Today I travelled for 3 hours by car from sea level to a mountain retreat in Cerro Punta Panama at 6,500 feet above sea level. The temperature also changed from a hot and sunny 34 C to a cool and comfortalble 19 C. I find I'm very light headed and legs are like rubber.
Has anyone had a similar experience with change in altitude. Any advice on whether I should change my daily dose of prednisone? We're here for two days of bird wathching and light hiking...if I can manage it.
Having GCA , I'd never feel any change when I sporadically go up to the North GA mountains .
The same health condition may bring different symptoms according to the patient.
Probably this is our case here.
Hope you will manage in a way for you to enjoy your staying in such a place I am sure is beautiful!
Take care.
My gut reaction, considering that pred is not a drug to be taken lightly, is not to up your dose unless you feel niggles increasing of your actual PMR symptoms. Better just to take it easy to get acclimatized, as anyone no matter how healthy would have to do. Have a fantastic time - just don't try rushing around!
i would agree with Anhaga. Your symptoms may be normal and related more to altitude change than pmr. I've experienced similar in altitude change. Besides, two days is not much time to adjust to both altitude or changes in prednisone. Chances are you will regain more comfort when you descend. Go slow and enjoy!
Yes. I experienced this going from Los Angeles to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Felt totally breathless. I lived at sea level, as I do now. At the time I did that trip, I was only 34 years old, in good health and aerobically fit. I have a friend who skis in Colorado, but lives at sea level. She has to take medication to be comfortable in Denver (mile high city) and be able to ski in the Colorado Rockies.
So, it is very possibly altitude in your case.
Cheers and all the best,
Paula
Sounds fabulous, love bird watching as well. It has happened to me as well but I put it down to the fact the oxygen levels are lower at a higher altitude. Try not to exert yourself and take care
Hey,
I'm in Atlanta!
I also think it's altitude. My son has run May Lake Wilderness Area in Yosemite for the last fifteen years. That's years before my GCA and PMR. At 9300 feet above sea level I used to have similar symptoms with my legs, head and out of breath. As the week staying there went by I became more acclimated. I don't think you would notice a difference after two days. Don't overdo it and enjoy.
We moved to Colorado, took me a year to adjust to altitude (for running) but my husband traveled by plane every week back to sea level and really struggled with the altitude.
what helped was drinking LOTS of water! Doctors orders. If you get a headache drink a Coke soda and the carbonation and maybe the Coke ingredient helps short term. A doctor said she didn't know why Coke helps but it does.
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. In all likelihood it was/is the altitude. After sending the original post late yesterday morning, I had lunch and a brief nap and my head felt much better. Today I was able to go further up the mountainside in search of the rare Quentzales bird. The guide managed to spot a pair high in the jungle canopy and our birder friends were more than pleased.
I was able to hike up a very rocky mountain trail for about 30 minutes without too much difficulty. Footing was really tricky, particularly so on the way down. The jungle growth and canopy were amazing. The altitude affected me slightly as we had driven up from the about another 500 feet in altitude.
My legs were pretty good this morning for the hike, but back to rubber this afternoon. However, my legs aren't good at the best of times. Thank goodness for hiking poles.
Thanks again.
wonderful adventure. Wish I was there