Diamox use

Pedro said:

I am a glutton for punishment and plan on doing the Mt. Evans Hillclimb
in July. My problem is that I live at sea level. Has anyone used
Diamox to prevent the effects of altitude sickness? If so, did it
affect your cycling performance? Would pounding water and ibuprofen be
a better plan?

I think trying out different chemicals will just exacerbate the
problem. You will be ascending slow enough that you will get fried
somewhere along the route automatically if you are susceptible. If you
are susceptible, you won't be able to get around it, so I wouldn't
worry about it, I'd just ride. I climbed Independence Pass (12,095ft) a
few times at a time when I lived at sea level, and never had any
issues. Though the extra 2,000 feet may make a difference, I'd just go
with plenty of water.

Have fun!

Joseph

Pedro said:

I am a glutton for punishment and plan on doing the Mt. Evans Hillclimb
in July. My problem is that I live at sea level. Has anyone used
Diamox to prevent the effects of altitude sickness? If so, did it
affect your cycling performance? Would pounding water and ibuprofen be
a better plan?

Probably not a good idea since it's a diuretic and dehydration is not
your friend. Assuming you arrive a day or two early, stay down in
Denver. You'll probably be up and back down to 7,000 feet within 6 hours
so AMS shouldn't be a real problem. Most people don't hang out on the
summit too long (often quite chilly). Doubt you even need vitamin I for
a headache since you'll be focused on sucking air. Besides, diamox ruins
the taste of post-race beers and that is a sin!

Clyde said:

Besides, diamox ruins the taste of post-race beers and that is a sin!

Beer is an important part of my recovery program, so I'll keep that in
mind. Thanks for the tip!

Pedro said:

I am a glutton for punishment and plan on doing the Mt. Evans Hillclimb
in July. My problem is that I live at sea level. Has anyone used
Diamox to prevent the effects of altitude sickness? If so, did it
affect your cycling performance? Would pounding water and ibuprofen be
a better plan?

Dumbass -

Good for preventing sickness.

If you're not prone to getting sick, it's bad for performance.

Good for getting to the top of a mountain. Bad for doing well in a
race.

thanks,

K. Gringioni.

I just took Diamox for a trip to Peru. There were several people on our
trip and some took it while others did not. Even though we were at an
altitude where Diamox is generally suggested, I can't say that there was a
notable difference between the treatment and non-treatment group in this
particular uncontrolled and highly anecdotal report. Incidentally I also
did not note any change in the taste of beer, although others in the group
noted a change in the taste of diet soda soon after starting the drug while
still in the US. In fact, my sister actually called the soda company to
complain that she had gotten a bad batch.

The base of the Mt. Evans climb is not high enough to generally need Diamox.
The summit is but, as others have pointed out, you won't be there long and
it takes some time to get ill. Although Diamox does decrease the risk of
acute mountain sickness I would not expect it to improve your performance.

--
Mike Murray MD

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Quoted message said:

I am a glutton for punishment and plan on doing the Mt. Evans Hillclimb
in July. My problem is that I live at sea level. Has anyone used
Diamox to prevent the effects of altitude sickness? If so, did it
affect your cycling performance? Would pounding water and ibuprofen be
a better plan?