Asthmatics at high, high altitudes?

I'm an asthmatic, and while I lived in Boulder (over one mile about sea level) for two years (and did have difficulty breathing and living there!), I have never traveled and stayed someplace with super high elevation (other than surrounding cities in Colorado with fairly high elevation, and running an ultramarathon up a ski mountain).

I was wondering if any asthmatics who have traveled to really high elevation or done treks at high altitudes have had additional difficulties, and how they have coped with it.

Thanks!

I'm Asthmatic and climbed Kilimanjro till about 19,000ft.

There is a lot of literature on the web on Altitude and Asthma..check it out.

Also, I remember about this topic somewhere on the board and I wrote and gave links of the articles and books I read on the subject.

http://boards.bootsnall.com/eve/forums?a=search&reqWord...um_scope=65000945216

Check the adventure section books in REI...also check on Amazon. I did not buy the books but read through the sections.

I also spoke to my doctor and asked for some heavy medication but in the end just ended up taking my inhaler. There was one night i was really bad with wheezing...the cooks gave me some hot water for some tea i carried...that helped. Also, meditation helped calm my nerves.

Asthmatics have done very well at altitude. In fact, some accomplished mountaineers suffer from asthma. I think it is very important to have your condition optomized, before beginning to climb.

I agree with the above post to make sure you carry your beta 2 agonist/inhaler with you, at all times. I would also advise the guide/leader that you are an asthmatic.

There have been no studies, to my knowledge, about the increased ability of asthmatic climbers who use acetazolamide. An asthmatic climber is just as "at risk" as anybody else for mountain sickness.

I have heard of some asthmatics using an inhaled steroid a few days before and during their climb, even if they don't normally take one. This would be a good question for your personal doctor.

Hope this helps and have a great climb!