Asthma

[mcjohn]

Does asthma affect hireability or obtaining 1st class medical?
I have mild asthma induced by allergies. Doctor diagnosis - allergy with asthma. Preventative meds - Advair and Singulair

I can't believe I'm just now getting around to asking about this!

 

[avbug]

It may be a problem for you; the AME will have to forward your paperwork for a decision with Oklahoma City.

I'm an asthmatic. The key to being an asthmatic without answering questions is that you had childhood asthma that ended at age 12. Otherwise, documentation may be required to satisfy the FAA.

When people have questions regarding the medical, I usually refer them to Pilot Medical Soloutions at www.leftseat.com.

When I was a kid I approached a medical examiner for my first medical, and was denied. He took my money, and whe he found I was very sensitive about having things placed in my eyes, and that I had asthma, he tore up my application and told me to get lost. He told me I'd never be a pilot. He kept the money.

I got upset, and told him I wanted to let Oklahoma City make that decision. I underwent the medical exam, which he promptly showed me flunking, and then forwarded it to Oklahoma City. I handled coming up with the documentation, and wrote letters on my own behalf as well as obtaining physicial statements and medical records. Ultimately I got a clear medical without waivers. I've done the same thing with other conditions since that time, and still hold an unrestricted first class medical.

The fact that you're taking medications indicates that the asthma itself may be a problem, as well as the issue of the meds themselves. Again, a good place to start will be leftseat.com. Another poster recently had questions regarding a medical matter, and made the decision to seek counsel with AOPA first, due to the cost, and the with Leftseat. Probably not a bad way to go.

If your asthma is mild, I'm sure you can probably get a waiver, but ideally you want a clear medical with no waivers. Check into it thoroughly before you approach an AME. Good luck!

 

[dskflyr]

DX of Asthma

Mcjohn: Make sure the diagnosis is accurate first. Many providers call anything that wheezes asthma. I've seen folks that were diagnosed with asthma that never really had any work up done. A lot of medical folks don't realize the potential damage an inaccurate diagnosis can have on work/career aspirations. If you haven't had pulmonary function testing with pre/post albuterol then you may not have asthma. Ask for a consult with a pulmonologist or allergist.
Good Luck

 

[NW_Pilot]

Mcjohn: Make sure the diagnosis is accurate first. Many providers call anything that wheezes asthma. I've seen folks that were diagnosed with asthma that never really had any work up done. A lot of medical folks don't realize the potential damage an inaccurate diagnosis can have on work/career aspirations. If you haven't had pulmonary function testing with pre/post albuterol then you may not have asthma. Ask for a consult with a pulmonologist or allergist.
Good Luck

I second, this go get a second opinion first! It's just like the doctor that uses 1 size cuff to test your blood pressure and tells you that you are hypertensive with out any further testing. and some of the side effect of some medication i would rather live with the problem then take the risk!

[FONT=&quot]As the commercial says!
"with this medication, some side effects are rectal bleeding, constant urinating, and in sometimes occasions death do not stop taking this medication suddenly as it may increase the risk of side effects if you experience any of these side effects contact your "Drug Pusher" physician immediately"
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Q: Whats the diffreance between a Drug Dealer & A Drug Pusher?
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] A: The Drug Pusher has an M.D. in his/her name! [/FONT]

 

[mcjohn]

Thanks avbug for being helpful on my thread here. I'll see if I can be more tolerent to your posts in the future.
Anyway:
Here the deal, I was diagnosed with Asthma from an allergist my second year of college (I know it's weird). Animal dander, smoke, pollution, house dust all give me symptoms that are not too serious (no wheezing, just cough a little and feel tightness in the chest) unless they go untreated for a few days, then I'd get bronchitis in bad way. Seems like one time a doctor diagnosed me with acute bronchitis before I ever went off to college and was then diagnosed with Asthma. I smoked a lot of cigs from age 12 to 17 quit and then started racing bicycles and performed well. I'm athletic and jog, bike a lot and I take small doses of Advair and Singular intermittenly. If my house/air is clean I don't need any meds at all but I always have some on standby just in case. I really do not want to have to get an FAA waiver for this but I'm concerned that if I don't fess up to everything and get caught I'd be fired or have the FAA punish me. I asked my allergist if anyone would ever have access to my med records and he said not without my permission so I should be O.K. right?

I just thought of something, these meds I speak of are extremely expensive if I had to pay out of pocket so I have to use insurance to buy them. If I work for a company would they know that the insurance is paying for asthma meds and cause me some serious trouble if I were trying to keep it to myself?

Hey what's that unmarked car doing out in front of my house!?

 

[Gearmunky]

McJohn,

I had severe asthma as a kid and grew out of it, however I still have a flare up every once in a while. I have had no trouble getting a first class medical, and I still carry an inhaler. I told my flight surgeon at the time I was taking claritin-D for my seasonal allergies (back when it required a prescription) and singulair, he said that the claritin may be the only hang up. I never heard anything back. Going for another first class next week. You shouldn't have a problem at all, and I wouldn't worry about it.