Preparing for Medicals

[AeroDMB]

What do some of you do to best prepare for a First Class Medical exam?

 

[nosehair]

I get out the old Gliem's Study Guide, "First Class Medical Exam Practical Test Questions", and just to be on the safe side, I eat a whole box of Wheaties the night before.

 

[pilotman2105]

I get out the old Gliem's Study Guide, "First Class Medical Exam Practical Test Questions", and just to be on the safe side, I eat a whole box of Wheaties the night before.

Don't forget about running three marathons a week beforehand!

 

[skeezer]

I'll tell you what not to do.

I woke up the morning of and I had to go pee really really bad. I knew they would need a urine sample for the medical which was only two hours away, but I couldn't hold it. So, I eat my breakfast (rice krispies with a LOT of sugar on top) and now have an hour and a half to go and I know I won't be able to produce anything so I chug a liter of water as a little insurance.

Well, I get to the medical office and my plan worked! I had to pee like a racehorse so producing was not a problem. The problem came when they tested my pee. Apparently (I'm not a doctor so this is my best guess) the liter of water flushed out the massive amount of sugar that I had on my cereal so it looked to them like I had a problem with diabetes. And, it wasn't as if the sugar count (or whatever they call it) was a little higher than normal, it was way up there.

So, they sent me to get a glucouse tolerance test which I couldn't schedule till the next week because the office is closed on weekends and you have to fast for 14 some odd hours before the test. For those not familiar with the test, let me explain it to ya. Basically you walk in after having not eating for long time and they make you chug a bottle of this really thick sugar water. It didn't taste too bad cold but God help you if it isn't. Then for the next few hours they proceed to stick you and draw blood at regular intervals. My veins got raw after the first two so the last one hurt bad. Anyhow, the results came back a few days later and my blood sugar level was well within tolerances.

The lesson of the story: don't put a lot of sugar on your cereal and then chug a bunch of water if you are going to take your medical. It may cause you a week of physical and emotional pain.

Peace!

Skeezer

 

[ShawnC]

I going to new places to get a medical. I always having my tests done by some inept nurse.

No preparation necessary, though I would get your dates straight on when you last went to the hospital and why. I heard that the boys in OKC looks for changes when they get the medical applications.

 

[mar]

The difference between 1st and 3rd

Do you know what the difference is between a First Class and a Third Class?

About $50.

Unless you're older than 35, then it's about $100 for the EKG.

For all intents and purposes it's the same exam.

Relax, you're blood pressure will come down too.

 

[ShawnC]

Re: The difference between 1st and 3rd

Do you know what the difference is between a First Class and a Third Class?

About $50.

For all intents and purposes it's the same exam.

Relax, you're blood pressure will come down too.

The price depends on where you live. If you are in an area with quite a few doctors that issue medicals, the price difference is about $10. Also if you are interested in pursuing a career in aviation, they should get a First Class Medical at least for their first issuance.

I agree with the relax point, if you are thinking about wrapping the blood pressure thingy around the nurse's neck, you blood pressure won't be within the limited for even a Third class.

"I can't hear anything with this stethoscope, let me pump it a couple of more notches."

 

[bafanguy]

If you're going to get an EKG, lay off the coffee the morning of the exam. Large amounts of caffine can produce irregularities...so I hear.

 

[Northern Lights]

I try to take it easy the day before the medical. Also I just drink water to help flush out the system.

I had an episode once, where I didn't pass the urine test because of some protien they found. Well it was because I had been excercising the day before, and some males pass this in their urine after working out.

I went home and drank several bottles of Aquafina, and then brought a sample in the next morning. This time there was no problem.

 

[starvingcfi]

i used to be a full-time smoker. stopped at mcD's for a fatburger, fries and a coke on the way to the doctor. smoked a cigarette after my meal. got there and my blood pressure was just over the limit. i ended up having to hold my breath just to pass. (could be placebo, but it works for me)

anyway, now i schedule them for the mornings and don't eat anything unhealthy before. cereal or something. no coffee. no smokes. no problems.

anyway, back to my original idea. don't smoke weed the night before the medical.

 

[Wankel7]

Watch what where you check marks stray on the medical sheet.

When I was going for my first medical ever I just started checking all the no s really fast. Well, one of my hasty check marks strayed into an area it should not have So, just be watchful on that!

Wankel

 

[Green Banana]

the most important thing about a medical exam is WHO YOU GET IT FROM. Ask fellow pilots who they go to and what they think. You will hear stories about doctors that take hours to test every hair on your head, make you sweat through the eye test, give you a tone hearing test, and a list of other things that are or are not on the paperwork. Yow will hear of others that have you in and out in under ten minutes. A simple look at you and a "can you read that sign over there" covers almost everything. It is your license and job. Who do you want to see???

And one more thing, Don't ask a AME anything about things that may be bothering you. Get a normal Doc to trouble shoot any problems. You are just digging a hole you really don't want to be in and will have a hell of a time getting out of!!

 

[starvingcfi]

i start by checking yes (allergies) then check no for the rest.

 

[tjo024]

First Class Medical

How hard is it to keep your first class medical? Do you guys exsercise all the time to keep it, or is it pretty easy to get? THANKS

tjo024

 

[Green Banana]

i think that you can answer your own question there. Take a walk down the terminal and look at the typical airline pilot. If the over-weight, glasses, balding, 58 year old man you see in the stripes can get one, you should have no trouble

 

[FN FAL]

Outside stimuli can affect your blood pressure, so you may want to take that into consideration.

I was getting a company physical once and they had me sit in one of those old school desks with the half desk tops on one side like in the old school days. The nurse that administered the test was all of about 275 pounds and pushing 80 years old. She had me lay my out my arm on this desk top to get the cuff around my bicep. As she leaned over to do that, she rested one of her massive mammaries into my open palm and started pumping up the cuff. She read my blood pressure and stated that it was within limits but it was a little on the high side. Hmmmm?

 

[DesertFalcon]

I prepare for my medical using the following technique:

The night before my medical, I take off all my clothes and run thru my neighborhood screaming " I've got a medical tomorrow!"

This wakes up my neighbors giving them something to talk about and I get some fresh air while I exercise!

Pretty neat, huh?