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Permalink Reply by BeeAsleep on June 16, 2009 at 10:48am

My husband is an experience mountain climber, he has climbed Mt.McKinley in Alaska. Altitude has a HUGE impact on your breathing. It can be a serious problem for those who do not have sleep apnea.. This is a discussion that you should have with your sleep doctor, plus a doctor that is used to working with mountaineers. You can get altitude sickness very easily and if your breathing is already reduced it might pose a serious risk to your life. I live in Colorado at 5,280 feet, and when we have visitors go up to the mountain passes we see that they sometimes get altitude sickness.

I hope things work out for you and you are able to experience Mt. Everest.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on June 17, 2009 at 2:18am

Sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity Melvin. Even if you did not have apnea this is not the kind of trip you would want to go on without consulting a physician. Healthy people have been known to have trouble at this altitude. I would suggest a sleep study to go along with your oral device just to make sure it is working. I just recently had a pt that had switched to a dental device due to tolerance issues with CPAP. It lowered his apnea index, but his hypopnea index went through the roof. The dental devices are designed to stop the obstruction by preventing the tongue from falling backwards into the esophagus by holding it in place, and pulling the jaw forward. This is only going to be effective if your tongue is the only thing causing your obstruction. In my pts case it was not, so his problems will continue. i truly do hope that you get to go. Just be smart about it. Tha t is the type of vacation that people do not return from.

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Permalink Reply by Jerry klasen on February 3, 2011 at 10:34pm

is there electricity avaiable at the different stops to base camp Mt Everest?

 

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Permalink Reply by gordon on February 3, 2011 at 11:30pm

The machine I have gives instructions above 2500 ft I think it is, on how to make an adjustments.

Jerry klasen said:

is there electricity avaiable at the different stops to base camp Mt Everest?

 

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on February 5, 2011 at 3:56am

I just recently went to a lecture on sleep at high altitudes. It was interesting to find out that there is a sleep lab set up at basecamp. They have also done several studies at the different camps along the way. I will try to post the published research when I receive it. The most interesting point was that OSA begins to turn to CSA at high altitudes.

Jerry klasen said:

is there electricity avaiable at the different stops to base camp Mt Everest?

 

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on February 6, 2011 at 9:49pm

That is interesting Rock.  If you could find the link I would love to read it.

I think it would be really cool to make a trip such as this -- but I know my limitations. 

I have asthma and have had it for a number of years.  Back in 1998 I went to a Al-Anon convention in Salt Lake City and on the way stopped in Denver to visit for a few days.  I had wanted to see Pikes Peak and the girl I was staying with and her mom was willing to take me sight seeing.  Away we went.  At that altitude I had problems breathing and after just a short walk across the parking lot to the visitor center to use the bathroom and get something to drink, just sat there while my friend and her daughter looked around.  Sitting perfectly still I was okay for the most part -- it was the exertion of the walking plus the low oxygen levels that bothered me even with my inhalers. 

If you do go -- please keep a journal and share it with us Melvin -- I would love to read about it.

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