Aviation Medicine

Ok so here is a good question for all you MDs on here... pretty sure this hasn't been asked before in previous threads ha. I was flipping through the AFI 48-123 today, when I came across A4.23.1.16 that states "All symptomatic congenital abnormalities of the reproductive system." My situation is pretty unique... I was born with no uterus at all... not even any uterus remnants or tissue that the MRI showed. It has never caused any trouble for me, I can run, do weights, lots of strenuous ranch work, etc without any problems whatsoever. You would think the Air Force would actually like this since there is no chance of me getting pregnant while on active duty, and since …

This question is very premature because I haven't even talked to a recruiter yet, but I wanted to get your guys opinion on something. Ever since I was a kid I've had a problem where my face sweats more than normal. Now my knowledge (from the internet) of this is not much other than it is called hyperhidrosis. From what i can tell the Air Force will DQ you if you have this of the hands or feet, but not of the face. It's not that my face sweats excessively all the time just when working out, when it's hot and very humid, and sometimes when I'm nervous. If it is real hot and humid out I can start sweating just standing outside. What I was wondering is if this will more…

Question for the "Docs" on here: When you find out that someone has an IgA deficiency what first comes to mind? Is this something that is really bad and makes you go "oh no" or just kind of mild and not that big of a deal from a medical professionals standpoint? Also, is this something that is disqualifying? Thanks!

I was flying today and as I did my 45 deg turn I plugged up my ears. I didn't realize until I landed and took off my headset that I could barely hear anything. I do have some type of head cold, not a bad one.. It's prob allergies. Anyway I managed to pop my ears back to normal, one tends to plug back up. Is there anything to do to prevent this.. any tricks? besides not flying. Also what are some tricks to popping your ears back to normal? Thanks guys.

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?

Just started (few months ago actually) my second round of Accutane, also known as Isotrentin, and I was wondering if anyone else here has used the drug before. I went on the med about a year and half ago for my acne. Towards the end of the first treatment I was on 120 mg (almost double what was recommended for my weight) and I started to notice my vision beginning to blur. When I went in to get my vision checked for DODMERB my vision had decreased from 20/15 to 20/25. I'm now in the third month and I'm already beginning to see that my vision is blurry and my eyes are extremely watery (apparently they should be dry). I'm just wondering if I should keep pushing throu…

Gentlemen, I've spent 3 1/2 years in the military; 3 years in Europe, including a one-year stint on active duty as an infantry officer, and six months in the USMCR after I immigrated. Just before shipping off to Parris Island, I had some hemorrhoids removed, and this triggered childhood memories I'd been unaware of. I made it through boot camp, but when I spoke to a chaplain on Lejeune about increasing nightmares, he referred to me to the wizard, who told me I had PTSD. Long story short, I was discharged honorable/RE-3P. No suicidal tendencies, no disciplinary problems, no PD or similar, excellent write-ups from my chain of command recommending that I re-enlist once he…

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.

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... …

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…

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

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...

During my preparation for OTS Class 0804 I've developed a bad pain in my legs. I went to the doctor today and it looks like I may have "exercise induced" compartment syndrome. I have a few tests scheduled for Wednesday for a final diagnosis. It seems the only cure for this syndrome is surgery that has a 6-12 week recovery timeframe. The bad part is, OTS is only 12 weeks away. Is it possible to get my class date moved back if necessary? I'm sure I would need a waiver as well. Is this waiverable? Thoughts?

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...

Hi. A few months back I was originally diagnosed with Crohn's disease (so I figured there was no way I would be flying), but after some tests they decided it was only Ulcerative Colitis. My question is, is this a waiverable condition? My hope is someone on here knows someone with the problem or has had the problem and knows how the AF typically handles it. The waiver guide is kind of vague. Any info would be great. 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.…

This is for the flight doc's or other people who went through the same scenario. I was diagnosed with Mood D/O NOS in 2002 saw a head doctor off and on until the beginning of 2005 when I was cleared of treatment. Never suicidal, never homicidal, never psycho. I was on different meds over the course of my treatment as it is custom for psychiatrist to try something new until one is found that dosent have adverse effects on the pt. I think the longest one I was on was Lexapro. I can show where I have been performing like a normal person in society since that is what they want to see. I am in a flagship university, live in the dorm, & a member of the rowing team among ot…

I just comissioned and am suppose to be going to IFS in a few months. I just found out i have a rare condition that requires back surgery. Basically i have a hole in my vertabre and i have to have them stick some pieces of bone graph in there to stimulate bone growth and fill in the hole. The doctor said that i should be able to be doing physical activity in a month and that it should heal up to be 100% but that will take a while. Is there anyway this would be waiverable. If i have to push back dates will I automatically lose my slot? (I'm suppose to start UPT in Jan.)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm also wondering if there's anyway i could keep t…

Hi, long time lurker with the usual story-freshman in college, doing ROTC in fall, want to be an AF pilot, PPL, you know the rest. I have read the multiple threads on asthma multiple times, but I have kind of a specific situation, and I figured you guys might be able to help me out. When I was 6 I was diagnosed with Reactive Airway disease, and I was only on prescription inhalers until the end of elementary school, when I essentially outgrew it. Unfortunately, two months after my thirteenth birthday, I had a wicked cold so my parents (both pharmaceutical scientists) figured, "hey, he's got asthma on his record, why not get him an inhaler." So, I kinda have a history…

Hey Flight docs, I'm an active duty cross-trainee with a class III medical, currently awaiting ABM training. A few months ago, I started experiencing some pretty intense GI issues to include constant indigestion/ & reflux w/associated chest pain (stress test ruled out cardiac), nausea, stomach pain, and back pain (right shoulder and between the shoulder blades). I was placed on medical hold after I arrived to Tyndall. Of primary concern was the reflux, which has been resistant to every medication in the book (I'm currently on protonix), and which was discovered to have caused some moderate gastritis and esophagitis upon endoscopy (although the esophagitis has cle…

Here's the situation, a have my OTS class date and am all ready to go but the other day I am reading a list of medical disqualifiers and notice that I may have a condition that is on the list. I have had a couple endoscopies done when I was younger where they found "trachealization of the esophagus", and did dialations. I have not had anything done in about nine years, but the reason that I had them done initially was because I would get food stuck in my throat sometimes. It still happens to me sometimes, 3-4 times a month, but it only happens when I am trying to swallow too large of pieces of a fairly non-malleable food (ie. steak, also very large tablets). Generally…

When DODMERB requests all medical records from birth to present, what happens if records are unavailable? For example, I recieved my physicals through my High School and they discard them after the student leaves. So from 14-18 there are no medical records except for one physical which I happen to have. Would a signed statement from the athletic director saying just that be ok? Is it not a big deal? Is my Air Force career over? Secondly, do I have to get my dermatologist records from when I was 14 and got treated for acne? I would assume yes, it is just taking a long time and really how important is it? Finally, how long does it take to process the medical records once…

Just a curiostity question, But what happens if you get the Flu or something while in UPT and can't fly or go to class? I haven't started UPT yet but I am sick as a dog today and it made me think about this question.

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?