flying with high blood pressure meds

[i fly boxes]

It looks like the stress of the job has gotten to me, and the doc wants me to go on high blood pressure medication. I have my medical in a week, and i know the med is approved by the faa becuase I looked it up, but if anyone could comment on what I could do before my medical to speed up the process, that would be great.
Thanks

 

[AVDAD]

I'd try the majors board.

I think I would post this on the other board as well. There might be more people that have dealt with this situation.

Good luck,

AVDAD

 

[dardar]

Canada, Mexico...

 

[744]

It looks like the stress of the job has gotten to me, and the doc wants me to go on high blood pressure medication. I have my medical in a week, and i know the med is approved by the faa becuase I looked it up, but if anyone could comment on what I could do before my medical to speed up the process, that would be great.
Thanks

My advice would be to call your AME and ask what he wants. It is always better to give the feds paperwork rather than make them ask for it. You can also google it, there is plenty of information on this on the Internet.

That said, this is not a big deal. EKG, blood work, a letter from your treating physician and off you go. In case your treating physician is not your AME, the letter should include:

"Under good control"
"No side effects"
What you are being treated with.
Sample BP readings.

Your medical will be normal, NOT restricted in any way. Also don't panic when an official looking letter shows up a few weeks after your medical. This is routine and just tells you to bring another letter in a year.

And just to head off the next question, statins are no problem.

 

[Nindiri]

If you belong to ALPA, then call their Aeromedical office and talk to one of the doctors before you do anything with the FAA.

If you aren't a member of ALPA, then talk to someone at AOPA.

 

[av8rjo]

If you do end up taking the meds, it's not as big a deal as you think.

I have a special issuance medical for some meds I take. Last year, I recieved a letter of authorization from Ok City that is valid for 6 years worth of medical exams. All I have to do is take my letter with me during a new medical exam, and I get my medical that day instead of the typical 2 to 3 weeks later. Wham, bam, thank ya ma'am First class medical.

It's a new reg. that became effective last year. I think you have to demonstrate a history of stable conditions.