Hayfever
 

Hi all!
I have my dreaded class 1 medical initial assessment soon and I am dreading the medical history discussion. I am a sufferer of hay fever and was on the cetirizine hydrochloride medication up until last summer. I stopped taking them because I understand that this medication disqualifies you from holding a license. What should I do?

They told me to use loratidine instead

Tell the truth.

Back in the 1980's I had an ambition to join the RAF as a pilot. However, I suffered from Allergic Rhinitis - a form of hayfever except that I was allergic to agricultrual dust. During the wheat and barley harvest my face would stream.

This was obviously a 'no no' for pilot selection so I sought advice. The ENT consultant offered me an injection which would sort me for a couple of years. Alternatively, he could perform a 'Diathermy of Turbinates' procedure. This is basicly nose cauterization.

I elected for the latter. I went into the operating theatre with a blocked nose and came out with a clear one. It's stayed that way ever since.

A OASC I was asked if I had ever suffered Hay Fever. I told them about the rhinitis. 'Was this okay?' I asked. 'Only if you want to be a pilot!' was the reply.

Suffice to say I passed the medical.

Once in the RAF I attended Aviation Medicine training at RAF North Luffenham. The New Zealand doctor taking the course discussed Hayfever. Apparently he knew a lot of pilots with 'summer colds'.

His view was that 'if you are thick enough to tell them about your Hayfever you are probably too thick to be a pilot!'

My advice, ask your GP for a referral to an ENT consultant. Pay, if necessary.

Tell them you have hay fever. They'll advise you get fexofenadine on prescription from your GP.

You can fly with that, I have done for years. (And actually I found it's much more effective than cetirizine/loratadine/acrivastine/chlorphenamine, all of which I tried in the past before I started flying)


If its something that you will need to take every day (like an antihistamine) then they'll put it on repeat prescription and if you ask for a big supply they'll often prescribe 3-6 months worth. That way you only have to pay the one prescription charge.

I think the main thing is that you are "stable" on your medication. I'm assuming you are.

First thing is, don't lie, as the other poster notes.

Fexofenadine works well for some people, but I'm not sure that "swapping" medication without expert advice is a good thing.

Remember non-pharmaceutical measures as well.

About fexofenadine
Fexofenadine tablets - Telfast. Side effects and dosage | Patient

I would have thought the RAF would take into account the 'can still cause drowsiness' catch all if they are thinking of spending millions on a potential Typhoon pilot . . .

I suspect that the authorities will go off functionality, rather than process.

If you know any different, post it here :')

Just thought I'd post my thoughts on the CAA AME doc's view on Hayfever. He told me to stay off the cetirizine and stick to either Clarityn or fexofenadine. Very positive day overall at Gatwick, but no news yet on the outcome of my medical at present.

Fexofenadine
 

Now let me tell you that out of all the oral anti-histamines, Fexofenadine is the only that has no LACTOSE in its excipients which is why it is the BEST cortisone-free treatment for hayhever and other allergies and intolerances.
ALWAYS read the excipients because if there is the any lactose, it negates the cure!
I have been to a several World-leading specialists on the subject and for severe chronic cases, Omalizumab, which is an immunomodulating (IMiD) monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy is now regarded as the standard.
But again we are attacking symptoms and not the causes and the best way out this mess is via homeopathy and updating one's emotional map.
If you really are disciplined enough, an histamine-free regimen will reset all your cells so that your software (mind) reconnects with your hardware (body).
Just look at Djokovic!

Hayfever
 

I'm a hayfever sufferer but keep it under control with 180mg fexofenadine. Never had any issues with my class 1, nor did I at the initial

Hi Guys, I need some help regarding my first class medical.. I went in for the first class medical everything was fine however I suffer with hay fever and have been receiving immunisation injections for it. The documents for this have been sent to the CAA for review as the symptoms are quite severe sometimes. Does anyone know if this kind of thing will end in me getting my medical declined? Thanks for the help!