Aviation Medicine

Anyone with some insight or experience with this one? I am currently in the process of getting my initial FC1 physical approved by Guard Bureau. I thought I finished the process last fall with out being concerned about anything being that the medical personel said I looked "good to go" and should be fine with getting approved. Weeks later, Guard Bureau sent my FC1 back to the base asking for further documentation on a fainting incident I had 1 1/2 years ago during a guard drill. Here's what happened during this incident: Basically, My buddy was telling me a detailed and gruesome story about his brother during break. I was over tired and I felt myself growing…

Does the Air Force care if pilots chew tobacco?

1. Is Contact Dermatitis (in this case caused by nickel) considered an allergic reaction, and does it have any effect on flying status? 2. In regards to the boxes on all those medical forms, does nickel-induced contact dermatitis require that the "Have been diagnosed with allergy" box be checked? (P.S. Already have FC1 approved, commissioned, and in IFT). [ 08. September 2004, 20:39: Message edited by: NimitsTexan ]

Will the AF fix a broken nose that has healed crooked? Could I just make an appointment w/ a Flt Doc to re-break it and straighten it? I've heard rumors of one free cosmetic surgery done by the AF for personnel, is that true?

Regarding how to read a perscription... Yes, I have already "searched" - my specific question has not been dealt with. Okay, I have (cyclo) +2.75 -1.50 by 097 OD. I simply want to know: a.) would I need a "excessive refraction" waiver? To my understanding, I would not because +2.75 (+) -1.50 = +1.25 which is under the +2.00 cutoff. Is that correct? Do you add the hyperopia (2.75) to the astig (-1.50) to get the "meridian" total?? b.) my manifest refraction was under the standards both individually, and added together. As I am aware, I have not been looked at for a waiver. Thus, I am assuming that the above is how it is done-I also got some of my info fr…

Will being a left handed person affect my chances? If so, should I tell the Air Force that I'm mostly left handed (I'm actually moderately ambidexterous)? Also, will it be a problem in flight school? Thanks.

My son is a firstie at Camp USAFA and learned yesterday that his waiver for drusen, submitted his third degree year, was denied. At the time the wavier was submitted, he was lead to believe the condition was wave-able. In fact, he received his pilot slot last year. The news yesterday was quite a blow. I've reviewed the Waiver Guide updated Nov 07, and have learned that for FC I/IA individuals, the condition is not eligible for waiver. Two questions: Is there any sort of appeal process or other avenues available to "fight" the denial? Would drusen prevent him from cross-commissioning and flying with another branch? He's taking things in stride and is scrambli…

Help,I went for a 6 mile trail run during winter break and wound up with a stress fracture of the second/third metatarsal of the left foot.Our Det. normally runs indoors all winter and I guess I`m not used to the harder surface outdoors,anyhow will this mess up my chances for a field training slot?I`m told everyone has to qualify at PFT before Feb. ,the Doc says it can be up to 12 weeks to heal a stress fracture.I`m on scholarship,in my second year,will I lose that too?I did a search ,couldn`t find anything about this.I passed the PFT no problem before break ,don`t know if that helps.I couldn`t of done this at a worse time.

Is it possible to stay on flying status after donating a kidney?

Okay, so I am an ROTC cadet, have my slot, and have already passed medical at Brooks, just waiting to graduate. I have a question however. I have had a family friend who is a general practice doctor identify something on my arm known as a lipoma. its kind of a fatty cyst that is apparently not a big deal. I however, would like to get it removed because it's just annoying to me. Its like the size of a small grape and is slightly noticeable just looking at it. Question is, does this DQ me? I didn't mention it at my physical because I was told it's not a big deal. Any input on what I should do would be greatly appreciated, and if anyone knows the regs for waivers on some…

I was hoping any flight docs out there could fill me in a little bit about the process of transitioning from being a flight doc or a general internist to a specialy in the AF such as a Diagnostice Radiologist. My brother is a soph in ROTC and wants to pursue something like this but wants to get more info before he goes to Field Training and incurs a commitment to the AF and find out that its something that he can't pursue after all. We really don't have any med groups in CO that have specialties such as that so if anyone else has any ideas of med groups that he could get in touch with would be great as well. Thanks! also, sorry for an grammaical errors and the like... …

About 14 yrs ago (as a 10 yr old boy) I had a neuro-anyeurism operation. The problem was completely resolved, and now, 14 yrs later I'm 100% healthy, with 100% neuroogical function intact. My medical records were sent to MEPS for a determination; not wanting to make a determination MEPS is now forwarding my records to the AF SG. I'm hoping that something that happened over a decade ago (and is resolved w/o any affects) will not stand in my way of being selected for OTS. Do you folks recommend I provide the SG with a letter from the neurosurgeon saying that I am fully neurologically OK? (since the SG will never see me, all he sees is my records from 14 yrs ago, i feel …

I have a hydrocele that I was DQed and waived for about 2 years or so ago. I had surgery to remove it but the doc failed to do so, stating that he couldn't find it when he went in (very painful!). I was thinking about getting surgery to remove it (again!!!). The trouble is that I can't get an answer about it DQing me on my FC1 (either by having surgery or keeping the hydrocele). I am going to Brooks in February and am torn about getting surgery (should I wait to be on AD to have the AF pay for it?). What should I do? Thanks for the help...

Does anyone know if there are any authorized ED medications you can be taking while you are on a rated flying status? Hoping to start a general discussion about this 'hush' 'hush' topic, so any info regarding this would be appreciated...

Is melatonin approved for use by aircrew without the permission of a flight doc? Also, if anybody knows of a list of approved (if any) "herbal" products that can be used by aircrew, let me know. Thanks!

This is pretty embarassing: I just got entered into the Commander's Review board process due to flight doc recommending admin removal for manifestation of apprehension. I'm not afraid of flying, in fact I love it, it's just when I'm flying that I have problems. Anyway, I'm hoping that they'll let me enter SUNT but have no idea if I'm already DQ'd for that due to this MOA issue. I can't find anything specific in the regs regarding UPT/SUPT...that I'm aware exist anyway. Can someone please help me out with some info? More info about my situation: It was recommended to me by my flt cmdr that I go to life skills, since I thought it was maybe just a pressure/stress issue.…

I am currently in UPT an had my appendix removed via the laroscopic method this past weekend. Everything went fine and now I am home resting. I was wondering if anyone has heard of how long this side lines pilots especially those that are in airframes the pull G's on a regular basis. At this point my return is based on when I can demonstrate a proper G strain and not be in pain. I am just looking for any insight from anyone that might have been on a similar situation or knows anyone that was. Thanks.

Howdy Everybody! I'm an 06OT05 pilot select with a foot problem. First, the medical background. I have a case of Hallux Limitus in my right big toe. Basically, I don't have the range-of-motion to bend my toe beyond 20 degrees or so. Due to this I cannot run very fast if at all; basically I "shuffle" more than I run because of my toe. I cannot "shuffle" at the pace required for 1.5-mile run that is part of the PFT. There are two treatments available; an orthotic or a cheilectomy. The orthotic, a non-surgical option, is already on order. It may allow me to run at a pace that may meet the Air Force PFT standards. The orthotic will not, however, heal my Hall…

I've been told that I have shin splints, which are tiny stress fractures in your shins. I run almost everyday, and take ibuprofen when my legs are sore. It's not a problem on most days, but sometimes it can be painful after a hard workout. I have my FC1 in September. Does anyone know if this will be a problem?

Well I just got word on my flight physical and the doc told me I need to get my hemoglobin redone because it was "a little low." I remember the doc that did my physical saying it was a bit low, but OK and it was probably due to stress/lack of sleep...both of which are probably true. Well I am to do it again next week and it will probably be one of the most sleepless and stressful weeks of my college career because I am a slacker and have to finish my senior project in a few days. What can I do other than sleeping and eating right to ensure that I pass with flying colors?

When I was active duty, I had an etoh waiver. Foolishly, I embellished the dsm-iv test hoping that would get me out of trouble--wrong!!! I was seperated more than 4 years ago and thought I was completely out of the service, until I received a letter of promotion just recently. I found out I am in the inactive reserves now. I want to fly but have had some drinks socially since I thought I was never going to fly again. My old waiver expired 2 yrs ago, but since then I've been reevaluated and only had 1 out of the 7 for dsm-iv. What are my options for flying now? Should I show the reeval or just say nothing?

Anyone have any experience with a hip replacement or hip resurfacing, and getting back on flight status? I know about the Mountain Home guy in 1998 that was the first in an ejection seat. And I've talked to the Tyndall F-22 guy that had his about 5 years ago. I'm looking for new info. Thanks.

I have my FC1 in 1 week. Last week, I had my wisdom teeth pulled and was prescribed Vicodin for pain and Amoxicilin for antibiotics. I was under general anesthesia, so I was also given Valium and some IV sedatives (Demerol, Midazolam) on the morning of the surgery. I know that Vicodin is a narcotic...will this cause a problem on the drug-screen? I don't know much about drugs...what about the other drugs like the Valium or Midazolam? I stopped taking Vicodin the morning after the surgery b/c Advil worked better. It'll be 2 weeks exactly between my last dose of Vicodin and the morning of my FC1. I have a letter from my dentist that explains the procedure and lists all…

Hi all, Back when I was going through the motions for the AF Academy, during my physical I had to get a waiver for a polyp in my sinuses. I went to a specialist, and without any grief he said it wouldn't be a problem at all, unless I started smoking a few packs a day. I don't have any problems with it, and am in super health. Soon I am going to be taking a physical for a AF Reserve tanker pilot slot... will this come up again and be a problem?

Hey all, I have just been diagnosed with vasculitis and was wondering if it was disqualifying. Only my skin has been affected and none of my internal organs so I got lucky. My skin is healing nicely and the doc's think it may be HS Purpura i'll find out in a few days. If it is disqualifying is there any chance for a waiver? I tried a search with no luck.