Medical Exam Question

[GateGirl]

After high school I decided I wanted to join the military. It took me almost 2 years to get into the US Navy (it took me about 8 months before they would give me a date to start basic training, then I had to wait about a year for that ship date) After the worst 3 months of my life (I broke my foot, and I aquired whooping cough) A week after my divisions graduation I passed out in church and I was rushed to the hospital. The doctor there decided I had Asthma and sent me in for medical testing the following day. I took the fun medical tests and then a non-military medical student came in and asked me really intellegent questions like "when you run do you get out of breath" or "when you are going through ITE (aka getting your butt beaten by your RDC) do you have trouble breathing. and she decided I had mild persistent asthma. A military doctor came in and told me based on my "test results" I was getting discharged because I had mild persistent asthma. I was given a bunch of medication and sent on my way. When I was returning back to my division I looked at my medical records and it said on the print-out from the computer that my test were negative for asthma. Someone had crossed that out and written on there that I had mild persistent asthma.

Fast Forward about 7 months. After I returned from the Navy I went back to my place of work which was Colgan Air where I work as an ops/gate/ramp agent. I got accepted to Embry-Riddle so I could pay to much money for my flight training all while obtaining my college degree (I dont have one becuase I joined the Navy as opposed to going to college) Well I go in for my first class medical and I fill out the fun little questionare which asks if I have a history of asthma. Well yea, I got discharged from the Navy for it (by the way I never had asthma before or after that one incident) a few more questions and it asks if I have ever been medically discharged from the military. Well duh. So those are the only two things I have to mark yes to. Other than that Im in pretty good health. Before the lovely doctor even sees me he goes your disqualified. I almost dropped dead right there. He said asthma was disqualifying. I was like I had one asthma attack that I dont even think was an asthma attack, and your telling me that not only to I not get to be in the military something I had dreamed about my whole entire life, but I cant be a pilot. Excuse me I think I have a prop to run into. He does the medical exam and he takes extensive notes on my single asthma attack. The doctor told me to send my medical records in to him and he would forward them on to the FAA. I thought that somewhere amongst all the discharge papers the Navy so kindly gave me would be my medical records. But it wasnt. I called him today and he said he was going to send my test in as deferred and that i could send the copy of my medical records to him and he would forward them to the FAA or I could send my medical records directly to the FAA for review.

Now as you can see Im stuck between a rock and a hard place. I just wrote a lovely check for 15,000 to Riddle where I am supposed to start in January. And if I cant get my first class well than what the heck is the point. So I am open for suggestions. Should I just go and see another doctor?? Can I do that so soon?? Anyway, anything you have that would help would be amazing. Thanks!!

 

[Flywrite]

I cant claim to be qualified to speak about medical matters, and I dont think many others on here are. My advice would be to join AOPA (if you havent already) and take advantage of their Aeromedical advice.

Good Luck!

 

[GateGirl]

Thanks for the advice. I checked the FAA'a webpage and I dont see any mention of asthma being disqualifing. Im hoping this just turns out to be that the medical examiner i used is helf retarded....

 

[FalconPilot69]

Get a second opinion!

GateGirl, I have been asthmatic since I was five years old and I am now 35. I hold a first class medical and have no problems passing the first class medical as well. Each time I go in to get my medical renewed, I have to submit a letter from my doctor stating that my asthma is controlled and will not effect my abilities in flying or safely operating an aircraft. After 6 months or so, I get a letter from OKC that states that my first class medical has been approved. I cannot speak for the discharge part, but based on my asthmatic history, I have no problems. I hope this helps.

 

[ms6073]

First, you might want to find a new AME but your current AME may be improperly interpreting Section 67.105: Ear, nose, throat, and equilibrium.

Ear, nose, throat, and equilibrium standards for a first-class airman medical certificate are:

b) No disease or condition of the middle or internal ear, nose, oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx that --

(1) Interferes with, or is aggravated by, flying or may reasonably be expected to do so; or

(2) Interferes with, or may reasonably be expected to interfere with, clear and effective speech communication.

(c) No disease or condition manifested by, or that may reasonably be expected to be manifested by, vertigo or a disturbance of equilibrium.

The advice about AOPA is good - for $39 dollars a year, you will then have access to AOPA medical advisers who can help resolve problems like this. As far as the FAA and your militay medical records - I suggest that you do not give them permission (they may ask you to sign a form that grants them such authority) to look at them as the aeromedical branch can use such records to establish that you have a "history" of such and such ailment in order to form the basis for a disqualification.

I took the fun medical tests and then a non-military medical student came in and asked me really intellegent questions like "when you run do you get out of breath" or "when you are going through ITE (aka getting your butt beaten by your RDC) do you have trouble breathing.

What ever happened to getting a second oponion? Even in the military you should have been able to request a second opinion/ set of tests to confirm that kind of diagnosis! I am not a doctor (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last week) but it sounds to me like you simply had some form of respitory infections - Bronchitis or possibly mild Pneumonia - and neither the med student or the doctor did a proper follow up and you were misdiagnosed! You know I bet that if you really want to do your stint in the military, although it may require jumping through more than a few hoops - if you can get a clean bill of health from an asthma specialist, you may then be able to go through the VA (US Senator would be go also) and get this reviewed and possibly even reversed.


Michael

 

[skylane58]

It may be a pain in the butt, but I think you should get another asthma test from a regular doctor. Then, pending those results, go to a different AME. Its your right to get second opinions.

 

[turning2]

I've read a number of posts where people were directed to this site

Just thought I'd share. Best of luck.

2

 

[SpiffAV8]

Just check no for every thing

 

[TR4A]

This is a good site:

http://www.aviationmedicine.com/

 

[GateGirl]

thanks you guys are awesome!!

 

[huncowboy]

Don't get down! I also have asthma, one of my CFIs has asthma, and a bunch of other pilots I know. They all have a 1st class medical without restriction. I have a 1st class w/o restrictions myself.

I had somewhat a similar experience than you in my home military I developed asthma through a sinus infection. I did not get discharged for it but I had to start using medication, which I am not really using anymore. My asthma is light but even serious cases can get a first class medical if the asthma is in control. But it is a case by case evaluation.

Anyways long story short for my 1st medical ever I had to do an additional pulmonary examination for some $600. Lovely for blowing into a pipe (thinking what you can get for $600 is someone else is working on your pipe).

Basically before I got my medical I had to get a 2nd opinion from a pulmonary doctor, then do a breathing test (that was $600) which was a joke and I blew away the thing because I used to be an amateur bicycler, then the pulmonary doc wrote a recommendation to my FAA designated doc then the FAA designated doc sent the whole package to the FAA. It took like 3 months but I got my 1st class and I just renewed it and I did not have to go through the ordeal again. I got a regular examination and they only asked me “how is my asthma doing”. I said I don’t use medicine only occasionally. That was it. As long you are not getting worse you probably won't need to do another pulmonary tests. However it is our responsibility to let the FAA know if our condition deteriorates.

BTW I would also go and try to find an easy going FAA doc. Ask a few older guys at an airport and they will tell you the “best” doc in the area.

I don’t get it why your doctor plain simply rejected you. The only red flag that stands out in your story is the “passing out” part. Regulation says that you should not have any unexplained loss of consciousness or something like that. As long your asthma is as you described it, that should not be a problem however you definitely should come up with a good explanation with that passing out. Not only for the FAA but for yourself as well. You don’t want to pass out in a plane and miss out on the scenery etc…

Good luck!

 

[GateGirl]

I don’t get it why your doctor plain simply rejected you. The only red flag that stands out in your story is the “passing out” part. Regulation says that you should not have any unexplained loss of consciousness or something like that. As long your asthma is as you described it, that should not be a problem however you definitely should come up with a good explanation with that passing out. Not only for the FAA but for yourself as well. You don’t want to pass out in a plane and miss out on the scenery etc....

Pretty much the day I passed out in church I had had like the worst day of my life. I was informed that apparently I had missed out on some stupid training that I had to do so I was going to be put in a special devision (I missed it because I had broken my food) I had like 6 teeth filled and I got a demerit chit (think bad note home from your teacher if youve never gone through Navy basic training) from an 0-6 for fraternization (i spoke to a male while in dental) so i went back to my division and got my little butt kicked so hardcore the rest of my division even felt sick from watching. Then they sent me to chow where i really didnt feel like eating. Oh yea did i mention I had whooping cough too?? Yea I had a blast that day. I chalk passing out up to just having a terrible terrible day.

Well, as you can tell I talk to much and im starting to do that again. I should probably go back to the radio (im at work)

 

[bobbysamd]

Asthma

Before the lovely doctor even sees me he goes your disqualified. I almost dropped dead right there. He said asthma was disqualifying.

That's a bunch of hooey! I have asthma. I have not had an attack in years. I first held a Second Class Medical which I later upgraded to a First. When my medical first was issued twenty-one years ago I had to provide a letter from my PCP. Then, for the next five years, the FAA required a letter every year. My medical was issued every time. Then, after the five years, I no longer had to provide the letter. Oklahoma City had to issue my first medical. I understand that the FAA has become very easygoing regarding medical issuances during the last ten years.

At least for the moment, you are stuck between a rock and a hard place because your AME is a moron. Get your meds from the Navy or wherever and send them to the FAA. Then, next time, go to a different AME.

Excuse me I think I have a prop to run into . . . .

Don't do it! You will get your medical. Another place where you can turn for advice is www.leftseat.com. It is an excellent aviation medical website. It offers services which cut the red tape in Oklahoma City.

Hope that helps a little more. Good luck at Riddle. Which Riddle, by the way, Prescott or Daytona? I instructed at Prescott several years ago.

 

[GateGirl]

Hope that helps a little more. Good luck at Riddle. Which Riddle, by the way, Prescott or Daytona? I instructed at Prescott several years ago.

Im headed off to Prescott...

 

[SpiffAV8]

Glad to see your spirts are up and that your on your way. Now lets see you you can manage to come out of Riddle with out the chip on your shoulder that eveyone else does. Keep this in mind for the rest of your days and it will be a big help.....There's always some one better and some one who know's more. I belive we are all students till the day we retire. In other words don't get cocky (or at least try not to).

OH! One other thing learn proper radio calls. I fly over prescott every day and those guys suck on the radio...lol.

 

[GateGirl]

I promise I wont get to cocky. Of course then I could probably loose the darn nickname bubbles (its been haunting me for a while now.) As for the radio calls I'll do my best and try not to giggle to much over the radio. (I'm an ops agent and the pilots all call me bubbles because im usually pretty bubbly. and they have been teasing me non-stop that if they are ever in AZ they will listen for me giggling over the radio)

 

[bobbysamd]

ERAU-Prescott

Im headed off to Prescott...

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