Altitude sickness

I went to Breckinridge to ski with my dad and brother like 7 or 8 years ago and I got so sick from altitude sickness. I have moderate to severe asthma, so I was at a higher risk for it than an average person.

The worst we're the first two days. After that, I adjusted enough to feel ok when skiing. Part of the reason I may have gotten so sick was because we literally got off the plane, drove like half an hour, and then went snowmobiling. They say that you should take it easy your first day to let your body acclimate.

FH and I visited Colorado for the first time this past fall. I had never heard of altitude sickness, but holy moly it is pretty awful! I didn't get sick per se, but I could barely walk up a flight of stairs. FH felt very ill, even after we returned home to our sea level home. I've read that you should spend a day in Denver before heading into the Rockies. This helps your body to better adjust. Also drink all the water and not all the beer. Don't be like xtine.

(I feel you on sea level living. When we landed in Denver, FH looked at the flight map on the screen and said, "Hey, the altitude thing is broken. It still says we're 5,000 feet in the air." I said, "no honey, we're just at 5,000 feet altitude. Because we're in Denver and not in Boston." "....ohhhhhh.")

You can get medicine (probably from a doctor). You start it like 2 days before your trip. I took it when I went to Peru last summer and it helped quite a bit. I got sick once when I first got there but then I was fine. I was also over 3 miles above sea level so much, much worse than what you will experience probably so it may help you more.

I've never experienced it bad, but I usually don't feel well for the first couple of days when I visit family in Colorado. The best advice I've received is to rest and take it easy at first, and drink a LOT of water.

My husband and I were married in Colorado last summer and I was super concerned about the wellbeing of our guests since we were married at 12,000 feet. You can visit your doctor and get a prescription for a drug called acetazolamide. You start taking it before your trip in preparation and continue it throughout. It is supposed to help prevent altitude sickness but it has the side effect of making anything with carbonation in it taste terrible. If you are big beer drinkers there are breweries alllllll over the place in Colorado and it will definitely ruin your fun. Most of the stores up in mountains also sell canisters of oxygen. It's like a hairspray can that you put up to your mouth, press the button, and inhale. If one of you experience altitude sickness the canisters can help reduce your systems until you get to a lower elevation. Oxygen bars are also trendy too for the same reason. I agree with the previous suggestion, spend a day or two in Denver and get used to 5300 feet before going up into the mountains right away.

Talk to your doctor about risk factors-any medicines you may take, etc. and definitely look into Acetazolamide! My doctor informed me of it AFTER my previous trip to CO. But still be cautious if you go high into the mountains- I thought I had done everything right- we drove from Chicago, spent 4 days in Fort Collins and Denver, then went up to Breckenridge. I had a minor headache the night before and felt a little off but figured I was just tired from traveling. Well, the next morning I woke up extremely dehydrated and delirious. My FH had to call an ambulance and I spent the day in the ER on fluids and oxygen. I managed to walk out of the hospital at the end of the day but it was rough. I had been to CO a dozen times before so I don't know why I had such a difficult time but altitude sickness is very real so bringing it up with your doctor won't hurt and just being mindful of it and how you feel. I wouldn't change your plans because of it though. Stay super hydrated, talk to your doctor, and have a good time!

Oh and as previously mentioned take your time going into the mountains... get acclimated to a lower elevation first.

I live in Denver now and have regularly lived/worked/visited cities at different altitudes. You'll be okay if you take it easy. If you don't, you could get nauseated/headache, etc.

Stay in Denver the first day or two and don't overexert yourself. You'll feel a little more tired than usual. Drink lots of water, and go easy on alcohol.

If/when you do go further into the mountains, TAKE IT EASY. Don't try to do the same hiking or skiing you'd do at a lower altitude. Again, drink tons of water.

The prescription others have mentioned may be worth it to you, I dunno. Ask your doc. I've taken it before and have escaped altitude sickness at very high elevations but that doesn't mean it's magic.

Thank you everyone for all your responses. It is really helpful. I know altitude sickness is real, but based on your experiences I think I'll be just fine.

I get it, too. I'm usually fine the first day or two, but I'm so thirsty. Not enough water on the planet kind of thirst. The longer I stay, the more exhausted I feel. Then the headache. I get a raging headache that won't quit with any sort of meds. Last time we went to El Paso, we drove. The headache went away about halfway home, when we dropped altitude just enough. Just rest, eat regularly, drink a ton of fluids (water and electrolytes) and you should be fine. It's bad but it's not usually do crippling I can't do anything.

I actually didn't have a big problem with altitude sickness. We moved to El Paso for a year and the biggest issue when I first got there was that I was super tired. Take it easy, especially on the first day you get there and drink plenty of water.

I'm from La Paz, Bolivia (12,000 feet above sea level) and live in Denver. Altitiude sickness is no joke (I was hospitalized for it once), so I'm glad you're taking it seriously. Drink a lot of water before you arrive, and I mean a LOT. Once you get into town, like others said, take it easy and try to stay in Denver's lower elevation before continuing up. You may also want to consider buying oxygen in a can, which you can find at shops up in tge mountains. Try to avoid eating heavy meals for the first day or two, and definitely refrain from drinking a lot of alcohol as well.

My sister lived in Denver and when we visited we didn't have any major issues. We went up in the mountains but stay hydrated and don't plan on doing anything particularly difficult in terms of being physical. My dad had to move her into her apartment and he got sick going up and down stairs moving boxes all day.

Drink lots of water and get a portable oxygen tank if you need it

I live in Colorado and honestly didn't notice a difference - but I didn't go hiking much when I first moved here. The first day or two just don't drink a lot of alcohol, do drink a lot of water, don't hike too much or go too high. Spend a day or two getting acclimated before you venture out.

My dad made fun of it when he visited but then experienced it when we went to RMNP. We were just driving and getting out for quick walks to viewpoints. Not after long he said he couldn't do it anymore - and it's a marathon runner so is in shape. Even then it wasn't bad, he just was a little dizzy and didn't want to walk anymore.

It's beautiful here so don't let that stop you! Just chug more water then you think and don't do any strenuous activities - unless you're in the hotel....

I got it on my trip to Colorado springs. I had been to Denver with no issues but when we went hiking in Colorado springs, I got really dizzy and short of breath. If you get to that point, pause until you feel better. After a few hours, your body should get acclimated to the change in elevation.

We just got back from the area. Of all the times I've been there, I've usually never noticed anything except for one trip to 14,000 in the Rockies. We made sure to stay hydrated, and when we went hiking at higher elevations we took it slow.

I'm one of the lucky ones who never got ill, despite living near sea level. It's great you're thinking ahead; sounds like trying the Rx would be the way to go, just in case....

The first time I went to Colorado to visit my best friend we went to a Rockies game and I became really sick from the altitude. They recommend drinking at least two bottles of water as soon as you land at the airport. Just stay hydrated while you're there, it's very hot but not humid.