Altitude Complications?

billanschell
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Posts: 158

Altitude Complications? Mar 15, 2012 14:29:26 GMT -6

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Post by billanschell on Mar 15, 2012 14:29:26 GMT -6

I'm writing to see if anyone has traveled to extreme altitudes after their surgery.

I'm going to Peru next month, and will spend a couple of days in Puno, which is at 11,000 feet.

Since immersion in oxygen-rich air (via hyperbaric chambers) is a form of treatment for us, I can't help but wonder if being in an oxygen-deprived environment will have the opposite effect. I'm also wondering if there are any complications with my meds (Gabapentin, Nortriptylene and Vicodin).

Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks.

Intramedullary ependymoma, T10 - T12. Complete resection 9/1/05. Probable cord tethering at surgical site. Full function but chronic pain in knees and one ankle, partially addressed by Lyrica (450 MG daily), Amitriptyline (25 MG nightly) and (small amounts of) Vicodin.

kansasmom
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Posts: 352

Altitude Complications? Mar 15, 2012 19:26:31 GMT -6

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Post by kansasmom on Mar 15, 2012 19:26:31 GMT -6

Some countries have restrictions on which meds you can bring in. You should check this for the specific countries. As to the altitude, I don't know, but I would recommend going up to that altitude gradually. When I've gone from Kansas to Colorado, even though I don't have an SCT, I found that a couple of days at an intermediate altitude made a big difference to how I adjusted.

Mom to C: L1-L4 myxopapillary ependymoma – incomplete resection April 26th, 2011. Radiotherapy - 28 sessions T11 to S5 - July to Sept 2011. Feb 2012 - main tumor stable; new extramedullary small mass at T9. 6 more weeks of radiotherapy, T8 to T10 April to May, 2012. July 2012 – small intracranial mass removed by surgery.

sandyr
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"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain."V. Greene

Posts: 120

Altitude Complications? Mar 16, 2012 13:24:49 GMT -6

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Post by sandyr on Mar 16, 2012 13:24:49 GMT -6

Altitude sickness is something that can affect anyone regardless if they have an SCT or not. I don't know if having had a spinal surgery will affect you more.

I was at the top of Mauna Kea (13,796 ft) before I found out about my SCT and experienced a slight headache, but I don't remember any additional back pain. Do stop on the way up to adjust to the altitude. The tour I took to Mauna Kea stopped at the 9,000 ft mark for over an hour before we continued on up. Astronomers that work on Mauna Kea have to stay at the 9,000 ft elevation for several days before they are allowed to work on the top of the mountain. The longer you're going to be at altitude, the longer the adjustment period needed. I was only on top of Mauna Kea for a couple hours. Fun trip though.

intradural extramedullary ependymoma L2-L4, surgery 1/11/2011
intradural extramedullary meningioma T6/7 surgery 4/11/2011
Dr. John Hsiang
Swedish Neuroscience Institute
Seattle, WA www.swedish.org

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Post by billanschell on Mar 15, 2012 14:29:26 GMT -6

Post by kansasmom on Mar 15, 2012 19:26:31 GMT -6

Post by sandyr on Mar 16, 2012 13:24:49 GMT -6

Post by lafnaqezaza on May 20, 2019 3:56:59 GMT -6

Post by inoaqeti on May 20, 2019 6:01:02 GMT -6

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