Dear Doctor Mcgowan

My data : HIV+, CD4 mid 600s, VL UD, mid fifties. taking kivexa/norvir/darunavir

I am planning to go mountaneering to high altitudes in Nepal, and fear that my borderline anemia -- hemoglobin 14.4, red blood cells 4.21, hematocrit 42 -- may pose a high risk regarding altitude sickness. What would you recommend ? Besides, is there an altitude threshold I should not trespass ?

Further, is the ordinary medicine for altitude sickness -- DIAMOX -- compatible with my regimen ?

With thanks

Julian

Julian,

Sounds like a great trip you are planning. Your hemoglobin level should be fine for the trip, it is within the normal range. If you have a high risk for heart disease (diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol with atherosclerosis ["hardening of the arteries]) or have had a heart attack or stroke in the past, then you may need to avoid high altitudes, but otherwise you should be fine from that point of risk.

Also, there are no drug interactions between Diamox (acetazolamide) and your anti-HIV medications. So, you may use that, under your physicians guidance, to help lessen symptoms of "altitude sickness" that you might develop.

Have a great and safe trip! Joe