Migraines and Class A medical

[Arsenal_fan]

Hi,

I am scheduled for a Class A medical at the end of the month and was a little worried about the fact that I take medication to combat migraines that is also used to fight epilepsy, something I don't have, does anyone know if suffering from migraines will be held against me?

Thanks

[throw a dyce]

If it's Triptans that you take then I don't think you will get a medical.I was carted off to see a neurologist after just one very bad attack.They thought I had an anuerism,but after a second neurologist was consulted they thought it was a very bad migraine.However if I take Triptans then no medical.If I have another attack I will probably lose the medical.In my case I have to prove that it was a one off,and have to have a headache free period.
The AME said I was very lucky that the CAA gave me my medical back at all.10 years ago they would have ripped it up.The problem with migraine is that they are very disabling,and can give aura.Both of with aren't desirable when flying,or controlling.
Best of luck.

[fernytickles]

Our neighbour when I was growing up used to suffer from severe migraines. She started to grow her own feverfew in the garden, from which she took a leaf a day - no more migraines. I'm not sure it works for everyone.

[Arsenal_fan]

Thanks.

I'm on sodium valporate at the moment and know that if I stop taking it now that I probably will still have some in my blood stream come the Medical.

Should I declare that I have migraines, even though I have them totally under control?

[throw a dyce]

I would say yes.It's best not to lie about it.It could be controlled at the moment,but will that always be the case.Your medication has to be on the approved list.

[Blues&twos]

I posted on a thread about migraines a while back. About 10 years ago I had the onset of a migraine (with aura) while I was driving at night dojng about 80mph in lane 4 of the M25. For those of you who've never experienced "aura" (for me anyway) it starts as a big blind spot in both eyes simultaneously and rapidly turns into a combination of a big blind spot surrounded by very bright constantly flickering lights. The skull splitting headache comes on about 15 mins later and thwe whole thing is over after about 3 hours. It was very frightening....I could barely see where I was going and had to try to get myself across four lanes of high speed traffic on to the hard shoulder. Fortunately my wife was with me and was able to give instructions ("lane three is clear" etc) and drive me home once we'd made it!!

Getting this while flying would be horrendous, and to be honest, the worry about getting one while flying would take the fun out of it a bit I reckon.

Haven't had one for ages (since I stopped eating cheese....)

[Arsenal_fan]

Where can I find out if the medicine I take is on the approved list?

Also, I stopped eating oranges and have been able to control them ever since. I just make sure I am hydrated and that is good enough.

I have experienced the blind spots as well but not for a good few years.

Thanks

[Roffa]

You need to speak to the horses mouth to get the info you want assuming you are in the UK...

Aeromedical Centre
Aviation House
Gatwick Airport South Area
Gatwick
West Sussex RH6 0YR
Telephone: [phone]

[email protected]

This article may also be of interest.

[Arsenal_fan]

That article was extremely helpful, if not a little disappointing, but as stated previously it seems that I have them under control and fingers crossed.

Thanks for all of your help.

[Blues&twos]

Yes, thanks for that Roffa.

Arsenal_fan - I too found that dehydration was a major cause of migraine, especially combined with overheating. Never heard of the "eating oranges" link before...that's worth remembering!

I also found that when I did get a migraine, no individual medication did much good to reduce the pain, but straightforward (generic) Ibuprofen and Paracetomol taken together pretty much stopped the pain completely.

[BobAgg]

Just as a side note on the subject of Migraines, my better half was recently diagnosed with a hole in the heart, the consultant cardiologist told us that of people who suffer from migraines, 70% of them have a hole in the heart, which causes the migraine!

A very high percentage, and slightly worrying for me , as I suffer from migraine myself!

[Loose rivets]

I have written a huge amount about migraine in the past. I also had become aware of the conntection to the heart problem. Having said this, one of my friends has just been fitted with a pacemaker after 68 years of being quite fit. He didn't know about the hole until in his 60s...and then it was only found by chance. The theory is that the heart releases a homone that triggers the problem. He certainly suffered bad migraine most of his life, but it was always much worse when life had handed out some serious blows.

Again, I say my broad outline advise is -- one or perhaps two attacks at a time of great stress (CAUSING CHRONIC WORRY) leaves the patient with a chance that it will never happen again. More than that, and you can be classed as a sufferer and should never hold any form of pilot's licence. However cruel this may seem, the concept of never knowning when you are going to suddenly not be able to see is an obvious bar to flying. The following headache and sickness can be totally disabling.


Be aware that under the old rules, even one attack barred you from even a PPL.

[Arsenal_fan]

What dose of Ibuprofen and Paracetemol?

I usually have to take a load of Ibuprofen but before taking the sodium valporate that wouldn't do anything but now I can control them.

[Arsenal_fan]

I got my Migraines when i was hit in the head by a car door long story and it was a mistake. However, my dad was diagnosed with and irregular heartbeat so maybe I should look into the heart thing just in case.

Thanks for that.

[Blues&twos]

Arsenal Fan, check your PMs.

Regards B&t

[waveydavey]

Whatever you do you should declare your migraines. Remember they will be documented in your medical history which the caa can gain access to in certain situations. This whole subject has been discussed a few times on here already with several useful pieces of information - try a search.

I suffered migraines and obtained a class 1. It did take an additional consultation with a neurologist but in the end it was ok. I still believe the fact I was honest and up front with them helped my case, and if at the end of the day they decide not to issue a class 1 it is for a very good reason... other peoples lives!