helen63

I have been dreaming of going to Peru for sometime, but I have a pretty serious case of asthma (currently under control), and I am afraid that I may have hard time breathing at high altitude. I did some research, and asked my doctor, and it seems like people with asthma may do quite well.
Has anyone had this experience? I am looking at Gate1 tour - Kaleidoscope of Peru, and they spend first two nights in Sacred Valley, so this should help (I think).

Thank you in advance for all your replies!

WhitePelican

I am in Cusco right now, having arrived here from Lima a few days ago. I, too, was concerned about my asthma (also currently under control). I am experiencing absolutely no difficulty. Like many others, I had a mild headache the first day and found myself a bit out of breath after climbing a few flights of stairs or walking up a steep hill. I'm amazed at how easy I'm finding the transition.

Many (maybe most) of the hotels have oxygen, and some people do indeed need it, but not necessarily folks with asthma.

The days in the Sacred Valley should make the adjustment even easier for you. I wouldn't worry.

helen63

WhitePelican, Thank you for this information. This gives me a piece of mind. Have a fantastic time in Peru!

hills27

You might want to talk to your doctor about taking anti-altitude sickness. It made a huge difference for me.

kaneda

Cusco is about 10,000 feet up so even healthy people can get puffed out a bit if they exert themselves. Machu Picchu is about 7,700 feet but does involve a fair bit of walking. But the air is very clear and clean in both places and I would think that it would be good for asthma sufferers.

gilawi01

I urge you to check with your doctor first. The high altitude in Cuzco affects people in different ways. It varies from person to person. For instance, I had some mild headache and stomach problems, but a Peruvian told us that as soon as he arrived at Cuzco airport, his nose start bleeding.

helen63

Thanks a lot for your replies! Actually, I checked with my doctor, and he said that I have no more chances to be affected than healthy people. However, I still wanted to hear from people who has similar problems. A lot of people are reporting a shortness of breath at high altitudes, and while it is not a big deal for healthy people, this would cause some panic attack for me

hills27

You should be fine if you drink lots of water and take things slow. If you feel out of breath, take a break, try to relax and remember that it's more than likely the altitude and not an attack. I had asthma growing up and the shortness of breath I had in Peru felt differently to me than that of an asthma attack.

While in Cusco (the highest place you'll spend any considerable time), you may want to stay in one of the oxygenated rooms at Monasterio. I think it makes a difference.

As I've said before, I'm a big believer in taking diamox. The one night I forgot, I wanted someone to shoot me in the head, the pain was so brutal.

helen63

Hills27:
Thanks a lot for the advice. I'll check with my doctor if I can take Diamox.
Actually, the highest place this tour goes will be Puno. But I think if I survive Cusco, I should be OK in Puno.
Does it get much worse between Cusco and Puno?
Thank you again!

hills27

I haven't been to Puno yet, so I can't tell you. But if your doctor says you should be okay, I'm sure you will be.

Tess_Durberville

Last year when I went to Ecuador, I was concerned about how I'd be affected (asthma, under control). I noticed that breathing was a bit tougher in Quito (9200 ft), but adjusted after 24 hrs. Our next destination was lower (a couple days @ Arasha Resort), and then went higher up to 10,800 ft (Termas Papallacta). I was fine at that altitude.

In a few weeks, I'm headed off to Peru. When I get back I'll post again and advise how it was.

There's many more posters on the Lonely Planet website (Thorntree Forum) who have traveled to Ecuador & Peru. Last year when I was reviewing discussion around altitude sickness, there was a variety of opinions on whether it's worthwhile to take diamox. I also discussed it with my physician. I opted to not take it; hesitant due to potential side effects. I followed the frequently mentioned advise to drink lots of water, avoid alcohol, take it easy, etc.

helen63

Tess:
Thank you for sharing your experience. Have a wondeful trip in Peru and please post when you return!

kaneda

My first time to Mexico City several years ago I did suffer a bit the first few days (7,200 ft). I spent four days in Cuzco and on trips. One took us to a village at 13,000 feet but I noticed no problem there. My last few hours I did have a bit of a headache and possibly this could be down to me being a shallow breather?

hills27

Everybody has trouble breathing in Mexico City because of the pollution. But your headache was probably from the cummulative effect of the altitude, not your breathing.

helen63

I think I don't mind a headache, as long as I can breathe

hills27

I wanted someone to shoot me in the head it hurt so badly the one day I forgot to take the diamox. You can bet I didn't forget the second time I went.

hills27

And I'm not some ninny. I have a high tolerance for pain. My mom says that when I complain, it's time to go to the hospital.

MarthaT

I have asthma (under control)and in 2005 went to Quito and the Ecuador highlands.
I never had actual asthma wheezing but I got hit with a bad case of altitude sickness. No more than a half hour in Quito and I had a headache so bad I wanted to die. Of course, the diamox was in my luggage that didn't make the connection with me. So I had nothing to take all night . It was awful.
Started on the diamox with no side effects but it did not entirely stop the headache.
Back to the Asthma, I noticed my heart was really racing the whole time I was there which was really uncomfortable at bedtime but I think because my airways are compromised I was having a hard time processing the little oxygen there was. Also I got short of breath on walking really easy which I don't do at home.
I know now I will never be able to make it to Peru and it really was on my list of places to see. But you won't know how you react until you are there. And nobody can predict how you will react.

helen63

Hills,
I believe you! I know that a headache can be excruciating. It is just I had multiple near death experiences with my asthma in the past, so I really panic if anything goes wrong with my breathing, but I know that bad headache can ruin the vacations also.

Martha,
Thank you for sharing your experience. Oh boy, this does not sound encouraging! Did you try to breathe oxygen? I heard this might help. I am set on going, so I guess I'll find out.

I am thinking we are going Sacred Valley first, and then Machu Picchu, and only then to Cusco and Puno. So, hopefully, I'llbe OK at the first part of our vacation, and at least get to see the Machu Picchu.

Tess_Durberville

helen63,

I looked at the Gate1 Tour itinerary which you say you're considering-- (the Kaleidoscope of Peru). And it appears to start out in Sacred Valley (around 7500 - 8000 ft) and then you go to Machu Picchu (also about same altitude). From conversation w/ my Dr. prior to Ecuador trip, he said that generally, 8,000 ft. (and above) is the starting point at which some people may encounter altitude issues.

Considering that you likely will be okay for the beginning of the trip. And of course, the best way to acclimate to higher elevations is to gradually increase ..... as I look back on my trip last year, I realize the most difficult portion for me was returning home to "sea level" at where I live in N. Texas. It wasn't until I got back down that I found I needed to use prednisone --- being back down at lower altitude, it felt like there was "too" much air.