Aviation Medicine

Big questions here... I did a search but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I am here at my training base for UPT and have noticed bright red blood in my stool twice. The first time was a week ago and it was a fair amount. Then today I noticed a little again but nothing like last week. When it happened last week I had worked out for two hours and then was outside in the heat for three hours when I started to get some stomach pains and then noticed the blood in my stool a short time later. Now, I have been experiencing certain things like this for a couple years. (No blood or not much to my knowledge in the past though.) I went to the doctor a whi…

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

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?

I'm a rated airlift pilot in the Air National Guard (8 years) and after 32 years of perfect health, I suddenly started having achy joints in my hands and feet several months ago. It was never bad enough to affect my flying but I decided to mention it to my family docter as I could tell something was not right. He refered me to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis. He put me on an anti-inflamatory called sulfasalizine which seems to have taken care of the problem. I feel fine but after investigating the air force regs, I'm wondering if I have a prayer of getting a waiver for this condition. Has anyone had any experience with this or have any s…

Hey Everyone, Any input/advice on my issue will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! I am currently a high school junior (almost 18 years old) and am applying to the Academy and ROTC. I got accepted for a SAME (Society of American Military Engineers) Summer Camp at the Air Force Academy which I will be attending. Not to brag but I have a tremendous record and stand a very good chance of getting into the Academy OR getting an ROTC Scholarship. Situation: Back when I was 11 or 12 years old I saw a psychologist for about 2 months. The shrink basically told me that I suffered from "panic attack disorder" and that I would have to take medication, etc. My f…

Any of you military pilots have any experience with having a hip replacement? Did you get back on status? Please drop me a line if you did.

About a year ago I had a dull pain in the left side of my chest. I passed it off for a couple of months then one day I decided to go to the hospital to have it looked at. The doc had blood work, ekg, chest xrays and found nothing other then saying it could have been attributed to some medication I was taking at the time. I since have stopped taking the medication and have not had the chest pains again. My question is do you think that I will have any trouble with the Brooks physical? How should I go about telling the docs there? Any advice would be appriciated. Thanks

Is melatonin approved for use by aircrew without the permission of a flight doc? Also, if anybody knows of a list of approved (if any) "herbal" products that can be used by aircrew, let me know. Thanks!

In High School, I was diagnosed with depression, and was put on Lexapro for 4 months. It hasn't recurred since and I've otherwise been perfectly normal. How much of a problem will this be?

So, about a month ago I hurt my left knee at PT. I went to a local urgent care center, they x-rayed it and said no worries its a bad sprain. I just got back from an orhopeodist. Apparently I have what they call an osteochodral defect, which is basically a big (roughly marble sized?) piece of bone has chipped away from the end of my femur at the knee. I'm getting an MRI this Friday which will most likely be followed by surgery (not the orthoscopic variety) to screw said chip back in. I just got picked up for a pilot slot 2 weeks ago... give me good news doc.

So sometimes when I shower or wash my face my nose will start to bleed. Also, during my PFT a couple of weeks ago I was doing the push ups and my nose started to bleed, I didn't even hit it or anything. This happens every couple of days and it's easy to stop the bleeding. I had this problem when I was in college about 3 years ago but it stopped and I didn't pay any attention to it. This recent problem with it has been going on for about 2 weeks now. I'm hoping the problem will go away so I don't have to see a doc. Any suggestions or help?

Ok, last question haha. Well I had been DQ from AFROTC becuase I thought I had eczema. Turns out its not Eczema its Seborrhera. Is this still a DQing condition? Or can I get a wavier for it? Thanks for the help

Well I had PRK 2 yrs ago and when they were doing the corneal topography for the surgery they said that from what they say that I might be at risk for keratoconus. My Dad does have it so I guess I would be at risk. They said I've got about 20% chance of it developing. Now my question is I'm pretty much DQ'd from pilot right? I cant see the Air Force risking it with this eye condition. I just wanted to hear it from the doctors in this section to be sure.

So I'm trying to enlist in the Air Force so that I can attend the Defense Language Institute. I just graduated from college and am more interested in learning a new language and possibly going to OTS later. I've passed everything except that last August I passed a kidney stone. I have retained stones in my parenchyema. I knew the MEPS would disqualify me and that a waiver would be required. I found this: https://www.brooks.af.mil/web/consult_servi...nal%20Colic.htm It says that retained stones are waiverable providing conditions are met. I believe I meet those conditions but understand that I should see an Air Force urologist. The recruiter came back and said the …

I was diagnosed with viral myocarditis 3 years ago and had my afrotc scholarship snatched out from under me for it last year, is all lost? Also, I have something like 20/25 vision with a slight astigmatism which evidently put me into the not ppq catagory. Anything I can do about either problem? I am currently not connected to the military in any way shape or form, fyi i guess.

Howdy everyone, Nice forum btw, im glad I ran across it. Anyways, just wondered if the aforementioned condition would cause any problems if I wanted to become an F16 pilot. Little background on this thing, I had the operation when I was about 6 months old. It is a very intrusive operation (brain could be seen). But this was over 21 years ago; I have not had any side effects because of this operation. The only thing that it did was give me a sweet scar right down the middle of my head. There are also some abnormal dips in my skull, but nothing to bad. But no mental side affects what so ever. I am an honor student who should be transferring to the University of Texas …

I am currently in UPT an had my appendix removed via the laroscopic method this past weekend. Everything went fine and now I am home resting. I was wondering if anyone has heard of how long this side lines pilots especially those that are in airframes the pull G's on a regular basis. At this point my return is based on when I can demonstrate a proper G strain and not be in pain. I am just looking for any insight from anyone that might have been on a similar situation or knows anyone that was. Thanks.

I have a few ROTC buddys who had PRK but were just DQd becasue of "corneal haze". After I get back from FT I am going to get PRK as well. What exactly is it? Is there anything I can do now to prevent it? is it common? I am hearing so many FC1 tragities it seems getting a slot is only half the battle

Anyone with some insight or experience with this one? I am currently in the process of getting my initial FC1 physical approved by Guard Bureau. I thought I finished the process last fall with out being concerned about anything being that the medical personel said I looked "good to go" and should be fine with getting approved. Weeks later, Guard Bureau sent my FC1 back to the base asking for further documentation on a fainting incident I had 1 1/2 years ago during a guard drill. Here's what happened during this incident: Basically, My buddy was telling me a detailed and gruesome story about his brother during break. I was over tired and I felt myself growing…

Hi, first post... I was wondering the possibility of obtaining a waiver for having one kidney. My kidney was not removed by surgery, I was only born with one kidney. My FAA medical examiner is a Nephrologist and had no qualms with issuing me a first class medical. I have no other or related underlying health problems. Is this an automatic deal breaker or is there any precedent for this type of situation? I appreciate any info, Thanks.

Does the Air Force care if pilots chew tobacco?

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.

Back in May when I had my FC1 the flight surgeon told me that I have a right bundle branch blockage after reviewing the EKG. However, she said it was nothing to worry about and my physical was approved with no waivers or hold ups. I'm wondering if I have anything to worry about when I go to Brooks for my Medical Flight Screening following OTS.

What are the rules regarding flying, DNIF, etc if someone loses consciousness? Hoser

Anyone know if Omeprazole, the generic Prilosec, is waiverable. Thanks.