Just having read "High Crimes" by Micheal Kodas, the author wrote about how certain climbers have taken to using dexamethasone orally in the absence of HAPE or HACE on Everest - more or less a high altitude performance enhancing drug. The benefits can be tremendous such as decreasing inflammation in joints and in the lungs but it also greatly decreases one's already diminished healing ability as well as all but wiping out the immune system. Very scary situation given the prevalence of intestinal infections and pneumonia on these big expeditions.
Last edited by John P.; 06/10/10 07:40 PM.
