Aviation Medicine

I searched. Apparently no one else wanted to fess up. For the past six or so months, I periodically have some kind of crap around my tonsils. I've gotten to where I can hack it up after a while, sometimes as one big chunk--little bigger than a pencil eraser, Skittle, or M&M--or sometimes as little chucks. Disgusted yet? Today I hacked up one and took a whiff of it. Lawdy, lawd it was awful. Bad breath x3. I don't have bad breath according to "trusted friends;" regardless, I don't like this junk back there. Anyone else had this? Reckon' having my tonsils extracted will help?

what are the legal requirements concerning immunizations? i.e. can your legally decline immunization when you commission?

I am not in the military yet. However, I plan on applying for a flight slot. Basically, I was wondering if I had this mole removed would it pose any problems later. In other words, would I be disqualified? Would I need a waiver? Does it matter how I have it removed? I was thinking about laser removal, however, does it matter that the technology is fairly new? Any help on this would be very helpful. Thanks.

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.

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?

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...

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?

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 ]

Hey guys got a question, My eyes are well within limits of the Airforce post op limits for PRK and LASIK but the only thing is I have Hashimotos disease which means that untreated I have hypothroyidism. But I have been taking medicine for a long time and my levels area ll steady and normal. However I havr hashimotos and this seems to DQ me for the eye surgery according to the airforce. But i know for a fact that if your hashimotos is controlled the civ doctors let u get PRK and LASIK. Heres the USAF page that says hashimotos disqualifies me https://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu6MaoRtKTk4B...-080306-023.doc So if I am gonna try to do this do i need to 1) get the surge…

I am 26 and starting to consider trying to get a pilot slot with the ANG or AF Reserve. I hold a 4 year degree and vision is solid. My question comes to a history of ADD and Tourettes Syndrome. I recently went through a round of testing to get my medical for the FAA. Despite having been told I have ADD a review of all of my medical records revealed no diagnosis or mention of it. The neuropsychologist's conclusion and report indicates that I don't have ADD. So I don't see that as being an issue. My concern is the Tourette's. It was primarily a childhood illness. I haven't been on meds since 8th grade and have no effects from it today. It does not affect my flying and…

Hey there yall, I used to be a 300lb lard. Decided to clean myself up and join the military. I just got back from field training and I'm thinking about going for a pilot slot. But I'm also going to be having a abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery here soon to remove all the lose skin around my waist. Anyways, I've talked to some NCOs at our det and they tell me it should be fine, but I would like to double check with what you guys think. Will that have any impact on me going up for a pilot slot? Will I be automatically DQd? Thanks alot

There is a new procedure for flat-feet where a small titanium bolt is placed in between the ankles. Would this DQ someone through MEPS or FC1 ? https://hyprocure.com/the-hyprocure-solution/

Question from another site. Anybody have an answer?? "Anybody know if permanent retainers (metal bar cemented to the back of your teeth) are an issue with the flight physicals?"

Search only brought up questions about supplements. At age 29 I'm pretty much (well am) no longer eligible to go for pilot, however I am still interested in pursuing service. I was just given a prescription for low testosterone form the doc, just wondering if having a medical history of that will ever raise any issues down the line.Google wasn't very helpful either on this one. Thank you!

So when talking to an AD Air Force Officer recruiter over the phone I found out I had a medical DQ and was not eligible to apply. However, my AFRes recruiter recently told me that I was indeed eligible if I were to fill out a waiver. I then called my AD recruiter back and he simply stated that "The Active Duty is ran completely different than the Reserves/Guard." So do all requirements vary (AFRes/ANG/AD)? Or did the AD recruiter just not want to go through the hassle of going through the waiver process? I'm guessing my best bet to find out about the ANG would be to call my local unit. Thanks, Hawk

I just recently discovered via research on Google that I have a Pilonidal cyst. I'm a current/qualified AF pilot and was wondering if anyone here has had or known of someone who successfully dealt with this issue and returned to fly? It looks like it's a pretty simple procedure. I just don't want to talk to a flight doc before I can get some feedback.Anyone? Here's what I found in AFI 48-123 regarding the issue. 6.44.20.9. Pilonidal cyst, if there is a history of inflammation or discharging sinus in the 2 years preceding examination. Surgery for pilonidal cyst or sinus is disqualifying until the wound is healed, there are no referable symptoms, and no further trea…

Hello, I was wondering what the requirement was for AF RPA Pilots and the depth perception test. Is it the same standards as any other pilot position? Reason I asked is I had a hard time on the circle depth perception test at prescreening and wanted to know if it's waiverable or if a different test is adminstered at Wright. I have done other depth perception tests online and have done just fine on all of them. Thanks!

Hello, I am hoping someone can ease some of my worries regarding my medical record. First of all I have researched this topic extensively and am aware that allergic rhinitis after age 12 is a DQ, however, I have somewhat of an extenuating circumstance. I am applying for guard units and work as a full time firefighter as a civilian. Common practice in the fire service is to get a prescription for Flonase as working the large wild land fires we have in California for weeks on end is a recipe for congestion. I explained this to my doctor in 2011 and in order to get the prescription he gave me the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis which I do not technically have (…

MEB

All, Welcome Jedi Doc as the newest moderator to the forum. Current flight doc who has been given moderator access to the aviation medicine section.

Quick question, I am trying to get back into the guard after a 4 year break in service, meaning I will have to go to MEPS again, My unit (recruiter)is saying after submitting my info to MEPS that it could take up to 5 Surgeon General Waivers to get back in. He says he could see one get approved but not up to 5. Is he right or just not willing to put in the work? His tone indicates he does not want to submit the waivers. Still waiting to hear from the OG though. Am I screwed? Do the SG waivers get any special consideration due to being previous active duty for 10 years opposed to a newbie off the street?

I wore contacts for a couple years as part of the program for aviators, but now I'm in a non-flying billet and wish to continue wearing contacts. I'm perfectly content to purchase them myself if I have to, but does anyone know if pilots in non-flying billets can still receive contacts for free under the program? Thanks in advance for the help.

Edited for CYA. Good advice though, read and heeded.

Active Duty question here. I was referred to an allergist over 2 hours away due to the town the base is in having none. Is there something about getting milage reimbursed for my weekly shot appointments? Thanks Bros.

BLUF: Can anyone suggest a good remedy/sinus decongestant for sinus barotrauma? I've experienced mild sinus barotrauma a couple of times and, what I'll call a severe occurrence once (felt as though someone was stabbing me in the forehead with an ice pick), over the past three years. All times have been on commercial airliners only on descent from over an hour long flight. The most severe occurrence was on an overnight flight from the States to Europe; the entire descent was downright debilitating. I've probably taken about 150 commercial flights over the last three years and only noticed it on about three of them. I've also piloted Cessnas below 8,000ft reg…