What Health Changes to Expect Moving to Denver? (house, to buy)

[chanceryan]

Need info on what health changes my wife and I can expect to experience now that we relocated to Denver area from back East? We expected the shortness of breath, but what we didn't expect was the total and absolute onslaught on our body we've been having over the past few days.
Sure we both knew we'd get some form of car/jet lag from almost 1700 mile road trip, but since arriving we both have been having visual issues, abdominal cramping, headaches, diarrhea, nausea vomitting, and ungodly amounts of fatigue.

What her family who have lived here for some years now also from back East have told us is that it's ALTITUDE SICKNESS, which I thought would only happen at extreme heights?

Anyways just wanting to know if these things are normal for those relocating from sea level to a mile up and how long should we expect them to continue?

Thanks for any help you guys can give

Sincerely The Ryan Family

[KCtoDenver]

Do you have a carbon monoxide monitor? Seriously, Denver is not the peaks.

[hammertime33]

I'm sorry you're getting altitude sickness. I don't think it's normal to get it when moving to Denver, but it's not unheard of. Are you guys smokers? Smokers get altitude sickness much easier. I might go to the doctor to make sure it's not something else though. Perhaps take the previous poster's advice and go buy a carbon monoxide detector to make sure your house isn't trying to kill you.

If it is altitude sickness, you'll acclimate and it'll go away, but it could take a week or two (full acclimation to altitude can take up to 6 months - especially if you're a smoker). If you continue to have symptoms, the best treatment is oxygen. You might be able to buy some cheap oxygen canisters at Target or Walmart (I know you can get them online - not sure if they stock them in the stores). Also, make sure to stay well hydrated.

As to other heath effects of living here, it's a dry climate. Invest in some lotion. Also, you might get bloody noses (have you noticed your snot is harder here?). Also, we're closer to the sun, so Colorado has higher rates of skin cancer than the rest of the country. Wear sunscreen (especially when in the mountains, and especially when in the mountains in the winter).

[Hipchik]

Wow. Very sorry that you and your family are suffering so much. I've never heard of anyone going through that for so long after moving here. Seems excessive and is definitely not "normal". Have you seen a doctor? You really should go to one if you haven't at this point.
KCtoDenver has a very good point... your symptoms sound like carbon monoxide poisoning: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Causes, Symptoms, Treatment - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms on eMedicineHealth

[chanceryan]

Originally Posted by hammertime33

I'm sorry you're getting altitude sickness. I don't think it's normal to get it when moving to Denver, but it's not unheard of. Are you guys smokers? Smokers get altitude sickness much easier. I might go to the doctor to make sure it's not something else though. Perhaps take the previous poster's advice and go buy a carbon monoxide detector to make sure your house isn't trying to kill you.

If it is altitude sickness, you'll acclimate and it'll go away, but it could take a week or two (full acclimation to altitude can take up to 6 months - especially if you're a smoker). If you continue to have symptoms, the best treatment is oxygen. You might be able to buy some cheap oxygen canisters at Target or Walmart (I know you can get them online - not sure if they stock them in the stores). Also, make sure to stay well hydrated.

As to other heath effects of living here, it's a dry climate. Invest in some lotion. Also, you might get bloody noses (have you noticed your snot is harder here?). Also, we're closer to the sun, so Colorado has higher rates of skin cancer than the rest of the country. Wear sunscreen (especially when in the mountains, and especially when in the mountains in the winter).

No were pretty healthy no drinking or smoking, but while we expected the dry skin and dehydration we never expected to get this kind of out of wack though!
Most have told us it will all subside in a couple weeks.

[chanceryan]

Originally Posted by Hipchik

Wow. Very sorry that you and your family are suffering so much. I've never heard of anyone going through that for so long after moving here. Seems excessive and is definitely not "normal". Have you seen a doctor? You really should go to one if you haven't at this point.
KCtoDenver has a very good point... your symptoms sound like carbon monoxide poisoning: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Causes, Symptoms, Treatment - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms on eMedicineHealth

No we've only been here a few days, it's the wifes family that's been here for years. Most have told us things should get straight in a few weeks.

[Snikt]

Sounds like something more than normal altitude stuff. I moved from FL and everyone who has flown up here that I've taken hiking usually 7-9000 ft has been fine. The only thing I've heard from them is just some headaches, but nothing worse than that

[gooberlx]

Sounds like the stomach flu to me. Stop at some truck stop on your trip and order the chili-cheese nachos?

[Timmyy]

I moved from sea level and I have never had any problems. That being said when I visit my sea level home town I can drink a heck of a lot more.

[pyrotech]

You're allergic to Colorado. Don't worry; I am too... I just got over my 4th bout of strep throat in less than a year. Worth it!