Class 1 Meds and Asthma...

[vortex ping]

Hi there,
I am a current military helo pilot who had mild asthma diagnosed 6 years ago. The military are 'happy' with it, but i'm now looking to pastures new and am concerned the CAA/JAR won't be quite as can do as my current employers. The bottom line is i don't match up to the 70% requirement for FEV1 (that's the hideous long continual exhale into the tube). I've never had an attack though, and don't need inhalers.
- Has anyone got any experience of Asthma and class 1 medicals?
- Any words of wisdom before I throw myself to the medical types?
Thanks
Vortex

[JAG3]

I don't want to hijack your thread but I was looking if you could shed some light on my situation. I am aiming for RAF officer aircrew but have a slight problem. Don't know if you heard about my asthma situation buts its pretty much down to I was diagnosed at 8 but never received any symptoms or had an attack so last year I went to a Asthma specialist who diagnosed me without it but obviously its still down on my records and my doctor can't erase it.

I would personally think that your situation shouldn't be a problem if the military is allowing you to fly. Good Luck:ok:

[vortex ping]

Jag,
If you've been given the all clear by your Doc then you should have nothing to worry about - as long as you pass the vitalograph and peak flow tests.
Good luck!

[femaleWannabe]

I'm going for my class 1 next week and had asthma when I was younger. Not had an attack or taken any medication for about 10 years though. The CAA seem to think I should be fine. I know my peak flow is within limits (just) but no idea about the long exhaling one...is there a technique to it?

[JAG3]

Vortex-I'm afraid the RAF still frowns upon me because I used to have it and as the RAF clearly states if you ever had it you won't be accepted for aircrew. I'm going to aim for getting my specialist to somehow get in contact with the RAF before I join.:ok:

[Shaft109]

I hold a full JAA Class 1 Flight crew licence medical and have asthma, very well controlled.

VORTEX PING - you should have no major problems, i'm sure you can improve your FEV1 70% by cardio training and "practising" on a peak flow meter or spirometer (I tried one at my GP's surgery after I asked the nurse nicely), technique is also a factor, think of a hosepipe being squeezed at the end the flow speeds up - you can do something similar.

You may have to do a 10 minute run around the car park or on a treadmill but I didn't have to.

Good luck

[vortex ping]

Thanks all,
Shaft -do you use a steroidal inhalant? it was mentioned to me a while back but as yet do no use one.
I'll go down to my friendly sick bay and have a pratice. i think my FEV1 was low 60s when i last did it a couple of years ago so some work needed!
Cheers
Vortex

[pipergirl]

vortex ping-

you don't take a preventative/controller inhaler? what are you doing to treat your condition?

if you are not using preventative/controller inhaler, you are not treating your condition.
Be very careful....I was prescribed a preventative inhaler and thought, in my infinite wisdom, that I didn't need it. One day without warning, my asthma went pretty much downhill..my doctor went mad at me and gave out to me so much...I will never forget it

My word of warning to you about asthma generally is, keep an eye on it and never get complacent with it...it takes hard work to stay on top of it, but it is worth it

if you get on to that preventative inhaler, it will bring your lung function up and you will find an improvement with your performance at your medical

[vortex ping]

Thanks piper girl, i'll bear that in mind. i did use a preventative for a year but it had no effect on my lung function. i've got nothing to lose however by using one long term though.

i was wondering if anyone had experience of exceptions to the rule/restricted med cats given by JAR. On speaking to a CAA respiratory specialist several years ago, i was told a reason why the regs are so harsh are the possibility of an asthma attack brought on by an explosive decompression at 36000ft. My answer to that was 'how about a med cat that restricts to unpressurised cabins' ie helos. I didn't get a sensible answer. I'd love to hear from someone who has.

thanks

vortex

[bigmac69]

Hi

I am looking for an answer that i can't seem to find here, anywhere. I was diagnosed at 17 as having Asthma, after getting a chest infection. I was issued all kinds of inhalers and i did use them for a fairly prolonged period.

They didn't seem to have much of an effect on my breathing and so i stopped using them. I am now 26, haven't ever had an asthma attack and haven't used inhalers for over five years. My Peak flow is normally between 550 and 600, I am of average height. Are these figures acceptable for a bloke of my age for the class one medical. What are the average figures?

Many thanks in advance........BM69

[femaleWannabe]

I had an extremely similar question not so long ago! Try here http://www.peakflow.com/ The site seems to be down just now, but it has a handy calculator for you to work out what it should be. You are allowed to be a certain percentage above or below the predicted figure (its in the small print at the bottom of the graph). You will need to know which scale you are using for measuring peak flow - this is also on that site somewhere (if only it would load!). My peak flow is just within the limits... and I mean JUST, and I got my class 1 the other day, so chances are you will be fine. Hope thats of some help :)

[bigmac69]

Thanks for the link. Looks like i am within 'normal' limits. All the best.

BM69

[buggingout]

the other thing the CAA want to see (even more important than just the peak flow) is that the asthma is controlled i.e. are your peak flow and lung capacity readings the same post-exercise as pre-exercise.


If you have to see the CAA for confirmation the the procedure is like this:

2 lung capacity checks and 2 peak flow readings (both times readings must be almost identical or you're asked to re-do them)

6 minute run

2 lung capacity checks and 2 peak flow readings immediately after run

2 lung capacity checks and 2 peak flow readings 10 minutes after run

CAA specialist to review results - they're looking for almost identical readings pre & post as they want to know about any potential degradation of health in stressful conditions.

They also like you to be taking the medication your GP has prescribed, except oral steroids.....they're no-no.

Worth monitoring yourself for that as well.

Good luck with it....I'd say if the military are happy with you the CAA will be.

[femaleWannabe]

Well I was there the other day and didn't have to do any exercise tests. It seems if you are not taking medication and have not had an attack for over 5 years, or been hospitalised because of asthma, then you are treated as a "normal" person - i.e. non asthmatic. The doctor I had certainly didn't seem concerned and I did the lung capacity and peak flow as normal - sure it was a bit lower than the average, but still within limits.

I wrote to the CAA before booking my medical describing my situation and they told me I would be assessed normally - no futher comments or mention of futher tests. I'd imagine if you have had an attack in the last 5 years or are taking preventative inhalers currently, then the situation may be different.

edited to add - I don't think my results were analysed by a specialist as my certificate came through today.... medical was on wednesday so very quick turnaround!

[buggingout]

apologies....should have explained:

my reply was with reference to the not meeting 70%+ FEV and the likely outcome IF they see this as a problem, I agree with femaleWannabee if you've had no problems recently

[femaleWannabe]

no worries - I just didn't want anyone to start worrying about all the tests. I read so many posts about running round carparks and having extra tests... I began panicking I'd never pass... then when I got there it was all fine :ok:

[Shendidy]

Hello all,

I was scared to death before going to my medical test last Tuesday because of the asthma thing as well. I’ve been worried for over two months since I started planning to train for getting a PPL, I read lots and lots of articles, and started doing some lungs trainings to improve my lungs capacity. The night before the test I couldn’t sleep even, and I was terrified this can affect my heart test. The other thing that was scaring me was that running around the car park, I thought I’ll collapse in 30 secondsJ. However, when I got there every thing was fine, my peak flow was 750, and I received my certificate today. As femalewannabe said, if you haven’t suffered an acute attack in the last five years, you shouldn’t be worried, or over worried shall we say. If any one requires any more information about my experience don’t hesitate to pm me, I’ll be more than glad to be of any help at all.

All the best fellow asthmatics:ok:

[Dehavillandman]

I was forced to repeat the test a couple of times (not for a Cat1, just a medical). The girl doing the test was really upset until I told her I used to play an instrument. She smiled and told me thats why it isn't showing up so well, apparently all the musical practicing had trained me to control the exhalation and almost blew the test. Anyone else find this, or am i just lucky?

[vortex ping]

Can any of you 'ex/controlled asthmatics' remember what your score was on the vitalograph (the long blow machine). My peak flow is fine at 630, but i only scored 60% on the vitalograph. that's assuming they still get you to do the vitalograph test.

thanks