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Posted by Bill S on November 25, 2007 at 12:55:57 pm EST
In reply to Re: Pico De Orizaba posted by rgp on November 25, 2007 at 12:33:39 pm EST

Diamox is different for different people. I adapt to altitude pretty easily and rapidly, and have never taken Diamox. But I know plenty of people who have. When I was first on Orizaba in 1996, we came across a party at about 17,000 feet, half of whom were suffering greatly from AMS, including a couple who were starting to show signs of HAPE. My party decided we should help them down as rapidly as possible (ended up not doing the summit because we ran out of time while getting them down. Most of those who were suffering had been taking Diamox. So it helps most people, but doesn't help others. Aside from not really needing it, I have always been leery of some of the side effects - the tingly fingers and toes, the fact that it is a diuretic so that you need to drink a lot more fluids, and some other things. Some people (like me) adapt well to altitude (I don't think I am anywhere close to Messner, though - oxygenless on all 14 of the 8000 meter peaks). Others, like Jim S who posts here from time to time, and my PCP aka "primary care physician" in HMO-speak, have a hard time adapting above 10,000 ft, sometimes even with the aid of Diamox (my PCP turned down a turn as expedition doctor for an Andean expedition, despite being offered all expenses because he doesn't adapt well).

If you haven't already, be sure to read Charlie Houston's "Going Higher" and Peter Hackett's books - they are the world's leading experts on high altitude.

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