Aviation Medicine

Dear Flight Doc, I just came from the chiropractor with a diagnosis of slight Scoliosis. The curvature is not really visible but you need to be a professional to see it. The doctor saw it from the front view X-Ray, and also added side view X-Ray is good, the spine looks in good shape... I haven't been flying for 3 years (in civilian of course) and I know that your back is a big deal when flying fighters. The doctor said he will be able to straighten it with exercises and some therapy. But I am wondering, if one day I go thru UPT medicals, should I mention about this at all? I am sure they are checking this... I would appreciate your comments on the situation. …

I had a benign osteochondroma (bone tumor) removed from my lower femur. By definition, an osteochondroma is a benign tumor. It's more or less a small branch that shoots off during bone growth and development, and is capped by cartilage. Tumor was removed, they double checked in the lab, no cancer. No kind of therapy needed and never a problem since. I have a 3-inch scar on my leg from where they took it out, and I've stayed very active and healthy since then; no broken bones, etc. Today I got a call from Brooks saying they needed further documentation about treatment, doctor's visits, etc. Nothing major, but the gentlemen started mentioning "waiver" and "disqualificat…

I have a hypothetical question here :) So say I was having foot pain a couple months ago so I started taking my sister's old Oxycodone prescription for about a week. The recommended dose was 1 tablet and I began taking 2 tablets by the last few days and then stopped after that week. Would this disqualify me from ROTC and if I would be able to get into ROTC would it disqualify me from a pilot position? And if for some reason I didn't do ROTC and did OTS, would it disqualify for an OTS pilot slot?

I have learned that you must be off all ADD medication for at least 12 months to get into AFROTC much less Flight training. Is this true for Anxiety medications as well? I keep on emailing these different flight doc's but quite frankly they arent very helpful. They keep saying I need to first be evaluated. All im asking for is the policy relating to anxiety med's. Thanks

Any Flt Docs, About two weeks ago, I suffered a concussion from an ATV accident. Short-term mem loss (remember going to bed night before, that's it), puking (about 5 min after), and a bad-ass head ache were my symptoms. felt groggy and out of it over the next couple of days, but i am feeling better now. what are the repercussions if i report this? does this prevent me from flying (i am on PRP)? any info you can give me is greatly appreciated. thanks. -smoke [ 31. October 2006, 12:43: Message edited by: buffjock ]

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…

What is the official stance on skin based stds like herpes and genital warts and flying? Are there any ramifications for promotion or career advancement from having an std?

I am wondering if I could be screened out at brooks. I already have my FC1 but what are they checking at Brooks? I mean does anyone know exactly what they check? Blood pressure.. that type of thing?

AN ANSWER TO END THIS THREAD I am almost 5 weeks post-op and I am getting my ducks in a row to make a waiver application for PRK. I just talked to my helpful contact at Brooks regarding the issue discussed above. You MAY apply for the waiver/FC1 as early as 3 months post-op but must have the cyclopentolate (dialted) exams at 3 months and 6 months instead of 6 months and 12 months. You will be required to have a 12-month exam as well but your waiver should be approved/declined before then. See section 5.1 of the doc pilot2B posted earlier. I believe this is the root of the confusion - you MAY NOT actually go to Brooks for MFS/FC1 before you are 12 months post-op,…

I have not seen any information about Scleral Lacerations anywhere. My case: I was 3 years old when a piece of glass broke in front of me and a small piece chipped off and cut the white part of of my left my eye. It was a very small, 3mm cut, occurred about a half centimeter from the limbus. I had surgery to repair the cut and never had any issues since (now 22 years later). I was cleared through MEPS and had no issues with depth perception, color vision, or anything other than being about 20/40 (correctable to 20/20) in that eye (right eye is 20/20 uncorrected). It was not easy getting documentation from this incident but forunately I was able to retrieve a post op…

I had an MRI done yesterday on my right wrist. The report says I may have a ligament tear. I'm going to be meeting with my doc on Monday who is probably going to want me to get an arthrogram on the wrist. (I hear they're painful?) I am presently scheduled to attend BOT 08-01 at Maxwell sometime in late August and then on to UPT. I was told by my recruiter that breaking a bone may affect my position as a pilot select. So the question is, will having some reconstructive surgery on my wrist keep me from getting into UPT? I would think not assuming a full recovery, but thought I'd check with the flight docs here at Baseops. EDIT: I just got off the phone with my doctor's s…

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.

History -> I had PRK back in April of 2007, everything went well and I passed my FC1 in January of this year. My FC1 states "pending completion of MFS" as I expected it to, and I know that there will be add'l PRK testing done there since it had not been quite a year since surgery at the time of my flight physical. In anticipation of MFS (and since it has been 11 months since my FC1), I scheduled an eye exam with a local ophthalmologist who also happens to be a recently retired AF flight surgeon. I had the full exam done to include corneal topographies, etc.. Everything looked fantastic. His only comment was that my right eye seemed dry under the microscope (a commo…

Hello, I orginally posted this in the other forum, but think it probably makes more sense to be here... ----------------- My career dream is to be a test pilot or at least some sort of pilot of high performance aircraft. I have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with a 4.0 GPA from a top school and I am currently obtaining my private pilot's license (13 hours with solo to date). Unfortunately, I have an eye condition called amblyopia, which means I have significantly reduced eyesight in one eye. Without correction, my vision is 20/40 in my left eye (good eye) and 20/80 in my right eye (bad eye). My left eye is near sighted and my right eye is farsighte…

im a freshman in college n im looking at doing rotc next yr. iv been reading stuff about "32 inch waste" im 6'3 200lbs.My waste is a 34 or 36 depending on the pants. i can meet the meet the fitness test requirments n i go to my local gym several times a week. i donnt have the 6 pack but my stomach is flat. just wondering if this could be a problem when it comes time for pilot selection? btw hope im in the right area of the forum.

Has anybody been an FFDO and then try and go to MEPS? I am having some trouble and wondering if anybody has been through this and can help me.

Is rhinoplasty a disqualifying factor? If so, is there a waiver for it?

Will the flight doc let me fly if I am getting Botox injections?

I have a different kind of question that the ones I've already seen posted. I'm not currently in the military and was on a med school route. I had planned to join and be a doctor in the air force until a recent visit to the base caused to me to reconsider a childhood fantasy of mine to fly a jet. I haven't taken any tests but am confident I can do well in anything written placed before me. My problem is that I have a small fear of heights (or more specifically falling from high places). I can sit on high building with now problem but the thought of jumping out of a plane to skydive scares me. But I also haven't had much exposure to those kinds of things. I've never even b…

I am 18 years old and have just enlisted into the Air National Guard and hope to get a UPT slot through my unit, the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno but I believe I have whats called a macular pucker in my right eye, Ive been doing research and its basically the result of an old injury or surgery that has healed on the macular of the eye which can reduce the level of eyesight in that eye. Im not near sighted or far sighted, my left eye is 20/20 and so was my right eye until the injury, now its about 20/60 or so in my right eye. Glasses did only a little bit to improve the vision down to about 20/40 or possibly lower. Do i have a shot at becoming a fighter pilot with scarred …

Went up to my clinic to get a better understanding of what the problem is . . . plain and simply put it's LAZY EYE. Vision is perfect, 20/20 all around except one spot where I'm told it's better at 20/17 . . . not color blind, and have good depth perception. The only thing holding me back is lazy eye, and I'm told mine is kinda abnormal where most lazy eyes drift right or left, mine drifts up. Being sent to optemologist for evaluation and for a last opinion as to what can be done to strengthen my eye muscles. Anyone with similar problems get through it? I hear it will be easier for me on the civy side and I would love to fly for the airlines, but I have a g…

Is sleep walking,and having to take medication for it a qualifier for joining the Air Force ?

Just curious if anyone has had any problems with drinking protein shakes. My PAS and COC both told me to stop taking protein due to increased levels of iron. I guess the increased iron may cause a delay in the commissioning medical (even though I successfully completed a FC 1 medical) resulting in a delay in commissioning. However, I know of several people who take protein and are fine. Plus, one of the flight docs at Brooks and one of our Captains at my det has assured me that it is fine.

My doctor believes that I have Cholinergic urticaria. He wont know for sure untill I go for some tests. This is freaking me out. Is Cholinergic urticaria a dq for a flying slot? Thank You.

Anyone know if Plantar Fasciitis is a DNIFing condition? A few weeks ago I hurt my foot playing volleyball and ever since I've had a slight pain in my heel. It doesn't affect me on a daily basis, just when I try to run or do any physical activity that involves my feet. I'm planning on going to the Flight Doc, but I'm just wondering if there is any written guidance on this.