Good Evening Everyone,

I am new poster to these boards yet long term reader, I was wondering if I could get some advice, firstly just a quick background

Last year my mother was informed at a very late stage that she had a brain tumor, complications arose and when they were removing the tumor she suffered a stroke and was in a coma for months, she had suffered headaches dizziness and vertigo for years. I was at her bedside nearly all the time in hospital while maintaining a full time job. Life became tough I went from being very fit and active to very tired and lazy and the stress of it all gave me constant headaches and dizziness, I too was paranoid at this stage that I had a brain tumor (sounds daft I know) but my mum insisted when she finally came round a few weeks after that I get my head checked out

It took a bit of persuading for the doctor to give me a medical so I told him of my symptoms since my mum had been through all this, to cut a long story short I was diagnosed with an enlarged pituitary gland with a possible Macrodenoma (small growth) and referred to a Neurosurgeon. He said that the large pituitary gland could be part of my genetic make up or possible a small growth which he doubted but referred me onto an endocrinologist to check my hormones.

All my hormone levels are normal and since my mom came out of hospitals the headaches and the dizziness has stopped and I am much more energetic. The Endocrinologist said he will see me in a year for an MRI to see is there any change.

My question is I really want to get my class 1 medical and become a pilot. I am 23 years old and want to be completely upfront about this to my AME but I am wondering am I wasting my time going for a class 1 medical or should I wait til I get another MRI next year? it has now been 6 months since I have been to the consultants and I am due to go back in February next year

Sorry about rambling on but I just can't get this of my mind I have booked into the Matter Hospital in Dublin for the 4th of June provisionally, any help greatly appreciated

Many thanks

Chris

The only peopel you can speak to is the Gatwick medics.

Don't be scared of them they are pretty good to be honest.

Best speak to them now then if your getting aload of tests done you can get the right paper work.

opps just seen your a bog trotter my comments are for the UK CAA. :ok:

Sadly this is what happens when people pursue the need for investigation.

I can't for the life of me believe that anyone really investigated you for feeling tired after such a traumatic episode. And why on earth would the tests start with the brain? I presume you were being humoured due to your mother's insistence but sadly there is now a question and I suspect that until it is resolved and your regulator is fully satisfied you will be stone walled in your attempt to get a medical.

I am afraid I don't see a way round. A microadenoma can cause all sorts of problems and although it is incredible to believe you have one you simply can't fly

I reckon that, if I investigated everyone in my waiting roo, hard enough, I'd find something wrong!

It's good news that the endocrinologist has given you the all clear, and a 12 month follow up is reassuring.

What does the AME say?

Thanks for the info guys,

homonculus, it is only a suspect microadenoma, in which the neuro specialist said I could have been born with and could be part of my genetic make up, he didn't seem to concerned at all at refered me onto an Endocrinologist as I was at the time, exhausted and run down just to rule anything out.

gignernut, I haven't spoken to a medical 1 AME yet although I have spoken with a class 2 AME, all parties involved including my GP Class 2 AME and Endocrinologist don't see any reason why this would go against me (My Endocrinologist is writing a letter to support this, although the Class 2 AME did say that they may want their own Neuro Specialist opinion which I guess is fair enough. I haven't officially been given an 'all clear' as I do have a follow up MRI and blood tests in February just to make sure there is no change

I'm just wondering now....

should I postpone my medical til then?

If I fail this medical because of this will it set off alarm bells for when I go for any commercial job?

Is it a possibility that I will never be allowed fly due to this despite me having no symptoms like seizures headaches blackouts etc as all my blood tests are normal,

Once again all your comments and advice is of great help,

Chris

I would they are never going to grant you it with something pending.

If you are able to walk into the office suitably armed with reams of paper work from specialists saying your fit you are half way there.

Still they may not be happy so don't get your hopes up to much.

Good luck though!

thanks for your advice, hopefully it won't rule me out full time if this isn't giving me any symptoms.

Are there any AME's on this board that could shed some light on this for me?

I agree with mad jock

You don't have any pathology

But as with most doctors your specialists want to be sure. Sadly they don't realise what effect it has on you. I would sit your consultant down and explain the word suspect is damaging your career and see if he will give you the all clear. I would based on what you say.

Otherwise it will be a hurdle

Feel free to contact me with your consultants details and I will see if I can get some sense into him