Riding Out Chest Pain

[ARIs 'R' Us]

Edited for CYA.

Good advice though, read and heeded.

Edited May 20, 2015 by ARIs 'R' Us

[GrndPndr]

You should proceed immediately to a physician. Do not pass go, nor try to collect the rest of your career.

Do you have any history of cardiac issues in your family? If yes, consider this another reason to seek help.

Maybe it's nothing, unfortunately you may have to find out the hard way (sts) if you wait.

[Striper_WSO]

Not being dead > Not flying.

[Learjetter]

Not being dead > Not flying.

2!

I was at recurrent sim training 4 hrs from home when the specialist called to say my test results were back and I needed to come in to the office. I had to drag the Dx out of her over the phone...spent a few minutes in disbelief and shock...then called my wife first, then my Flt doc. Flt doc said I was instantly DNIF, but call her back in an hour. An hour later, from the road, I called and she had the surgeons and oncologists appts set up for me for the next day! She also started my waiver package and continued working on it after she deployed. Long story short: no MEB, waiver approved in minimum time: day 2 to approval: 5.69 months.

Flt docs are your friend...they want you to 1) live a long time, 2) serve your country in your chosen profession, 3) fly cool jets...in that order.

[jcj]

I saw this after the edit but I'll jump in anyway - do not with chest pain. See your doc right away or (especially if having an acute episode) go to an emergency room - by ambulance if you are acutely ill. Chances are it's something annoying but not serious, but you just don't know until it's checked out. If it is something serious and you need something done, there are really good treatments & procedures available today that are about 1000% better than when I was in medical school (and I'm still pretty young & actively practicing). I can't speak for USAF policy (I'm an AME but not a military flight surgeon) but for the FAA you can regain a medical after all but just a couple of specific procedures (providing your overall health is good enough and you didn't lose a lot of heart muscle). Take care of yourself and your family first. If you want to ask specific questions PM me (I'm a general and critical care surgeon) - but don't PM me instead of seeing your doc (or ER if you are having an acute episode).