Had my medical today...had problems and need advice.(warning...long)

[9GClub]

Consistency between docs seems to be an issue.... I've applied for (and received with no problem) a 3rd-class twice..... had to drop the pants for the first one but not the second. Dunno about the cheek dexterity inspection though man, that's weird. I usually handle the yoke with my knee when I'm eating the $100 hamburger, not my rear end.

BP was noteworthy too on the most recent one (130/90 maybe?), but I think that was just "white coat syndrome" as others have suggested. It is sort of a pain, though, when you're 18 (or 21 like me) and evidently dealing with BP issues.

 

[cfi on the fly]

Yeah, picking the right AME is a big deal. Whenever I move, I always find out the scoop on doctors in the area first. As for the class of medical issue...I don't think it really matters what class you are going for. On paper, there is no real difference between qualifying for a third as opposed to a first, except for the vision requirements. The real difference might be the doctors thoroughness, if he knows you are a captain flying 300 people around and you need this 1st class, he might go a little deeper into things, even though the requirements are the same for a 3rd class.

 

[JetBlast2000]

Sorry, I am getting things all messed up now

Also, this is purely for recreation, I do not plan to do this professionally.

Sounds like your stressing out a bit too much. In your situation it does not matter too much what’s on your record. Go through the steps, take care of the paperwork and keep flying. If your doing this for fun, it will sort itself out. If that was your BP for a medical, I wonder what it will be on a check ride… Fly safe

JB2k

 

[Vector4fun]

Doug,

Chill out..

This will take a bit to sort out, but should be OK. You've got two issues. One the murmur. The FAA will probably require a few tests and a Cardiologist's evaluation before ruling on this. I'm no heart expert, but if it's truly something hamless, a cardiologist should be able to verify that. AOPA or the other group can provide you and the cardiologist with info on what the FAA will want to see to pass on the murmur. If it's nothing potentially progressive, then you may only have to sort it out this one time and be done with it.

Issue #2, your BP. I believe the BP limits are on a sliding scale. The younger you are, the lower the limits, so the 95 may well be disqualifying for your age. Nevertheless, if your regular Doc can document 3-4 normal blood pressure readings in a row, then you should be able to send that to the FAA as proof your BP is OK. As the others have said, White Coat disease is pretty common.

If your description of the exam was accurate, then never, repeat, never go see this Doc again. A good Doc will spend a little time with you, chat with you and calm you down so as to give you every chance to pass the BP check.

The form letters you'll receive from the FAA regarding this medical stuff will seem pretty stern and severe. Don't let that get to you either. I've had to jump through dozens of hoops to keep my medical because of several common problems. But I've also talked to the folks at Aeromedical in person several times, and they do understand. What they need is documentation to cross every T and dot every I so as to cover their butts should you sieze up and crash into a school or some such. (Not that that would ever happen of course.) It's just a paperwork exercise for the most part, unless you really do have a serious medical condition.

 

[qmaster3]

OK

The nut check I can understand MAYBE. The BP would be the least of my concerns.

Has anyone else had to pull down the pants, bend over and grab the ankles??????????
If this is not required then I would be asking some questions. Probably calling the FAA, state medical board, etc.

 

[6'0 AGL]

maybe he thought you were trying to "stick it" to him with the money thing...

 

[Doug]

So let me try to get this straight...I can get a couple readings for the BP from my regular doc, and then send that to the FAA, as far as the murmur, I need to go to a cardiologist?

I also was thinking about calling the AME today and asking if I can stop by to take another BP test before he sends off the paperwork.

The whole exam was a mess in my opinion, and I wish it could just be torn up and I could try again. I do feel the murmur is a valid reason to hold the medical, although I have always been told it is minor, and on the same level that many people have in the world and never experience a problem. I think the AME blew it way out of proportion. On the BP, I think that was just pure BS, as the dude had me so freakin worked up...of course my BP is going to be high...but the fact that it was RIGHT on the acceptable/unnacceptable line tells me right there that it would be fine in a calmer situation, and I could most likely pass even if I took another test in his office...

Why wouldn't he offer to have me take it again...the FAA says you can take it I think 3 times over the 2 weeks before the examiner sends it out.

I'm sure that the FAA has no tolerence for this, but I have a good mind to contact them and dispute the results.

Lastly, how do I go about sending this information to the FAA. The guy gave me an address on oklahoma, but provided 0 explanation of what to do.

Thanks for everyones help...

 

[Doug]

Another thing...isn't it required to test my hearing...this guy didn't do any hearing tests. But a funny thing happened. He checked inside my ears and declared that my eardrums were beautiful perfect specimens. Then proceeded to ask what I clean my ears with...of course I said Q-Tips. He says "stop, don't do anything, just let them be, the wax is there for a reason". Well if for 25 going on 26 years of using q-tips, I still have perfect eardrums, I think I will keep doing what I am doing, thank you very much, and I don't exactly want wax pouring out of my ears.

So my question is this...if he did not perform a hearing test(if it's required), is that excuse enough for me to try and get the FAA to throw the whole thing out?

Demonstrate hearing of an average conversational voice in a quiet room, using both ears at 6 feet, with the back turned to the examiner or pass one of the audiometric tests below.

So if he wants to be mr hard a$$ AME, then maybe I can be mr hard a$$ patient and note that he is lying to the FAA if he says he administered a hearing test.

 

[cfi on the fly]

Alot of times the hearing test is done without you knowing that it was done. If he had you turned around and he was at least that far from you talking about anything, and you responded...hearing test over.

 

[bobbysamd]

FAA Physicals

I've had my share of fair AMEs and one SOB. That SOB, in Prescott, Arizona, whose day job was opthalmology, nearly yanked my medical on the eve of me going to FSDO with my logbooks to be signed off for the ATP written. That SOB forced me to take a different vision waiver. I found a great optometrist in Prescott who completed paperwork for me to get back my original waiver. I also found a much better AME in Phoenix who was a colleague's stepfather.

Unfortunately, you'll have to sweat out Oklahoma City issuing your medical. Next time, ask around about AMEs. When I considered resuming flying three years ago, I posted a request on the board. I got connected with an AME who reissued my First with fewer hassles than I experienced when I had my last one eight years before.

Good luck with your flying.

 

[dalegribble]

Sorry to hear about your problem. My best advice is if you are an AOPA member, call their medical department and they will not only listen and help but they will let you know within five minutes what your chances are. I had a student while I was instructing that had a murmur from childhood (he was a healthy eighteen when he started flying).....bottom line getting his medical cert was a hassle and took a few months, but he got it and is now eligible for a first class medical, so although it may take a bit, you should get it. The other thing is since this guy ticked you off and he was definitly a jerk, report his a** to the FAA pronto! When you call the aeromedical branch in OKC they too might be able to give you advice.

One appeal over the local AME you may have, is to the regional FAA medical office. I don't know if AOPA will have that info but the local FSDO will, depending on where you live some FSDO's are filled with VERY nice people who want to help (others are not though). I wish you the best in your trials to get you medical certificate.

 

[Vector4fun]

Doug,

Call AOPA. They like to brag that their services are great, let them earn some of that dues money. They can tell you how to proceed. I can't really help because I usually deal with another office. (Controller's medicals) After I get everything sorted out with the controller's medical office, they just forward it down the hall to another office that handles pilots medicals and they OK it.

Last I knew, the prostate check was optional. (My Doc justs asks whether I want one or not.) Wouldn't worry about it unless you're over 40 or so. And I've always gotten the hernia check. But hey, one time the Doc actually found one!

 

[Doug]

Ok, I am in the process of getting setup with a cardiologist.

So what steps should I be taking. I plan on getting a couple BP readings today from my doc to compare to what my BP readings were at the AME.

Then I guess go to a cardiologist and see about the murmur.

What should my steps be after that? Do I call the FAA, or do I send the info in via mail? I am very green with this, so I feel really lost.

Should I call the AME and tell him I want the medical report held for the two weeks, or just let him send it in today like he said he was going to?

 

[Doug]

AOPA was very helpful...I have an idea of what I need to do now.

 

[Northern Lights]

As far as the hearing test goes...

Usually as the Doc is finishing the paperwork he asks if I have any hearing problems. Of course one time I was so glad to have made it through, I was daydreaming and said "what?"

My pulse is usually high, and BP towards the upper limit. I find that if they take it later in the exam, I have relaxed a little. Also, I do better if they take it while I have my shirt on. I feel more relaxed that way.

Good luck.