We will be climbing to the Tiger's Nest on our first day in Bhutan. Bad planning, I know, but it's what our tour does. Does anyone have advice on whether we should take meds to cope with the altitude and what to take? We will be there in April, but that probably doesn't make a difference. Thanks for any input!
Meds for Altitude on Climb to Tiger's Nest??
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Suggest you ask your doctor!
You can pay extra when you arrive at the trail and go up by horse or mule...
Which I don't think alters the elevation, Craig. lol.
dogster, the elevation is only 9,000 feet. The only problem the OP will have with the hike is tiredness due to jetlag. Hence my reco to hitch a ride...
Some people have trouble at an altitude of "only 9,000 feet." (I myself start feeling the effects at around 7,500.) The standard med is called Diamox and it comes in a generic form. You start taking it one or two days before you make your ascent.
Okay, yes some people have trouble below 10,000 feet. And often a contributor to these troubles is over-exertion which is why I am saying - instead of hiking it, ride...
Also, understand that symptoms don't necessarily appear right away (12-24 hours after arrival at high altitude) and you will hopefully be staying at a lower altitude so those symptoms may never appear.
Powerful drugs such as Diamox have side effects and may not be worth taking in this instance. As Hanuman says - check with your doc.
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids regardless of what you do as dehydration is another contributor to altitude problems - and you will be dehydrated after your long flight.
We just completed the Inca Trail (9k - 14k feet) in Peru. We did a lot of reading, talked to our doctor and went to a travel medical clinic. In the end we took diamox and drank more than normal. But we did find it difficult to know how much to drink. It seems the advice is to drink plenty of fluid but not too much.
So good luck.
http://www.theuiaa.org/medical_faq.html
I have trekked at altitude in many locations around the world and I am usually more affected by the altitude than my wife who always seems to escape the effect.
Anyone, regardless of age, sex, fitness can get acute mountain sickness during a rapid ascent if staying for more than 12 hours above 2500 metres. Most people will feel short of breath etc. above this height until well acclimatised. The only sure way of avoiding it is to ascend slowly and, if affected, descend to a lower altitude to recover. Everyone's physiology is different and there is no way of knowing how you may be affected if you have not been at altitude.
If you have any medical issues do not take Acetazolamide (Diamox) as suggested above without first consulting a physician. The only medication I would take is maybe ibuprofen for the headaches ( I did find chewing Coca leaves helped a lot in the Andes but I doubt they have them in Bhutan!!),
Other ways to help yourself are to keep well hydrated (little and often), ascend at a steady pace and take frequent rests (who cares if you are the last one to the top of the hill?). General fitness will always help to make the trip enjoyable but won't help avoid the effects of altitude - some time on the step machine before you leave will help strenghten the knees etc.
Have a great time and be sure to report back..