Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Best drugs to ward off altitude sickness?

Does anyone know best drug to take to ward off altitude sickness? I have heard that you need to start taking aspirin before you feel bad. Is that true? Does anyone know of a good regiment for what, when, and how much to take?

you can learn at:

http://www.ismmed.org/mmic_nav.htm

also there is a wealth of info on this message board. Just look around and use the search function.

Advise check google for recent info on double blind studys on Ginko Biloba as AMS specific. I climbed Mt Dana last Saturday from the bay area with no time for acclimatization. I took 125mg. 2/daily for 5 days prior absolutly no symptoms. A word of warning- Ginko Biloba is not recomended to be used with asprin as hemorages havce occured. I will be climbing Whitney July 6-9, more info after.

What ever happened to the concept of being able to climb mountains with out the aid of drugs. I find it disturbing that a lot of people on this site, find the drug trend to be a great idea. It might help, but what about the sense of satisfaction, of knowing you can make it to the top of a mountain with out supplements. Is it you or the drugs getting you to the top??? Just a thought.....

There is no substitute for aclimization. Without such Diamox, Decadron & the like will not protect you from getting sick. They have their place, but they do not make you superman.

Drugs lead to genetic engineering, and later to cybernetics. We Are The Borg. Resistance is Futile.

How about just trying hard, having fun and NOT make the summit a priority?

Acclimate in the Mammoth Lakes area. You will be fine without the pills.

Read a report on <a href="http://www.geocities.com/hikeofyourlife/minaretcreek.html">Minaret Creek Trail</a>

I don't have it done yet, I have many photos. This trail has everything from rocks to lakes to meadows, it's only 15 miles round trip, start at 7600 feet and wind up at 9800, it will get your lungs going and your camera clicking.

Hurry up before the campers fill all the sites.

Lata

I think many of your comments are right. But I think my question was wrong. A better question would have been:

What is the best strategy to manage pain from all sources during the long Whitney day-hike?

Context:
--I live at sea level and am planning to do Whitney in one day without more than one day at 8000ft prior.
--I’m in my mid-40s, a little (lot) overweight, but can hike 10 miles w/ 2500ft gain in 3 hrs.
--I’ve been to 14,000+ (8 mile hike from 11,000) before with minor headache and don’t want a severe headache to made the day un-enjoyable.

Here is a summary from a review of this message board and other sources,

Pain Management Strategies (listed in order of use):

1) Physical conditioning – might not help with AMS but good for other pains
2) Gradual acclimatization – best strategy but not possible for many day-hikers.
3) Water intake – Force yourself to drink till you have to pee, clear and copious.
4) Food intake – Force yourself to eat 300cal/hour or more. Fatigue will amplify other pains.
5) The “Rest Step” – a good way to rest those muscles without stopping
6) Breathing methods – deep breathing, pressure breaths – mixed opinions on some techniques but everyone seems to agree “take deep breaths with max expel”.
7) Once AMS symptoms become severe, turn back before you get into big trouble – no other solution exists (unless you believe in 10 below).
8) First timers: limit yourself to pain killers until you know you’re susceptible to AMS and willing to try more aggressive treatments. Take your favorite pain reliever as a preventative before headache starts and during the hike. The mixing of different types is easier on the stomach but don’t overdose on them.
9) Once you know your susceptible, more drastic drugs are available (i.e. Diamox, etc.)
10) Pain management strategies for those who believe in antidotal evidence – OK, many of us will use these first, but beware.

Sounds like you have done your research. All of those things really help. Most of my friends, including myself like taking a long lasting 8-12 anti inflamatory med like Alleve (naproxim sodium) to cut down on sore muscles and pain. (It is a long hard hike for most of us) We also have Diamox with us. It is not good to mix Diamox with Motrin since they both can give you GI upset. That is no fun. Most people experience altitude issues on a one day hike. On a one day hike (coming from sea level) I always have some of that. But once it goes past simple feel not so good and frontal headache, I find another 1000 feet puts you over the edge. So if the Altitude comes on bad at 12000 feet you will not make it to the top. If you are close, you can try to minimize the pain with pain killers and stick it out.

Jmk, I've spent a lifetime at sealevel, living in San Francisco for my first 21 years, and then the rest of my years in the Los Angeles area and San Diego. I've put a lot of mountains under my feet. Over the years, especially in my 40s, I started suffering severe headaches above 8,000 feet, despite the fact that I was in excellent physical condition, etc. A good friend of mine, another hiking buddy, suggested I try taking aspirin. I told him that when I took aspirin at altitude, after I had come down with the severe headaches, it seemed to do me absolutely no good. He suggested I take another approach. He challenged me to start taking two standard aspirin tablets every four hours a full day before going to altitude, then stop once I arrived at altitude. You know what? I tried his regimen, and it absolutely worked! I started doing it years ago, and have never had a problem with severe headaches at altitude since. It worked for me, but may not work for others. Since you only get a mild headache at 14,000, you may not need to take anything. Just work on getting acclimated before your big climbs, as suggested by many others. Happy, safe climbing!

Good job Wayne!

I swear by just taking plain old, good ol' aspirin. Thins the blood and makes your heart work a little bit less. I take a Tylenol sub (cheaper) along with it and lay off the beer and I'm fine, though sore the next day.

Diamox? I suppose if you're desperate, but why are you that desperate? You know when and where you are climbing, how about a little bit of sane prep?

I am also a low-land resident and the only unpleasant symptom I usually notice while on Whitney is a very mild head-ache. I do usually take tylenol or advil in the morning and once again during the day. On one trip a partner suggested that plain old aspirin was the best. So the following summer on my next trip I took aspirin and I became so naseaous I almost turned back. I know its different for each person, but plain old aspirin definitely did not work for me.