Has anyone with asthma traveled to Peru?
 

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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. :)

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.

Tess, thanks for reviewing my itineraries. The main reason I've chosen Gate1 tour is that they go to SV first, and then gradually increase the altitude. Actually, there are some theories suggesting that people who have asthma sometimes doing better at higher altitudes. When I was was younger, by doctor suggestion, I was spending my vacations at altitudes (but not that high as Cuzco), and then experienced some problems breathing when coming back to the sea level. So, what you are describing sounds familiar. I hope you feel well during your Cuzco trip, and really enjoy yourself in Peru. Thank you again for your help and encouragement!

Diamox works best if you start taking it before you arrive in Peru. The only side effect I had was some tingling in my toes and fingers. Mildly annoying, but not enough to stop taking it (compared to that damn headache).

Helen, I feel your pain. I've had a few near-death experiences caused by my allergies. Not being able to breath is a scary thing indeed.

HI ALL --- I'm back from my trip to Peru. Had a great time and hope to put together a full trip report this weekend.

However, I did want to come back to this thread to talk about my experience w/ asthma/breathing issues at high altitudes in Peru. Pleased to say that I didn't have too many challenges.

On day 3, we flew from Lima to Cusco. Were picked up and driven to Sacred Valley to explore Ollantaytambo & Chinchero. Didn't quite realize how physical this portion of our trip would be --- although Ollanta is around 8k feet, found myself huffing & puffing as we climbed up stairs & trekked around the fortress. I took it slow .... a few puffs on my albuterol and I was okay. By the end of this day, the biggest challenge was from my legs --- I live in Texas (VERY flat) and don't usually climb steps --- so I found myself taking Advil to quiet my screaming quads (front thigh muscles).

Next day, we took train from Ollantaytambo to Agua Calientes (Machu Picchu) and explored the MP ruins. MORE steps, lots of uneven terrain and now I realize I should have paid more pre-trip attention to getting my legs in shape rather than worrying about my lungs!

IMPORTANT NOTE --- after a day in Ollanta (cobblestones/dirt/dust) and then a day in MP w/ similar terrain (1500 visitors per day kick up ALOT of dirt/dust), I found myself with a snootful of dust. Very glad that I'd thought to bring along a nasal saline spray. It came in quite handy to keep my nose hydrated as air at higher altitudes is very dry. However, I neglected to think about my eyes --- for anyone, whether asthmatic or not, do bring along "tears" or some type of solution to hydrate your eyes and wash out the grit. AND because of this issue, anyone who's a contact lens wearer may think about not wearing their lens on this type of trip and/or bringing along their glasses. My trip companion was SO glad she opted not to bother w/ her contact lens and wear glasses during the trip; she said she would have gone crazy with all the dust & dirt during our travels.

Now for the higher points of our trip . . . . Cusco (11,800 ft) and Puno/Lake Titicaca (12,500 ft). After we left MP, we headed to Cusco for a couple nights. I could feel the difference in higher elevation; however no headaches. Moved a bit slower than usual, and overall, felt okay. After 2 nights there, flew to Juliaca (was supposed to take train, but that's another story). Now we're up at that 12k point .... spent the night at Casa Andina in Puno. Kept the electric heater on that night .... at about 2:30 am, woke up with the dryest mouth I'd ever had in my life .... as if the dentist had worked that suction tool & extracted every scintilla of moisture .... drank a full bottle of water .... and also, propped myself up on pillows as breathing ability was a bit difficult. After a few hours, I went downstairs to the lobby and asked the desk for oxygen (many of hotels @ higher elevations provide oxygen). She wheeled out the oxygen tank they kept in a cabinet, swabbed the mask w/ alcohol and had me sit there for 15 minutes. Afterwards, I felt much better, ate breakfast and was good to go for the rest of the day. Later that same day, after dinner, I took another 5-minutes of oxygen -- more as a pro-active measure and didn't have any further problems.

Tess, thank you so much for your posting. I am glad you had a great time and not health issues. I found a lot of useful information in your post not just for myself, but also for people I am traveling with (like my son is wearing contact lenses, so he can use some of your advice)I am looking forward to reading your trip report.

Thanks Tess.. your feedback helped. We just got back from Peru. My son has wheezing issues from time to time and your review helped a lot.

We were worried about high altitude and low oxygen etc. But thankfully dint have any issues.. except at one place off of Puno.

We stayed 2 nights in Lima, then went to Cusco and drove straight to Sacred valley. Stayed there one night, went to Machu Picchu and stayed there one night before taking in the trails @ MP. Came down and took the train to Cusco and stayed there 2 nights. 2 nights in Puno and then back to Lima and back to the US.

In Sacred valled, I gave my son, medicine for his wheezing with the oxygen tanks they have.. Same at MP, once at Cusco. First night at Puno he dint want it.. so dint give it to him. We went to Sillustani which was higher altitude than Puno at ~ 13000 ft. Thats where he felt tired. So gave him oxygen with medicine and he was fine after that.

All in all a great trip. Take proper care and enjoy!

Thanks