Comments on: Diamox and acclimatisation http://otbiking.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/diamox-and-acclimatisation/ High Adventure, Low Impact bike tours in the Indian Himalayas Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:01:54 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Dave http://otbiking.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/diamox-and-acclimatisation/#comment-1802 Dave Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:37:06 +0000 http://otbiking.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/diamox-and-acclimatisation/#comment-1802 Hi Cass, I took only 2 tablets of Diamox last year on Menali- Leh, just to help with sleeping at our highest camps. I certainly did get more sleep but the intense tingling in the arms and fingers made the experience rather unpleasant. I would advise carrying some, 'just in case.' Dave Hi Cass,

I took only 2 tablets of Diamox last year on Menali- Leh, just to help with sleeping at our highest camps. I certainly did get more sleep but the intense tingling in the arms and fingers made the experience rather unpleasant.

I would advise carrying some, ‘just in case.’

Dave

]]> By: Cara http://otbiking.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/diamox-and-acclimatisation/#comment-1097 Cara Thu, 17 May 2007 08:21:01 +0000 http://otbiking.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/diamox-and-acclimatisation/#comment-1097 Thanks for your input on Diamox, Simon. It's true you need to take it in advance, but latest medical news recommends 2 days to 24 hours before ascending over 3000metres. Also very true, it totally depends on the person - how you react to altitude and also how well you get on with Diamox. Cass and I haven't tried Diamox ourselves, but this year I plan to as a self-test. Like you say, even if you've been at altitude in other places, you should assume each new place is different - your body may or may not react the same. And it doesn't depend on fitness! Thanks for your input on Diamox, Simon. It’s true you need to take it in advance, but latest medical news recommends 2 days to 24 hours before ascending over 3000metres.

Also very true, it totally depends on the person – how you react to altitude and also how well you get on with Diamox. Cass and I haven’t tried Diamox ourselves, but this year I plan to as a self-test.

Like you say, even if you’ve been at altitude in other places, you should assume each new place is different – your body may or may not react the same. And it doesn’t depend on fitness!

]]> By: Simon http://otbiking.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/diamox-and-acclimatisation/#comment-1095 Simon Thu, 17 May 2007 04:45:05 +0000 http://otbiking.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/diamox-and-acclimatisation/#comment-1095 I think that it important to stress that it has little to do with your physical preparation and level of fitness. You are either genetically predisposed to operating better at altitude or not. You can get race whippits who struggle above 3000m and bloaters (like me) who seem to do OK. I guess the only thing you can say with certainty is that you won't know until you try it...but if you don't anticipate it, diamox isn't much use (I think that you need a couple of days before its effects kick in). Neither Sarah or I used it (although we did take Gingko in advance). In Pakistan Sarah really struggled over 4500m, but in India had no real issues. As you say, there is no substitute for good acclimatisation, but even then, that may not be enough for some. I think that it important to stress that it has little to do with your physical preparation and level of fitness. You are either genetically predisposed to operating better at altitude or not. You can get race whippits who struggle above 3000m and bloaters (like me) who seem to do OK. I guess the only thing you can say with certainty is that you won’t know until you try it…but if you don’t anticipate it, diamox isn’t much use (I think that you need a couple of days before its effects kick in).

Neither Sarah or I used it (although we did take Gingko in advance). In Pakistan Sarah really struggled over 4500m, but in India had no real issues. As you say, there is no substitute for good acclimatisation, but even then, that may not be enough for some.

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