Hi, all!
We are about to embark on a trip to Utah & Co from the Tx gulf coast.  My husband is concerned that Kyle may experience difficulty in the high altitude due to less oxygen.  He's 13 and 9 1/2 yrs post-stroke/MMdx'd.  Our neurologist is out for a couple of weeks.  I have spoken with a headache specialist at Tx Childrens, but she is not familiar wtih MM and is checking with other specialists there for us.
Have any of you with MM had more trouble than the avg person would when you traveled to a higher altitude?  did your Dr. prescribe anything?
Thanks!
Hope all of you going to Orlando have a great time!  If we hadn't already planned this trip with my husband's family, we would have joined you!  Hopefully, next year!
Have a great time!!!

sue

Hi Sue,
I have MM and had my surgery done March 2005, I recently took a trip to Denver and Colorado Springs and visited some beautiful sites while there and I experienced absolutely no problems..my 14 year old daughter has Down Syndrome and has had open heart surgery AND we all suffer from asthma and again we had no problems ;;D  I am not sure what part of Colorado you will be going to but the only thing we noticed was our ears popping [smiley=laugh.gif]  I hope you  have a great family trip!!
Kathleen

Hi Sue!

How are you guys doing? I just wanted to offer my experience as reference.

When I was 10 (2 years post op) my family went to Colorado. We went skiing and were at a VERY high elevation. I did have more symptoms and migraines than I did in Houston. But, I was also in a different place and probably not sleeping as well as usual. There were no extra meds or anything that I took.

I remember at the time my mom blamed it on the elevation. But, who knows. I have been to Illinios more than 20 times and never had problems there. Just try to make sure Kyle gets rest and cross your fingers. I hope he has no issues at all.

I hope this helps a little. I just wanted you to know I think the possibility is there.

Take Care!

Sara

hi sue-

i'm actually frm colorado (denver) and i've been advised by my neurologists here in az not 2 fly or travel 2 places of high altitude unless it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. reason being that u recieve less O2 the higher the altitude u go. hope this helps!!!

grasshopper :o)~

Hi, all!!  Thanks so much the quick reply (I LOVE this website, DJ!!!)

The headache specialist (Dr. Lebron) called yesterday and other than doubling his water intake (we all need to do that) didn't have any other preventatives.  She had checked with hemotology and concluded that giving him Aleve for acute pain due to a migraine would be ok and she prescribed Zofran ($$$$$$!!!!) for him in case he becomes nauseated (as he usually does with migraines).  He has been very good to increase his water intake lately.
Our no. 1 concern was the decreased oxygen.  We do have a phone number of a medical supply co in CO if we needed to rent O2.  Our in-laws travel with friends who use it when they travel to higher altitudes.
My husband remembers having migraines when his family went to Co when he was young and he didn't have MM.  And all they had back then was children's aspirin!! :(  Wish us luck!
Thanks for your input!  I'll report in when we get back if I have any useful info!
May God bless,
sue

Hi Sue and all,
Any time you travel to high altitude areas, it pays to take it REAL easy for a few days so your body can acclimate to the altitude.  If you have ANY persistant altitude symptoms, get to a lower altitude ASAP.  As far as I know, none of the neurologists or neurosurgeons in CO have much experience with MM.  

Our adult daughter Siri moved from 10 years in Dillon, CO (9200 ft) to Glenwood Springs (5600 ft) two weeks ago.  In just a few days, she was sleeping much better, had almost no headache issues and a lot more energy - in spite of the trauma of moving a family.  She had an MCA/STA in 1999, EDAS same side in 2004 - both done by Dr. Robert Spetzler at Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ.  

Hope none of you have any problems with the altitude!  Have a great trip.
Best,
Roni Olsen
eolsen6400@aol.com

We went to Utah about 1 1/2 years ago with my daughter Julie who has MM.  The morning after our return to Florida she had a few TIA's.  We have no idea if it was the altitude, the plane trip or the stress of the trip that triggered the episodes.  The doctors here are reluctant to say what triggers the TIA's.  I agree with taking it slow when you get there and also when you get home so your child can aclimate.

Have a great trip.

Cheri
Julie's Mom

flying's alright cause plane's are pressurised..

there can be danger in climbing high mountains etc.. i'm seeing my surgeon next week and asking exact specs about that cause i plan on climbing some damn high mountains in my life!