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Chest tightness and travel to Colorado?

Posted by plisbe @plisbe, Oct 26, 2022

Sorry about the specificity of this comment! But, this forum has brought me and what seems many people a lot of comfort and a deeper understanding...I am 9 months in. I feel more like myself but still suffer from bad flare ups that can last a couple weeks at a time. With a flare up I have the debilitating fatigue , chest tightness and shallow breath. (I rarely have to use the albuteral or advair even during flair ups)
I am planning to go to my folks in Colorado at Christmas. I havent traveled anywhere in the past year. Their home is at 8,000 ft. Is it safe for me to go? Any suggestions on how to handle the high altitude?
Thanks All
Paula

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paige9731416 | @paige9731416 | Oct 26, 2022

Hi Paula, I live in Colorado at about 5,300 ft. and also have long-covid and some of the same symptoms you have. A few thoughts--hydrate like crazy before you travel and when you're here and bring a finger pulse ox with you and check your oxygen if your symptoms worsen. I went to higher altitude in CO this summer for vacation and took it slow, went on very mellow hikes, rested more, etc. At one time when I went on the mountain, I didn't feel well, checked my O2 and it had dropped into upper 80s, so I went down to a lower altitude and felt better. Just wanted to share my experience with you. Maybe ask your doctor too about a prescription for altitude sickness to take preventatively, given your current symptoms and ask about vitamins or supplements to help at altitude too. There's a powder called "Acli-Mate", you can mix with water I really like. Best of luck!

REPLY
1 reply
plisbe | @plisbe | Oct 27, 2022
In reply to @paige9731416 "Hi Paula, I live in Colorado at about 5,300 ft. and also have long-covid and some..." + (show)
@paige9731416

Hi Paula, I live in Colorado at about 5,300 ft. and also have long-covid and some of the same symptoms you have. A few thoughts--hydrate like crazy before you travel and when you're here and bring a finger pulse ox with you and check your oxygen if your symptoms worsen. I went to higher altitude in CO this summer for vacation and took it slow, went on very mellow hikes, rested more, etc. At one time when I went on the mountain, I didn't feel well, checked my O2 and it had dropped into upper 80s, so I went down to a lower altitude and felt better. Just wanted to share my experience with you. Maybe ask your doctor too about a prescription for altitude sickness to take preventatively, given your current symptoms and ask about vitamins or supplements to help at altitude too. There's a powder called "Acli-Mate", you can mix with water I really like. Best of luck!

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Thanks so much Paige! Wow connecting with folks via this forum is SO COMFORTING. Really appreciate your response!

REPLY
1 reply
gullive88 | @gullive88 | Oct 31, 2022
In reply to @plisbe "Thanks so much Paige! Wow connecting with folks via this forum is SO COMFORTING. Really appreciate..." + (show)
@plisbe

Thanks so much Paige! Wow connecting with folks via this forum is SO COMFORTING. Really appreciate your response!

Jump to this post

Hi Paula
In addition to Paige’s advice you may want to check to see if you can rent oxygen. I live in Carbondale and our house is at 7200ft I too have long-covid and due to the damage to my lungs I am attached to oxygen most of the time I do have my own concentrator at home and have a portable one. There is a supplier called Aerocare and they will deliver I used them after my release from hospital and they were very responsive. You may not need this service however it might give you comfort to know it is available should you need it. My COVID occurred 22months ago and I was in hospital 75days I have been spending a lot of time in Arizona at lower elevation and do not need the oxygen supplement but as soon as I get home I am back on it. My intent is not to alarm you rather to let you know that oxygen service is available.
Enjoy your trip
Trish

REPLY
1 reply
plisbe | @plisbe | Oct 31, 2022
In reply to @gullive88 "Hi Paula In addition to Paige’s advice you may want to check to see if you..." + (show)
@gullive88

Hi Paula
In addition to Paige’s advice you may want to check to see if you can rent oxygen. I live in Carbondale and our house is at 7200ft I too have long-covid and due to the damage to my lungs I am attached to oxygen most of the time I do have my own concentrator at home and have a portable one. There is a supplier called Aerocare and they will deliver I used them after my release from hospital and they were very responsive. You may not need this service however it might give you comfort to know it is available should you need it. My COVID occurred 22months ago and I was in hospital 75days I have been spending a lot of time in Arizona at lower elevation and do not need the oxygen supplement but as soon as I get home I am back on it. My intent is not to alarm you rather to let you know that oxygen service is available.
Enjoy your trip
Trish

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Wow- THANK YOU SO MUCH, Trish! Wouldn't you know- my parents home is on Sopris Mountain! We love Carbondale- Peppinos is a fav as it the fair. I have been visiting there for 20+ years. I was just going to start looking into renting some oxygen. And they deliver! That's wonderful. What a weird burden that has been placed on us, huh? I hope you are recovering and feeling some ease with your symptoms.
Thanks again- Paula

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avc529 | @avc529 | Nov 1, 2022

You mentioned Advair. Since this is a maintenance medication, perhaps if you started taking it a couple weeks before your trip, it would help prevent asthma symptoms if you experience asthma during a flare up. This is supposed to prevent asthma from flaring up, as it’s an inhaled steroid. Just a thought. Perhaps ask your doctor who prescribed the Advair to see what s/he thinks.

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