Tom_Diane
Iowa
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Is there anybody here who vacations in the mountains while on oxygen 24/7. I have to wonder how those with COPD that live in mountain areas get along. I am asking because I was planning a vacation this year and looked at Colorado and maybe Yellowstone. At my Dr appointment with my pulmonary Dr last Friday, I asked about travel in those areas and she flatly said no and that I could wind up very sick while out there. She urged me to make another choice which we already had options picked. She said she wouldnt tell me I cant go but since I asked she was saying that she advised against it. I understand the thinner air but how do others get along in the mountains and whats more how do residents with COPD in those places get along? How about just driving thru the Mts?
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amandasgramma
Oregon
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I would talk to my doctor again about this. We live at the 4300 foot level and the area is considered "retirement village"....I've seen a number of people with oxygen tanks. It could be that you'd need to increase your oxygen pressure. It would be an interesting discussion --- asking the very question you asked.
On edit: I went into Google and looked up "COPD and high altitude"....my late DH had COPD and we traveled just fine. The only place he really had problems was Reno, but I believe it was the smoke in the casino that really "got him". This website might answer your question: CLICKY
One question that crossed my mind while scanning this -- WHAT is considered high altitude???? Like I said, we're at 4300 feet, and we're used to it. If you live at sea level, you may have a problem. If you're passing over one of our mountain passes -- 6000 to 8000 feet, then you might have shortness of breath. But like the article says --- it's all according to WHAT COPD problem you have.
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Tom_Diane
Iowa
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I think her concern was that being from a lower elevation that it might be a shock to the system, where those that live there as they developed COPD are adjusted. I did think about asking if I could just increase my intake. I have a home fill kit and so having a couple tanks on hand would not be a problem and I can get extra tanks from the medical supplier. I have other health problems that should not be affected by altittude but my wife has never seen the Mountains and I have many times while driving truck. Neither of us has seen the ocean. My condition is termed as severe and we are in our mid 50's. Even tho nothing can be predicted, when I pushed for the life expectancy, I was told not to plan much past age 70 and at that I would be doing good at that but this is a progressive disease and the other medical problem can affect heart and lungs and I have already had a lobectomy last year.
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Rocky2
Ventura, Ca.
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We travel with a Sequal Eclipse Oxygen Concentrator and with a pulse oximeter to monitor the oxygen levels. We ran the continuous flow up until her levels stabilized above the 90% level. She also had to use a mobility scooter but aside from that, things worked OK. It is doable with a little planning. BTW, her concentrator allows her to fly also. The airplanes pressure is roughly 10,000 ft so she needs 3 liters then. She also has Parkinson's so the oxygen level is critical for both conditions.
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Tom_Diane
Iowa
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Thanks amandasgramma, I read the clicky after I replied. There is alot if info there but I think I better just stay in lowlands. I just couldnt see my self having fun if I was to get sick and the wife will not pull the 5er so I would be in a fix.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Your doctor is strange, or there is more to it. Wife has been on O2 for years. We LIVE at almost 8000 feet. We travel all over North America by RV every year. Yes she uses a Sequal Eclipse, wonderful gadget. We also carry an oximeter and watch her levels. We were told anything in the 90's was ok, but 93 up is best. We do need to adjust flow for altitude.
Yes mask at night means no boondocking, at least for us. IMO it is better to have power, though we do carry a few liquid cylinders for emergencies (never used them, hope we never do). Remember in an emergency you only need enough cylinders to get to nearest hospital, they all have O2. THEN plan the next move.
Haven't tried flying, I think that would be hard to get flow right. In an RV the change in altitude is really pretty slow.
FYI we went over 8000 towing miles last year, we visited Quebec and the Gaspe. Before I gave up, I'd get a second opinioin. I think your doctor quacks.
Just my two cents, and worth that.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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concord32
Indianapolis
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I have been in the oxygen business for years. Dont know much about COPD but if you are using tanks the Oxygen content is much higher 99.6% and higher. A concentrator has a range of 92% to 98%. I would think that on a mask you would be much more stable on the compressed gas in the tanks or a liquid portable than the concentrator. Just my views.
2011 Coachmen Concord 32' Triton V-10 1-slide.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Oximeter tells all. Our Sequal works fine with COPD mask.
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sparki27
California
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Joined: 09/05/2005
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Hello, I am on 02 24/7. I live at 52 el, I am on 2L continually during sleep and I use a pulse unit during the day.
When I wanted to go on vacation for a week at 7,000ft, my pulmonologist told me to double up on my intake. So I had to do 4Ltr while I was in the mountains. Driving up and back I switched to 3Ltr.
I also use a oximeter. ALWAYS!
I am considered severe. My lung capacity is 28%.
If you have other issues that your doctor is concerned about when you travel, then you should listen to your doctor.
But if you like being dictated to by other people, then you might not have much enjoyment in life.
COPD is NOT a death sentence. Yes, it is a progressive disease but if you are doing everything you're supposed to do to maintain your health, you can absolutely slow down the progress of the disease.
As for living beyond 70... it is said that God will not strive with man for longer than that so anything beyond that is a blessing. He is the Giver of Life. I'm not preaching, just stating a fact.
I go where I want... with the advice of my doctors. They cannot dictate my life because they respect me for doing all that I can to maintain my health.
I say "Go with God and blessings on you!" 
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Tom_Diane
Iowa
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I guess to go further with the reason tht she may have recommended against it is because the other medical condition I am dealing is an auto immune disease that has already claimed 2 lobes of my right lung and has invaded my kidneys. I am on a immune surpressant drug. It is a vasculitus disease. This is why she may have concerns about me getting sick because I really have no immune system because the have it surpressed. I have seen lots of COPD in my life, Mother for one and her 2 sisters, a great aunt and All lasted not much more than 7 years but problems were anticipated in a guess on life expectancy for me but God aside,People do go many years with COPD but like my BIL, Dx's with COPD but it was found in the early stage and he died of an unreated illness at age 65 and never got to the point where he needed oxygen. I know what the odds are but you can have slow progression but one has little say on how slow the progression is, I Dont let anything dictate where I go but I figure why pay the Dr big money if I dont do what they tell me to do. I was just courious as to how everyone else traveled in high altitudes but figured some of it had to be that they have lived in it and acclimated to it??Anyway after I posted I realized I should have mentioned the immune surpressant that I have to take.
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