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Travel to high altitude with lung condition: Need to take precautions?
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Last Active: Sep 11, 2021 | Replies (45)Comment receiving replies
My 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?
Replies to "My wife and I have a long-planned trip to Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado coming up...."
Hi Rob, Great question. You'll notice that I moved your post to this existing discussion called "Travel to high altitude with lung condition: Need to take precautions?". I did this so you can see advice from community members in addition to the tips and experience that @sueinmn shared. Please see previous posts from @merpreb @davej @sistertwo @becsbuddy @mrbill
Rob, Will you be flying or driving?
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Not IPF, I have asthma, bronchiectasis, and have been on medications for Mycobacteria lung infections.
Two years ago, when travelling from home (900 feet) to higher altitudes like yours, we made the transitions very rapidly due to a short travel window. I experienced severe shortness of breath and altitude sickness that took a couple of weeks to normalize. I was shocked, as we had made the trip 2 years earlier, and to even higher altitudes, and I just had mild shortness of breath and no other symptoms.
We talked at length about it, and realized in the past our ascents had always been much slower - taking a full week to get to our first (7000) foot destination, and another week to get to our highest stopping point of 11,000 feet. Afterward I discussed it with my docs, and found the slow approach, stopping for at least 24-48 hours at the first signs of SOB, was their recommended approach. The pulmonologist also suggested that supplemental oxygen, before exertion and at night, could also help. Of course, then Covid hit, so I haven't been able to try that.
Just one person's view.
Sue