Worried about Colitis

[Freefly]

I have read what I could find on Crohns Disease and flying, although I have been unable to find any information on how Ulcerative Colitis may impact my chances of becoming an airline pilot. I am still very much a wannabe pilot and have not yet been officially diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, however after consulting the specialist, I am expecting to be diagnosed with it very shortly once I have been for the final confirming tests.

This has literally all happened in the last few weeks, so you can imagine how much of a shock and a disappointment it has been (I've just turned 24).

I am currently scheduled for aptitude tests with British Airways and have also seriously been thinking about taking the self-sponsored route.

My concerns are that my application for BA will be rejected without hesitation on the basis of my recent IBD. I have read on various threads that BA's medical requirements are stricter than the Class 1, therefore I am worried that my application will be 'all in vein'.

My other concern is that if I decide to go self sponsored (and consequently take out a crippling bank loan), I will be taking a huge risk considering my circumstances.

I have read on this site that initial applications for a Class 1 medical (where the candidate suffers from Inflammatory Bowel Disease) will be rejected, whereas applications for renewal of a Class 1 medical (where the candidate has developed IBD since their last check-up) will be reviewed on an individual basis and potentially accepted. This all adds to my concern.

I know that there is a wealth of experience on this forum and I would be grateful if anyone could provide any feedback on my concerns. I am particularly interested to hear of any pilots that are now flying for an airline having had Colitis before training.

As you can imagine, the last few weeks have been very upsetting for me, however I am determined to keep hope if there is good reason.

Thanks,
Freefly

[ 30 August 2001: Message edited by: Freefly ]

[Droopy]

I'm not an expert; this is a straight lift from JAR-FCL 3;

JAR-FCL3.170[c]:- "Applicants with an established diagnosis or history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease shall normally be assessed as unfit (see para 3 App 3 to Subpart B)" which is:- "...Chronic inflammatory bowel disease is disqualifying .....Recertification [class 1 and 2] and initial certification [class 2] may be considered if there is full remission...."

So get an AME's advice but it doesn't look too hopeful. Good luck

[Desk-pilot]

I'm not sure how the CAA could tell if you had irritable bowel disease unless you tell them at initial (and I don't recall that being asked on any forms but could be wrong). One option would be to get a Class 1 before an official diagnosis is made and then make the decision on what to do next. By doing this you are preventing a disqualification which is out of your control. If you get the condition stable and in remission it looks as if you are OK to get renewed for your Class 1 in any case and you can legitimately pursue your dream. There's no point pursuing this career though unless you can get the condition under control on a long term basis.

Frankly if I were you I'd get the initial Class 1 done now asap. Depending on the success of your treatment you can then decide if you are able to pursue your pilot career or whether it's not for you.

Whatever you decide - good luck.

PS - Not a Doctor.

Desk-pilot

[sydney]

JAR-FCL excerpt above quotes "chronic..."

This is open to interpretation. What is the definition of chronic IBS ? Chronic to me implies that you would be crippled over in pain.

Common sense says that this condition shouldn't prevent you getting a class 1 med cert unless it is "chronic", IMHO.

Ask the hypothetical question over the phone anonymously to the CAA then decide what to do.

[Hwel]

Its one of those stupid ones that if youve got a medical you can keep it but if you don't have one you can't get one. Just watch out for the bit on the form where it asks if youve seen your doctor for anything in the last year.
The Med dept at CAA are quite approachable give them a call.

[Hew Jampton]

"Chronic" refers to long-term illness, not its severity (that's "acute").

[Mycroft]

A member of my family has it, and it is controlled by steroids, which I believe would disqualify you. See the specialists before considering self-sponsorship; but competition for company sponsored schemes is so intense that almost any medical condition will make them drop you.

[Ella]

Freefly,

As I read your post, you have not yet been 'officially' diagnosed with anything. Firstly, cancel all further appointments until after your BA tests.

I suffered severe Ulcerative Collitis two years before my CAA class one medical and was about to suffer a colostomy at the age of 21!! No way Jose'!!

I told my specialist that I was about to go for an aviation medical and he 'conveniently' agreed to sign me off all medication for a week so that I could legally answer 'no' to the question 'are you taking any medication'. I went to the CAA, kept my mouth, and my bowels shut and passed without problem. (I damn near failed the eyesight test actually, but that's another story)

I then flew piston air taxi, turbo prop commuter, jet charter until twenty six years later I went to my doctor on the subject of indigestion. He offered me some tablets called 'Tagamet'. Quite without explanation these have cleared up my collitis for the last six years and frankly the way my waist size keeps expanding I would welcome a short relapse to get back onto some older trousers that I don't want to throw out!

If your fit and healthy otherwise, research your problem and find your own relief in homeopathy. However I would agree at this stage that spending money on self sponshorship is risky.

Good luck meantime.

[Hew Jampton]

I told my specialist that I was about to go for an aviation medical and he 'conveniently' agreed to sign me off all medication for a week so that I could legally answer 'no' to the question 'are you taking any medication'. Was there also a question asking whether you had recently consulted a doctor? Did you resume the medication after the medical, in which case how did you answer on renewal medicals?

[mr.777]

Just read all the posts on this subject and starting to get a tad worried!
I had my initial class 1 medical for NATS 2 weeks ago.Being an honest sort of a chap,I disclosed that I had been diagnosed with mild irritable bowel disease and had only a couple of occurences of this over the last couple of years.
My point is,is this going to wreck my ATCO career before its even started.......having done all the hard work to get through the bloody interview?!

Also,minor point......inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel disease are 2 separate things,the former being more serious than the latter.

[QDMQDMQDM]

Also,minor point......inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel disease are 2 separate things,the former being more serious than the latter.

No, it's a major point. Irritable bowel syndrome is a totally benign condition affecting vast swathes of the population. It requires no treatment beyond symptomatic relief and, apart from the possibility that during a severe attack you may have abdominal pains and have to rush off to the loo while you're at work, it doesn't really have any implications. Inflammatory bowel disease, however, is characterised by inflammation of the bowel which often requires treatment with powerful drugs such as steroids and the condition itself can have major consequences such as bowel obstruction, nutritional malabsorption, dilatation and perforation of the bowel, bowel cancers (small and large bowel), chronic liver disease, anaemia etc. etc.. Occasionally, people do die from it.

If you have mild irritable bowel syndrome, I strongly doubt you need to worry about your medical. If you have inflammatory bowel disease, that's another kettle of fish.

QDM

[mr.777]

Thanks QDM....I stand corrected!
Hopefully this is the case and the CAA bods will see it that way.