Bingo, CaT
This really is the rubber meets the road question.
I spent 4 years figuring out I needed to do something before I actually did anything about my AMS problem. I hate taking drugs and only do so after all other means are exhausted.
As for I'm going spend 3 days at elevation before tackling 14,508', this does not guarantee anything. My absolute worse AMS episode happened after extended acclimatization. I had absolutely no problems reaching White Mtn. However, one bit of food and the ca-ca hit the fan, nausea, headache, lack of appetite and malaise. The symptoms went buh-bye back in Big Pine at 4,000' 5 or 6 hours later...not before.
I would never recommend the use of drugs prior to having more than a few problem trips to elevation. The drugs, as stated, have their own set of problems.
