Sinuses

[FlightDeckDave]

Hi there,

Does anybody know what my situation would be on passing a JAR Class 1 Medical for becoming a Commercial Airline Pilot. I have had experience with sinus problems in the past and 3 yrs ago had sinusitis which was painful. In the last couple of years sometimes when I get a cold my sinuses become quite blocked for a couple of weeks, until I use medication to heal me. For the rest of the time my sinus are fine and I usually have no problem equalising. I've even done a bit of scuba diving and have no problem equalising there either.

Would I fail a Class 1 test and / or will no airline take me on as a pilot? And if I was to have any type of operation to improve my sinuses would this jeapodise my potential career?

Any information would be appreciated.

[low n' slow]

I guess you know allready about the barotrauma stuff since you've had it for so long. Let me put it to you this way. You might get through a class one if your fit for fight during the exam, but if youre future airline gets a sniff of that you will be grounded for a month or so with regular intervals, you might not get the job.

More to the point: You've allready felt the pains of bad sinuses (spelling/grammar? oh that goes for my whole post...) on ground. Have you ever had the chance to feel what it's like to have a sinus problem in the air?
To put it short, it's worse than torture. I've had it a couple of times and I'm now really careful to not get in that situation again as it's absolute agony. If the smelly brown stuff hits the fan, it'll make you incapacitated and possibly to the point where you'll faint and thus be completely useless up front.

As I've understood things, what happens is, in the descent or as the pressure increases outside of the blockage, you build up a suction in the sinuses. This will, if sufficient blockage/diff. pressure is present, pop the mucus membrane that lines your sinuses out of its position. When this happens, you're grounded for indefinate time as this will most likely get infected. As you I guess you know, sinus problems usually linger around for quite som time and may very well ruin your career as it has for many other pilots.

I hope I didn't scare you too much but sinus problems and aviation don't mix well.

/LnS

[gingernut]

It may be useful for you to question the label of "sinus problem."

A good clinician should be able to differentiate between acute, chronic or recurrent sinusitis, which may have a bearing on your medical.



In the last couple of years sometimes when I get a cold my sinuses become quite blocked for a couple of weeks

Some may suggest that this is within the range of what may be considered "normal," but there could be other key factors in the story which you tell of your symptoms, which may have a bearing on your medical. You should not fly if you are suffering from sinusitis. Good luck.

[Hufty]

I had a smilar problem and surgery really helped - they opened up the sinus passageways to make them larger - even if you do get a bit of congestion, the passageways are wider so they shouldn't become blocked.

Medication will obvously help too, but it is the plumbing that will be causing the problems and you might find it is relatively easily fixed. Try to find a good ENT specialist (not your GP they will just prescribe Beconase)

Hufty

[rhovsquared]

A new sinus procedure involves using a balloon-tipped catheter (same type as in a balloon angioplasty) in order to open the sinus cavities; patients report great relief.

rhov :)

[Me-Uk]

Yes, I've heard that they are done with great success.

By the way, consider the benefits not just for flying but also for everything else.

[rhovsquared]

Claritin, Clarinex, or the newer Leukotriene blockers, as a poosible nonsurgical option for seasonal sinusitus, due to allergies

I don't know if available there, but OTC here :ok:



To the Tire Speed Limit and beyond :} :} :},

rhov :)