Effects of Altitude on Symptoms

[jlynne79]

Hi All--

It's been several years since I posted on here--long enough for my login to have been deleted, lol .  So, a little background.

I'm a 31 yo full time Mom of a 5 month old boy married to an Active Duty Soldier currently living in Virginia.  I've had my SJS diagnosis for 6 years now, along with asthma, allergies, Hashimoto's, and OCD.  All are pretty well controlled on my current meds (Plaquenil, Piroxicam, Salagen, etc).  Currently, I don't need to use restasis too, but, I have in the past.  I'm even still able to wear my contacts on most days.

My husband was recently notified that we'll be moving to Fort Carson, Colorado in April.  As I've been reading up on the area I've become more and more concerned about how the climate will affect my health.  Fort Carson is just below Colorado Springs and sits at an elevation above 6000 feet.  I've always lived at MUCH lower elevations--Augusta, GA; Hampton Roads, VA; and Bamberg, Germany.  There is the possibility that if the climate at Carson is incompatible with my health situation, we may be able to talk to the branch manager and EFMP manager, and get orders elsewhere.  However, we don't want to do so unless we really need to. 

So, I guess what I'm asking is does anyone have any experience living at that altitude or in Colorado Springs?  Any thoughts or advice?

[Joe S.]

Welcome back. I think that you will find CO very agreeable.

[Carolina]

We lived for 4 years in El Paso, which is at 4000 feet.   I don't notice any difference one way or the other since we've moved back to more or less sea levelish, in Cary NC.

High altitude does make things related to blood oxygen levels more difficult.

I was recovering well from my anemia, but a trip to 7000 feet made me feel like I was back to square one!

Probably wouldn't be the case now, but I don't know.

Quality of air is important, and humidity (here in NC) is harder for me to bear.

Nothing can be as humid as Augusta.

People love Colorado, I know that.

Keep us posted.

Kisses

Elaine

[Patze]

Hi Jlynn,

Let me also welcome you back!  Now I can't speak of living well above sea level as I've been living in "flat areas" these last several years as well.

I don't know if you'll even have any problem, as you might be one of those few that don't have altitude issues (I'll keep my fingers crossed! ).  Can you and the hubby maybe take a "short" vacation at the base to scout it out and see how the altitude affects you? 

Good luck with your new move and I hope everything works out well for you!

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[Shani]

Welcome back to the boards Jlynne!

I live across the sea in Europe.
The country with a dampy climate named Belgium.
So I'm afraid I cannot help you out.

But I hope everything well when you are moving.

Hugs and love.

[sugarbugar]

HI!  I understand your concern.  I actually live in Colorado.  I have to be honest, you will need to drink more water.  But that's about it.  I have a friend who has Sjogren's and lives in Aspen which is about 9,000ft and flares only a few times a year.  Where as I live in Denver and I'm in a constant flare.
Now, I do have to forewarn you though, and it's not to scare you...if you do have dysautonomic function elevation can affect it.  It was in the mountains that I started passing out all the time etc.  which started all the testing.
You will love Colorado Springs, it's beautiful!!

[coopwall]

We left Dallas (sea level) and moved to Albuquerque Area (about 4800 feet).  I have some broncho spasms, so there was some initial adaptation the first few months--nothing major. If you have no lung involvement, then you may not notice the change.

What is a larger problem is the lack of humidity creating drier eyes for me in New Mexico.  A Plus to our move was that I love this state and I wanted to move.

Hopefully you won't have many changes or problems. What a beautiful place you will live!!!

Coopwall