How much is too much?
 

I am going backto my medical soon Expired first class FAA. This time around I have a few minor issues. I am certain that I have heard that there is some sort of FAA policy that says that too many problems listed on that FAA questionaire are a negative factor. Common sense would say that that would most certainly depend ont about just what exactly the problems are.
What about the possibility of the FAA just saying that allthough these are minor problems, you still have too many. This resulting in investigation.

Not an AME, but as far as I know, the FAA accept/reject process is strictly by the book. Depends completely on what the problems are, not just adding up how many hangnails you've had.

Problems are assessed on their merit; not on the number of problems you have.

Talk to your AME for further guidance.

Thanks
 

Thanks guys. Had a few problems this time around.

The "average" person in the UK has about 5 problems "tagged" to their GP notes. (Rightly or wrongly.) In fact, seeing only 1 or 2 problems usually suggests that the patient has been "out of the system" for some time.

As my learned colleagues have suggested, the activity of those problems is more likely to evoke issues, rather than the total number themselves.

Neurontin
 

I have also been reading posts concerning neurontin. Does having history of taking neurontin for minor sciatica give cause for rejection? I did read that this would give cause for follow up information from the practicing Physician. I would have to go to my Doctor and request a letter stating dose, frequency etc.
Is there any more information out there concedrning what I should expect? Will this mean a rejection, and then some sort of grievence? Will I be able toget my medical right away,and then receive a letter from FAA asking me for a follow up?

For an FAA exam, the AME will either issue it at the time, reject at the time, or submit it to higher review, depending on the problem.

As I am not an AME, here's my advice in such a case: Make an appointment with an AME just to discuss your case. Best choice is to use an AME other than the one you hope to certify with. Do NOT fill in the Form 8500 application. Get the official scoop on whether or not you can be certified, and pay for that visit, rather than relying on internet advice. If he tells you additional information is needed, round that up and have all your stuff in order when you go for the real exam.

I am not an AME but there has previously been a thread to the effect that gabapentin or neurontin is not compatible with a UK medical. I am afraid I do not know about the FAA

My understanding is that this is only for the duration of administration

I must say this is an unusual drug for mild pain and also for sciatica, and I would not consider this to be common in the UK. As such you may find the AME is rather more interested in the underlying disease. However if the sciatica is better and you are off the drug you should be OK

Good luck

My FAA medical has been allowed to expire on several occasions as I refuse to pay the UK rip off rates to renew and wait until I am in the USA to do it. Never had it refused, including the time I had reported a rather rare illness. Took all the info I could find about the illness and gave it to the AME. Class 1 issued without a problem but was warned the FAA might follow up but they never did.

More Medical
 

I had an experience where I did not let my medical expire,and I did have surgery where I was prescribed a narcotic pain killer. My medical was issued right away,and FAA did follow up. They needed a letter from my treating physician stating that I no longer am prescribed the medication, and the duration and dosage. That was all.

"History of" taking neurontin (gabapentin) and "currently taking" neurontin are very separate things.

It seems that the authorities currently take a dim view on stuff that affects the central nervous system, which is a shame, 'cos they can be very effective if prescribed proportionately.

Tell your pain prescriber that you fly planes.

You seem very anxious about very specific issues with your medical; what is the underlying problem?

Have you spoken to your AME and got the advice from the person who is actually going to see, examine and make a decision about your eligibility to assess you?

No, there is no slit lamp but what would be the issue if there was?

Japandwell

Narcotics and neurotoxin are different drugs. Your posts are confusing me.

Far more worrying is the slit lamp discussion. Regardless of whether there is a slit lamp examination or not, lying to obtain a medical or failing to disclose is a serious offence - called offense in the USA. As a pilot you must be aware of this so surely your advice to your 'student' must be to own up. What on earth is an educated decision???????

Depending on the relationship between you and the student it might also lay you open to criminal prosecution. I know nothing of US law in this respect but our experience of what the Feds do to British citizens who commit offences even if not in the USA suggests you might be incarcerated in the middle of the Arizona desert for 200 years

At least in the US, use or non-use of the slit lamp has little to do with the diagnosis, and everything to do with the practitioner.
It's years since I saw an MD ophthalmologist here without having a slit-lamp exam. It's just the way they do a complete exam, since you are sitting in their chair and they have it hanging in front of them.
Less so for optometrists.

The desert here in Arizona this last few weeks has been very pleasant indeed!