topic Re: DH has altitude sickness in Community Chat

DH has altitude sickness

Witchy Woman — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 14:51:34 GMT

In the scheme of things, this is minor, but my husband is NEVER sick. Never. In all our years together I can count on one hand the times he said he wasn't feeling good.

He's in Colorado for a family wedding and called this morning sounding miserable. Throwing up, short of breath and can hardly make a set of stairs. He wasn't sure he could eat and hadn't even had a cup of his beloved coffee!

I feel so bad for him and can do nothing. Told him to consult with his sis and the lodge where he is staying. Go to a hospital if necessary. I would head straight home, but that is me.

Unfortunately, after flying into Denver, he had to drive 3 hours to the location! Oy!

I stayed behind to care for our diabetic kitty, and it's likely good that I did. I'm sure I'd be on the floor as I am easily car and sea sick and have a sensitive stomach.

I know it will pass, but I'm worried about him. Just needed to say so.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

patbz — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 14:59:48 GMT

Google "altitude sickness" and have your husband speak to a pharmacist for OTC meds.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

dancingwoman — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:05:57 GMT

@Witchy Woman If your DH continues with symptoms he should go to urgent care .... if he’s very short of breath he may need some oxygen. What elevation do you live at? I live at 7000 ft and have had a few visitors come down with it..DW

Re: DH has altitude sickness

patbz — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:22:14 GMT

I live at 6500 ft and several years ago I felt light headed and then I fainted. I ended up in emergency room and they asked me several questions including "do you live here or are you visiting?" My problem was that I needed an adjustment in blood pressure meds (it had been prescribed when I lived at 3000 ft).

Re: DH has altitude sickness

Cakers3 — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:24:26 GMT

@Witchy Woman Your DH needs medical attention. He has classic symptoms of altitude sickness (also called mountain sickness).

He most likely is dehydrated. Water, water, water.

I've been to Colorado for decades and staying hydrated kept me from serious symptoms other than a headache for the first day or two. Eventually I didn't even get headaches.

While some people, like my own DH just needed to hydrate, some people can end up with their symptoms causing more harm.

I don't mean to scare you and I am not a medical professional but I am very familiar with mountain sickness.

He needs hydration; not just for the vomiting but because of the higher altitude causing dehydration, too.

He's going to feel it. Not everyone does but most need to adapt.

Some will feel better after hydrating, some will not. It is best he sees somebody at an urgent care center just to be sure.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

Fressa — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:28:33 GMT

I flew back and forth to Colorado for three years. It sounds like altitude sickness and he needs to see a doctor. The hotel usully has a contac and some have one on staff. I also had a problem with the water. It made me ill as well. Once they put some iv liquid in him and give himmeication for the vomiting he'll start to feel better. Bottled water as well and be careful of any drink that has water mixed in with the ingrediants.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

dancingwoman — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:29:45 GMT

@Witchy Woman Please let us know how he’s doing... visiting the mountains can be sketchy the older we get. Please listen to me and @Cakers3 and @patbz . We don’t mean to scare you but he may need medical attention....DW

Re: DH has altitude sickness

depglass — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:36:53 GMT

My sympathy to your DH, hope he makes it through this OK. Mine has attitude sickness.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

Witchy Woman — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:42:19 GMT

@dancingwoman

He told me they had oxygen at the Lodge and he took it for only 30 seconds. Doesn't seem long enough to me.

We are in Maryland, so we are low, under 200'

I agree he should go to urgent care, and told him so. Ultimately, he's in control and I can only make suggestions.

I'm hoping his sis will be helpful.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

alicedee — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:43:25 GMT

@depglass wrote:
My sympathy to your DH, hope he makes it through this OK. Mine has attitude sickness.

I caught that, @depglass !

I sincerely hope both DH’s involved make speedy recoveries.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

Witchy Woman — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 16:25:54 GMT

Thanks for your replies. It confirms for me that I'm not overreacting.

I want him to come home. His breathing has already been comprimised from many years of smoking (quit at 40), and some lung damage. He's short winded going up steps.

Just feel so bad for him as he's now facing a long drive back to the airport no matter when he leaves. I'm sure he'll try to stick it out until Monday.

I have asked for an update via text and not heard back.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

depglass — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:55:06 GMT

A visit to an emergency room might clear him to travel, easing your mind. Then again they might keep him for a few hours. This is not the time to worry about money, I'm assuming you have insurance.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

Witchy Woman — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 15:59:11 GMT

@depglass

Yes to insurance.

I encouraged him to take immediate action and go to Urgent Care of hospital. I'm sure he's reluctant.

The wedding is tonight and he's not scheduled to fly out until Monday.

I'm hoping to hear back from him soon.

If not, I'm calling his sister. It's her son getting married and, she's a smart woman.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

Sandyx3 — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 16:37:09 GMT

@Witchy Woman

I had a similar experience -- scared the heck out of me! My DH and I arrived in Colorado Springs (we live on the east coast) and shortly thereafter, I had a nice shrimp salad lunch. We then went to our hotel room - within minutes, I felt the room spinning and laid down; along with the inability to stand up, I felt nauseous. First thing that I thought of was possible 'food poisioning', (since my DH didnt feel like I did, and he didnt have the shrimp salad.)

DH went to the phamacy within the hotel, and the pharmacist asked where we were from. Hearing that we came from the east coast, he gave DH Pepto Bismol and Dramamine for 'altitude sickness'. Also recommended hydration. (I was relieved to learn that it wasnt food poisioning!)

It did help me get over feeling so awful; and my body did get acclimated to being there within a few hours.

Hoping your DH feels much better soon!

Re: DH has altitude sickness

golding76 — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 17:00:29 GMT

Witchy Woman,

I tend to fret much, but I think I'd advise your DH to visit an urgent care facility or emergency room ASAP.

There should be no fooling around with these symptoms that have disrupted his natural flow of body energy and processing to keep alive.

Best of luck to your husband!

Re: DH has altitude sickness

on the bay — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 17:40:30 GMT

@Witchy Woman -

I would be very worried too.

Those symptoms are not something to fool around with and usually when someone is that sick it is hard to think clearly.I'd definitely call his sister and have her get him to an urgent care.-

from google-

"Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the mildest form and it's very common. The symptoms can feel like a hangover – dizziness, headache, muscle aches, nausea. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a buildup of fluid in the lungs that can be very dangerous and even life threatening.Dec 23, 2018"

Re: DH has altitude sickness

K9buddy — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 18:21:44 GMT

He needs to have his blood pressure checked!

Re: DH has altitude sickness

chickenbutt — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 18:33:43 GMT

I hope he's improving. I can tell you, from first hand, that this is miserable. One time I had a combination heat stroke and altitude sickness. I just wanted to die and it all be over.

But, seriously, they had to get somebody and they took me down the mountain on a stretcher. It was not as horrible as it felt. I just had to lie around the rest of the day and I can't remember how long it affected me, as it was decades ago. But I remember while I was still up there I was on the ground and I could not even get up. My husband kept me awake while my sister and her husband ran down for help.

Hope he sought help if it wasn't going away fairly quickly, just to be careful.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

Kachina624 — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 18:44:28 GMT

His symptom are also similar to those of a heart attack. He. needs to be checked put by a doctor.

Re: DH has altitude sickness

hckynut — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 20:15:21 GMT

@Witchy Woman

When he gets back to your 200' sea level, I think it would be a good idea for him to have his Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Systems checked by his PCP, or a specialist in each field.You mentioned the #40, not sure if he quit smoking at age 40, or 40 years ago.

A healthy man that is reasonably physically fit, should not get "short of breath" at a 200' sea level from walking up steps, unless your are talking around 20 or so 8" steps.

I am personally very familiar with damaged lungs and have had 2 Cardiac events(heart attacks) and know a bit about issues with the heart and the lungs. Just a suggestion, not medical advice.

Hope the rest of his time in Colorado is more pleasant and enjoyable for him. Also, we have had 2 diabetic cats we had to inject with insulin every day. Hope kitty is doing ok also.

hckynut