concussion issues at high altitude?
 

Next month I am leaving to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. I was rear-ended in June, resulting in a concussion and post-concussion syndrome. I'm still getting migraines, nausea, am hyper-sensitive to sound and light, and definitely am not back to my pre-accident activity level (where I was training for the climb). I'm not running. Walking is fine, but I tire easily.

Also in preparation for my climb, I have raised over $10,000 for colon cancer research and screening awareness in honour of my dad, who died last summer just six weeks after being diagnosed with colon cancer. Clearly, this climb is very important to me, personally. It's more than a climb. It's for my dad. Not going is not an option, but I'm aware that I may not summit. (Probably won't summit?) I've been reading a few wilderness and adventure doctor blogs/sites, which indicate I'm not at greater risk for HACE. Does anyone have any experience with concussion symptoms at altitude?

I'm not looking for a miracle, but some hope would be nice.

you're really going to have to take it day by day. don't do it if you don't feel good enough. trust me, you don't want this thing hanging around longer than necessary or getting worse. you have a whole lifetime once you are all better. just see hoe you feel and be careful if yhou do it.

You don't post where you are so:

At what altitude do you currently live?

At what altitude do you currently train?

Go train at 1 altitude differential above your normal for a few days and see how you are affected? :

I.E. If you are currently at/near sea level living/training, then go at/near 6800 ft. above sea level, and train awhile.... as that can be an altitude that altitude illnesses can be felt, and some altitude illnesses can appear within immediate time relations up to 72 hours of exposure to that altitude, so you could note any ill effects.

And many areas at that altitude are still near areas with access for immediate care, and highway access to leave when not feeling up to further exposure.

Great project. Good for you for perservering.

I live more or less at sea level, and flew to Alberquerque and then drove up to Santa Fe @ 7000 feet. My three days there were pretty tough....and I think a lot of how I was feelong was due to the altitude. I felt worse than usual, and very lethargic. I finally realizd I needed to go very slow and keep hydrated. During the night I easily drank five glasses of water or more.

Hope that helps a bit. Good luck. It will be a challenge. Sorry about your dad.

Thank you for replying.

I live in Nova Scotia, at sea level. We are surrounded by water! Although it's a great idea, I have no opportunities for practising at any kind of altitude, unfortunately. All I can really do is hill repeats on a >1000 ft trail, which helps to mimic the physical exertion.

Best thing is as mentioned, take it easy, very easy and if you start experiencing issues, then best to return to a lower elevation.

Couple of years ago my family drove to Tucson and up Mount Lemmon. We took the Sky Ride up to the top of the mountain, and after about 20 minutes, my brain was not feeling normal (this was 2 years post concussion). I immediately got back to the parking lot which was lower elevation.

I can tolerate higher elevations much better now - hiking around Humprey's Peak near Flagstaff is no problem.

Good luck and very sorry about your families loss.

Mike

Wish I was going to climb Kilimanjaro, I'm a climber myself:)

Are you an experienced climber?

I live at just under 9000 ft out West so can't really say if the altitude makes my concussion feel worse as I'm used to it.

You live at sea level so the altitude might be a problem especially as you're not being able to practice climbing to see how you feel.

A lot of visitors here experience issues. I'm not climbing right now or even walking up hill because of all the issues I'm having.

Have you spoken to a Dr?

I was driven up Mt Teide on Tenerife with lingering PCS symptoms (at 3,718 metre/12,198 ft, it's much smaller than Kilimanjaro). The last bit was by cable car. Did you ever blow up too many balloons at a kids' party and feel really weird and have to sit down? That was how I felt as soon as I got up there.

It wasn't actually that unpleasant as long as I didn't panic, stopped hyperventilating and had a good long sit down about every 10 steps or so. Any actual serious climbing would have been totally impossible.

See also this:-

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/1...9#.UfA_lClwb4g

If you're asking me, considering climbing up Mt Kilamanjaro at the stage of PCS that you describe sounds like a really, really bad idea - and a very dangerous one at that. You can't even run and you want to climb the highest mountain in Africa?

I generally don't like telling people that they can't do things, and I know you came on here looking for hope - but for the first few months after my concussion I had unrealistic expectations as well, and I know from experience how the brain can make up for a lack of insight with overconfidence. I took risks at work that could have turned out really badly, and I needed someone to tell me 'look, you're not up to this right now'. So I'm not trying to come across as all high and mighty or anything, I've been there too.

If not doing the climb is not an option (and I can see it's very important to you, understandably so) then I would postpone it, go another time perhaps with different people when your brain has healed a lot more. The symptoms you describe are your brain's way of telling you it needs rest. Your sponsors should understand if you explain it to them - and so would your dad.

You've had a brain injury (yes, a concussion is a brain injury) and that is not something to be taken lightly. If you had broken your leg, you would not be on here saying "pulling out is not an option" and asking if anyone had any experience of climbing huge mountains on crutches with a leg in plaster - you and the organisers would think it was perfectly acceptable to wait until your leg had healed before undertaking such an extreme physical challenge. An injured brain is worthy of just as much protection as a broken leg - more so, I would argue. Colon cancer research will still need funds a year or two from now.

Apologies again for putting a downer on things :( But I'm really worried for your safety & recovery from PCS.

I think it will be likely you will struggle to go past 12,000 feet or maybe 14,000 feet. As Klaus noted, the research has show the brain struggling at only 8000 feet (2700 meters)

Taking time to acclimate to the altitude will only help with red blood cells. It will not help your brain absorb oxygen.

Good luck and be careful. Be sure to have a solid plan about who is making judgement decisions. The altitude deficits most prominently were regarding judgement.

My best to you.

Best of luck with this. It will be a massive achievement for you, take you time and get regular breaks.

What your doing is truely inspiring, I am further on than yourself in my PCS, but reading what you are doing made me go on the crosstrainer for 45 minutes last night in the gym.

Thankfully no ill effects today after months of trying to get going again in the gym, previously had fatigue, headaches etc when trying before but not this time.

I was thinking about this thread last night, I posted yesterday but...honestly if it were me, I wouldn't be going on that climb especially as your concussion is so new and from the symptoms you are experiencing.

I had a concussion in late March and have been given strict instructions not to climb by my Dr and therapists.

I have terrible headaches and you describe migraines, climbing that high up the mountain is probably not a good idea and I would imagine make everything worse.

You must take good care of yourself, as Klaus mentions, can you not explain everything to the sponsors and wait?

When I even attempt to walk up very steep hills the massive headache and head pressure gets worse.

Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate your feedback. I have spoken with the guide company we're using in Tanzania and they are aware of my symptoms. I have a plan in place if/when I need to come down. I want to at least start the climb with my husband and friends. If I need to descend, it will be with an experienced mountain guide. I understand that this is likely which, of course, is disappointing, but I will not take any chances.

I am working with an osteopath and a naturopath to help my body and brain heal. I have added 400mg of B2 and 200mg of butterbur to my daily supplements. I already take 900mg of magnesium malate and DHA. I am finding acupuncture very helpful for the migraines. I took arnica montana for a week after my accident and my naturopath has just added three stronger doses over three days to address the bruising in the brain. What has been your experience with supplements?

Ultimately, as you well know, the brain will heal when it's good and ready. I find this frustrating as an athlete, where you can actually see your progress with an injury. This is a whole new ball game for me. But I am learning to be patient. I feel like I am doing everything I can to facilitate healing and am hoping my brain responds.

I'm very happy I found this group--it has been very helpful.

Re. supplements, I should add that I already take a good, balanced multivitamin, zinc, vitamin C and D3.

Sorry to hear about your dad and your injuries, but I would strongly advise you to not go. Statements of the form "X is not an option" are extremely dangerous for concussed people. I had 5 concussions in 8 months because quitting soccer was "not an option".

I used to live by the motto "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" but that does not apply at all to concussions. I climbed Kilimanjaro when I was 18 (I'm now 23) and to be honest it was pretty easy. But back then I was a normal person. Running and jumping used to be easy. Hugging people used to be fun, not scary (I'm scared that the person will shake my head too much).

I'm sorry to be so negative and I'm sure you'll resent me for saying this, but the only doctor I respect is the one I initially hated the most (for telling me I couldn't play contact sports EVER AGAIN). But now I only hate those doctors who cleared me to play just weeks after my previous concussions. Don't be me. Don't **** up your life. You don't want this life and your dad wouldn't want it for you either. Wait a year or two and then go. Sorry, but your $10K is nothing compared to the treatment costs, loss of lifetime earning, etc that stem from TBI/PCS.

Just be grateful for what health you still have and don't push your luck.
Sorry for being a downer but I wish everyday that someone had yelled at me after concussion #2 rather than coming to the realization myself after concussion #5.