Asthma ... would appreciate some advice.

[SmallPlanePilot]

I dont have huge flying ambitions, but want to get a class 1, medical for various reason. (to be honest, I want to get a QFI rating, simply to teach basic flying).

I went for a medical with the CAA which was fine but after blowing several times into a small tube and then running a couple of times around the CAA building at Gatwick (wearing a bright red Jacket that might as well have said 'Asthmatic Pilot...Ha Ha') I failed my medical because my peak flow wasnt quite right.... OK I am breathless when running but I regularly swim 50 metres underwater (no tubes!) and barely notice...

A course of steroids was suggested, but I am cautious about the long term effects...

Has anyone had to overcome a similar problem? Wht did you do?
How long did it take?
Should I just give up now ?

Thanks.


n

[This message has been edited by SmallPlanePilot (edited 27 July 2000).]

[monkeyboy]

SPP, I too used to have asthma and had the same worries as you when I went for my Class One a few months back. Fortunately for me, my peak flow was above average so I passed. Sorry to hear that it wasn't the case for you. The only advice I can give you is try to do some running as I found that this was the only form of exercise that tested my lungs to their full capacity. I used to find that swimming & cycling didn't effect my lungs at all and I could carry on regardless but with running it was a different story. I don't think you'll get results within a few months. I've been running for about 15 years and now don't have any problems at all. I can't comment about the steroids as I avoided those when I was younger because I didn't like the taste! Good luck, keep exercising and one day you'll surprise yourself! Drop me an email if you want to discuss further.

[Speechless Two]

SPP - sorry to hear of your problem. I developed asthma four years before retirement and had my licence suspended for five months until I could pass the peak flow and other tests at Gatwick. It took me some many weeks on steroid tablets to get the asthma under control and there is no way you will get a Class 1 medical if you require to take steroid tablets long term.

The CAA will let you fly if all you need to control the asthma is an average dose of the "brown" Filair 100 steroid inhaler - in my case two puffs every morning and night - and supported by the "blue" Ventolin inhaler as necessary. My peak flow is now 500-550 l/min whereas it was down to 300 l/min when I contracted the illness. The CAA required another set of tests to be carried out at LGW a year after I got my licence back.

As far as the steroids are concerned, these are totally different from the anabolic steroids that indiscrete atheletes take and do not have the weight increase side effects. My brother has had asthma since he was two and has been on the steroid inhalers since they came out about 30 years ago, (after 20 years on steroid tablets which he no longer takes). He has no side effects from them and as a Pharmarcist himself he has reassured me about taking them long term.

Don't give up - if the asthma is not too invasive and you let the Docs sort you out, there is no reason why that QFI rating will not become a reality. Good Luck!!

------------------
Quickly; bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever. (Aristophanes)

[This message has been edited by Speechless Two (edited 28 July 2000).]

[Jetset Willy]

Hi smallplanepilot,

I had the same problem when I went for the medical and failed the peak flow. The doc at the CAA advised me to see a chest specialist as he said that my asthma wasn't properly controlled, and he thought that it could be improved. It cost me an extra £160 to see a specialist, but afterwards he sent a report to the CAA saying that my asthma had improved substantially, so I got my medical. I would advise seeing an asthma specialist as they can make sure that you are taking the correct dosage to keep it well under control and also keep the CAA happy!

[SmallPlanePilot]

MB ST JT; Thanks for the information, it was seriously very helpful and has given me a bit of hope - in desperation I had been thinking about turning in my headphones and buying a boat....(at least I can swim). Looks like running shoes and AMEX bills, I can see pain ahead.....(more pain, that is...why, why..)

Thanks for your help.

[monkeyboy]

SPP, that's the spirit!
You get those running shoes on and before you know it you'll be up there in the blue yonder! I've got my fingers crossed for you.
Good luck, mate!

[gingernut]

Asthma is a condition which restricts your ability to expire air, (which is why you are ok underwater). The peak flow meter measures how fast you can breathe out. Asthma is a fairly common complaint (affecting about 10-15% of kids) and is usually fairly easy to control. Sufferers describe a range of symptoms, from occasional wheeziness to extreme shortness of breath. It kills about 2000 people a year in the UK, usually those who do not comply with treatment.
Treatment is usually simple. Doctors usually take a "stepwise approach." Step 1 is occasionally puffing on a blue inhaler, step 2 is a brown (steroid inhaler) + blue inhaler, etc etc to step 5 which is the monty. (Inhalers, steroids, other tablets). Most sufferers "step up" and "step down" as required. Medics usually measure success by symptoms (eg shortness of breath), clinical examination (listening for noises with a stethoscope) and peak flow readings.
My advice:
Carry on swimming (good for heart and lungs, warm moist air good for asthma.)
Avoid "triggers" may be pollen, cigarette smoke, cold virus.
See your asthma nurse (have specialist knowledge).
Use step up/down aproach. (Can avoid need for steroid tablets).
Obtain peak flow meter (available on prescription) to monitor success of treatment.

Hope this is useful. If you post your age and height (and sex!) ,I can let you know the normal peak flow range for you. (Or ask your GP/asthma nurse).Good luck.

[SmallPlanePilot]

Gingernut
Thanks for the information. Im not sure that it was just peak flow that was the problem, there was something about outbreathing, or sustained something or other.... but if you have any info on all the dimensions they look at that would be helpful.

Im SixFoot Two, sort of big 13.5stone (but not overweight) large built, and , ermmm, well....ummm...ahhh...43...er..no....thats, ummm, 44 actualy.... and a bloke thingy..
(Late developer, aviation wise...) if you see what I mean....

OK, OK, I just had a crap careers councellor..... could sue him I suppose... he didnt tell me that glasses wouldnt stop me flying for a living, at the time (20 years ago... U know)

Damn..

Making up for it now...well, trying to...

Thanks...