Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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altitude and MS

jennilee68
jennilee68
Does going to a higher altitude effect MS? I ask because I went to a mountain town over the weekend and was stumbling around like I was drunk. I didn't feel as tho I was having any issues, but I could not find my balance while I was there.
Has anyone else had something like that happen? Just curious.
deleted_user
deleted_user
There is a link between higher oxygen intake and less symptoms. It would make sense to me that in a lower oxygen area your symptoms would become worse. When I go up north Michigan its so forested and the air is so super oxygenated I always feel better :)
Maybe is like that but reversed since you were in thin air...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi,

This is interesting because I used to scuba dive and when I would submerge to below 30 feet all my MS symptoms and pain would vanish. It was heaven! I loved it for this very reason! Then I developed the bends on a dive, a whole other story, and had the exact same reaction in the hyperbaric chamber. When they got me below the 30 foot depth point my symptoms and pain subsided. I felt normal. As soon as they brought me back up the symptoms returned.
Maybe we should all just live in hyperbaric chambers. LOL

Hugs, Cathy
marilyn4342
marilyn4342
I live in Colorado and I am a stumbling drunk (just the way I walk). I used to live in Virginia and my symptoms were so much better! When I visit my daughter in Wisconsin I am better.

I should have stayed in Virginia but was homesick! Gave up a good paying job for family. The tradeoff is sometimes not worth it! Now I am on disability because my symptoms got so much worse.
lorrieonline
lorrieonline
I always feel a bit better when I'm in a higher altitude. I walk much better up North. Not sure about the mountains though. Haven't been in the mountains since prior my DX.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Interesting observation.
I moved to a high altitude city and even though I think I've adjusted I still get more wobbly than when I'm in a lower altitude. Also, I just got back from a vacation at an even higher altitude and it was awful. I could barely walk - not only out of breath but I felt like I was walking in quicksand a lot of the time.
Will take notice as to what happens next time I go back to a lower oxygenated location.
MsRee
MsRee
This is interesting to hear because I have a trip to the mountains coming up soon and I need to keep my eye on this. WOW! Who would've thought?
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