Altitude sickness while climbing Kilimanjaro?

Question

I'm climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in October and am worried about getting altitude sickness. I've read lots of recommendations and realise the most important thing is to avoid sleeping too much higher than you did on the previous night. I am also aware I should be drinking a lot of water and eating lots of carbs and avoiding sodium and alcohol.

I have deliberately chosen a slow climb to allow time to acclimatise.

I am however worried that I don't know how badly my body will react to it as I have never done any climbing before. I am contemplating getting a prescription for some kind of medication (my tour recommends diamox and decadron) however see this as a last resort just in case I was badly effected. Has anyone else got experience of using these or any other drugs and would they recommend taking them along for the ride just in case?

Also (sorry this really is the final question) has anyone heard of the use of Ginko as a herbal alternative. Someone told me to take it for two weeks before and while at altitude. Since it's herbal and fairly widely taken I assume this couldn't do any harm even if it doesn't help much, but again would be very interested in other peoples experiences.

Thanks,

Ruth

Answer 1

When we've traveled to high altitude areas like the Himalayas or the Andes, we've taken Diamox  (Acetazolamide) and it does seem to have helped.  We haven't climbed Kilimanjaro, but it's something I've always wanted to so.  We have a travel buddy who did.... made it on his second try.  The first try was one of the short climbs and was too fast for him to adjust.  

Here is the Travel Doctor page to read:  http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/altitude.h...  We have a page on general international travel health tips:   http://www.mousetourstravels.com/interna...  

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it!  http://www.mousetourstravels.com

Answer 2

its a great achievment but ur life is more precious every1s different sum didnt have a.s sime did and sum didnt live to tell the story its a rist but ur willing to take it

fare play

Answer 3

i watched some people climb it on tv they went at a snails pace even when low. i have suffered from altitude sickness but find it easier the more times i go high up. the highest i have been is 5000 metres and it is tough to do anything at that height

Answer 4

First,the bad news. Nobody knows how they are going to react at high altitude,no matter how much training or nutritional preparation they may have done. Experienced mountaineers can suffer as much as newcomers,and even your guide for the trip may succomb to  the dreaded mountain sickness. It's just how things are on the day,and quite unpredictable. If you do get problems,you'll get help to go down,slowly.You won't be feeling strong enough to rush down anyway, In a day or two.very likely you can go up again. As you say,you must drink enough,and of course a decent diet and aerobic fitness exercises may (I deliberately didn't say ' will ') help. They won't absolutely prevent it. A couple of days at 7-8 thousand feet is recommended for most high-level treks,like the Andes,for example,before going above 10 thousand feet but of course you'll be committed to what the itinerary is for the trip you're doing.if your with a trekking company. The local people in the Andes (Aymara and Chechua tribes) chew cocaine leaves to ward off hunger and mountain sickness during long walks from village to village on the Altiplano at 11-12 thousand feet. The leaves can be bought legally in most food shops and markets in Peru even at low level. Or pick your own if you find a bush. Cocaine tea bags (mate de coca)  can be bought in  supermarkets and ordinary high-street shops. (Processed cocaine is strictly illegal,and harsh sentences are given to users who are caught). If the locals do that,after genearations of local breeding on the high Andes,what chance have visitors to avoid succombing to sickness?  Time for the good news. I didn't use cocaine leaves,because I felt fine at altitude. I fact I felt fitter than at sea level! I felt great! Not euphoric,(a bad sign) but healthy and happy.So worry not.  Most people don't have any problem. Just follow the guidelines,and very likely all will be well. Companies and private guides tend to take good care of the people doing their treks. It's a lot easier if you can walk off the mountain yourself and not get carried down on a stretcher,which will mean a lot of work and bad publicity for them. If it happens,it happens,but worry not. They're used to it,and you'll be in good hands. Lord Nelson was seasick nearly every voyage. Strange world,innit? Britain's great hero of the sea,seasick! Time after time. Professional mountaineers can get mountain sickness just as much as anyone else. But most don't.  As for Ginko,it has all sorts of claims made for it,like green tea,sunflower seeds,almonds,you name it. I'd be more concerned that my malaria jabs were up to date. And the Immodium tabs and antibiotics are ready to hand. I haven't done Kilamanjoro yet but it's on my list. Wish I could do it soon,but I'm saving after my last trip. Lucky you!! Have fun.

Answer 5

A close friend of mine climbed Kilimanjaro in 2007 and had a great time.  He trained daily and was in excellent shape when he arrived.  He did not have any problems with the hike and the porters were very helpful in assisting his group.  Looking through his pictures, there were several climbers that were not in the best shape.  He said that they still did fairly well and altitude was not a big issue, but that some of the less-than-in-great-shape people in the group did take Diamox.

He did say that the biggest issue to the whole excursion was diarrhea.  It affected his camp entirely, and says that they had several very miserable days on their climb.  If he could do it over, he says that he would bring Cipro and prescription anti-diarrheal medication with him.  

Ginko is supposed to increase the amount of blood flow in the body, but it's benefits are widely disputed.  

BTW - my friend made his approach on the Machame route and descended via the Mweka route.

Best of luck with your climb.