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

[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.

 

[Goose Egg]

Ahh medicals. I seem to remember my initial 3rd class being a lot tougher than my subsequent 1sts and 2nds.

I don't get white coat syndrome stuff, at least BP wise anyway. Last time I had it checked was at the AMEs, and it was something like 120/70 (Exercising regularly will help that BP and heart rate stay down in pressure situations.)
-Goose

 

[JAFI]

Doug, In your search for answers sometimes it is not so easy to find info on the FAA web site, so I have copied some sites that may assist you. Relax, don’t let the process get you too stressed. I am not a doctor so I can’t comment on your medical condition. Many times AME’s file their report to OK City and OK City issues the medical. Hang in there.



JAFI



FAA web site:

http://www.faa.gov/

Flight Standards web site (the aircraft part of the FAA):

http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/

FSDO Phone numbers and addresses:

http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/fsdo/index.cfm

AME Locator:

http://ame.cami.jccbi.gov/

Civil Aeromedical Institute

http://www.cami.jccbi.gov/

 

[Doug]

Ok, just went to see the doc

Got two blood pressure readings

120/70
120/72

I will get a few more done as proof.

I also have an appointment with the for an echocardiogram/doppler to get the murmur thing straightened out.(it is on this coming wednesday)

My doc said that unless he knew what he was listening for, and listened for a while he would have never been able to hear the murmur. He said it is very slight, but now I need to get the test to satisfy the FAA.

So it looks like hopefully I will have all the paperwork done, and to this AME before he sends out the paperwork.

I called him twice, but got answering machine, and told him to hold the paperwork. I understand I have 10 business days to get this straightened out. If he ignores my message /calls and sends it in anyway...do I have some recourse? I understand it will take much longer to get my medical if I do not send in the paperwork with the AME's stuff.

It's at times like this I am really glad I work in the healthcare industry. If I didn't know people it would take me forever to get all this done. And I have been on the other side...it stinks.

 

[darkvw]

Are you sure it was a physical for flying? This sounds like the CDL test, think it's a little more restrictive than a Class 3.

 

[Doug]

Yes it was a physical for flying...the guy even has a news clipping of the plane he crashed back in '73 prominently displayed in the waiting room to show what a great pilot he is. And he kept talking about flying, so I assume he knew what I was there for.

 

[rnobson]

Hey Doug I had just about the same prob for my first class 3 medical. The Doc thot just about every light plane would eventually "come down on a school !! Just going to THAT doc caused my BP to be really high


However after all the specialist stuff which held me up for a month or so I was cleared to fly Now many years later I still have the "white coat" BP problems but I now have an ATP and manage a Class 1 every 6 months

 

[Doug]

As an update, I called the AME about times today and left messages. I even went to the AME's office after work to see if my paperwork was being held or was sent. There was no one there.

I will be sending a letter of complaint to the FAA...i got all the info on where to send it from AOPA.

 

[dmspilot00]

The FAA's medical certificate standards are available in Part 67 of the regulations. You can read them here:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=f25132e7a55a90c037d384f768a8a2b8&rgn=div6&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.1.5.4&idno=14

A urine sample is required to check for diabetes. However, there is no excuse for having to lower or remove the pants for any reason. That is rediculous. And from everything else you said, the doctor sounds like a crazed psycho lunatic.

 

[Doug]

The FAA's medical certificate standards are available in Part 67 of the regulations. You can read them here:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=f25132e7a55a90c037d384f768a8a2b8&rgn=div6&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.1.5.4&idno=14

A urine sample is required to check for diabetes. However, there is no excuse for having to lower or remove the pants for any reason. That is rediculous. The doctor sounds like a crazed psycho lunatic.

Yeah, I guess he is what you would call "old school"

 

[Snoopy58]

If a flt doc wants to do the prostate exam, you can tell him "no" and that your family doc does that for you each year. The FAA may require it after some age, but I doubt it. (If they do, it's older than I am.) Last time I went to a new AME that's what I said and he said no problem. If it isn't a mandatory part of the exam, no reason to have it done there.