Scary Med1cal...

[bret]

Just got back from my apt, and I never realized how important it is to pass this silly thing......sitting there and she says there is a problem....my heart stops for a second, I had back surggery one year ago, (spelling wrong on purpose, gogle thing) I brought in all the papers, MRI surggical report, release to full duty ect. Then she goes on how she has to refer me and I will have to go back to the surggen bla bla bla. Then she says, Hu, let me call Oklahoma about this, on the phone for two days, I mean 15 min, comes back in and has me do more test, and says today is your lucky day....Whew! that was close.

[Mark12A]

Try having sleep apnea.

[gmann750]

Try not saying anything to them which could wreck your ability to fly.

[Mark12A]

Originally Posted by gmann750

Try not saying anything to them which could wreck your ability to fly.

My sleep doctor couldn't find anything in his books about "FAA" so he used the truck driver standards. Fortunately, otherwise he is a very good doctor.

[bret]

So what is the story with sleeping? are you sleep flying?

[Kent Ashton]

I hope this isn't a showstopper for you. Lots of people have irregular heart rhythms.

However, never go for an FAA medical or put a mark on that FAA 8500-8 form unless you know in advance that you don't have a disqualifying condition. If you suspect you have something wrong, talk to your GP first--off the record if he'll accommodate that.

Also, ask around before you select your next FAA medical examiner. Try to find one that's a pilot. Go across the state if you have to. There are all kinds. I've had guys who were as picky and others who barely looked at me. Most of us know when we are safe to fly and the others don't care and fly anyway.

Disqualifying conditions:
http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certific...faq/response6/

[RWoodard]

I had neck surgery on 12/21/11 and just passed my 1st class medical this morning! Wooo, hoo. Back to work. And back to flying my little airplane, too.

Everything I did with regard to the surgery was well-planned to get me back to work ASAP. I FedEx'd all the pertinent documents to my AME about 10 days prior to my exam. He made sure he had enough documentation to issue my medical on the spot and that's exactly what he did this morning.

I'd strongly suggest that anyone with an out-of-the-ordinary situation seek out an AME who's familiar with special issuance and special situation medicals. I know of many docs who turn a mole hill into a mountain for no other reason than they're unfamiliar with the FAA rules and procedures.

Just my humble opinion.

[Mark12A]

Originally Posted by bret

So what is the story with sleeping? are you sleep flying?

My old FAA medical examiner just wanted a statement from my previous sleep doctor that I didn't suffer from daytime somnolence. The FAA considers a pilot falling asleep while flying to be "bad". My last adventure with a new sleep doctor was a "Maintenance of Wakefulness Test" in which I had to sit quietly in a darkened room, without moving, for 40 minutes without falling asleep. Four times in an eight hour period.

I HAVE had more fun.

[rv7charlie]

You never know what will bite you. I started a mild blood pressure drug over a year ago (for a kidney issue, not blood pressure) & sweated dealing with that. It was no problem.

But.

I was also started on about 50% of the normal dose for my weight of Synthroid, used for hypothyroidism. Never gave that any thought. Guess what: Instant Disqualifier; must be referred, and cannot be issued by the doc on the spot. Fortunately I paid an unofficial visit to the AME prior to the actual exam, & we were able to get it set up so that he could make a call to the regional office & get verbal approval.

I got my medical, but was told to expect a letter of 'denial/but we'll let you fly anyway' sometime in the next month or two.

It's truly bizarre (according to real, actual doctors) what the FAA considers disqualifying.

Charlie

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Mark12A

My last adventure with a new sleep doctor was a "Maintenance of Wakefulness Test" in which I had to sit quietly in a darkened room, without moving, for 40 minutes without falling asleep. Four times in an eight hour period.

Well, at least they had you simulate something remotely similar to flying.