PCS - Climb a mountain? Sure, why not.
 

So I am 3.5 years PCS and I finally have gotten some help that I needed! After being diagnosed with a vestibular disorder I met up with an incredible balance therapist.

Since the vision therapy made me too sick, we focused on regular physio to strengthen my core and work on balance. It has made life better, and it has helped me avoid re-injuring my shoulders from over compensating from the balance issue.

So I decided that I was going to reward myself and go to Tanzania, Africa and climb Mt Kilimanjaro. My physiotherapist and I worked on identifying triggers and I had a whole plan set up to make it as easy as possible to manage.

I wasn't able to summit, but I made it to the highest camp at 4700m before the symptoms were too much (I was taking anti-altitude sickness meds which were great!). Interesting how altitude sickness and PCS have such similar symptoms.

Oddly enough, I wasn't disappointed for not summiting. I was thrilled that I made it further than my Dr thought. And, I finally stopped pushing myself and listened to my body.

Hopefully this will lead to more success and better management of PCS.

Change can happen, it just may take a little while.

Wow, amazing achievement all fronts from courage, confidence, planning, perseverance, common sense the list can go on quite a way

That was some great success. So you made an example of quote:
“Never, never, never give up.” :winky:

I am also suffering from dizziness for about 3.5 years and still trying this and that. Now I am taking a break and managing it with Xanax, Meditation and Yoga. Interesting you mentioned about shoulder problem. I too have that. I have been to so many PTs and had some success with Cranio Sacral Therapist. May be get back on to some other vestibular therapist?

You took Diamox and relieved your symptoms? That is something I can try seems like. Hope you didn't have any side effects.

Cheers!

I can't imagine how dysfunctional my brain would be a 4700m 15,400 feet. I have had enough problems at 11,000 to 12,000 feet for just 2 hours.

Quite an accomplishment.

I did take the Diamox for the entire trek. Since altitude sickness symptoms are mainly headache, dizziness, fatigue, I was hoping that it would help. And it did. This was the longest that I have gone without a headache in 3.5 years.

Apparently it isn't a long term solution, but it was nice to feel like I was managing symptoms. It also made it clear when the other symptoms (ringing in my ears etc) was from me pushing things too far.

This was a really difficult thing to do, and I don't think that I would recommend it, but the amount of peace it gave me - was indescribable. It made me feel a little like how I used to be. And that made all the symptoms and exhaustion worthwhile.

Now I am recovering and sleeping quite a bit!

Tashi delek, Tengboche,

Kudos.

Thanks for sharing with us here this indeed great good news of your Mt. Kilimanjaro experiences!

How encouraging for all of us here that you, rather than disappointed at not summiting, were in fact so pleased with how well you did do; and that you in fact in that pristine setting did listen to your body and allowed yourself to be pleased at that accomplishment.

Bravo. Well done!



Kyipu du,

Theta
( Tengboche Monastery, 1987, before the fire & rebuilding. )