I hate getting a medical

[uscpilot]

Thank God I only have to do this once a year for now.
Starting back in 2000 I went to renew my medical. Everything is going fine, then the doctor takes my blood pressure and makes the dreaded "hmm". My heart sank, "whats wrong?".
"Have you ever had high blood pressure?"
"No"
"Well, now you do."
I calmed down and got a good reading.
The cause, who knows probably a combination of genitics (both mother and father are hypertensive), Taco Cabana, and Shiner Bock.
For the next two years I took medication which worked. Except when I went to see a Dr., the old white coat syndrome. The problem was that I was in my mid twenties and taking medication that I never thought I would have to take till I was grandfather.
So last fall I decided to do everything I could to lower my BP without medication. So through diet and exercise I lost 30lbs. and got my Dr. to drop my prescription. It worked, my BP droped from 150-160/90-100 (unmedicated), to 120-130/70-80. Or so I thought.
Since I have a history of high BP now I have to have a note from my family Dr. Before I went in the other day my BP was 115/65. When I got to the Dr. it was 167/75, then 155/73. It was worse today 155/88. I know, I know, its nerves. But nerves can cost me my job. I know Im healthy, I run 30 mi a week, and follow a fairly strict diet. The Dr. doesnt think I need medication.
I am just so frustrated. I thought that I had this licked, boy was I wrong.
I guess that I am writing this to vent, but also I am courious if there are others in my position (that misery loves company, group therapy mentality).
I am sure that I will pass, if only through faith, and the fact that I cant see myself doing anything other than flying.
USC

 

[ibaflyer]

I am there with you.. The last time I got my medical, my BP was like 150/96. The Dr. says " well I think that we may need to get you on medication for the high BP". I hate the fact that I get neverous when I go for my medical. I do not know why but I ALWAYS get more uptight when that time comes.

Well... I did not have to get on the medication, I am now watching my diet and working out and running about 2 to 3 miles a day. I invested in a bowflex and a small TV for infront of my treadmill. It seems to be working but I know that when the next time comes..... even if I am in better shape and have less baggage around the belt line the ole BP will be higher due to nerves. Go figure....

 

[Northern Lights]

I hear ya!

I too hate getting a medical! I am just a little up tight and nervous to begin with, and then the mere sight of the blood pressure thing gets my pulse up! I try to relax and breath deeply and I can keep it low enough. One time it was too high, and so later when I was sitting there all relaxed they grabbed the BP tester and caught me of guard. That time it was well within limits.

Lost of Gyms and drug stores have machines that let you test yourself. That might be a good way to see where you are at with out the stress of having a doctor there.

 

[Eagle-ista]

Blood pressure? Stress?

How 'bout when the doctor puts that fake prostate gland on the table for you to feel so you don't think he's doing it for fun...

(the snap in the background is the glove on his hand...)

Getting nervous yet?

I know it's not required, but there is a history of prostate cancer in the family.

 

[GLSoar]

Medical Color Test with sunglasses

Well I went for a medical last week and almost flunked the color test why??? Because I forgot my prescription glasses and had to wear my prescription Polarized sunglasses. I could not see some of the colors! Lucky for me the young lady gave me a hint!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I know folks who get high BP at the Drs office but are fine at home.

One got to wear a thing that records his during the day, it showed fine and the Dr was happy with that. I think the key is finding the right Dr.

 

[Dash8]

white coat hypertension, i get it too...

i think it has something to do with our lifestyle/subconscious....

i hate going into hospitals....
i think it's that we as a group are subconsciously disturbed by sickness and mortality more so than most people, so the ultimate symbol of those ideas are 'doctors' and of course would cause us to be unsettled

not that i'm some kinda headshrink or nothing, just things that have occured to me

 

[uscpilot]

Thanks guys, good to know Im not alone.
Dash8 you arent kidding, I hate hospitals. I swear my heartrate increases when I drive by.

Gulfstream, do you know what this thing was that he wore at home? Was he just taking readings at home on his own monitor? If so I already have one of those.

Hey Eagle, why dont you make the doctor nervous next time and ask him in your best sexy voice "Are you in yet?", or maybe use an extra finger.

Does anyone know of a person actually failing a medical, and loosing flight privliges? I am sure that it has happened, but everyone I know, my self included was helped by the examiner and eventually passed.

 

[Dash8]

moooooooooon river

well what i usually do is about a week before hand (now this is hard for us so you'll have to be strong boys) but try to abstain from alcohol, and particularly salty foods. that usually helps somewhat

i know i don' t like being reminded of the general frailty of our bodies and by default, or mortality....
hence my aversion to hospitals and doctors, and i would think is symptomatic of persons in somewhat 'life threatening' positions like ourselves, and to a greater extent, police, fireman.

which is tough considering my gf is an ultrasound tech, and i would sometimes have to go to the hospital to see her during work or whatever.....

 

[Eagle-ista]

Yes, I know people that have had their medicals revoked by their doctors. No, not for the finger thing either. (That was funny, though...)

I know a guy that lost it when he told his doctor he almost fainted when he got up after sitting for a while. Fainting spells are a big no-no.

Moral of the story? "Don't ask, don't tell..."

 

[Gulfstream 200]

No Im sorry I dont know what the device was. But it recorded BP all day at various times and the DR was able to download it.

No It wasnt a "home" BP machine, you couldnt lie or do it 10X to get a good reading.

I dont know more, this was at a previous job and I have completly lost touch with this guy!

I do know his regular DR and the FAA DR worked together to get these as accpetable. His BP was really normal until he knew his madical was on the line.

Its a stupid a$$ system we have to go by if you ask me...

All I can say is that I wouldnt just go by one Dr's word. If your BP is truly high, there is a prob, and Id rather get it fixed and live a long life than just pass another 1st class. I would see my own Dr then a Specialist to get it done right.

 

[ceo_of_the_sofa]

so, did you get the medical?

 

[uscpilot]

The appt is on the 28th. I will let you know if I got it. If I dont post after the 28th, assume the worst.
Gulfstream, thanks for the tip about the home device. If the problem persists I will ask my Dr. if she knows about such a device. You are right about seeing multiple Dr.'s and a specialist. I did all that two years ago. Got lots of blood tests, chest xray, echocardiogram, the works.
You are absolutely right about prolonging ones life, not just fooling the FAA. I know people who will take a week off for DOT physical for their commercial drivers liscence, just to get a good BP reading. After that they have another year. This problem is endemic throughout society, treat the symptoms not the cause. High cholosteral, take Lipitor, and contenue KFC and Mcdonalds. High BP, dont diet and exercise, sit on your a$$ watching TV and eating pizza. Obiecity making you high risk for diabeties, its OK when my blood sugar starts to drift I can fix my lifestyle then.
Sometimes I feel like it isnt fair. I take care of my self, dont smoke, dont go near fast food, and excercise like crazey, and still my medical is going to be a pain in the a$$ despite the fact that my BP has been normal leading up to this fiasco. I am jealous at timesseeing people smoke, and eat fast food and still be "healthy". Oh well I suppose it will catch up to them some time. I try to tell my self that maybe this is blessing in descize, if it werent for high BP I would not be in the best shape of my life.
USC
PS Sorry guys, this post got maybe a little to emotional.

 

[whatwasthat?]

One thing's for sure - nobody is in PERFECT shape. It's just a matter of what you got or when it'll show up. Regardless of how we choose to decieve ourselves to the contrary. Some of our frailties the AME cares about, most he doesn't.
I know a guy who scheduled a visit to a specialist on the same day in the same building as his medical. (DUH!) The AME spotted him and on discovering the details (Cronin's disease, I think), declined to reissue his medical. Now he has the beaurocratic nightmare of his life ahead of him and possibly no JOB. Does this condition really affect his flying? I think not although I'm no expert. I don't think the AME can revoke your current medical on the spot, can he? If you don't like the way a flight exam is going can't you just excuse yourself? I know you fill out the paperwork first but what's he going to do, call the FAA and say he didn't like your attitude so ground him?

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I dont know...

I think the best advice is what I hear from older guys I fly/have flown with...

Have a great, thorough personal Dr so you keep up with your own health -- but go to the easiest AME you can find so you can get that stupid piece of paper...

I personally think the medical itself is a beaurocratic waste of time.

 

[uscpilot]

I dont know about it being a waste. I mean the idea of someone trying to conceal something like diabeties, while they fly passengers is kind of scary. I want to point out that I am not trying to conceal my BP. If it was still high away from the Dr then I would take somthing to control it. Sorry I just didnt want to get accused of hypocracy.
Having said all that I do think it is a good idea to keep your regular Dr, and your AME as seperate as possible. In my experience the best AME's are the ones that exclusivly do FAA exams. The ones that are primarly a regular physican or a specilast and moonlight as an AME can be a bit more difficult.
usc

 

[stlpilot]

You ought to see a military class one flight physical it puts the FAA to shame:

1.) No eating for 12 hours before the start of the physical at 7am

2.) Start off with measuring standing height sitting height and weight.

3.) Next is blood pressure at rest, then after 2 minutes of jogging, then again at rest after 2 minutes, then lying down after 2 minutes.

4.) Interview with flight personnel who asks you every question you can think of medically (the girl asking me all my questions was a cute little thing, how embarrassing)

5.) Draw 3 vials blood, pee in the cup. Testing of course for EVERYTHING.

6.) Chest X-ray

7.) Dentist, who picks at your teeth a bit and takes x-rays.

8.) Meet the flight surgeon where you strip down, and he does some reflex test and checks anything out anything you may have answered "Yes" to on the questioner. A poor old sap I took my physical with had hemorrhoids so he told me he got the "goop treatment", ouch!

9.) Eye Doc last, this is where it gets fun. Start by reading the standard wall chart, and then take a depth perception test which is tough for even the best eyes. Then color blindness. Now when the doc meets you and you sit in the chair and he examines your eyes under that microscope thing they have (sorry I don’t know the tech name). Next he tries to improve your vision by changing the refraction. Next he dilates your eyes and while your waiting you take something called the Red Lens test (think it makes sure your eyes are working together) Then you take a corneal topography which maps the front of your eye. This basically will show them any one who has had eye surgery and maybe did not disclose this fact to them. This test can also tell them about potential eye problems you may not even know you have. Now you go back to the Doc and he does the exact same refraction eye test as he did before except now you eyes can’t accommodate for any correction to see the chart, it’s called Cyloplegic Refraction, this test will tell them what your true vision is and you can't cheat it.

Now that you’re half blind your ready to go home at 3 or 4pm. Of course that’s a NORMAL physical WITHOUT any hang-ups.

The FAA scope and detail beats this physical by far, but I do know what you mean, it can be a joke.

 

[bobbysamd]

FAA medicals

An FAA physical is nothing to sneeze at, but it isn't as severe or thorough as a physical you'll get from your personal doctor.

I remember that I was ill with upper-respiratories twice when I went for my FAA physicals. On one, the doctor was a good guy. Not only did he pass me, he prescribed antibiotics! The second time, I kept my appointment for my medical, which was in a different city and with a different doctor. I passed without a problem. That afternoon, I kept an appointment with my doctor for my URI.

I will not say that you shouldn't worry when you take an FAA physical, but select your FAA doctor with care. I have had a vision SODA, which was never any problem. I needed a fresh medical and went to a local AME in Prescott, Arizona. As it turned out, this SOB was an ophthamologist. He examined my eyes and asked if I was having vision problems. I told him I was not; he then claimed to have found a problem and essentially threatened to yank my medical altogether. He made me wait while he called the "Regional Air Surgeon, " as if he was doing me a favor. He finally issued my medical but forced a different, bogus SODA on me. I never returned to this man. I found a great optometrist in Prescott who helped me get rid of that SODA.

Beware!!

I'll entertain PMs regarding the bad AME and the good optometrist.

 

[JoePylot]

Diabetes Mellitus

I once worried about BP too, until I read this...

"You are ineligible for a second-class medical certification under 14 CFR Section 67.113(a)...".

Hell of a way to find out I had diabetes. It took 6 months to regain my medical and I have to be re authorized every year. Lots of medical tests (expenses) but I can fly with a letter of authorization.

 

[flewa72]

Paraphrasing Arlo Guthrie

...just walk in and sing "Doc, You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant." And walk out.

You know, if one pilot, just one pilot does it they may think he's really sick and they won't let him fly.

And if two pilots, two pilots do it, in harmony, they may think they're both faggots and they won't let either one of 'em fly.

And if three pilots do it, three, can you imagine, three pilots walking in singin' a bar of Alice's Restaurant and walking out? They may think it's an organization.

And can you, can you imagine fifty pilots a day, I said fifty pilots a day walking in singin' a bar of Alice's Restaurant and walking out? Friends they may think it's a movement.

And that's what it is, the Alice's Resturant Anti-Massacree Movement, and all you got to do to join is sing it the next time it comes around on the guitar. With feeling. So we'll wait for it to come around on the guitar here and sing it when it does.

Here it comes.

You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant
Exceptin' Alice
You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant
Walk right in it's around the back
Just a half a mile from the railroad track
You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant

(Okay, so I'm seriously sleep-deprived and maybe a little sick--sue me)