I lived in the High Desert. I think the increase lung capacity it caused has benefited me enormously ever since. I think if some allowances can be made and some support provided to make sure it's not a crisis, spending some time at high altitude can be a good thing. You might read up in advance on treatments for altitude sickness. Taking the right supplements beforehand might reduce the problems it can cause. I think there is info on that or a medication you can take or something.

Good luck with this.
 
M

MicheleGazelle

New member
When I moved to the High Desert (more than half a mile above sea level, iirc), I only had trouble with getting enough oxygen while sleeping during the first few weeks. So if I were going to take a child with CF to a high altitude, I would look into supplementing oxygen at night. On the up side, living at a high altitude for about 2 1/2 years or so probably helped save my life when I moved and ended up with bedridden with pneumonia. My ribcage size changed while I lived in the High Desert. I think the increase lung capacity it caused has benefited me enormously ever since. I think if some allowances can be made and some support provided to make sure it's not a crisis, spending some time at high altitude can be a good thing. You might read up in advance on treatments for altitude sickness. Taking the right supplements beforehand might reduce the problems it can cause. I think there is info on that or a medication you can take or something.

Good luck with this.
 
M

MicheleGazelle

New member
When I moved to the High Desert (more than half a mile above sea level, iirc), I only had trouble with getting enough oxygen while sleeping during the first few weeks. So if I were going to take a child with CF to a high altitude, I would look into supplementing oxygen at night. On the up side, living at a high altitude for about 2 1/2 years or so probably helped save my life when I moved and ended up with bedridden with pneumonia. My ribcage size changed while I lived in the High Desert. I think the increase lung capacity it caused has benefited me enormously ever since. I think if some allowances can be made and some support provided to make sure it's not a crisis, spending some time at high altitude can be a good thing. You might read up in advance on treatments for altitude sickness. Taking the right supplements beforehand might reduce the problems it can cause. I think there is info on that or a medication you can take or something.

Good luck with this.
 
M

MicheleGazelle

New member
When I moved to the High Desert (more than half a mile above sea level, iirc), I only had trouble with getting enough oxygen while sleeping during the first few weeks. So if I were going to take a child with CF to a high altitude, I would look into supplementing oxygen at night. On the up side, living at a high altitude for about 2 1/2 years or so probably helped save my life when I moved and ended up with bedridden with pneumonia. My ribcage size changed while I lived in the High Desert. I think the increase lung capacity it caused has benefited me enormously ever since. I think if some allowances can be made and some support provided to make sure it's not a crisis, spending some time at high altitude can be a good thing. You might read up in advance on treatments for altitude sickness. Taking the right supplements beforehand might reduce the problems it can cause. I think there is info on that or a medication you can take or something.
<br />
<br />Good luck with this.
 
L

Liza

New member
Although I am sure the elevation in the mountains of AZ are not as high as Colorado I'll add our experiences anyway.

When we lived in AZ we went camping every year for a week in the mountains on the Mogollon (sp?)Rim. Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff areas. Our girls were 3 & 7 up to 7 & 10. They hiked, went horseback riding etc. No problems. We'd go up for a long weekend during the winter, where you can ski, no problems. When we were stationed in Germany we went to Bavaria several times, again I don't know what the elevation was other than mountainous. It was the area where the original castle is that Disney modeled his after, lots of mountains. Neither of the girls had a problem.

Pre-transplant, Anna was in the Santa Cruz mountains of northern CA, on oxygen at night but not during the day with pfts at 30 with no problems. This past summer we drove from northern CA to NE, through high desert NV, Utah, part of Wyoming. Anna's pfts were at about 32 then. She only didn't feel well going through Elko, NV where we stayed the night and slept through to Salt Lake the next day. Wyoming offered no issues where we stayed the second night of our drive.

So I think it depends on how their lung functions are. As with anything CF, just be prepared to change your plans if they can't get used to it and head out. I hope they do just fine and y'all have a great vacation.
 
L

Liza

New member
Although I am sure the elevation in the mountains of AZ are not as high as Colorado I'll add our experiences anyway.

When we lived in AZ we went camping every year for a week in the mountains on the Mogollon (sp?)Rim. Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff areas. Our girls were 3 & 7 up to 7 & 10. They hiked, went horseback riding etc. No problems. We'd go up for a long weekend during the winter, where you can ski, no problems. When we were stationed in Germany we went to Bavaria several times, again I don't know what the elevation was other than mountainous. It was the area where the original castle is that Disney modeled his after, lots of mountains. Neither of the girls had a problem.

Pre-transplant, Anna was in the Santa Cruz mountains of northern CA, on oxygen at night but not during the day with pfts at 30 with no problems. This past summer we drove from northern CA to NE, through high desert NV, Utah, part of Wyoming. Anna's pfts were at about 32 then. She only didn't feel well going through Elko, NV where we stayed the night and slept through to Salt Lake the next day. Wyoming offered no issues where we stayed the second night of our drive.

So I think it depends on how their lung functions are. As with anything CF, just be prepared to change your plans if they can't get used to it and head out. I hope they do just fine and y'all have a great vacation.
 
L

Liza

New member
Although I am sure the elevation in the mountains of AZ are not as high as Colorado I'll add our experiences anyway.

When we lived in AZ we went camping every year for a week in the mountains on the Mogollon (sp?)Rim. Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff areas. Our girls were 3 & 7 up to 7 & 10. They hiked, went horseback riding etc. No problems. We'd go up for a long weekend during the winter, where you can ski, no problems. When we were stationed in Germany we went to Bavaria several times, again I don't know what the elevation was other than mountainous. It was the area where the original castle is that Disney modeled his after, lots of mountains. Neither of the girls had a problem.

Pre-transplant, Anna was in the Santa Cruz mountains of northern CA, on oxygen at night but not during the day with pfts at 30 with no problems. This past summer we drove from northern CA to NE, through high desert NV, Utah, part of Wyoming. Anna's pfts were at about 32 then. She only didn't feel well going through Elko, NV where we stayed the night and slept through to Salt Lake the next day. Wyoming offered no issues where we stayed the second night of our drive.

So I think it depends on how their lung functions are. As with anything CF, just be prepared to change your plans if they can't get used to it and head out. I hope they do just fine and y'all have a great vacation.
 
L

Liza

New member
Although I am sure the elevation in the mountains of AZ are not as high as Colorado I'll add our experiences anyway.

When we lived in AZ we went camping every year for a week in the mountains on the Mogollon (sp?)Rim. Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff areas. Our girls were 3 & 7 up to 7 & 10. They hiked, went horseback riding etc. No problems. We'd go up for a long weekend during the winter, where you can ski, no problems. When we were stationed in Germany we went to Bavaria several times, again I don't know what the elevation was other than mountainous. It was the area where the original castle is that Disney modeled his after, lots of mountains. Neither of the girls had a problem.

Pre-transplant, Anna was in the Santa Cruz mountains of northern CA, on oxygen at night but not during the day with pfts at 30 with no problems. This past summer we drove from northern CA to NE, through high desert NV, Utah, part of Wyoming. Anna's pfts were at about 32 then. She only didn't feel well going through Elko, NV where we stayed the night and slept through to Salt Lake the next day. Wyoming offered no issues where we stayed the second night of our drive.

So I think it depends on how their lung functions are. As with anything CF, just be prepared to change your plans if they can't get used to it and head out. I hope they do just fine and y'all have a great vacation.
 
L

Liza

New member
Although I am sure the elevation in the mountains of AZ are not as high as Colorado I'll add our experiences anyway.
<br />
<br />When we lived in AZ we went camping every year for a week in the mountains on the Mogollon (sp?)Rim. Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff areas. Our girls were 3 & 7 up to 7 & 10. They hiked, went horseback riding etc. No problems. We'd go up for a long weekend during the winter, where you can ski, no problems. When we were stationed in Germany we went to Bavaria several times, again I don't know what the elevation was other than mountainous. It was the area where the original castle is that Disney modeled his after, lots of mountains. Neither of the girls had a problem.
<br />
<br />Pre-transplant, Anna was in the Santa Cruz mountains of northern CA, on oxygen at night but not during the day with pfts at 30 with no problems. This past summer we drove from northern CA to NE, through high desert NV, Utah, part of Wyoming. Anna's pfts were at about 32 then. She only didn't feel well going through Elko, NV where we stayed the night and slept through to Salt Lake the next day. Wyoming offered no issues where we stayed the second night of our drive.
<br />
<br />So I think it depends on how their lung functions are. As with anything CF, just be prepared to change your plans if they can't get used to it and head out. I hope they do just fine and y'all have a great vacation.
<br />
<br />
 
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MiddleAgedLady

Guest
I spent over a month at 8,500 ft last year. I was short of breath the first day but then adjusted. However, I can't hike or bike so I was never doing anything strenuous. I did notice when we jeeped to higher altitudes (11,000 ft) that I felt like someone was sitting on my chest. With all my sinus and ear problems, I made sure to irrigate regularly with saline water. And I drank lots of fluids. If I'm there in the winter, I have to sleep with a humidifier in my bedroom as the air gets so dry and my nose bleeds. It's a beautiful place and I'm thankful I got to go!
 
M

MiddleAgedLady

Guest
I spent over a month at 8,500 ft last year. I was short of breath the first day but then adjusted. However, I can't hike or bike so I was never doing anything strenuous. I did notice when we jeeped to higher altitudes (11,000 ft) that I felt like someone was sitting on my chest. With all my sinus and ear problems, I made sure to irrigate regularly with saline water. And I drank lots of fluids. If I'm there in the winter, I have to sleep with a humidifier in my bedroom as the air gets so dry and my nose bleeds. It's a beautiful place and I'm thankful I got to go!
 
M

MiddleAgedLady

Guest
I spent over a month at 8,500 ft last year. I was short of breath the first day but then adjusted. However, I can't hike or bike so I was never doing anything strenuous. I did notice when we jeeped to higher altitudes (11,000 ft) that I felt like someone was sitting on my chest. With all my sinus and ear problems, I made sure to irrigate regularly with saline water. And I drank lots of fluids. If I'm there in the winter, I have to sleep with a humidifier in my bedroom as the air gets so dry and my nose bleeds. It's a beautiful place and I'm thankful I got to go!
 
M

MiddleAgedLady

Guest
I spent over a month at 8,500 ft last year. I was short of breath the first day but then adjusted. However, I can't hike or bike so I was never doing anything strenuous. I did notice when we jeeped to higher altitudes (11,000 ft) that I felt like someone was sitting on my chest. With all my sinus and ear problems, I made sure to irrigate regularly with saline water. And I drank lots of fluids. If I'm there in the winter, I have to sleep with a humidifier in my bedroom as the air gets so dry and my nose bleeds. It's a beautiful place and I'm thankful I got to go!
 
M

MiddleAgedLady

Guest
I spent over a month at 8,500 ft last year. I was short of breath the first day but then adjusted. However, I can't hike or bike so I was never doing anything strenuous. I did notice when we jeeped to higher altitudes (11,000 ft) that I felt like someone was sitting on my chest. With all my sinus and ear problems, I made sure to irrigate regularly with saline water. And I drank lots of fluids. If I'm there in the winter, I have to sleep with a humidifier in my bedroom as the air gets so dry and my nose bleeds. It's a beautiful place and I'm thankful I got to go!
 
H

hbollotte

New member
i live in southwest louisiana, the humidity is horrible down here. every time i have gone snow skiing in northern new mexico, i'm the one that has no problem adjusting. my husband, mom, friends were huffing and puffing walking to and from the ski lift and they don't have cf.
 
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hbollotte

New member
i live in southwest louisiana, the humidity is horrible down here. every time i have gone snow skiing in northern new mexico, i'm the one that has no problem adjusting. my husband, mom, friends were huffing and puffing walking to and from the ski lift and they don't have cf.
 
H

hbollotte

New member
i live in southwest louisiana, the humidity is horrible down here. every time i have gone snow skiing in northern new mexico, i'm the one that has no problem adjusting. my husband, mom, friends were huffing and puffing walking to and from the ski lift and they don't have cf.
 
H

hbollotte

New member
i live in southwest louisiana, the humidity is horrible down here. every time i have gone snow skiing in northern new mexico, i'm the one that has no problem adjusting. my husband, mom, friends were huffing and puffing walking to and from the ski lift and they don't have cf.
 
H

hbollotte

New member
i live in southwest louisiana, the humidity is horrible down here. every time i have gone snow skiing in northern new mexico, i'm the one that has no problem adjusting. my husband, mom, friends were huffing and puffing walking to and from the ski lift and they don't have cf.
 
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