MS diagnosis
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MS diagnosis
Hi all, I have recently been diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. Looking back on old medical records actually makes the drs suggest I've had this for 15 years and never knew. I of course had my class 1 taken away initially, but after going through the symptom free period, was looking at returning as I have no symptoms at the moment being in remission.
I just wanted to ask, is there anyone out there flying with MS? Anyone who managed to get their class 1 back after diagnosis? Or is this really the end?
I almost got re certified before christmas with a multi pilot operations restriction as they were quite contempt with my health, but then the issue of treatment has now come about. My neurologist is suggesting giving tecfidera a try. A twice daily pill that apparently reduces relapse rates by 53%! This pill is not an interferon and side effects are mild compared to some of the injectable ones. Flushing, diaorhea, which I'm told don't affect everyone, and usually passes after body has adjusted.
So to some up, just trying to ascertain as to if this is the end of the road for flying. If theres pilots flying here in the uk with MS? If so, if theres any of you on treatment? Which treatments, if any, are accepted by CAA? And is there anyone successfully back to work whilst on tecfidera?
Thank you so much for any help that anyone has. Im hoping for the best but of course anticipating the worst.
I just wanted to ask, is there anyone out there flying with MS? Anyone who managed to get their class 1 back after diagnosis? Or is this really the end?
I almost got re certified before christmas with a multi pilot operations restriction as they were quite contempt with my health, but then the issue of treatment has now come about. My neurologist is suggesting giving tecfidera a try. A twice daily pill that apparently reduces relapse rates by 53%! This pill is not an interferon and side effects are mild compared to some of the injectable ones. Flushing, diaorhea, which I'm told don't affect everyone, and usually passes after body has adjusted.
So to some up, just trying to ascertain as to if this is the end of the road for flying. If theres pilots flying here in the uk with MS? If so, if theres any of you on treatment? Which treatments, if any, are accepted by CAA? And is there anyone successfully back to work whilst on tecfidera?
Thank you so much for any help that anyone has. Im hoping for the best but of course anticipating the worst.
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Legal aspects are one side of the coin, but the more important is your responsibility and feel upon the possible risk. MS is a multi-headed hydra and almost impossible to fetch by general statements. It is a disease that affects the central nervous system and the progress is very hard to predict, in speed and severity - my mom was under treatment for over 30 years, so I have some insight to possible sneaking in things. I heard rumors of pilots flying with MS under very close supervision. Is your neurologist familiar with the world of flying, is able to be an adequate discussion partner for the CAA and also open for a continuous supervision to satisfy requirements set by the special job environment? I would ask myself exactly one question: could I stand the shoulding myself to death if I hurt somebody by not quitting early enough?
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Thankyou for your thoughts. I guess that kind of question wouldnt be an issue as if and when i got that bad i doubt I would even be allowed to fly. But at the moment being in a stage where nothing is affected I think would be a great chance to get a couple more years flying in before going downhill! I've been told i would have an OML on the medical, and would need to produce a 6 monthly neurologist report along with a yearly MRI to stay current. So all things have been covered except the issue of treatment. What would be allowed, and how long to be certified on it if i decided to take it. It's all a waiting game at the moment. I havent flown since beginning of last year waiting for all these answers!
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. As has already been said, the course of MS is extremely variable and it's almost impossible to predict the individual outcome of any given patient.
As DMF (i.e. tecfidera) has only been approved for a few years, it is likely that the number of class 1 and 2 who are under treatment is small, thereby somewhat complicating the evalutation process.
Unfortunately, at this stage, it will be very difficult to give you any clear advice on how your prospects of class 1 + OML recertification is going to pan out. Get your consultant to contact the appropriate CAA advisor asap, as this could be a more lengthy process.
Best of luck!
As DMF (i.e. tecfidera) has only been approved for a few years, it is likely that the number of class 1 and 2 who are under treatment is small, thereby somewhat complicating the evalutation process.
Unfortunately, at this stage, it will be very difficult to give you any clear advice on how your prospects of class 1 + OML recertification is going to pan out. Get your consultant to contact the appropriate CAA advisor asap, as this could be a more lengthy process.
Best of luck!
Dear and Courageous Norton 2005,
My bride was diagnosed with RRMS six years ago. She was attempting to gain her PPL, but was unable to shoot a satisfactory final approach. She was blind in her right eye. Depth perception was non-existent. Thus always to tyrants...
I have asked her to correspond with you soon. She has agreed with compassion and empathy so do do. Please do not worry about a Class 1. Instead, fight this horrible disease with your customary kindness and patience. Then: FLY!
Well Done You, Sir!
Ed
My bride was diagnosed with RRMS six years ago. She was attempting to gain her PPL, but was unable to shoot a satisfactory final approach. She was blind in her right eye. Depth perception was non-existent. Thus always to tyrants...
I have asked her to correspond with you soon. She has agreed with compassion and empathy so do do. Please do not worry about a Class 1. Instead, fight this horrible disease with your customary kindness and patience. Then: FLY!
Well Done You, Sir!
Ed
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Thankyou all for the help! And thankyou ed for your kind words!
Update after todays meetings is that they will review the situation again after being on Tecfidera for 2 months!
Update after todays meetings is that they will review the situation again after being on Tecfidera for 2 months!
Norton 2005: Please check your private message folder!
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Symptoms
Knew someone in the past who had a similar diagnosis, that kept on being changed to something else. If you do a search on youtube for a movie called Aspartame - Sweet Misery, you might find it informative.
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Pilot with MS
Norton2005, have you even find out what it meant for you with this condition? Have you been able to fly since then or not? I’m undergoing similar experience and due to complete my training. Appreciate anyone help and reply or if you know a pilot with MS, what was done ?
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Multiple Sclerosis - What’s next
Hi all
Anyone knows what it means for class 1 once you’re diagnosed with MS if holding a UK license ? I’m still jn school and I have been living wirh MS for few years( something that wasn’t detected at the start of my training, but doctor suggest i had had for long based on a minor symptom i experienced in my teens) and pass my medical class 1 this summer, little that I knew i had to report it and now i know and need to report it. What does that mean for me?
Appreciate your response if you know or encounter any discussion on this topic.
Anyone knows what it means for class 1 once you’re diagnosed with MS if holding a UK license ? I’m still jn school and I have been living wirh MS for few years( something that wasn’t detected at the start of my training, but doctor suggest i had had for long based on a minor symptom i experienced in my teens) and pass my medical class 1 this summer, little that I knew i had to report it and now i know and need to report it. What does that mean for me?
Appreciate your response if you know or encounter any discussion on this topic.
