Solution to High Altitude Oxygen Issues

Chasing Fall Colors in Durango, Colorado

We traveled to Durango, Colorado, in October 2024 to explore and photograph the fall colors. The timing was perfect—everywhere we looked, the mountains were alive with brilliant shades of gold and red.

On our first day, we drove up to 10,500 feet. The views were breathtaking, but as I walked, I felt unusually weak—similar to how I feel when there is smoke in the air. I also felt awful in a way I couldn’t quite explain. I thought it might be altitude sickness, but the symptoms didn’t match what I read online.

Still, the beauty was overwhelming. I only needed to take a few steps to be surrounded by views worth photographing, so I kept going and tried not to think too much about it.

Oxygen Issues and a Scary Discovery

Our RV was parked at 6,600 feet, where my oxygen level was registering at 90 each morning. Normally, mine is 95. To double-check, Keith bought a new pulse oximeter—it gave me the same reading.

The next time we went higher into the mountains, I felt stronger and was able to carry my tripod and camera. But at times, my heart hurt, and I grew so weak I had to stop. I checked my oxygen: 84, 86, then shockingly—72.

Looking it up online, I learned that anything below 90 can be very dangerous, and levels that low can cause damage to vital organs.

Why I Can’t Go to the ER

Normally, you’d head straight to the emergency room for oxygen. But for me, it’s not that simple.

Because of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), I can't go to the emergency room. So many people who work there use fragrances. I can wear my mask, and that works so well for me, but I won't be able to wear it if they give me oxygen. I get severe, frightening asthma within minutes when exposed to Tide or other toxic fragrances. The oxygen tubes are often made of silicone, and I react violently to silicone within a few minutes, and that is if it is in the room, not me breathing it directly.

So the ER wasn’t an option. Instead, I called my daughter, who is a nurse. She advised me to take deep, slow breaths—inhale through my nose, exhale through my mouth. By focusing on long, steady breathing, I was able to raise my oxygen level back to 90 until we descended the mountain.

Making the Hard Choice to Leave

The next morning at our campground, my oxygen went down to 86, 88, and sometimes 84. We realized we couldn’t stay. It was heartbreaking—we had seen so many gorgeous views, and the colors were so incredible, and now we couldn’t stay.

We had two more weeks of our trip planned, and we didn’t want to cut it short. Luckily, we found an opening at a campground in Camp Verde, Arizona, a place we love with easy access to Sedona, Cottonwood, and Jerome.

The Drive to Safety

We had lunch, packed up, and left as soon as possible. On our six-hour drive, I mostly slept. When I woke up, I'd see that we were at 6600, 6700, and my oxygen would be 84, 86, 88. On our trips, I often can't stay awake. Has this been an issue for me all this time? When we got to 5000 feet, my oxygen went to 90. Finally, I was safe! This was all so shocking, but important to learn.

At our new campsite, just 3,300 feet above sea level, my oxygen quickly returned to 95. I was safe again, and so thankful.

Hope for Future Travels

I later spoke with a friend who has Long Covid and uses oxygen regularly. She suggested I might be able to get oxygen for high-altitude trips, possibly with silicone-free tubing. That idea gives me hope—I would be able to go anywhere I wanted to go.

When I told my daughter what happened, she said that if I had been with her, she would have taken me straight to the ER. But when I asked how she would protect me from fragrances and silicone tubing, she admitted she didn’t have an answer.

Searching for an Answer

Just as I once found my magical mask to keep me safe from fragrances, pollution, and wood smoke, I was determined to find a solution that would allow Keith and me to travel anywhere we wanted to go.

To get oxygen equipment, I needed a prescription. Thankfully, my doctor understood and provided one. I chose AZ MediQuip in Goodyear, Arizona, since they had 131 five-star reviews! After explaining my issue with high altitudes, the store manager recommended the Inogen One G5 oxygen concentrator. He told me it was the best option available—trusted even by people with COPD. His confidence gave me hope, so I decided to rent one and test it out.

Relief: No Silicone or Triggers

The manager also gave me a nasal cannula. To be safe, I called the company that makes it and learned it’s made from medical-grade PVC, free of latex and silicone. What a relief!

I had no reaction at all—not to the concentrator itself, not to the carrying case, not to the cleaning method, and not to the cannula. I was thrilled beyond words. (I did have a severe reaction to a special backpack for this concentrator, so I don't use it)

Putting It to the Test in Portal

In November 2024, we set out for Animas, New Mexico, the only RV park near Portal, Arizona.

When we arrived in Portal, we were soon at 5,000 feet. My oxygen dropped to 88, but when I turned on the concentrator, it quickly climbed to 92 within minutes.

To truly test it, we went hiking. My oxygen stayed steady, and I felt fantastic. I felt better than fantastic - in a place that was harmful to me, where I could have only walked a few steps, hiking was easier than ever before!

For years, hiking has been at times so challenging for me - I gasp and fight to breathe, and I must stop often to catch my breath. I do this because I love to explore and photograph the beauty of our world. All this time I had not been aware that the difficulty was hiking in higher altitude. Now, hiking was suddenly easy; I felt fine as I hiked; how fantastic!

Traveling Without Limits

Now, not only can Keith and I travel to any place we want, but I have also found a solution that will make my hikes so much easier. I am so thrilled!

When we arrived in Portal, the Arizona Sycamore trees were glowing gold, and the maples were blazing red. Not a single leaf was missing. To see this beauty while breathing freely felt like a miracle.

Making It Mine

After our trip, I returned to AZ MediQuip in Goodyear to purchase my own Inogen One G5. Insurance wouldn’t cover it since my oxygen isn’t low every day, but I was determined. To my surprise, the store manager told me there was a one-day sale and gave me 20% off. I hadn’t seen any signs about it, so I was touched by his honesty and integrity.

Thankful for a New Chapter

I am beyond thankful to have found such a powerful solution—one that gives me freedom to travel, energy to hike, and the confidence that altitude no longer has to hold me back.

If you have any questions about my experience, please reach out. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned.

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