How much is too much?

[japandwell]

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.

[obgraham]

Common sense would say that that would most certainly depend ont about just what exactly the problems are.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.

[Flyin'Dutch']

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

Talk to your AME for further guidance.

[japandwell]

Thanks guys. Had a few problems this time around.

[gingernut]

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.

[japandwell]

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?

[obgraham]

Is there any more information out there concedrning what I should expect? ...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.

[homonculus]

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

[herman the crab]

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.

[japandwell]

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.

[gingernut]

"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.

[Flyin'Dutch']

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?

[homonculus]

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

[obgraham]

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!

[japandwell]

I had surgery again, and the Docs prescribed Oxycodone, and Diazepam which is a muscle relaxer. Common sense again, not doing any flying until I am off the drugs and recovered for at least a few weeks.
I am reading that these drugs are completely disqualifying, but I take that to mean "can't take while flying" or disqualifying if taken for a reason the FAA would consider disqualifying.
Is there any time limit stated as to how long a pilot has to off Diazepam and Oxycodone before fit to fly? I know Oxycodone is not so long, but how about Diazepam? As long as patient was taking it? I took it for 2 weeks, so 2 more weeks before I may pass an FAA physical?

[Loose rivets]

but how about Diazepam?


I've written a hell of a lot about benzodiazepines in the past. Can't go over it again, but imagine an angel sitting on one shoulder, and the devil on the other . . . that about sums it up. Get off the stuff as soon as possible, and take care . . . very great care, during that period.

[Radgirl]

Sorry loose rivets, don't know your concerns but I assume you refer to dependency. We use these drugs for specific reasons around operations and they are very effective. Short term use is fine and you shouldn't scare your fellow pilots

They have a fairly long duration in the body so you need to be off for a week before considering your body to be free.

[japandwell]

Radgirl, Thanks for that clarifying response. I would like to rune a few more past you later.
Aslo, Neurontin 100 mg 2 years ago for "dysesthesias" which doctor said was referrable to. This was likely sciatica which is gone. I believe that means the 100 mg Neurontin is no longer an issue. Correct?

[Radgirl]

Japandwell

I am not an AME but my understanding is this drug is not permitted due to its side effects. The drug is well gone from your system and there should be no current issues. Dysaesthesia is a strange word to use for pain from sciatica. Sciatica is OK but beware the term dysaesthesia can be associated with some exotic neurological issues. Assuming you have none of these I would think sciatica will cause less hassle - but always tell the truth!

[japandwell]

I was defferred by my FAA Medical Examiner!! He said that he is going to recommend that I pass, but due to my not having a medical for a long time, and having at some medical issues.

My concern is that my conditions were not actually disqualifying, and I did bring documentation to the exam. The Doctor is telling me that all should go well,and I should pass when the FAA sees everything.

Is this normal for an AME to defer for a simple back surgery, even if I am OK?

[Flyin'Dutch']

This thread has been running for over 2 years on and off including questions about some heavy duty medication, so that may all be an indication that you have had back/health problems more extensive than some simple surgery.

It is therefore entirely to be expected that your AME would need to discuss your case with the FAA.

What the FAA calls disqualifying conditions are those where the AME must disqualify you from certification without the need to confer with the FAA.

[Ulster]

This thread has been running for over 2 years

Not quite ! Original post is dated 25 Dec 2012 (only 13 months ! ).

The only topic of any real substance throughout the thread so far has been the mention of gabapentin (absolutely forbidden for UK certificate holders).

Another oddity is the reference by a couple of posters to slit lamp examination ; yet no previous mention of it, or why it's cropped up. Has there been some editing by somebody ? I only joined last summer, so I might not have seen the earlier references to that. Did it turn out to be relevant . . . . . or not ? :rolleyes:

[japandwell]

Not sure what is going on here with the rolling of the eyes. The issue was going on for a year and I posted before the last surgeries. Waited 8 months in all due to surgeries on my back.

This was really fairly minor, but I intentionally grounded myself for the duration of my medical condition. The neurontin medication was 3 years ago and is no longer an issue at all. I could have easily kept flying, but I stayed down to be on the safe side. The FAA is strict on flying during a medical deficiency! Not flying once while medicated.


What is truly puzzling is your attitude. I suspect most pilots are grounded at least once in their lives for various reasons. My reason was that I chose to be just to be on the safe side. Stay away from the AME until I am off any meds long enough for it to be completely out of my system, and the wounds to have healed. I can honestly say that I am completely pain free and have absolutely no issues to prevent me from flying. This was far better that being denied a medical due to conditions and medications. Better to wait until it is allover with.

I can't really see what the problem is here. I was deferred by the AME for the first time in my life. Nothing disqualifying, so I asked what is the norm here with deferalls?

[Ulster]

I can't really see what the problem is here

Neither can I ! If you are pain free, and on no disqualifying medication, there probably isn't one !

Still no explanation, though, for the couple of brief references to slit lamp examinations ! Oh, well ! Maybe I can contain my curiosity !

Apologies for the rolling eyes : is this better :ok: ?

[Bad medicine]

Ulster - Just to relieve your obvious distress - japandwell has edited and/or deleted 6 of his/her posts in this thread. I agree that it does interfere with some of the continuity :ok:

Cheers,
BM

[Ulster]

I agree that it does interfere with some of the continuity

Thank you for that, kind sir ! :D

This might, then, be a fortuitous opportunity to prescribe the "padlock" treatment to this thread ? ! :ok:

[japandwell]

Bad medicine,

I saw you got involved on this thread so I will try not to escalate an argument or worsen any misunderstanding.

As for deleting posts, the one on this thread concerned inflamatory remarks. My question was for a student who was unsure of what direction to take, and I found the forum useful to gain insights. The responses were not called for, and misdirected.

Deleting gave me an opportunity to get out without having to get involved in an idiotic argument.

[Bad medicine]

No argument or misunderstanding from my point of view. You are perfectly able and entitled to do as you wish (within the site rules) with your posts. The problem arises when somebody has responded to (or even quoted) a post that is subsequently edited or deleted. This can lead to confusing continuity errors.

Cheers,

BM