Does the bag inflate more at high altitude?

Hi,

I'm off to Colorado in a few days, leaving from Boston, which is officially 9 feet above sea level, to places that are much higher. Someone (who doesn't have an ostomy) just told me to watch out for my bag inflating .... I hadn't even thought about that, wondering if it's real or not. I didn't have any trouble when I went on a plane, but that's pressurized.

I very rarely have much gas or air in my bag now. I had assumed that folks who do just had different digestive systems or were eating different foods than I do, but now I'm wondering if altitude is a factor.

Also, anything I might be missing about going from a humid place to a very dry place?

I haven't had the bag through all seasons yet....

thanks

Blueglass,
Great question! My home is 1,000 feet above sea level. It is the highest point in our city. I live up here because of the amazing view and the fact that I love snow. The rest of the city rarely has snow. Humidity level usually varies between 30% and 50%. I have never had my bag inflate more at home than down in the city. 1,000 feet is nothing compared to most mountains. I am not up to mountain climbing yet. Let us know what you find out.
Szm

I don't think altitude does anything. I live at 5600 ft, but when I went and hiked some 14,000 foot peaks recently, I did not notice any change with my pouch inflating more.

I agree; I thinnk the only thing that affects it is the food you eat. If you had a plastic ziploc bag with chips in it high in the mountains, it wouldn't turn into a balloon.

I've been in Minnesota and down in Florida in CRAZY humidity, and I've noticed no difference. I've been in the mountains of North Carolina, and I've noticed no difference. I think that's kind of like a wives' tale or something.

have a great time :):) and don't let anyone confuse you.

Hi Blue,

I'm from Mass. too. Let me know how you do with the flight. Good luck, Rosemary

OK here's the report:

I have not noticed anything w/the bag inflating, but I was very surprised when we landed in Albuquerque, there was no doubt that my waffle cushion had inflated significantly! I've been carrying it around for months and it was just obviously bigger, enough so that my family could tell too, just from looking at it.

My partner's nephew said that they used to like to take full balloons on car rides up higher in the mountain -- at some point they pop. I want to try that too.

I am digging out my chemistry, remembering pv = nrt..... so if the pressure goes down, volume goes up ..... but that's for gasses, and I don't have that much gas in the bag, it's mostly liquid..... so I am agreeing w/Jimmy.

As for the ziploc bag, if it started w/air in it, than it's like the balloon, so it should expand some, but if you take the air out first, shouldn't matter.

Hope my waffle cushion doesn't pop when I get higher up!

Anyways, I'm having a great time, it's so gorgeous here. We walked by the pedialyte at the store yesterday and I was just so happy -- that was my beverage of choice last year on the trip, and I hope I never drink it again! (I have some issues w/gatorade). Going to Mesa Verde today, my partner grew up a few miles away, but in the last three years, I have been too fatigued to actually go. It is so fabulous being healthier!

I don't have time to read other posts now, but I wanted to share this interesting info.... will catch up when I get home. Hope you're all well.