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06-15-2009, 10:03 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 146
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re Myron's post
Myron writes...you'd be surprised at the number of fit and healthy types who also suffer. We have a nationally ranked marathon runner as a patient
This last statement describes me. Normal weight, distance runner. Probably had OSA (undiagnosed) for 40 years.
Question for you, sir. Do you find much hypertension (especially "white coat" hypertension) among your normally proportioned and "fit" patients?
I'm healthy in every respect (thanks to xPAP) but for some reason, I still get the "Willies" in a Dr's office, and my b.p. responds accordingly. Home readings are well below 120/80, btw.
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__________________
Tom in Sacramento.
RV-7A, Emp Kit finished (only 2 yrs!).
Wing construction officially started.
N7877A Reserved. Planning to call it "The STREAKER"
VAF # 1635
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03-01-2010, 01:11 PM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVFlyer
Okay you guys convinced me to go in for the sleep analysis I've been avoiding. I'll post my results and how any treatment works. I suspect this will be another time VAF comes through for me. Thanks for the kick in the butt.
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So, what is the status of your testing/results???
I am taking a sleep test tomorrow night  and am sure glad for the information in this thread.
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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03-01-2010, 09:48 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 8
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FAA medical, restless leg and Mirapex
If you take Mirapex for restless leg syndrome, be aware that Mirapex disqualifies you for an FAA medical. The situation is similar to sleep apnea in that the FAA is very worried about poor sleep from the restless leg as well as the drug's potential side effect of involuntary sleep during the day. The AME got on the phone to the regional FAA people as soon as I told him about the medication and it was a quick slide to an OKC denial, with the burden then on me to change drugs, gather my medical information and appeal. I lost a couple months of flying as a result of my failure to properly prepare for the medical, so I urge anyone on Mirapex to get ahead of the game.
The FAA issued a 1-year medical after I switched to Sinemet and my doc reported to them the condition was well-controlled, with no adverse side effects and no daytime sleepiness. They didn't require a sleep study but I gathered they would have been mighty interested in studying one if it had existed.
Dave Woboril
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03-01-2010, 11:22 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 146
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Mike S writes...
I am taking a sleep test tomorrow night and am sure glad for the information in this thread.
Mike, the sleep study will go easier than you might think. They attach some electrodes here and there, and from there, it's not too much different from a night at a hotel.
Sometimes they use the whole night to diagnose, then a later study to determine therapy values. Other places do it all in one night, which is what I had.
If xPAP is in order, it takes a little getting used to, but after a while it's a snap. And the results? You're more alert and alive. The sky might be a little bluer, the songs on the radio could be a little cooler, and the ladies might even be cuter. You'll see.
Good luck.
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__________________
Tom in Sacramento.
RV-7A, Emp Kit finished (only 2 yrs!).
Wing construction officially started.
N7877A Reserved. Planning to call it "The STREAKER"
VAF # 1635
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03-02-2010, 09:54 AM
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Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 502
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Mike's test for OSA
Hey Mike,
I've been using CPAP for over nine years. Following my first test of which most of the night was using the machine, I discovered I was far more awake and alert when I left the lab. It was the first good night's sleep I had in years and didn't realize how much it was affecting me.
Doesn't make the yearly AME visits less inconvenient though. I have the sleep study/MWT done every other year and a comprehensive letter from the sleep doc filling in the odd years. If you have everything well documented and an AME that's easy to work with, you won't have any trouble.
Happy to communciate further by PM.
Regards
__________________
Carl Raichle
Lutz, FL
RV-9A N194CR
RV-14A Under construction
Based at KZPH
AA4SR
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03-02-2010, 10:01 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sherwood, Oregon
Posts: 981
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kentb
I make a mistake yesterday and filled out my 3rd class medical form to fully.
I indicated that I had a sleep study done and now used a CPAP machine at night.
The Dr. reported 'obstructive apnea'. Meaning that while asleep my tongue block off my airway to some extent and the positive pressure of the CPAP allows me to sleep normally.
The Dr. doing the exam, said that the 'red flag' requires the report to be sent to the FAA and I would need to wait to hear from them.
So now I am grounded!
Anyone else that have dealt with the FAA on this issue before want to give me a run down on getting my medical back?
How long will it take?
The Dr. suggested that I could still fly, but with a PPL in the plane as PIC. Not sure what the insurance company would think of that.
The Dr. also suggested that I would be required to do a 'Daytime Wakefulness Study'. My regular Dr. has never heard of such a thing.
Any advise would be apreaciated.
Thanks, Kent
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Kent,
I feel your pain... Truly! Taking Iron over the counter supplements and duly reporting same for 6 years. Not good enough this time. So far 3 snail mail reports back and forth to OK City, each one avg a month for response. 3 visits to 2 Drs. to get them to write reports on my behalf... Last and I hope final report sent 02/04, checking mail breathlessly every day.
On an on... My advice to everyone is to sign up on AOPA's med program and talk to them before making app, which I obviously did not...
Can you tell I'm frustrated? Many lessons learned here that will not be repeated next time. One thing I learned from EAA after the fact is that AME is supposed to give you 2 weeks to correct anything before sending app to OK city.
Kent, I thinks it's possible we both went for our medicals at the same place?
__________________
Jerry Cochran
Sherwood, Oregon
RV-7a 707DD Bot from David Domeier 12/01/11
Lycoming IO-360 Catto 3 blade Panel upgrade in progress
RV6a 18XP 1st flite 03/21/07 sold to Dale Walter 10/22/2011
Superior IO-360, Hartzell Blended, GRT/Dynon
Happily "autopaying" DR
"Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself."
Mark Twain
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03-02-2010, 10:16 AM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Thanks for the info
Dave, no Mirapex, so that is not a problem.
Tom, and Carl, thanks for the encouragement---everyone I have ever talked to who uses a CPAP has pretty much the same thing to say.
I did call the AOPA med guy, told him what is going on. His response is pretty much in line with what has already been said on this thread----get the test, if they prescribe a CPAP, then use it for a while til I feel normal, then do a wake test, and get a letter from the MD----go to the AME with all in hand, and should be a non issue, other than may take some extra time.
The AOPA guy did suggest a AME up in Chico (extra couple hours drive) who is familiar with this stuff as being better just going back to my regular AME, who might not be that familiar with it.
AOPA guy also mentioned it seems the NTSB is pushing the FAA pretty hard right now about sleep issues, couple of recent high visibility crashes seem to be linked to pilot fatigue/lack of sleep.
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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03-02-2010, 05:46 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Estacada, OR
Posts: 787
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Whoever had the restless leg syndrome, my cure was to simply cut out soft drinks and take calcium supplements. Works for me, no FAA problems and no restless legs.
__________________
Richard Scott
RV-9A Fuselage
1941 Interstate Cadet
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03-03-2010, 02:56 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Canby, Oregon
Posts: 1,786
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Jerry, If you got your at Aurora Aviation....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry Cochran
Kent,
I feel your pain... Truly! Taking Iron over the counter supplements and duly reporting same for 6 years. Not good enough this time. So far 3 snail mail reports back and forth to OK City, each one avg a month for response. 3 visits to 2 Drs. to get them to write reports on my behalf... Last and I hope final report sent 02/04, checking mail breathlessly every day.
On an on... My advice to everyone is to sign up on AOPA's med program and talk to them before making app, which I obviously did not...
Can you tell I'm frustrated? Many lessons learned here that will not be repeated next time. One thing I learned from EAA after the fact is that AME is supposed to give you 2 weeks to correct anything before sending app to OK city.
Kent, I thinks it's possible we both went for our medicals at the same place?
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Then it is the same Dr.
This year I need to get a FAA form filled our by an AME to keep my medical current. I have heard of a Dr in Silverton that knows about sleep apnea so that where I'll be going in May.
Kent
__________________
Kent Byerley
RV9A N94KJ - IO320, CS, tipup
AFS 3500, TT AP, FLYING....
Canby, Or
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04-29-2010, 09:44 AM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Need a little advice from CPAP users
Well, I finally got an answer back from the sleep test I took almost 2 months ago-----------moderate to severe sleep apnea. 
They want me to start using a BiPAP machine, which is going to be delivered soon.
VAF is my first stop on this particular information quest, I am also going to look into what AOPA can do for me.
For those of you who have "boldly gone where no one has gone before", the question is how do I make sure to get all the necessary ducks lined up so when I go in for my medical, things will go smoothly???
As always, thanks if advance.
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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