Use of Diamox for acclimatization

Raj0410

Hi,

Is any of you using 'Diamox' tablet to assist in acclamatization during high altitude treks. I was told if you start consuming it before your trek begins, it helps a great deal and one can become tension free about AMS.

But I was also told that there are some side effects. Will you share your experience, if you had observed any side effects after consuming it ?

thanks in advance.

Rajat

vic86m

Single use may not cause any sideeffect. Even 2 is ok. You should avoid taking it frequently. Drink lot of water, Spend time acclamatising, Do some breathing exercises like yoga. You wont require any diamox then!!

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BertilR

There are numerous threads on Diamox and AMS on this forum. Read them!

praveenb

yes please read the other threads but just wanted to re-inforce, diamox MIGHT help acclimatize but it is NOT a cure all for altitude and certainly not a substitute for the key precautions. So tension free is unfortunately not possible.

madascene

Plenty of information available in this thread:
Does Diamox help?

If you don't want to go through all the posts, here's a little gist:

1) Diamox is not a cure for AMS. Once AMS sets in, the only solution is to go to lower altitude. Diamox only hastens the process of acclimatization which the body is undertaking anyway when you gain altitude.

2) Diamox does not ensure that you will not get AMS but lessens the chances. So its always best to have some time in your hand for acclimatization.

3) Diamox should be taken atleast 24 hours before gaining altitude and should be continued till you reach the highest point of your trek.

4) 2.5mg per kilo of body weight is the ideal dosage for taking Diamox. Usually a tablet is 250mg, so for most people, taking half a tablet twice a day is preferable.

5) Drink lots of water while taking Diamox.

6) There are also side effects of taking Diamox which includes but are not limited to headache, nausea and blurred vision. However, not everyone experiences these.

captain bruce

Agree most of the above subject to the usual caveat of never acting on the medical advice of someone posting on a website, especially me! That said a lot of Drs are not familiar with diamox usage for AMS, its a kidney drug primarily. If consulting your own medic i would warn them of the enquiry beforehand so they can read up
My own experience is very positive. I trekked for years without it in Ladakh up to 5000+. I felt a bit AMSy one day at 4500, almost certainly because I went up too fast. I took some as an experiment in the knowledge that if i got worse i could go down 500 meters in a couple of hours anyway. The symptoms cleared up although I suspect that this would have happened anyway, but what impressed me was that the trekking got easier ie/ I could walk at a pace approaching my performance at sea level. The sleeping was much better which is why i have used it ever since. The dosage I use for 72 kg bodyweight is 125 mg - half a tablet - every 12 hours, the first dosage 24 hours before 3500 meteres

eklavya bhargava

I dont know why are you asking this question here? I have got sufficient knowledge about Diamox(Acetazolamide) but i cant recommend you as i dont know about you viz. do you sensitive to some drugs like sulfa drugs or not etc.
so its better to ask your physician.he is the right person to provide to right advise.

Raj0410

Guys,

Thanks for those responses. I have certainly read the threads in this forum. I felt the discussions were more towards whether or not to use Diamox.

My question was about real time experience of using Diamox. For example, nausea, headache are a side effect of Diamox and also symptoms of getting AMS. Is there a way to differentiate one from the other.

thanks

Rajat

captain bruce

No. Unless you are a medic and thats outside this forum. The answer is if the nausea gets to being more than a little carsick or the headache doesnt vanish with a couple of aspirin then you go down. Period. Now.
personally I have not had any side effects at all, but that is anecdotal evidence!

Raj0410

Is there anyone else in this forum who used Diamox and can you share your experience of having any side effects ?

thanks

Rajat

ashutosh69

Rajat
As it has been said in this thread one has spent huge amount of time discussing this issue. Like any drug it has side effects that vary in incidence. Personally I have had positive experiences and greater predictability of team health including sometimes on younger and fresh porters. That said your planning has to be yours.. the first being confirming from your physician your propensity for sulfa allergy and the recommended dosage as per your body weight. Certainly one has not heard any serious side effect.

Tingling sensation on finger tips and urge to drink and to pee are more prevalent effects that I have experienced closer to. Havent heard much about any similar symptom with AMS which is primarily heavy headedness, nausea and many a times fever.

Persisting headache, persisting nausea or fever are serious symptoms which can quickly turn fatal at altitudes beyond 4000. No confusion there.

fghjk

I have been given Diamox in Leh 2 years ago when I experienced fever and nausea. The Tibetan doctor I consulted told me to take it until I go to lower altitude. It helped with the symptoms and I was able to enjoy Leh and even went to Tsomoriri Lake which is over 5000 m high. The only unconfortable symptom remaining was a slight nausea (like mild sea-sickness) until I stayed over 3000 m, but it wasn´t too bad.