I have a chance to change jobs and live in a city at altitude. By altitude I mean 5k - 8k thousand feet. I'm a big believer in oxygen therapy, and own a mHBOT chamber. Does anyone live in a high altitude city and is still able to keep lyme in some stage of remission? My thoughts are that a low oxygen environement would let it thrive.

Any thoughts would be appreciative. I currently live in the Northeast, and would be looking at cities probably in Colorado or New Mexico.

Thanks,
Noodlydoo
 

I traveled to Peru and trekked at high altitude, up to 17,000 ft. Not fun, terrible headaches. But we didn't have enough time to adjust.

The people who live and are born there have higher red blood cell counts than others. I don't want to insult you but just in case -the red blood cells carry oxygen thru the blood to the tissues. So if you have more RBCs then enough oxygen gets to the tissues.

If you move to high altitude your body will adjust by making more RBCs. Takes a few months, I'm not sure. Also don't know if your body can ever adapt the way of someone whose ancestors have lived for hundreds of years at high altitude. Like the descendents of the Incas in the Andes, often living at 10,000 ft.

I live in the wonderful mile high city. At this time, I've improved a lot since starting abx in August 2004. I've lived here 10 years straight so my body is probable used to it.

Previously I've lived in cities at sea level. Janet is right, your body will adjust in time but keep in mind sinus and allergies are big in this part of the country.
 

First, your chamber won't work there. It's relative pressure, and at sea level you're getting much more pressure than at altitude. I researched the amoutns because 2 docs in town had portable chambers there and they did zip for me compared to home at sea level. They adjust their hardchambers for the altitude difference but you can't with the softchamber as you know, it only goes to about 1.3 ata.

I had significantly greater muscle weakness, headaches, fatigue and friggin' insomnia there. Its gorgeous and I love it but I realized until I was entirely over lyme I could not hang out there for months at a time like I used to. I spent 16 days there. I don't regret it but I did cry for about an hour on the plane coming home because I realized I could not spend months on writing sabbatical there the way I have in the past.

Even if your hemoglobin adjusts, which it will, that does not mean the relative hypoxia, and LACK OF PRESSURE, won't have deleterious effects. I really think it could. And then could you get your old job back?

I should add though that my hemoglobin must have adjusted enough that when I came home, I felt much better than normal for af ew days, without any hyperbaric to boost me or anything. I drank two glasses of wine at dinner with no problem, and felt stronger. Then back to baseline.

With lyme, its better to live at sea level.

[This message has been edited by oxygenbabe (edited 19 April 2005).]
 

If anything, I think I thrive at higher altitudes. I currently live at 6,240 ft.

IMO, knowing how you will be set up for treatment for a potential move is more important. Will your current LLMD work long distance with someone.....and who would that someone be?

How far will you have to travel for treatment?

Good luck......lightfoot

PS I have also lived at sea level (17 years)....lower AL & close to FL as well in the far north at sea level in ND.....humidity does me NO good, the dry high air is a lot better for me!!

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[This message has been edited by lightfoot (edited 19 April 2005).]
 

On the oposite end of the spectrum, when i spend time with family in Albuquerque (5,500) i feel alot better than when i am in Frederick where it is humid and sea level. Florida is hell for me, to much moisture, heat and barometric pressure.

My body is more thrown off by humidity than altitude. Spent two weeks in NM last summer...sx free the whole time..would love to move there

greg
 

By the time I get UP the mountain, Im a mess for like two days after I come home also. BUT

I have been feeling REALLY GOOD in between,and that is a first.

I think for *ME* its killing crap in my brain.

I had dormant lyme for years in my system, until a steroid shot to my knee "activated" it.

I'm just beginning treatment, so I can't really answer your question. I can say that the clear air, the countryside and mountain atmosphere is healing to the soul...and that is helpful to me.

Good luck....Tina
 

Noodly, at least spend a few weeks there and see how you feel before you make a major move.

Also, there's a big difference between 5,000 and 8,000.
 

After a few days of adjusting I felt better than I had in 7 months and was actually able to ski 4 whole days (summit around 12,000ft.)
A month before I was barely able to lift my skis never mide use them.

After returning to sea level I felt worse.
hatsnscarfs