John Kelseck

Another visit to the area is definitely warranted. Our plan is to visit again soon without the Diamox and we will get a better idea of how I react to the area. I will absolutely take you up on the Doctor info when we get closer to that point. Currently I see Dr Blair Grubb at the University of Toledo, he was one of the pioneers of vasovagal syncope and the use of the tilt table to diagnose POTS. I will discuss the altitude situation with him, so far from the people I have talked with there have not been any who have had a similar experience, but as we all know POTS is unpredictable and is a case by case syndrome.

Hello Ancy! My family and I are considering to the Colorado Springs area. One of my fears with this is exactly what happened with your friend, we move and find it was a merely coincidence that I felt better. I have issues with temperature regulation as well and find high heat and humidity extreme symptom triggers. I realize moving there would not be a cure all, however, if I gained even 10% quality of life increase I think it would be a win.

I really cannot say for sure what the contributing factor was. I do know that I started taking the Diamox three days before I left to ensure that I could tolerate the medication. I did not notice any difference at that time but, to be fair, I was not paying any special attention to the relationship of the medication to symptom at that time. I noticed symptomatic relief from the time we landed in Denver to the time I landed in Indianapolis where I became symptomatic almost immediately. As far as the medication works, my understanding is that Diamox raises the acidity of the blood releasing more oxygen into the blood (preventing altitude sickness) and also is a diuretic causing water and salt to be eliminated quicker (causing dehydration). I have read reports of some unconfirmed treatment of Hyper/POTS with this, however, the only actual medical report I could find stated the opposite. I did not have the problem with dehydration as one would normally expect with higher altitude and/or Diamox as I had increased my water intake from 4 liters per day to 6 liters per day a week prior to traveling to prevent dehydration. As far as the thinner air, I currently live at around 1,000 ft elevation, sleeping at 6,500 ft elevation is the equivalent of 90% oxygen where as 14,000 ft was approximately 70% oxygen. I believe the medication balanced the thinner air at sleeping level and causing my heart to not work as hard as it would have normally. I am not sure exactly why I was dramatically less symptomatic. To put it in perspective about one hour of hard physical activity equals 24-48 hrs of incapacitation. While at high altitude I was on my feet 18 hours a day hiking/climbing/swimming without issue and I slept better than I have in 20 years. I will bring up the issue with my POTS Dr. when I see him in December.

I was diagnosed with POTS in 2013, in 2016 I more accurately diagnosed with Hyperadrenergic POTS. I recently visited Pikes Peak Colorado and slept at 6,500ft elevation for 5 days with the highest elevation traveled being 14,115ft . While there I had a dramatic reduction in symptoms. I was also taking Diamox while on the trip. I am curious if anyone with Hyper/pots has had a similar experience with high elevation.