Home         Forums  

Go Back   Marrowforums > Bone Marrow Failure Diseases > AA
Register FAQ Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

AA Aplastic anemia

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old Wed Jun 5, 2019, 02:35 PM
David M David M is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Fayetteville, TN
Posts: 92
High Altitude Vacation?

Here is a question for you...

We are considering going to Colorado for a week-long vacation in mid-June. The resort we are considering is at an elevation 9,000+ ft. My hemoglobin has been running from 8.5 - 9.5 range (usually around 9.0).

Will high altitude -- on top of low HGB -- wipe me out even more? Should I consider going somewhere that is not quite as elevated?

I don't want to go to this place if I will feel like a complete slug all week...

David M
__________________
David M, reds/whites/plats slowly declining since 2000; hypo-cellular bone marrow; diagnosed Mild AA; low counts, but stable since 2009; watch and wait -- no treatments required to this point.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old Wed Jun 5, 2019, 03:22 PM
Marlene Marlene is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Springfield, VA
Posts: 1,412
A lot would depend on how active you want to be. We're at sea level and I know when John went to Albuquerque, he got out of breath quicker doing the same level of exercise there as he did at home. His HGB runs 11 -12.

If you plan on hiking, going uphill will be more difficult for sure. Even for someone with normal counts who is not used to the higher altitude will feel it.

Staying hydrated will be important too. I am always surprised at the low level humidity in the western states.
__________________
Marlene, wife to John DX w/SAA April 2002, Stable partial remission; Treated with High Dose Cytoxan, Johns Hopkins, June 2002. Final phlebotomy 11/2016. As of July 2021 HGB 12.0, WBC 4.70/ANC 3.85, Plts 110K.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old Wed Jun 5, 2019, 07:53 PM
Sally C Sally C is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chesterfield, Va.
Posts: 470
Hi David,
I don't know what the elevation of Denver is but when I was there for a few days - with normal blood counts - my heart pounded so hard I literally couldn't sleep at night. The low oxygen really affected me the whole time I was there.
All the best,
Sally
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old Fri Jun 7, 2019, 12:46 PM
David M David M is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Fayetteville, TN
Posts: 92
Denver...

According to Wikipedia, Denver (known as "Mile High City") is 5,280 feet above sea level.

I had never really thought about high altitudes causing additional issues, but it does make sense. I guess destination altitude is something to consider when planning such a trip!
__________________
David M, reds/whites/plats slowly declining since 2000; hypo-cellular bone marrow; diagnosed Mild AA; low counts, but stable since 2009; watch and wait -- no treatments required to this point.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old Mon Jun 10, 2019, 02:19 AM
Hopeful Hopeful is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: California, USA
Posts: 769
Hi David,

I agree with the others that you may feel tired and dizzy at an elevation of 9000 ft. I use to do experiments going to the mountains for a weekend to see if the lack of oxygen would increase my hemoglobin, but alas, it did not.

Having a hemoglobin of 9 for a male is pretty low. It may be time to get another BMB for any insights (like iron stores, for example).

Hope you have a good vacation, wherever you decide to go!
__________________
58 yo female, dx 9/08, AA/hypo-MDS, subclinical PNH, ATG/CsA 12/08, partial response. small trisomy 6 clone, low-dose cyclosporine dependent
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old Mon Jun 10, 2019, 04:09 AM
DanL DanL is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 590
I live in denver and did ok down to 8.5 hemoglobin, but many people experience some form of altitude sickness, even when healthy. the key is to take it slow, don't try running. Drink a lot. it takes an extra 5 to 6 glasses of water over your first two days just to properly balance your fluids when coming from sea level.
__________________
MDS RCMD w/grade 2-3 fibrosis. Allo-MUD Feb 26, 2014. Relapsed August 2014. Free and clear of MDS since November 2014 after treatment with Vidaza and Rituxan. Experiencing autoimmune attack on CNS thought to be GVHD, some gut, skin and ocular cGVHD. Neuropathy over 80% of body.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Blood levels drop at high altitude? Meri T. MDS 4 Tue Oct 11, 2016 07:50 AM
High Calcium & High Vitamin A dfantle AA 0 Sat Dec 14, 2013 02:22 PM
Different treatments for high risk MDS stayinghopeful MDS 1 Thu Sep 20, 2012 12:54 PM
New to all this... can we still vacation? wilmasdaughter MDS 6 Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:54 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Forum sites may contain non-authoritative and unverified information.
Medical decisions should be made in consultation with qualified medical professionals.
Site contents exclusive of member posts Copyright © 2006-2020 Marrowforums.org