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Travel to high altitude with lung condition: Need to take precautions?
We are planning a road trip to CO to see our daughter (who is isolated and Covid free) and I am wondering what people do when a person has COPD when going to a higher elevation (7240 ft). We have been there several times before, but not since he had an ablation on his heart a couple years ago. His heart is good now, but his oxygen level is typically around 91-92. Thank you.
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@sistertwo- I knew that you were very leery of going, and, as it turned out, for very good reasons. You must have been very angry and concerned the entire time. I remember one time visiting my son for the first time in Boulder. The dry air was great for my hair but very tough to hydrate. I must have drunk gallons of water.
I think that many people who are tied to a machine feel the way you did about your husband. I also think that since it is life saving that in itself is a payoff. It's very difficult to put ourselves in a position like that. Are your husband O2 levels back to his normal level?
He is doing well, thank you. Prior to getting down to Denver he was already breathing better.
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1 ReactionGood Morning, Dave. Yes, the humidifiers were supplied in each of the bedrooms at the resort. We were impressed they were provided and never thought of them not being cleaned, or the dust on the ceiling fans! We won't make that assumption again. Thank you.
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1 ReactionMr. Bill, I did not write how low his O2 levels went, because I am ashamed. But, since you asked, the finger monitor went below the 50's a few times during the nights. The last night I am certain I saw 29, but only for a second. I was in panic mode more than once, opening windows, forcing him to take as big of breaths as possible, hooked to machine (which DID help a lot), taking blood pressure, forcing him to drink water (3 bottles one night!), checking heart and O2 levels every few minutes and arguing about calling 911. Even when he was sleeping, I was checking his stats on a regular basis. We actually would have left after one or two days, but they got 14 inches of snow and the idea of an auto accident seemed like the greater of the two evils. As soon as the roads were clear I packed up and left my daughter to enjoy some solidarity on her own.
My level is typically 97-98 and ran about 93 while we were there, so his being (with O2 machine) at 88 didn't seem too far off for his daytime numbers. His runs 90-93 when we are home, without any machines.
We would never had been able to be there 'at all' without the machine.
As I said before, he is stubborn! But, yesterday he got a different CPAP machine with just a nose covering and although he refused to use it last night (used the O2 machine instead) I have to insist he gives it a chance tonight and moving forward. His doctor initially said he could have O2 hooked to the CPAP, but yesterday the respiratory department said it wouldn't be necessary. I never know who to believe.
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1 ReactionHi Merry. Yes, all back to his normal rates. I had wished the machine would have been able to go above Level 2, but that was the highest it went. According to the manual I could get it higher if I changed the setting to an "as needed" thing, which was a short-term mistake since he has sleep apnea. I had to go back to the consistent 2 setting.
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1 ReactionAnother thing we had to deal with was the lack of electrical outlets. I had to buy an extension cord and then between moving it from the living room to the bedroom, at one point the cord got lose and after the 2 hours of battery use he didn't have any supplemental air.
1) we should have never gone to Avon
2) the machine settings are new to us and our inexperience with how they work was a disadvantage
3) he got his first-ever speeding ticket in a northern TX speed-trap. Coming into Chillicothe cost us $332.17. It is their only industry (catching out of state speeders), so I guess we supported a good cause.
4) being home never felt better, but yesterday I was already planning our next vacation.
5) next week he has cataract surgery.
6) extra prayers that the coronavirus vaccines will be successful!
Life is good!
Thank you all for your earlier advice and concerns.
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1 Reaction@sistertwo- Would he not go to the ER?
Sistertwo,
I certainly admire you for your fortitude and ability to survive under less than favorable circumstances. Your husband is very fortunate to have someone like you beside him. Nothing to be ashamed about regarding the o2 levels. Been there myself when I was down and out for 3 1/2 months with flu, pneumonia, copd. Again, hang on to that strength you have. It means a great deal to have someone of your character around when the chips are down.
Mr. Bill
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2 ReactionsNo, he wouldn't go. His fear of catching covid-19 at a hospital is too strong. He might be better about it is spouses could stay with the patient, but here in the midwest that isn't an option. I don't know what the CO policy is.
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1 ReactionMy wife and I have a long-planned trip to Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado coming up. Our home is at around 2,000 feet; our destinations are all at 6,500-7,000 feet or maybe a little more, and there will be short periods at 10,000-11,000. I was recently diagnosed with IPF, mild for now. Of course I will consult with my pulmonologist, but has anybody here had experience with a dilemma like ours?