Message #9933

[midwif]

Ron
Diamox is taken preventively, not "as needed". It works by helping to prevent altitude sickness, not treat it.

You start taking it about 3 days prior to your trip. It works by changing the acid/base balance in your system so you handle the changes that occur when breathing so rapidly at altitude.

You take 250mg every 12 hrs. You pee a lot because it's original use was as a diuretic. It also causes tingling in your lips and fingers. Oh, and any thing with bubbles (beer) tastes AWFUL!!!

You can usually stop taking after 3rd day on the mountain, as enough physiological adaptation will have occurred by then to no longer need the diamox.

Sounds like a blast. Be interesting to hear about it when you return. I have wanted to go there for years. Or to Portillo.

Lots of details in the TR, please!