Aviation Medicine

Dudes/Chicks, Background: July 2010 diagnosed with CHONDROSARCOMA in left upper jaw/lower cheek bone. Has not metastisized. After 5 surgeries, clear margins/cancer free. Except for 3 molars (right side) entire alveolar ridge (including all other teeth) removed. Nov 2010, upper jaw reconstructed via "fibula free flap" surgery. Currently waiting to start the process for dental implants. No complications to this point. Able to valsalva(sp?) normally after initial reconstructive surgery. Full function/mobility of left leg (donor). Follow up MRI/CT's scheduled every 3 months to look for re-occurrence. No Chemotherapy. I know this type of cancer does have a h…

Doc, I just got some lab results for an upcoming deployment...I'm a civilian now and don't have a PCP so I went to a clinic my company set me up with. Apparently I have abnormal blood work b/c of high Creatinine Serum (1.28H mg/dL) and LDL Cholesterol (121 H mg/dL). I know about the cholesterol, it's high, and it's the bad cholesterol. I'm more concerned about the Creatinine b/c I know nothing about it other than what I read online. The limits the lab set for me are between 0.76 - 1.27...so I'm just above the "normal" range. Is it something I should worry about and go talk to a doc over? They said I'm still deployable so I imagine it's really not that big of a conc…

I'm scheduled for an annual dental exam in a few days and just in time because i'm having pain in a back tooth, this tooth is however in an awkward spot on the roof of my mouth, and ive been told by a civilian dentist prior to service that to have it removed would leave a hole requiring some kind of surgery to heal, my question is that knowing this, is that kind of dental work something that can permanantely dnif you? ive read that you may need to apply for an exception to policy letter to continue flying, if no further treatment is necessary.

Hey everyone, I did a search on this and couldn't find what I was looking for in the way of advice. Basically I'm a T-1 student, only about a month from graduation, navigation and transition checks complete with good scores. Recently I was at the gym and seemed to injure myself on the bench press. No severe pain but some tightness in my shoulder and chest that made it uncomfortable to lift anymore. I took some time off of it (about a week) and tried to do some pushups and the pain came back. I layed off of any exercise for a couple more days and tried pushups again, and experienced the same pain again. So my situation is whether or not to go to the flight doc about someth…

Greetings, I was passed my FC1 physical last April. I will commission this May and will be doing the Gold Bar program for a year then off to UPT. I was cleared for my eyes in the FC1, with the exception I have to wear glasses. However, its either in my head that I now realize I can't see perfect, or my eyesight is getting worst. Will I be able to request PRK/LASIK once AD? Or, am I in the clear if I passed the FC1 and they just waive something? -Thanks

Hello, I am a first year medical student in the Air Force HPSP program. I'm interested in both Aerospace and Emergency med. I've always had problems focusing but it has never been a problem until now. I spoke with my advisor(an M.D.), and he seemed to be concerned that I may have ADD and recommended I get checked. I was wondering how this would affect my career in the Air Force if I decided to go in to Aerospace or Emergency Med and if this could affect promotions, etc? Could I even go into Aerospace Med if I were diagnosed? If it would cause any problems I do not plan on following up on this. (I'm passing but not doing as well as I could) However, I know that if I…

I commission on August 10th and in April I was upgraded to a CSO slot. Naturally I had to go get a FCIA physical at the local base. Did that and there were some minor dental issues I needed to get fixed and I did that and handed in the paperwork. I get a phone call yesterday and I'm told (less than two weeks before commissioning) that I need to get glasses to 'prove' my 20/30 vision in my right eye is correctable to 20/20. This is a bit confusing because in May, the Optometrist on base told me I don't need to get glasses until training starts and my physical should be fine because he 'proved' my eye was correctable in the eye exam with the mechanism they use that has …

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/

My recent vision diagnosis was 20/40+1 and 20/30 in each eye. I am farsighted (Hyperopia). My near vision is perfect. With correction in the eye exam, I was only able to get 20/20-1 in one eye and 20/25 in another. My correction was +2.00 in one eye and +1.50 in another. I have never worn contacts or glasses since I was a kid. If I were to wear contacts, do you think my vision would improve to 20/20 in 6 months? (thats when the next board is due). I am considering just shooting for lasik this month ASAP. But I worry that I might be biting off more than I need.

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.

In the FAA, a SODA stands for statement of demonstrated ability. It is granted when ones medical condition is technically disqualifying, but does not affect ones abilities to perform airman duties. Heres a link to more information about it if you are interested. https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/app_process/general/appeals/soda/ In civilian aviation, I would be eligible for one of these. I was born with a smaller left hand (this is a very rare condition) where the fingers are all shorter than the ones on my right hand, and the middle knuckles are all missing (except for the thumb's). This, luckily, does not affec…

I was reading a post about "The Myopia Myth" and was interested in using the reading glasses method to try and calm "ciliary spasm". When i talked to my eye doctor about it she said I dont have myopia, I have astigmatism which cant be fixed or mitigated. she wrote on the perscription -.75,175 and -.75,015 so im wondering since the myopia.org website says people with myopia less than 1 diopter, can possibly get back to 20/20 by using myopter or reading glasses. I wanted to do this but im not sure if since i have astigmatism that method wont help.

So, I am currently in high school, but am planning for a future in the AF. I have a 4.0GPA, tons of leadership, community service, mission trips, 28 ATC score, etc. So, I am not currently worried about getting an ROTC Scholarship, but, my eyesight is bad. I wear glasses/contacts with a prescription of -2.00 in one eye and -1.75 in the other (probably around -2.5 now!). So my distance vision is bad. Do I have a chance at a pilot spot? IF so, will it be a good chance and how could I go about that way? Thanks!

I tried searching and I couldn't find anything on it but I was just curious if Type 1 or 2 diabetes is disqualifying for flying status in the AF. Thanks

I don't fully understand tuberculosis but I know that when I was 8 I tested positive and it was visible in my left lung. I had to take medication for a year and my lung went from abnormal to normal. A year after ending medication I was re-examinde and was found normal. All of this documentation has been submitted at MEPS and DODMERB. I am PPQ but fear that this will hinder me at Brooks. What do I need to know about Tb and it's effects on my Class 1 physical. Am I going to lose my pilot slot?

Both of my siblings were diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I'm getting tested for it next week. I was wondering in the case if I show positive for having it is it waiverable and what is the DNIF period for the synthetic thyroid medication I'll have to take? I'm a Career Enlisted Aviator i.e. Class-III. Thanks!

Hello all, Im new to this forum, and yesterday found out that I would need surgery on my jaw to correct my bite. My back teeth come together though my front teeth have a gap between the top and bottom. The orthodontist told me this is in no way urgent, or serious, though it could cause problems later in my 40's or 50's (I'm 22 now) This does not affect my speech or anything at all, just mainly a slight comfort issue right now. My main goal is to fly in the military, and I was wondering if anyone knows if this is something that I should wait to do well into my career, or if this needs immediate attention. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

This is my first post, so hopefully I'm in the right place. I've had non-progressive IgA Nephropathy for the past eight years that I know of. The IgA Nephropathy has caused asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria in my urine and my protein/creatnine ratio was initially at 0.9 and it has fallen since, partly due to the ACE inhibitor I take once daily. From what I've read, the symptoms produced by my condition deem me disqualified for military service, however, a waiver can be obtainable. I've been weighing the decision of going into the Air Force for the past ten years or so. I'm 26, college grad, and I've earned my Private Pilot's License and Instrument rating sinc…

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

Hey everyone, I'm getting ready for my FC1 and I had a quick question. A little over six years ago, I knelt on a nail and a small, hard piece of material about the size of a grain of rice formed in the bursa of my left knee. The only issue it created was whenever I knelt on it, it would hurt quite a bit, but I learned to live with it since the only way to get rid of it was to get it surgically removed. A little over a year and a half ago, the piece caused the bursa to get inflamed and I could barely bend my knee or put a lot of weight on it so I decided it was time to take the surgical route since it was causing a huge amount of trouble. For the procedure, they remove…

From AFI 48-123v2: A3.28.18. Current symptomatic plantar wart(s) (078.19) is disqualifying. Two questions: 1. What constitues symptomatic? 2. Is this issue waiverable? Thanks.

I would like to become a fighter pilot but I have lattice degeneration. I wander whether I can get a waiver for that problem? Can you direct me to an appropriate reference? Thank You

My son is 17 and talks daily about signing up for the service (he's leaning Air Force...yeah!). The reality hit me the other day that he was diagnosed with Protein S Deficiency as a child. We had him tested ten years ago after I had multiple blood clots and was found to have the disorder. He has never had a clot and is NOT on anticoagulants. In fact, the hematologist always told us to not alter his lifestyle or restrict his activities because the probability of him getting a clot is less than 3%. The course of action is to do nothing different until he actually gets a clot, which will likely be never. Will this 11 year old diagnosis make him medically disqualified? If so,…

Is there any way in the world Intacs can be waivered? Thanks

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.