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Affect of high altitude on Kidneys - Anyone know?

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:14 am
by mickdees1
Hi

I had a 2nd transplant in Oct 2010 after my wonderful wife donated. I want to go on holiday to somewhere like Switerland and never considered that the high altitude could be a problem. I was watching a TV documentary that was showing the affect of high altitude on the body e.g high blood pressure, kidneys work harder etc so I thought I had better look into it a bit. Wikapedia says high altitude is anything from 1500m - 3500m and most of the resorts seem to be around 1500m. I was hoping to have a sightseeing trip up a mountain to see the views, but not actually mountaineering :lol: . I have also read a bit of in depth medical stuff that was way over my head, but the gist was that no investigations have really been done to see the affect of altiude on kidney disease but given that high altitude affects the rest of the body it is probably reasonable to conclude that it could affect them.

I will ask my consultant when I next go to clinic (he will probably say go and enjoy it) but I don't want to go if at the back of mind it could be causing some damage.

I am sure many of you on here have been skiing or sightseeing in places of altitude above 1500m. If so, did your kidney function change as a result? My current kidney function is very good so I would guess that this would help. My plan would be to stay for about a week at 1500m with the occassional trip a little higher.

Any advice or comments appreciated.

Mick

Re: Affect of high altitude on Kidneys - Anyone know?

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:22 am
by jenjen
hi,
I have not heard anything about the effect of altitude on kidneys, but I travel regularly to Nairobi & the central Highlands of Kenya, which is about 1,795 metres (5,889 ft) above sea level and have not had any ill effects on my transplant, if that helps

I say go and enjoy!
jen

Re: Affect of high altitude on Kidneys - Anyone know?

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 2:06 pm
by cazpi
I'm not transplanted, but have been at altitude several times since having CKD,the highest being nearly 5000m at Rongbuk in the Himalayas. I was horrendously ill there, but I think my main problem was that I was taking fairly newly subscribed Ace inhibitors, which my body hadn't adapted to yet, and the altitude caused a drop in blood pressure. I passed out several times, was unable to think straight, completely sleepless, and had headaches. I was taking additional diuretics, as recommended by several doctors.

On the upside, I have been at around 3000 metres several times, with no ill effects at all, beyond a little breathlessness. If I go to altitude now I take a portable blood pressure monitor, and adjust my meds accordingly if my BP drops too low. Make sure you are not anaemic before you go, drink plenty, and keep an eye on your urine output, and you should be fine at 1500 or thereabouts.

Re: Affect of high altitude on Kidneys - Anyone know?

Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 3:57 pm
by mickdees1
Thank you all for your replies. It sounds like I will be fine - bp droping may be something to be aware of as I am lightheaded around mid morning while the bp tablets kick in.

Take care

Mick