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  1. #1
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    Dec 2008
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    Sleep aid for altitude?

    When i stay at my friend's cabin at 11,300, I have a hard time sleeping.

    I've tried some herbs that work when other things keep me awake at lower altitude, but they don't offer much help up higher.

    Any suggestions? I'd prefer to stay away form rx, but might consider one if it continues.

    Thanks, Dave

  2. #2
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    I predict your not going to get any suggestions about the herbs, or rx's you're likely interested in.

  3. #3
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    You didn't mention whether you sleep apnea or other such problems. If you do, the situation is more complicated. If not, there are several drugs that might help.

    Gingo has been shown to help prevent altitude sickness and thus may also improve sleep at altitude. It is available over the counter. Acetazolamide (Diamox) is widely used to improve sleep quality at altitude. Dexamethasone works even better for treatment of altitude sickness but some people feel too amped up to sleep after taking it. Both of these medicines are available with a prescription.

    You need to avoid respiratory depressants (alcohol and some sleeping pills are two common examples) if you are having trouble sleeping at altitude.
    I can't believe you are a rando racer because I look so much better in Lycra than you.

    People who don't think the Earth is flat haven't skied Vail.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by adimmen View Post
    You need to avoid respiratory depressants (alcohol and some sleeping pills are two common examples) if you are having trouble sleeping at altitude.
    Hmmm, not sure if this falls into the above, but I always drink a big glass of water with 2 Tylenol PM's. Works great for me at about 9k feet. Otherwise, I wake up all the time=sucks.
    Quote Originally Posted by leroy jenkins View Post
    I think you'd have an easier time understanding people if you remembered that 80% of them are fucking morons.
    That is why I like dogs, more than most people.

  5. #5
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    Skin your ass off, and then sleep like a baby.
    -You can't get hurt if you are in the air.

    Caleb Wray Photography

  6. #6
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    dammnit guys...

  7. #7
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    Sorry I was rude. But it works. Also I hear that properly acclimating yourself has benefits.
    -You can't get hurt if you are in the air.

    Caleb Wray Photography

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    smoke a bowl

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by liv2ski View Post
    Hmmm, not sure if this falls into the above, but I always drink a big glass of water with 2 Tylenol PM's. Works great for me at about 9k feet. Otherwise, I wake up all the time=sucks.
    This is not recommended. Insomnia is caused by reduced respiratory drive during sleep. CNS depressants can reduce respiratory drive further, thus worsening hypoxia and may predispose to altitude sickness.

    Acetazolamide is a prescription medication that increases respiratory drive and thus can improve altitude insomnia. Acetazolamide is contraindicated in people with sulfa allergy.

    For the OP: Most experts recommend graded ascent at elevations over 8000 ft.

  10. #10
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    viagra...
    Our world is full of surrender at the first sign of adversity, do not give up when the challenge meets you, meet the challenge. Through perseverance comes the rewards, the rewards that make life so enjoyable.

    Seize the day, trusting little in the future.

    if you want something, go after it. if you want to screw someone over, look DEEP in your heart and realize Karma is a bitch

    http://arcticcycles.com

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    good old JD always seems to do the trick for me!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neurodoc View Post
    This is not recommended. Insomnia is caused by reduced respiratory drive during sleep. CNS depressants can reduce respiratory drive further, thus worsening hypoxia and may predispose to altitude sickness.

    Acetazolamide is a prescription medication that increases respiratory drive and thus can improve altitude insomnia. Acetazolamide is contraindicated in people with sulfa allergy.

    For the OP: Most experts recommend graded ascent at elevations over 8000 ft.
    Thanks Doc. I don't sleep well at altitude and this clarifies a lot.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neurodoc View Post
    This is not recommended. Insomnia is caused by reduced respiratory drive during sleep. CNS depressants can reduce respiratory drive further, thus worsening hypoxia and may predispose to altitude sickness.

    Acetazolamide is a prescription medication that increases respiratory drive and thus can improve altitude insomnia. Acetazolamide is contraindicated in people with sulfa allergy.

    For the OP: Most experts recommend graded ascent at elevations over 8000 ft.
    Thanks. This stuff sounds like what I need, but I'm not likely to get an RX before departure time tomorrow. Anyone have more suggestions, or know where I might stumble into some on the front range?

    After reading more about Acetazolamide (dioxidin), I am more interested in less invasive measures with fewer or now side affects. It sounds more intended for serious altitude sickness as opposed to mild respiratory stress that seems to keep my awake.


    Dave

  14. #14
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    Yo D, are you drinking at altitude? Because although that might help some sleep I have some friends that will fall asleep quick and then wake up middle of the night unable to go back to sleep. Something about the alcohol converting to some sort of speed like substance.

  15. #15
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    Gone both ways on the drinking. Not drinking helps, but the insomnia persisted, even with days of no alcohol.

  16. #16
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    hike, skin, and ski your ass off. follow with jack or crown in gernerous amounts while soaking in hot tub. repeat daily.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    Just like you cannot kill a cold with a pill, I don't think a pill will easily solve this situation either. All the suggestions of "skinning your ass off" and the like are the best advice. Only time getting used to the altitude will actually put an end to the problem.

  18. #18
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    Since discovering Ambien, my typical night's sleep on mountaineering/backcountry ski trips has gone from a restless 4 hours to a sound 6 - 7 hours. I do half a pill chewed up then placed under my tongue.

  19. #19
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    Sep 2001
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    If the cabin has electricity, stop at wal-mart or whatever and buy a good humidifier. It'll help, and they're only like $40.

    Also, avoid red meat for the first few days, and try to eat light in general. The red meat is important though.

    Also take a few aspirin, the blood-thinning effect will make you feel better in general, your blood thickens at altitude (I've read it loses 25% of its volume at 8000 feet), so your heart has to work harder to pump it.

    Habituate if you have time, a couple days at 5K, then 8k, etc., but no one ever has time.

    There are various potions available for dealing with altitude, a bunch of them include siberian ginseng, I used to take one and it seemed to help a bit, but maybe it was the placebo effect in action. Worth googling around for, 11,300 is high, the FAA requires pilots to have supplemental oxygen at 12K.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    One of the worst nights I've had at altitude was the result of taking otc sleeping pills. Woke up gasping for air on several occasions. I'm allergic to diamox so never tried it. Time and lots of exercise works best for me. That and a comfy mattress.

  21. #21
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    May 2007
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    Bring your pillow from home.

  22. #22
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    Smoke some Indica. Stay away from the Sativa.
    Leave No Turn Unstoned!

  23. #23
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    Jan 2009
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    don't even think about diamox.
    Ambien is the only sleeping pill that will not affect oxygen saturation at altitude. It works well. you can try melatonin as well, but if you really need to sleep, Ambien.

  24. #24
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    Michael Jackson say dat propofol work great! Still ain't woke up

  25. #25
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    Diamox straight-up solved my altitude problem when I was hanging out at 14k for a while. YMMV.
    that's all i can think of, but i'm sure there's something else...

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