Bother..what now?

[Jax98]

Hello folks,

Basically I am asking what lies ahead next for me in regards to medicals. I am UK based and hold a class 2 UKCAA medical with a PPL(A).

Last month I had the pleasure of suffering a kidney stone which I was grounded for after telling my AME. I fortunately passed this stone quickly after my A&E visit and at my renewal I was made fit again. Today I attended a private scan (£200 later..) and to my initial relief was told there were no stones in either kidney/ureter or my bladder etc..all good...then..

Then, the doctor starts telling me about a small 'cyst'. He pointed this out on the ultrasound and explained this could benign and harmless or could be something much worse. To my shock he said I'd have to be referred to have this checked to ensure its not cancerous etc.

I have no I'll health at present, my kidney function tests came back all regular. But now I'm being told about cyst I never knew I had... I have attempted to contact my AME to ask if this will effect me, for current flying and also further aspirations.

​​​​​​The terrifying part of this is, I plan on getting a class 1. Would an investigation into the kidney be a bar to getting a class 1? If anyone can share any knowledge id be grateful; if anyone is unsure about posting experiences/advice below please message me even. (Any help is appreciated).

thanks people

[funkydreadlocks]

I’m not an AME (pinch of salt and all that)

First of all, good on you for keeping the AME up to date. Perhaps a little premature telling them about the cyst before getting test results back, but I get it.

Once resolved, I’d be very surprised if this blocks you from getting a Class 1.

in the meantime, focus on your health first.
1. It’s your HEALTH. Nothing is worth more than your wellbeing, not even a Class 1.
2. By focusing on your health, you will as a result, make yourself healthy enough for a class 1.

I don’t know if you’ll have to jump through hoops or not, but unless the cyst is anything serious I highly doubt it. If it is, then see point number 1.

i wish you the best, and if the doc isn’t too worried I would try not to be either. Easier said than done

[Sharklet]

Originally Posted by Jax98

Hello folks,

Basically I am asking what lies ahead next for me in regards to medicals. I am UK based and hold a class 2 UKCAA medical with a PPL(A).

Last month I had the pleasure of suffering a kidney stone which I was grounded for after telling my AME. I fortunately passed this stone quickly after my A&E visit and at my renewal I was made fit again. Today I attended a private scan (£200 later..) and to my initial relief was told there were no stones in either kidney/ureter or my bladder etc..all good...then..

Then, the doctor starts telling me about a small 'cyst'. He pointed this out on the ultrasound and explained this could benign and harmless or could be something much worse. To my shock he said I'd have to be referred to have this checked to ensure its not cancerous etc.

I have no I'll health at present, my kidney function tests came back all regular. But now I'm being told about cyst I never knew I had... I have attempted to contact my AME to ask if this will effect me, for current flying and also further aspirations.

​​​​​​The terrifying part of this is, I plan on getting a class 1. Would an investigation into the kidney be a bar to getting a class 1? If anyone can share any knowledge id be grateful; if anyone is unsure about posting experiences/advice below please message me even. (Any help is appreciated).

thanks people

Reach me by PM; your inbox appears to be full.

[Jax98]

Thanks folks, yea I was maybe quick to contact AME bit thought I would to keep me in the right. I am hoping he will let me know soon where I stand.

​​​​​Sharklet I tried to PM you, but because this account is still fairly new I believe I can't send or receive a PM? It won't seem to work. Is there any other way around this?

Ta

[Jax98]

I'll keep you updated on how my AME responds too

"[email protected]" is a good way to reach me with advice

[Sharklet]

Originally Posted by Jax98

I'll keep you updated on how my AME responds too

"[email protected]" is a good way to reach me with advice

Cheers.

[Dan Dare]

I suspect many people will die with cysts on various organs, but most will not die of them. You may have been unlucky to have the cyst(s) found and have to worry about them for years to come and maybe even keep an eye on their growth rate but I doubt they will ever have an affect on Class 1 medical*

*I’m not an AME and can only speak from observations over the years

[Radgirl]

This is an incidental finding and likely to be inconsequential to your health or your medical . Of course your AME now must have the histology to prove it is OK but hopefully this is just passing paper around. There is a small risk it is more serious of course, which is why it needs biopsying, but I really wouldnt be too concerned.

I must say if you paid and went privately I am disappointed the radiologist didnt discuss his findings with you at the time and explain matters rather than just mentioning it in the report (if I have read your post correctly). He could possibly have given you more of an opinion on what his findings suggested. To biopsy this we simply insert a needle under local anaesthetic using the same ultrasound or a CT machine and take a small sample.

Best wishes

[Jax98]

Thanks for the helpful information folks, yea I am hoping this will all be benign firstly and second to that it won't be something that adds extra barrier to class 1.

I'm awaiting a talk with a consultant to discuss what this is and then I'll hopefully go from there without too much £££.

Yea Radgirl I was surprised when I saw the report, after paying for a private scan I expected them to at least explain, instead i was rushed in and out of the room

[what next]

> yea I am hoping this will all be benign firstly and second to that it won't be something that adds extra barrier to class 1.

If it is benign, which is what we all hope!, it will not affect your medical class 1 in the least little bit. 10 or 15 years ago my AME was not happy with one of the urine values and sent me to a urologist to investigate. I had three visits there, which cost me around 600 Euros not refunded by the health insurance because I was not ill, during which ultasonics, X-rays and a bladder cytoscopy (not something I want to ever experience again) were performed. The only thing they found was a cyst, can't remember if in the bladder or kidney, which the urologist considered "benign". With his report I went back to the AME who promptly signed off my medical, despite the cyst. It is probably still in my file but he has not asked about it ever since.

[Jax98]

Thanks for the helpful reply, an update for anyone else in this kind of situation or reading.

I had a contrast MRI scan last week to get a better idea what the cyst is in respect to its structure/classification etc.

I have an appointment with a consultant in the coming weeks where I will hopefully get results. I shall update this thread when I know more news.