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neil_1821
19th Apr 2006, 17:44
Can anyone tell me if hayfever is a problem for flying at all?? I'm currently training for my PPL and would like to go to CPL but last year i had hayfever and it's coming on again this year, i have been to the docotrs and got some eyedrops and tablets, but i dont know if either of these will affect my flying.

I am only going to have the eye drops as the tablets are supposed to make you drowsy, which i know isnt a good thing but will the drops affect anything at all?

Irishwingz
20th Apr 2006, 19:00
Do a search on this forum under 'hayfever'

This comes up every year and there are a few if not plenty of accepted medicines/tablets approved for use by commercial pilots.

I suffer myself but I only fly PPL, If it gets really bad I get a steroid injection in my ass:oh: which is fantastic and last for about 6-8 weeks and completely clears any symptoms. I'm not sure if its approved by CAA though.

Sneezing and rubbing your eyes on short finals in a crosswind could be tricky!

Cheers

BOZZATO
20th Apr 2006, 19:32
Hi there Irish wings:ok:

I too have hayfever and am currently studying to become an airline pilot. I would recommend that you contact the CAA at Gatwick or your local AME.

I currently take Loretadine/Clarityn, when i contacted the CAA a few years back they also allow the use of Telfast, although i would give them a call. As far as i'm aware they do not permit any other anti hystanmines due to their drowsy side effects.

Hope this helps

Regards

Bozzato:ok:

neil_1821
23rd Apr 2006, 10:52
my docotr gave me tablets to take as well as these eye drops but i decided not to as she said although they are the least drowsy tablets you can get it could still affect you, as if i'm not drowsy enough without taking pills:D

And that injection in your ass, were you actually joking about that, although it sounds goo if it clears it up for 7-8 weeks. I think i will contact the CAA for information about all these different things you can take

P.S i did search the forum for hayfever but couldnt find anything

gordonsmall
23rd Apr 2006, 11:27
I don't think you should be too worried about it.

I have what my doctor describes as 'the worst hayfever he's seen in 40 years', but I had no problems getting a Class 1.

Ranger 1
24th Apr 2006, 00:00
Although I'm not a Pilot, I frequently work out on the airfield especially on the grass areas, I have found local Honey very effective as I suffer with pollen from grass, I start taking a few tea spoons a day just as the grass pollen season begins.
I was very sceptical of this remedy at first, but no longer take any Antihistamine drugs for Hay Fever it has reduced my hay fever to acceptable level.
It is very important to use the Honey that is produced in the local area, from the local plant species (not a lot of comfort to those of you sneezing your way around the world) but may help you on your days off at home, I hope it works for you.
Cheers
Ranger 1:ok:

flightmedic1
24th Apr 2006, 13:59
It is true, you can get a steroid injection that reduces the symptoms of hayfever. I had one myself (depo-diprosone) and it worked for a few days. Unfortunately I left my home country before I could get a second one. In some cases more than one injection may be required.

Sir Norman Fry
24th Apr 2006, 14:08
I suffer from hayfever terribly and have done pretty much all my life, but it has never stopped me from flying. The CAA were fine with it and I hold an unrestricted class one. I now fly the Airbus A321 for a living and it has never given me problems whilst flying. I take antihistamines that are non-drowsy from the chemists. Does the job! Good luck :ok:

neil_1821
25th Apr 2006, 09:14
thanks for all the replies guys, cleared my question up, but not my hayfever:ok:

shabbadoof13
2nd May 2006, 15:41
hi..

just to let you guys know that theres a forum dedicated to hayfever sufferers which you might be able to get some information from at http://www.hayfeverforum.co.uk

thanks,

jon

cheesypeas
6th May 2006, 17:20
Hi - I use a nasal spray - Flixonase. CAA approved and works really well. You need to begin using it really early in the season and use it right through the summer to get relief. It takes a long time for it to start working..

H

Wanna-be
17th May 2006, 14:12
hi there,

i have it too and asked the Aeromedical Expert Centre wether it is possible to fly with it or not. They said its not a problem for flying commercial (both rotor and fixed-wing), they only said that you cant use every medicine, thats all (some medicines are a liiiiiiitle bit naesthetising (dont know wether this is the right word but i do think so))

Greatz

Genghis the Engineer
21st May 2006, 12:00
I don't know if this helps at-all, but about 8 years ago I started to suffer from moderate hayfever (after some blighter planted a field of oilseed rape next to my house). I initially used a quite effective antihistamine called Triludan (Terfenadine) that was recommended by my GP, but a year or so later it became prescription only due to lots of people having side-effects (not me, I was fine).

Casting around for an alternative (okay, I could probably have got a prescription, but didn't try) it was suggested to me that I try high doses of Vitamin C.

So I gave it a go, and it works wonders. Through the hayfever season I take about 2000mg per day - it takes about 3 days for the effects to kick in, and if I forget to take them about the same to notice. But, it pretty much completely eliminates all hayfever symptoms.

Being a cautious soul, and not medically trained, I discussed it with both my GP and an AME, neither could see any adverse effects to taking this sort of quantity of vitamin C, so I carry on. Works for the cat-allergy that appeared about the same time as my hayfever as well. Oh yes, and I've also listed it on my class 1 renewal form, without a raised eyebrow.

I've mentioned it to several other people who have tried it, and it doesn't seem universally effective, but certainly some others have also found it effective (and, relatively speaking, cheap - I buy big bottles of 1000mg capsules (more the size of suppositaries, but they are easier to swallow than they look) from Holland and Barratt).

G

Hand Solo
21st May 2006, 13:13
I take Telfast (fexonfenadine hydrochloride) for my hayfever. Its approved by the CAA and works fine for me.

GaryJon
26th May 2006, 19:55
A lot of people are reporting having a good success rate with
LUFFA COMPLEX, it's a herbal remedy made by Vogel (formerly Bioforce). I started using it last week and already i can feel a slight difference, though as with most herbal remedies, they need to build up in your system. But its worth trying as there aren't any contraindications. Check out
www.uk.avogel-server.org/index.php (http://www.uk.avogel-server.org/index.php)

Also Plantago for sinuses. You can combine them.

GaryJon
26th May 2006, 19:58
Forgot to add, drink 2 or 3 cups of Nettle tea a day, it's a natural antihistimine, also it's quite nice, very light and refreshing.

european champion
27th May 2006, 10:11
I have similar problem and i was told that the turbinates in my nose are over swolen,i need to to shrink them with laser,this will improve my breathing.Has anyone tried this?

Eddie_Crane
27th May 2006, 19:00
Did my Class 1 Initial about 2 weeks ago. No questions asked about hayfever (I put it in the form, with a note that I use desloratadine as and when needed, normally about a couple of weeks a year, late June..).