Please help, need medical ASAP!!

[oilcanbland]

I posted on here about a week ago with a question about my medcal, but didn't get much of a response, so I'm trying it again. Basically, the long of the short of it is...

I broke up with my girlfriend, went through some pretty $hitty times, got really depressed, went to the doc, they put me on an anti-depressant, felt better, we worked things out, got engaged, got married 3 weeks ago, I feel great now, and will never feel the way I did back then, so I'm READY TO FLY AGAIN.

My medical has expired, I've been off the antidepressant medication for almost three months now, and want to get my medical ASAP, but I know that the FAA requres a butt-load of paperwork after you've came off an antidepressant. I'm in school, going to school for aviation, I'm a pivate pilot, instrument rated, was about ready to get my comm. when all this $hit happened. Now, I haven't flown since last October, have around 250 hrs., want to graduate by May, need my Comm, CFI, II, & Multi to do so.

Basically, I need to know this. Is it possible to do this?? or am I looking at a year of reviews by the boys in OK to get my medical again??? I've been in school for almost 6 years, already have a degree in Information Technology, and am ready to get out, but I don't want to leave school without that Professional Aviation Flight Technology degree, since I have all the classes required for the degree, but just don't have the flight time yet. I know I'll get my medical again eventually, but I just hope I can get it soon, so I can graduate by this spring. I just joined AOPA so I can get the medical advice, but my question is this. What do I have to do to get into the air as soon as I can????

Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.
Brandon

 

[DaveJ]

According to the AOPA...

I was taking antidepressants several years ago, but I'm not taking them currently. Can I get my medical back?
The FAA medical application asks if you "currently" use any medication. If you have a past history of depression or any other condition that was treated with an antidepressant, and you have been off medications for at least 90 days, reissuance of a medical certificate is certainly possible. You will need to have a report from your treating doctor summarizing your condition, how it was treated, how long it was treated, the date medicine was discontinued, and your current status. If the symptoms have not recurred and you remain medication-free, the FAA will probably be able to find you qualified for a medical certificate.

 

[PUNISHER]

You may also want to speak to an aviation attorney that specializes in airmen medical problems. A friend of mine hired one and was able to expedite geting his medical back.

 

[HS125]

Instead of asking other pilots on this board, wouldn't it be a better question to ask an AME? No matter what the answer to your question is, you need proffesional guideance from someone who knows where to find the correct answers. If you want your medical back, find an AME who will work with you.

 

[Midnight Flyer]

Man you should have NEVER told your FAA dr. that you're depressed or take depression meds.
Always have a non FAA doctor to go to for regular checkups/when you're sick/etc....
Give the FAA dr. the minimim information and when he/she asks how you're feeling (they always do) tell them "great". Otherwise, you're opening all sorts of doors for screwing yourself.

 

[nosehair]

Man you should have NEVER told your FAA dr. that you're depressed or take depression meds.
Always have a non FAA doctor to go to for regular checkups/when you're sick/etc....
Give the FAA dr. the minimim information and when he/she asks how you're feeling (they always do) tell them "great". Otherwise, you're opening all sorts of doors for screwing yourself.

Couldn't resist it. This is one of those times when the cover fits the book.
​

 

[oilcanbland]

Midnight Flyer, I didn't tell any FAA people anything yet. I have been going to a regular doctor. I'm not telling anyone anything yet. I will definitely talk to an AME eventually, but I'm just trying to get all the advice I can before I go to get my medical. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[macfly]

And im sure there is not one professional pilot on anti-depressants.

Fact is, never volunteer ANY information to the FAA. Go get your medical and keep a tight lip about your depression, unless of course you were suicidal er something to that degree. Everyone gets in a rut my brother, shake it off and get back in that pit.

GL!

 

[Occam's Razor]

Man you should have NEVER told your FAA dr. that you're depressed or take depression meds.
Always have a non FAA doctor to go to for regular checkups/when you're sick/etc....
Give the FAA dr. the minimim information and when he/she asks how you're feeling (they always do) tell them "great". Otherwise, you're opening all sorts of doors for screwing yourself.

"General Quarters! Set level 1-Alpha! We have an ethics breach in Sector 2!"

What you're advising is to break the law? That's the solution?

Chronic chest pain?

"I feel great, doc!"

Double vision?

"I feel great, doc?"

Taking psychotropic drugs?

"I feel great, doc!"

Here's a bulletin:

The regs are written in blood. Morons who've gamed this system have not only killed their fellow crewmembers, but innocent people like their students, passengers, and unlucky crash-absorbers on the ground.

I think you do professional aviation a disservice when you dispense unethical and illegal advice like that. Regaining a medical is a pain in the butt for the pilot. Regaining the trust and respect of the traveling public and our fellow pilots is even tougher.

My advice: Call your AME. If you're asymptomatic and can pass a redimentary cog-screen, you'll get your medical back.

 

[Midnight Flyer]

What you're advising is to break the law? That's the solution?

Basically yes.

I'm not saying to fly while taking medication or if your sick, but don't involve your FAA doctor. Trust me, they are not there to help you. They can ruin your career advancement and on some job applications, I've seen companies ask if you've ever failed a medical.
If you're depressed and taking anti depressants for example, simply take a leave of absence from your current job until you get yourself well. But never tell the FAA you're depressed or taking those meds.

Same with anything else; if you have chest pain, see a regular doctor, take a leave of absence, get your health issue fixed, then go back to work. Simple as that.
I've seen guys try to get their medicals back after they were grounded by the FAA and in some cases, it's taken years. That's lots of your personal time, undue stress and money. Remember, seniority is everything and if you're pu$$y-footing around trying to prove to the FAA that you're no longer depressed, you're wasting valuable time.

Again, I am not advocating flying on meds or with serious medical conditions, but ground yourself and see a regular dr.

Midnight Flyer, I didn't tell any FAA people anything yet. I have been going to a regular doctor. I'm not telling anyone anything yet. I will definitely talk to an AME eventually, but I'm just trying to get all the advice I can before I go to get my medical. Thanks for the help guys.

Good. If you're off the anti depressants, then take your physical as usual, keep your mouth shut and graduate this Spring. Simple as that.


You asked for help with this issue, so here's my humble .02 worth. You'll find people like Occams razor take the more conservative approach, and that's fine if somebody wants to do it like that, but just remember, you may be setting yourself up for alot of unnessary heartache and wasted time.

 

[avbug]

Brandon, first of all, congratulations on your marriage; I hope it's a long and successful one for you and your family.

I agree with Occams Razor. Hiding the truth and burying one's head in the sand is seldom, if ever, the way to go.

Let me qualify that. Never volunteer information, certainly not ignorantly. You should also never hide or falsify information. If you state on your medical application that you have not visited any other physicians, and state that you have not had a history of depression and do not reveal that you have been taking antidepressant psychotropic drugs, you are subject not only to FAA Administrative action, but criminal prosecution. You are guilty of fraud, having knowingly misrepresented the facts.

Lest you think that a minor issue, the penalty is up to 250,000 dollars in fines, five years in prison, and revocation of all FAA certificates, not to mention the loss of a number of civil rights, irreparable damage to your career, etc.

Your best bet right now is to ensure the matter is handled properly up front. Handle it properly, and in the future the only issue you need concern yourself with is checking the appropriate box and putting in remarks, "previously reported, no change." It's that simple.

The primary concern for the FAA is not the medication, but the condition that required the medication. Accordingly, the FAA is interested in two things; seeing that you're off the meds and stable, and that the condition no longer exists. In the case of previous psychiatric intervention, the FAA will want a detailed psychiatric analysis verifying that you are no longer in need of the medication, that the underlying condition that required the medication no longer exists, and just as importantly, that you are not expected to revert to the condition that required the medication within the duration of the class of medical to be issued.

Remember that a medical certificate applies to the date you take the exam, and also implies that no conditions exist at the time of the exam which might forseeably make you medically ineligible during the valid issuance period of the medical certificate. I'm pleased to hear that you're happy and enjoying life again, and that your life has improved. However, where will you be if something unexpected happens...we all respond in different ways; you get depressed, as do many of us. Your wife leaves, the dog dies, you get sick, there's a car accident, you lose your job...are you going to be revisiting the condition that required the medication in the first place? This is an important question, and one that needs to be answered (both by you personally, to yourself, and by a qualified physician, to the FAA) before you can hold medical certification to fly airplanes.

The process is straight forward, but nobody on this board can help you. I strongly recommend you visit Pilot Medical Soloutions at www.leftseat.com, or call them at 800-699-4457. I don't work for them, I'm not affiliated with them in any way, and I gain nothing by recommending you go there. You might, however, and it's a free call. Visit them before you talk to your AME, in order to go prepared.

I think you'll find that doing it the right way is a much smaller hurdle than you might think.

 

[oilcanbland]

Thanks for the advice. I've basically concluded that I'd rather tell the truth on the application, because I don't want to take the chance of losing my certificates, even if it doesn't mean graduating this May. Flying for the rest of my life is more important to me than having to sit on the sidelines for a while. Yeah, I was in pretty bad shape back when I was going through all that stuff, but believe me, I can guarantee that I will never feel that way again in my life. It just won't happen. I know it. I feel as good as I ever have right now, and I just want to get back in the air. I'll call AOPA first, and see what they say, then if I don't get all the help I need from them, I'll call leftseat, even though they are expensive.

 

[PAPA FOX!]

Looks Fine

You should not have any problems getting back your medical since you have been off medication for over 90 days. Of course you will need a letter from your physician stating that you are stable and off the meds.

Whats funny is that you could be suffering with severe depression without meds and be legal but if you have mild depression with meds you are grounded!! I would be perfectly OK putting my family on an airliner where the CA has mild depression completly controlled with meds (and no side effects) than a CA with severe depression who refuses treatment.

Sec. 67.107 Mental.

Mental standards for a first-class airman medical certificate are:
(a) No established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of
the following:
(1) A personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly
manifested itself by overt acts.
(2) A psychosis. As used in this section, "psychosis" refers to a
mental disorder in which:
(i) The individual has manifested delusions, hallucinations,
grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of this condition; or
(ii) The individual may reasonably be expected to manifest
delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of this condition.
(3) A bipolar disorder.
(4) Substance dependence, except where there is established
clinical evidence, satisfactory to the Federal Air Surgeon, of
recovery, including sustained total abstinence from the substance(s) for not less than the preceding 2 years. As used in this section-- --
(i) "Substance" includes: Alcohol; other sedatives and hypnotics;
anxiolytics; opioids; central nervous system stimulants such as
cocaine, amphetamines, and similarly acting sympathomimetics;
hallucinogens; phencyclidine or similarly acting arylcyclohexylamines; cannabis;
inhalants; and other psychoactive drugs and chemicals; and
(ii) "Substance dependence" means a condition in which a person
is dependent on a substance, other than tobacco or ordinary xanthine-containing (e.g., caffeine) beverages, as evidenced by--
(A) Increased tolerance;
(B) Manifestation of withdrawal symptoms;
(C) Impaired control of use; or
(D) Continued use despite damage to physical health or impairment of social, personal, or occupational functioning.
(b) No substance abuse within the preceding 2 years defined as:
(1) Use of a substance in a situation in which that use was
physically hazardous, if there has been at any other time an instance of the use of a substance also in a situation in which that use was physically hazardous;
(2) A verified positive drug test result acquired under an anti-
drug program or internal program of the U.S. Department of
Transportation or any other Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation; or
(3) Misuse of a substance that the Federal Air Surgeon, based on
case history and appropriate, qualified medical judgment relating to the substance involved, finds--
(i) Makes the person unable to safely perform the duties or
exercise the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held;
or
(ii) May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the airman medical certificate applied for or held, to make the person unable to perform those duties or exercise those privileges.
(c) No other personality disorder, neurosis, or other mental
condition that the Federal Air Surgeon, based on the case history and appropriate, qualified medical judgment relating to the condition involved, finds--
(1) Makes the person unable to safely perform the duties or
exercise the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held;
or
(2) May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the airman medical certificate applied for or held, to make the person unable to perform those duties or exercise those privileges.




According to the regs, depression without meds is not disqualifying unless it hinders your performance as a pilot, so it looks like you will be cleared for takeoff!!

 

[Occam's Razor]

I'm not saying to fly while taking medication or if your sick, but don't involve your FAA doctor.

Ok, so explain how you handle the question that asks if you've visited any medical professionals since your last physical?

Do we tell the truth, or lie?

Trust me, they are not there to help you.

Letmegethisstraight...You are to be trusted on this Forum...but not on a government form where you affix your signature?

There is no middle ground here. If you suffer from any physical impairment or illness, you must not fly. Period.

No doctor ever told a pilot, "You're healthy enough to fly!"

Even the Medical Certificates we're issued don't claim that.

The pilot himself/herself certifies that he/she is well enough to fly. The AME merely certifies that we don't have any detectable conditions that could ground us [Note: The AME checks for only a fraction of the disqualifying conditions], and that a review of our medical history [Certified by the airman by signing a statement that all information about medical history is correct] is not disqualifying.

The AME can't tell if you have a migrane. The AME can't tell if you have blurred vision. The AME can't tell if you get dizzy, had a kidney stone, suffered a concussion, had a seizure, or think Cher is a hottie.

If you sign the form saying you haven't suffered any illnesses or potentially disqualifying conditions, it must be so.

We can cheat on the form I suppose, just like we can cheat on our taxes, our spouses, and on tests.

It's just integrity...no big deal.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Man you should have NEVER told your FAA dr. that you're depressed or take depression meds.
Always have a non FAA doctor to go to for regular checkups/when you're sick/etc....
Give the FAA dr. the minimim information and when he/she asks how you're feeling (they always do) tell them "great". Otherwise, you're opening all sorts of doors for screwing yourself.

100% dead on. Keep your mouth shut.

Even better - get a good relationship with your AME - stick to the same one. Then ask him, "hey doc, what If I took XYZ, etc.."

he will say, no - you didnt..or as mine says - see you regular Doc(s) often but call me before taking anything, so if and when you need to we can have the paperwork all ready the day you need a new medical.


Farkin Drs today....antidepressants for having girlfriend troubles. Jesus thats lame. What happened to "the hell with her" and buying yourself a new toy and/or going to look at strippers with your buddies and getting drunk.

A day or two of raging headaches, good times, and maybe a foolish new boat or vette payment - and all is well!!

This touchy feely gayass coffeeshop generation has to go folks!

PS - you shouldn't have married her, I bet shes still bangin that other dude!

 

[PAPA FOX!]

A bit off the subject but...........

Do any of you believe the FAA takes the whole medication issue too seriously overall? I say I believe that to be the case because in other highly demanding and responsible professions the mere fact that you take antidepressants is not a show stopper. If a brain surgeon, police officer, fire fighter, school bus driver, or cruise ship captain takes antidepressants as far as I know, this alone will not prohibit them from working. Surely every single one of these safety sensitive professions require at lot more responsibility and training, and are more demanding than flying a C-172 to a $100 hamburger when its CAVU.

 

[macfly]

Ok, so explain how you handle the question that asks if you've visited any medical professionals since your last physical?

Do we tell the truth, or lie?



Letmegethisstraight...You are to be trusted on this Forum...but not on a government form where you affix your signature?

There is no middle ground here. If you suffer from any physical impairment or illness, you must not fly. Period.

No doctor ever told a pilot, "You're healthy enough to fly!"

Even the Medical Certificates we're issued don't claim that.

The pilot himself/herself certifies that he/she is well enough to fly. The AME merely certifies that we don't have any detectable conditions that could ground us [Note: The AME checks for only a fraction of the disqualifying conditions], and that a review of our medical history [Certified by the airman by signing a statement that all information about medical history is correct] is not disqualifying.

The AME can't tell if you have a migrane. The AME can't tell if you have blurred vision. The AME can't tell if you get dizzy, had a kidney stone, suffered a concussion, had a seizure, or think Cher is a hottie.

If you sign the form saying you haven't suffered any illnesses or potentially disqualifying conditions, it must be so.

We can cheat on the form I suppose, just like we can cheat on our taxes, our spouses, and on tests.

It's just integrity...no big deal.

Reminds me of the scene where the guy heads explodes after finding out clayton bigsby is actually a black guy. There are plenty of pilots flying on anti-depressants, its a fact; im buddies with a head shrinker and he has airline pilot for clients and more than 1 my freind. You are the one that needs to pull your head out of the sand.

Get off your GD high horse here guy, frankly it stinks.

I'd bet you would make a great cop, with a predisposition for the narc section.

I'm sorry man, you hollier than tho attitude is uke:

The poor kids prolly screwed himself already by ratting himself out to the faa. Now he has a black mark on his record for the rest of his career, simply because he was down and out for a few months.

 

[avbug]

Once again, Gulfstream 200 proves that in a side by side comparison, a Kiabab Squirrel would have a higher intellect and more class. Do you do kids parties, too?

Do any of you believe the FAA takes the whole medication issue too seriously overall? I say I believe that to be the case because in other highly demanding and responsible professions the mere fact that you take antidepressants is not a show stopper. If a brain surgeon, police officer, fire fighter, school bus driver, or cruise ship captain takes antidepressants as far as I know, this alone will not prohibit them from working. Surely every single one of these safety sensitive professions require at lot more responsibility and training, and are more demanding than flying a C-172 to a $100 hamburger when its CAVU.

And that has exactly WHAT to do with the price of tea in China?

You are the one that needs to pull your head out of the sand.

McFly, you're really inexperienced, aren't you?

 

[Annie]

Brandon: Information Technology is THE place to be working for the next generation. I would think that a specialy in Aviation IT would be very beneficial, particularly if you are really serious about mastering the skills and insights required. Get your MA and start a job that pays probably about 3-4 times what you will be making flying. Many of these IT folks are able to work from home office on their own schedule. My hunch is that though a job in Aviation IT does not count for "hours", it will certainly put you in a place, where you can afford to buy more hours faster, while at the same time assess the best employers. Who knows you might like working for Boeing!!

 

[macfly]

Once again, Gulfstream 200 proves that in a side by side comparison, a Kiabab Squirrel would have a higher intellect and more class. Do you do kids parties, too?



And that has exactly WHAT to do with the price of tea in China?



McFly, you're really inexperienced, aren't you?

It depends if we are using the jimmy hendrix benchmark.

Use your personal mins guys, you know when you dont need to fly and if you want to tell the faa as well, then report yourself.

Hanger rash anyone, go ahead and report it.

 

[Occam's Razor]

Do any of you believe the FAA takes the whole medication issue too seriously overall? I say I believe that to be the case because in other highly demanding and responsible professions the mere fact that you take antidepressants is not a show stopper.

For one thing, I don't think it matters if the FAR's are too rigid. They are what they are. Either we comply with them, or we face the consequences. The piece of paper, or the confidence of our instructors isn't what makes us good pilots.

It's discipline, judgement, and the ability to manage risk maturely.

I'm guessing everybody has felt some level of depression before. It's a matter of "how much, and "for how long". I have never been diagnosed clinically depressed, or prescribed antidepressants, but many pilots have. If a pilot gets to the point where they need a chemical to keep the discipline, judgement, and ability to manage risk above the thoughts and distractions attendant to medication-necessary depression...they shouldn't fly. That's not just my opinion...it's the law.

As mature risk-managers, we can decide to take the drugs and lie to the FAA. It's only our personal and professional integrity.

If a brain surgeon, police officer, fire fighter, school bus driver, or cruise ship captain takes antidepressants as far as I know, this alone will not prohibit them from working.

You're wrong about the school bus driver and the cruise ship captain...but I don't know about the first three. I suspect there are legal restrictions on them performing all of their duties while taking psychotropic meds. Of course, a pilot can do revisions and study for a check ride while medicated. (Joy!)

Surely every single one of these safety sensitive professions require at lot more responsibility and training, and are more demanding than flying a C-172 to a $100 hamburger when its CAVU.

Doesn't matter. The FAR's are, largely by necessity, a one-size-fits-all rulebook. Waivers are permissible, especially where there is good history on the condition. 20-years ago there were no pilots flying Pt. 121 with a pacemaker. Now there are hundreds. The FAA, ALPA, AOPA, and other organizations have done a lot of studies on heart conditions, and have developed specific guidelines for heart performance and health.

I think it might be tough for them to develop specific guidelines and limits on depression, or the use of antidepressants.

Are you

a) A "little blue"?
b) In a deep funk?
c) Melancholy to the point of distraction?
d) Suicidal?

Does the drug make you

a) happy, but hyper?
b) moody, but not suicidal?
c) sleepy?

If you want to start a thread about the over-prescription of antidepressants, I'll participate. The issue here is whether or not a pilot taking them should notify the FAA.

 

[macfly]

Perfect way to position this debate!

 

[macfly]

I want happy pilots...period.

 

[Erlanger]

Some months ago, maybe a year ago, the FAA went after dozens of pilots in California for falsifying their medical apps. These applicants mainly didn't reveal info about their prior medical history from what I vaguely remember. Can anyone tell me how the FAA found out about these pilots past medical histories?

I never read the privacy forms that doctors have you read and sign, and maybe I should next time, but does anyone know what they really say and what info if any can a doctor release other then to the insurance companies. Also, can that info be given to your company by way of the insurance company?

 

[PUNISHER]

Some months ago, maybe a year ago, the FAA went after dozens of pilots in California for falsifying their medical apps. These applicants mainly didn't reveal info about their prior medical history from what I vaguely remember. Can anyone tell me how the FAA found out about these pilots past medical histories?

I never read the privacy forms that doctors have you read and sign, and maybe I should next time, but does anyone know what they really say and what info if any can a doctor release other then to the insurance companies. Also, can that info be given to your company by way of the insurance company?

When dozens of names turned up in both Social Security Administration and FAA rolls, "they realized there was probably criminal wrongdoing--either lying to the FAA or wrongfully receiving benefits,"Cobar said
source:
http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap07-19-113234.asp?t=apnew#body

 

[PAPA FOX!]

I never read the privacy forms that doctors have you read and sign, and maybe I should next time, but does anyone know what they really say and what info if any can a doctor release other then to the insurance companies. Also, can that info be given to your company by way of the insurance company?

Only the insurance companies can have access to these records unless you give your written consent for anyone else. No, the insurance company can not give the info to your employer unless again you give consent for them. Since HIPPA they are VERY STRICT about this. Heck when my sister had shoulder surgery she had to sign a million different forms just for her own MOTHER to get info!! If by some one in a million chance your employer did find out obviously the resulting lawsuit would be so astronomical that keeping my job would be the least of my worries!!!

As for how the FAA caught these schanigans, the DHS was doing a cross check of SSN's with the airman registry. I have NO SYMPATHY for the pilots who were stupid enough to not consider how easy they would have been found out!! Put 2 and 2 together genius!

 

[Occam's Razor]

There are plenty of pilots flying on anti-depressants, its a fact; im buddies with a head shrinker and he has airline pilot for clients and more than 1 my freind.

Agree. I also think there are pilots flying drunk. I think both groups are doing something stupid. I think they jeopardize safety, and cast our profession in a poor light.

But it's just lying to the FAA...so why should it matter to us?

Get off your GD high horse here guy, frankly it stinks.

If compliance with FAR's is a "high horse", then I'll stay up here, thank you. You handle it your way, and I'll handle it mine. We'll see which one of us has a long and successful career in aviation.

I'd bet you would make a great cop, with a predisposition for the narc section.

Shack! I am a "cop". I carry a gun at work and everything! Perhaps you can rush my cockpit in flight some time and I'll show it to you.

I'm sorry man, you hollier than tho attitude is uke:

Hope you're feeling better soon. My attitude is not the issue here.

The poor kids prolly screwed himself already by ratting himself out to the faa. Now he has a black mark on his record for the rest of his career, simply because he was down and out for a few months.

I disagree. I don't think getting treated for depression is a bad thing. If you can provide any evidence that pilots who are treated for depression, and properly notify the FAA about it are "screwed", I'd like to see it. I also think it would be a bigger "black mark" to be treated for depression, fail to document it...and have the FAA find out later.

 

[Guitar rocker]

Brandon, I do know somebody that checked "depression" on the medical back in 93'. He was going through the exact same situation with a girlfriend as well. Women, I tell yah! Anyway, I dont think that he had taken any medications, but he lost his medical for 6 months. He only got it back becasue he knew someone in the FAA who pulled some serious strings, otherwise he would have been without a medical for quite a bit longer (as I was told).

What the FAA doesnt know cant hurt you. They are not your friends and they are not there to help you one bit. I am not saying that you may not get your medical for 6 months or more...........certainly not that at all. Perhaps they have become more lenient on situations like this. I honeslty wouldnt know. But as someone else mentioned, having a REALLY good letter from your physician explaining your situation to the tee and that he/she sees no problem with you flying whatsoever is a must ( I was involved in a medical problem previously where my doctors strong and supporting letter totally helped me out).

Just some food for thought. If I can get a hold of my friend that went through this as described above, I will see what other info I can get from him. Until then, good luck Brandon. I am sure that you will get your medical back.

 

[PAPA FOX!]

Anyway, I dont think that he had taken any medications, but he lost his medical for 6 months. He only got it back becasue he knew someone in the FAA who pulled some serious strings, otherwise he would have been without a medical for quite a bit longer (as I was told).

That is very surprising. Either two things must have happened in your friends case. One is that his depression must have been pretty debilitating or two, he must have gone to the wrong AME. From what I hear, most AME's will issue you a medical provided you are off meds and have a supporting letter from your treating doctor stating you are stable and pose no risk to flight safety. According to FAR 67 depression alone is not disqualifying when medication is not being used. If you are depressed and need to see a psychiatrist w/o meds you are in the green. If you don't need psychotharapy but need meds then obviously you are not permitted to fly.


Brandon- make sure you do find the right AME, preferably one who has dealt with this many times before. Another possibility is to try the herbal suppliment St John's Wort. The FAA has no rule against taking this to treat depression and from what I hear it works pretty well for mild to moderate depression.

 

[AV80R]

Quite some time ago I had a student who was ready to solo and I kept prodding him to get his medical because I felt he was ready. Finally he did, he soloed and was working on his cross country flying when he received a call from his AME. Apparently he disclosed to him that some three years earlier (he was in high school then) he was put on Ritalin (not sure about spelling) for being hyper active. He said half the guys in his class were put on it and he only used the medication for three months.
Well, apparently if you’ve been using Ritalin you must wait 5 years (!) after the end of treatment before you can apply for a medical, so his medical was revoked!

I remember the chief pilot at my flight school tried to pull some strings with the feds to no avail.

I also remember discussions with the FAA we had about different medical conditions when all this was happening and I think the minimum “medical denied” time for most situations was 6 months (and depression was one example mentioned then!), 2 years for by-pass surgery (no heart attack) to get a third class, 3 years for by-pass surgery (after a heart attack) to get a third class, etc, etc. It was many years ago (~95?) but it seems the feds take a very conservative approach when it comes to medical issues so whatever you decide talk to an AME you can trust first (maybe on the phone without giving your name?) Also, I agree with a previous posting regarding www.leftseat.com, they are professionals and I think you can be anonymous. Good luck to you!