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stay on topic, please
Careful friends, this thread is getting very close to being shut down due to leaving the original topic and veering into the political realm.....
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I have a simple non-political question that may have been answered previously - I haven't read all 11 pages. Does this BMI test apply to all medical classes (1st - 3rd)? I suppose I'll find out next month when I get my possibly last 1st class medical.
I tried Dr. Concannon's simple weight test and it agrees exactly with what my doctor tells me - "it wouldn't hurt you to loose about 10 pounds". I had a sleep study performed on me about 20 years ago at a hospital here in Cincy, where I had to spend the night in the hospital wired up like the six million dollar man. It was found then that I had no apnea or other muscle problems that were interfering with my sleep (I was dealing with insomnia). My question for Milt, or another doctor is, is one sleep apnea study good enough, or is there a statute of limitations? I think I know the answer, so I'm going to loose those 10 pounds. Incidentally, my insomnia was caused by my bizarre sleep pattern flying international for Delta at the time. Insomnia is another bad one and if not medically disqualifying, it can have some very negative side effects. The answer for me was, don't fly international (trans-oceanic) anymore. Problem solved. Some pilots can handle it, but not me. I need my beauty rest. Milt was a friend from long ago - I'd heed his free advice...... |
Scott check your PMs
As for the hypothetical I think Brian or Mike S can best advise as to the process of evaluation, treatment and it's impact on your medical. In this area they are my "betters' as I have never been through the process, they have. |
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In reading what the FAA has published so far, I have not seen anything exempting any medical class(I through 3) and don't think there would be any rationale for doing so. Sleep studies, and probably you, have changed significantly over the past 20 years. Your original sleep study is going to be of no interest to them, this many years after. Jim Berry RV-10 |
Self diagnosed OSA
One doesn't really need a sleep study IMHO. When you go on a Mule Deer hunt and your buddies make you sleep outside the cabin in a van 50' from the house; you've got apnea. When your spouse/significant other jabs that bony elbow in your ribs screaming "shut the blank up"; you have apnea. When you wake yourself up snoring & have a raw throat; you have apnea.
Well, that's me. :( So I went to my Doctor and told him I wanted a CPAP (constant present air pressure) machine. He said I needed a sleep study so I could get the proper settings. I knew my sister's settings so I insisted on them. He gave in and wrote me a script when I assured him that if he didn't; I would go hire a couple of illegal aliens, get a bicycle pump, jury rig a mask and make my own stink'n CPAP machine. That seemed to convince him I was serious and he was kind enough to help me out. I will tell you all that I now have 5 CPAP machines and am terrified at the thought of being without one. I sleep so sound & well now that I am unable to take a nap since using them. Having said that, I am vehemently opposed to this FAA proposal. I have 4 pilot friends that I've been working judiciously on to get them re-engaged in flying. We were all hangar flying earlier in the week; and they are livid about this. So am I. More hoops to jump through. One was definitely fired up about a -4. Another wants a -6. The other two want Piper Cherokees. I'm truly afraid this may prevent them from renewing their aviation activities. I would fly with any one of them. We all commented on the fact that for us to arrive at our destination; we were driving vehicles on a 2 lane highway head on to oncoming traffic doing 70 mph and only separated by a yellow line and TRUST. :eek: Geez folks, this proposal is just OUT of all proportions. ... thanks Sam & Doug for letting us continue this as I see it as one of the greatest threats to GA yet. I've been around for a long time; and I cannot recall being this concerned for our future. |
"Snoring Is Not Necessarily Sleep Apnea"
"Snoring Is Not Necessarily Sleep Apnea"
This quote is taken directly from American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Site. Just to clarify, there is and can be a difference. |
Apples and Oranges ...
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The random application of this new FAA policy is a completely different "abuse of power" subject. Mixing the two isn't very productive and tends to hide a real health issue that affects a lot of folks, not just pilots. BTW, generally OSA is a symptom/result of other health related issues not a causal factor in and of itself. Just another random .02 |
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My sleep doctor specifically called this out as being a big misconception. Most modern info on the subject claim all kinds of health conditions that can be a result of untreated OSA. Make no mistake about it....Untreated OSA is bad stuff... |
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That said, it really doesn't matter which is the chicken; which is the egg. Even if it doesn't cause you to crash your plane, untreated OSA is deadly. If you think you might have it, get tested. If you know you have it, get it treated. Jim Berry RV-10 |
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