Aviation Medicine

Doc, I have Hashimotos disease (hope I spelled that one right) and I am about to send applications out for UPT slots in reserve units. The condition has been treated for quite some time now, so my question is can a waiver be issued for non-rated individuals prior to entering UPT? Also, should I disclose this info immediately or wait until I get a slot? Does the Air Force even have to know about this condition? Thank you in advance, weis5on

Is Tinea Versicolor going to DQ me on the flight physical, or even the initial physical for ROTC? I know other skin irritations do, but I didn't find anything on here about this one. I'll get into the specifics of my case (very mild) if there is reason for concern later. Thanks!

Question for medical folks. I have been told and I have read (in newsletters from ARPC and the medical community) an unattributed saying which is repeated quite regularly such that no one questions it. That saying is "You must be in a military status to use the MTF." I do not believe this is correct nowadays. The reason is because I have Tricare Reserve Select regardless of my military status, something that was not possible before around 2005 or so. TRS is basically Tricare Standard and people on Tricare *can* use the MTF on a space-available basis. How is it determined if space is available? No one can tell me that either. Their go-to is that space is unavailable. …

Does that sound like something that could be a potential disqualifier? My teeth are very temperature sensative. I only brush my teeth with warm water, too hot hurts, and too cold hurts. Thanks.

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…

I recently went on PDT with AFROTC and was disqualified for my Jet Orientation ride because of a "heart murmur" that was heard by the flight doc using a stethoscope. I had never heard anything from any of my other doctors about it both before and after his finding and the ones after looked very hard to find it. They heard nothing, but to be sure they sent to me get an echocardiogram done. I had already taken 2 electrocardiograms too be sure nothing was wrong and they both came back normal, even though they do not diagnos heart murmurs. The echocardiogram results were just given to me and it said the following: Description Of Procedure: Technical quality of study is g…

A friend woke up in the AM with bad tooth pain today at an AD base where the base clinic (including dental) is closed today so they can be extremism-trained. The Tricare "nurse advice line" suggested going to an ER since dental work isn't covered unless referred to by a mil dentist. I wonder if that's true. It's probably a root canal situation. Can you show up to any dentist and be covered?

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.

Does anyone have any experience with nerve injuries? I got my funny bone pretty good about a month ago and am now feeling some significant pain from that nerve during any maneuvering about 7 g's. The docs are hoping it's just inflamed and have me on some steroids.

Hey all, I am about a couple weeks away from a flight physical and I got some paperwork with an interesting question. The question was "Have you ever or do you now have an undescended testicle". I haven't said anything yet because I had an undescended testicle but it was fixed when I was much younger. I was wondering a few things in this situation. 1. Would this condition disqualify me from flight? 2. Is this condition waiverable/ what are my chances for a waiver? 3. Worst case, there is about an inch long scar on my pubis, how in depth are the medical screens/ do you think they will find it under pubic hair if I don't say anything to the question. Th…

I am enlisted ANG & hired for UPT by a reserve unit in another state. My travel date is this Sunday to go to Wright Patt. Obviously, my current unit is not going to sponsor me to go get my FC1, but I was informed today by my gaining reserve unit that I don't have to be on orders to obtain my flight physical. Does this seem accurate? This goes against what I've learned from the Air Force since I've been in. I'm just going to assume the unit knows what's correct, seeing as they have pilots working there now, and I am not one, but I want to avoid getting to Ohio and then being refused to be examined.

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.

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.

Hello all, I have looked through some threads and have not seen anything pop up in regards to approved contact lenses. The eye doc at WPAFB said I would need to wear either the issued glasses or the air force approved contacts for flight status. He said I would be able to google search it and a list would pop up. However, I have done that and have had no such luck. Does anyone have any info on the list or a contact brand/type they recommend? Thank you in advance for the info.

Good afternoon all, I'm an Air Force OTS Rated applicant with my package currently before the 15OT01 Review Board. We're expecting results within the next 2 weeks, and due to my age, I'm a priority for the next May BOT class. If selected, I would have to go to the May BOT class, or else I would be age disqualified. During my medical screening paperwork I filled out last year, I admitted to having dislocated my left knee in 2005 when I was 19 years old. My recruiter told me this would require a waiver, so this summer I visited an orthopedic surgeon and had a full consult with X-Rays. He filed a report with my recruiter stating that there is no long-term damage from…

All, So I am having hip replacement surgery in March and because of the surgery, I am going to meet a MEB. My question is; which do you think is financially smarter? - 30% medically retire as an O-5 with 15.5 years of service and starting at the age of 41 - Retire at 20 years as an O-5 and not start collecting the retirement until the age of 58 I already have my airline job and it would be nice to only have one job but I want to do what's financially smarter.

This may be more or a procedural question than an medical question, but it has a couple of facets. Background: I'm a 34 year current and qualified USMC tactical jet aviator with no USN waivers. I have 20/17 vision and am currently in a flying status. I'm in the process of ending my current contract and switching to either the an AFRC unit or an ANG unit. I've been offered a job with an AFRC unit, so they are running my flight physical up through AFRC(as far as I understand it). When I completed my flight physical the optometrist identified that I demonstrate a topographical pattern suggestive of keratoconus in one eye. Considering that I'm already a "trained" avi…

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 …

any one know where I can find the Air Force regs on uvietis and or iritis for pilot candidates?? thanks for all your help

Hey everyone! I'll start off with the essential "sorry if this post is incorrect I'm a new guy." I'm looking to get some answers I've been hard pressed to find on VA disability ratings and whether mine are passable or overall what needs to be done in my circumstance; as well as for anyone that has medical records accessible in the military system. Essentially, I was a former paratrooper in the Army. As is to be expected with paratrooping (and the infantry in general), your body gets rocked a bit, and I left the service with a 90% disability rating. With that, I'd like to say I'm still in excellent condition and am active; even leaving with a class 1 medical sta…

Hi all, Headed to Wright Patt for my FC1 soon. Can anyone give clarity on what the flight doc looks for when you're asked to perform the Valsalva? I know they look for movement of the tympanic membrane/eardrum but I was hoping to find more clarity on this. I have some scarring my on eardrums from childhood ear infections that otherwise do not affect my hearing or ability to equalize. The Valsalva in particular allows me to clear my ears, though I only hear the "pop" in my left ear. I had a civilian ENT observe this as well and they were able to verify seeing movement in the left ear drum but not the right. I have much better success clearing both ears with…

Flight Doc: When I went through the physical at MEPS prior to enlisting the doc had us all do the valsalva (sp?) while he look in our ears. I was'nt able to do it in one of my ears and he said that it was okay as long as I wasn't going to have a flying position. Now that I'm aiming to get a pilot slot I'm thinking I need to be able to do this. I've heard that it can be mastered with practice but I haven't been too successful. Any help is appreciated.

I am trying to find out how serious a varicocele is when pulling high g-forces. I recently overheard someone talking about his friend who had surgery to fix this same problem before going on to high g force aircraft because of the possibility of it rupturing. Somehow I have made it through all of my physicals without the doctors noticing that I do in fact have a varicocele (have had it since I was an adolescent). I am very hesitant to go in to the Flt Docs now. How much should I worry about this, and if I go back to a high g force aircraft do I need to get this fixed before going back to the centrifuge? Is it threatening to my career as a pilot.. ie could I lose …

Will a Varicocel DQ me at MEPS or my Flight Physical? I am really concerned and thank you for your help in advance!

Will having them disqualifiy me from flight training? I have no symptoms at all (no pain or discomfort), but they are noticable on a small portion of my left thigh. Also, if I get them removed via Endovenous Laser Therapy (for the mere fact of passing the physical since they don't bother me at all), will having had this procedure disqualify me? Thanks [ 30 March 2003, 12:02: Message edited by: akondog ]