Dizziness
NTB,
Glad it turned out so well, so quickly, for you. Had a bout of this problem a couple of years ago and learned a lot more than I wanted to. The first thing I learned is how common it is. As I talked to more people about it, I found MANY who'd had problems.
The second thing I learned is that docs have a very hard time deciding what is causing YOUR trouble due to the wide range of causes, many of which are diagnosed by process of elimination ( think reading tea leaves ). Some causes are merely annoyance while others are career-enders. I came to distrust docs ability to make an accurate diagnosis after seeing several "specialists" with lots of letters after their names. They will, without doubt, make a pronouncement; the accuracy of it is what you have to question.
When all is said and done, if your problem resolved itself so quickly, it was nothing serious and you're fortunate. I know a guy who ended up with Miniere's Disease and lost his career in his prime. In the course of the diagnostic work up, he was told he was "crazy" and sent to a shrink !! Nice, huh ? In the USA with good medical insurance and the world's best (?) medical care system.
Fortunately, my deal worked itself out and I got my medical back. I only put these details up here to advise people with this problem to be careful about accepting a diagnosis without LOTS of research on their own part. Docs just don't understand what this problem means to aviators.
Glad it turned out so well, so quickly, for you. Had a bout of this problem a couple of years ago and learned a lot more than I wanted to. The first thing I learned is how common it is. As I talked to more people about it, I found MANY who'd had problems.
The second thing I learned is that docs have a very hard time deciding what is causing YOUR trouble due to the wide range of causes, many of which are diagnosed by process of elimination ( think reading tea leaves ). Some causes are merely annoyance while others are career-enders. I came to distrust docs ability to make an accurate diagnosis after seeing several "specialists" with lots of letters after their names. They will, without doubt, make a pronouncement; the accuracy of it is what you have to question.
When all is said and done, if your problem resolved itself so quickly, it was nothing serious and you're fortunate. I know a guy who ended up with Miniere's Disease and lost his career in his prime. In the course of the diagnostic work up, he was told he was "crazy" and sent to a shrink !! Nice, huh ? In the USA with good medical insurance and the world's best (?) medical care system.
Fortunately, my deal worked itself out and I got my medical back. I only put these details up here to advise people with this problem to be careful about accepting a diagnosis without LOTS of research on their own part. Docs just don't understand what this problem means to aviators.
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Hi bafanguy,
I must admit I was worried for a while and it does seem to be a mine field. One of the main factors towards the diagnosis that I forgot to mention was that I had no signs of hearing loss.
NTB
I must admit I was worried for a while and it does seem to be a mine field. One of the main factors towards the diagnosis that I forgot to mention was that I had no signs of hearing loss.
NTB
NTB,
Nor did I. In fact, during my episode, I took one of those hearing tests where you sit in the booth wearing a headset and try to hear the dog whistle. They were amazed at how excellent my hearing was. Tricky stuff.
Nor did I. In fact, during my episode, I took one of those hearing tests where you sit in the booth wearing a headset and try to hear the dog whistle. They were amazed at how excellent my hearing was. Tricky stuff.
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I too have had recent 'dizzy spells'. Tghe first time lasting for about 5 days with some nausea and the second again for about 5 days after a break of 1 week.
I enquired with the Caa as to whetehr this would be an issue in my forthcoming Class2 medical and they grounded me , makign me temporalily unfit to fly.
I now need t o prove to them that the issue will not crop up again before I can fly again.
Absolutely gutted.
the diagnosis is that I have Benign positional vertigo.
I enquired with the Caa as to whetehr this would be an issue in my forthcoming Class2 medical and they grounded me , makign me temporalily unfit to fly.
I now need t o prove to them that the issue will not crop up again before I can fly again.
Absolutely gutted.
the diagnosis is that I have Benign positional vertigo.
Spike,
BPPV is one of the most common causes of equilibrium problems. It usually resolves itself in a couple of weeks and there's not much they can do. Some docs think that head-positioning movements/ treatments that can relocate the little grains of "sand" ( otoconia ? ) to a better spot to be resorbed.
Did you take a spill in the days prior to your first episode ? The docs told me they often see BPPV following a spill from a horse, water-skiing, etc...something to knock stuff loose in the inner ear.
If that's what you've got, they shouldn't give you too hard a time about it. Good luck.
BPPV is one of the most common causes of equilibrium problems. It usually resolves itself in a couple of weeks and there's not much they can do. Some docs think that head-positioning movements/ treatments that can relocate the little grains of "sand" ( otoconia ? ) to a better spot to be resorbed.
Did you take a spill in the days prior to your first episode ? The docs told me they often see BPPV following a spill from a horse, water-skiing, etc...something to knock stuff loose in the inner ear.
If that's what you've got, they shouldn't give you too hard a time about it. Good luck.
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no it was not down to any knocks. This is what surprised me , it just occurred the first time , first thing in the morning.
I thought it had gone away but am aware it still there although its so slight that its not really an issue.
I've been doing DIY , cycling etc and its not botehred me.
Need to now contact the CAA and arraneg to get my medical record sent off to them and probably see a ear nose and throat specialist AME . Basically need to prove its not going to be a problem in the air.
Its so frustating, sort of wished I didn't phone the CAA in the first place!
I thought it had gone away but am aware it still there although its so slight that its not really an issue.
I've been doing DIY , cycling etc and its not botehred me.
Need to now contact the CAA and arraneg to get my medical record sent off to them and probably see a ear nose and throat specialist AME . Basically need to prove its not going to be a problem in the air.
Its so frustating, sort of wished I didn't phone the CAA in the first place!
spike,
I feel your pain, Brother !! Having been through a bout of this stuff, I really feel for people dealing with it. Dealing with a bunch of government medical drones just adds insult to injury. I liken it to handling a poisonous snake; it can be done safely, but one must be VERY careful and knowledgeable.
I was fortunate to have ALPA Medical Dept. guidance along with a top-notch local AME and got the following advice:
Don't fly until the problem is resolved as you might be nailed with operating with a known disqualifying condition.
Don't renew your medical certificate...just let it lapse until you're fixed...that's what sick leave is for.
Have all diagnostic work and treatments completed and DOCUMENTED and a written statement you no longer have the condition before you apply for a new medical.
If you have all those ducks lined up, there's not much the government can argue with which saves YOU a lot of frustration.
Good luck with your deal...and let us know how it went.
I feel your pain, Brother !! Having been through a bout of this stuff, I really feel for people dealing with it. Dealing with a bunch of government medical drones just adds insult to injury. I liken it to handling a poisonous snake; it can be done safely, but one must be VERY careful and knowledgeable.
I was fortunate to have ALPA Medical Dept. guidance along with a top-notch local AME and got the following advice:
Don't fly until the problem is resolved as you might be nailed with operating with a known disqualifying condition.
Don't renew your medical certificate...just let it lapse until you're fixed...that's what sick leave is for.
Have all diagnostic work and treatments completed and DOCUMENTED and a written statement you no longer have the condition before you apply for a new medical.
If you have all those ducks lined up, there's not much the government can argue with which saves YOU a lot of frustration.
Good luck with your deal...and let us know how it went.
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I had a similar incident over 2 years ago now, got woken up early (am) to fly and was airborne in around 30min of been woken. Once airborne I felt a sick, so I return and got another pilot to fly. Went to my GP and all ok. 12 months later the boss stops me from flying and makes me inform CAA about it. Why?????????.
The CAA pulled my medical from me cause they thought it could have been BPPV, I’ve been to all sorts of specialists, with all of them saying I have nothing wrong with me and that I fit to fly and that I was most likely fatigued, yet the CAA still will not let me get back in the air. I’ve had to uplift my family and move to another country where that CAA accepted the specialist reports and issued me a Class 1 Med. Meanwhile the lawyer bills are mounting back a home while I fight against CAA…......
I now distrust the some the decisions that some of these so-call Av-Med Doc make while they occupy positions of authority within the Civil Aviation Authorities...(maybe some of them like playing God with our careers.)
Needless to say the Av-Med Doc’s in the country I’m now cannot believe how unfairly I’ve been treated
The CAA pulled my medical from me cause they thought it could have been BPPV, I’ve been to all sorts of specialists, with all of them saying I have nothing wrong with me and that I fit to fly and that I was most likely fatigued, yet the CAA still will not let me get back in the air. I’ve had to uplift my family and move to another country where that CAA accepted the specialist reports and issued me a Class 1 Med. Meanwhile the lawyer bills are mounting back a home while I fight against CAA…......
I now distrust the some the decisions that some of these so-call Av-Med Doc make while they occupy positions of authority within the Civil Aviation Authorities...(maybe some of them like playing God with our careers.)
Needless to say the Av-Med Doc’s in the country I’m now cannot believe how unfairly I’ve been treated
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Thanks
I've got an Appotment now with my GP so I can sedn off my details to the CAA. Then see what happens.
The symtons are back again but are so small that they don;'t bother me, I can drive , Cycle etc it's just the fying aspect that concerns me.
Although I wished I never mentioned it to the CAA, it would have had to on my next medical anyway so they would probably have grounded me then anyway.
Its just so frustating, I really want to go flying again. Didn't realise how much I would miss it.
I've got an Appotment now with my GP so I can sedn off my details to the CAA. Then see what happens.
The symtons are back again but are so small that they don;'t bother me, I can drive , Cycle etc it's just the fying aspect that concerns me.
Although I wished I never mentioned it to the CAA, it would have had to on my next medical anyway so they would probably have grounded me then anyway.
Its just so frustating, I really want to go flying again. Didn't realise how much I would miss it.
Aluminum Tubing Inspector
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Well, I took all the pills as requested and I was fine, but about 5 days later, I started having hot flushes?OO er? I had these in the midst of the pills, but it disappeared...dizzy spells? Well, I hardly notce anything, but get an odd sensation now and again. Hot flushes have come back. Checking out with the Doc this week. I do feel absolutely fine by the way.
Bizarre all this...so many types of Dizziness etc but good to hear all the different experiences nonetheless.
Wish you all well.
Cheers
HR
Bizarre all this...so many types of Dizziness etc but good to hear all the different experiences nonetheless.
Wish you all well.
Cheers
HR
Psychophysiological entity
I usually try to remain reasonably serious while posting on the medical forum, but I know of someone that once took a full 5 yearly at the Belgrano while in the throes of violent vertigo.
I e-mailed a pilot pal with an account that would be more suited to Jet-Blast, and he said that he laughed 'till he cried, at the imagery. Two hours of a Brian Rix farce, and a blue piece of paper at the end of it.
I e-mailed a pilot pal with an account that would be more suited to Jet-Blast, and he said that he laughed 'till he cried, at the imagery. Two hours of a Brian Rix farce, and a blue piece of paper at the end of it.
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An update on my dizziness.
The dizziness subsided until it had gone away just over 2 weeks ago. Got my GP to send in a note to the CAA so see what they had to say.
Although BPPV was the likely culprit, it may have been a viral issue. The CAA have now given me my license back so to speak so am now ready to flying again. Will book a plane for next week with an instructure to get rid of the cobwebs . just so happy now!
The dizziness subsided until it had gone away just over 2 weeks ago. Got my GP to send in a note to the CAA so see what they had to say.
Although BPPV was the likely culprit, it may have been a viral issue. The CAA have now given me my license back so to speak so am now ready to flying again. Will book a plane for next week with an instructure to get rid of the cobwebs . just so happy now!
Aluminum Tubing Inspector
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Update from me too.
Just had my ears flushed yesterday...there was still a little fluid in one ear, but they did both. Apparently a bit of a cotton bud was in there too!
Cheers
HR
Just had my ears flushed yesterday...there was still a little fluid in one ear, but they did both. Apparently a bit of a cotton bud was in there too!
Cheers
HR
Psychophysiological entity
Cotton buds should be used with great care...when you feel resistance - STOP! ( a line from ‘Friends'.)
The wax is secreted somewhat further outward of the eardrum than is generally realised, and can be pushed near to, or even onto the sensitive membrane if great care is not taken. A high ratio of rotation to thrust (no puns) can aid proper extraction.
The wax is secreted somewhat further outward of the eardrum than is generally realised, and can be pushed near to, or even onto the sensitive membrane if great care is not taken. A high ratio of rotation to thrust (no puns) can aid proper extraction.
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Had labrynthitis which was bl00dy awful, dizziness, upset tum, cat looking concerned he might not get fed as I crawled (literally) from my pillow to the bathroom to vomit while the house seemed to swirl around me at warp speed… you get the picture!
Doc gave me anti sea-sickness tablets for the vomiting (didn’t take them, list of side effects scared me silly and I was feeling vulnerable enough) but said couldn’t prescribe anything else.
Eventually stopped throwing up and just had dizziness to contend with.
Found an article on Hopi Ear Candles, bit new age but at this point prepared to try.
£35 at the salon to get it done then discovered £8 from H&B health food shop in high street (slightly more cost effective!). Tried them (once every ten days for 3 sessions) and they seemed to help diminish the dizziness, though it could have just decided to bu33er off on its own. Ears remarkably wax free cos of them though!
might be worth considering though!
SR
Doc gave me anti sea-sickness tablets for the vomiting (didn’t take them, list of side effects scared me silly and I was feeling vulnerable enough) but said couldn’t prescribe anything else.
Eventually stopped throwing up and just had dizziness to contend with.
Found an article on Hopi Ear Candles, bit new age but at this point prepared to try.
£35 at the salon to get it done then discovered £8 from H&B health food shop in high street (slightly more cost effective!). Tried them (once every ten days for 3 sessions) and they seemed to help diminish the dizziness, though it could have just decided to bu33er off on its own. Ears remarkably wax free cos of them though!
might be worth considering though!
SR
HR, avoid cotton buds like the plague.
Although intensly satisfying to itchy ears, they are unlikely to solve any of your medical problems.
One false move, resulting in a perforation of your ear drum, (I've seen it) would, I guess, stop your aviation career in its tracks.
Although intensly satisfying to itchy ears, they are unlikely to solve any of your medical problems.
One false move, resulting in a perforation of your ear drum, (I've seen it) would, I guess, stop your aviation career in its tracks.
