Aviation Medicine

Hey all, I have just been diagnosed with vasculitis and was wondering if it was disqualifying. Only my skin has been affected and none of my internal organs so I got lucky. My skin is healing nicely and the doc's think it may be HS Purpura i'll find out in a few days. If it is disqualifying is there any chance for a waiver? I tried a search with no luck.

I'm just now in the process of applying for OTS and UPT. Does anyone know if having a vasectomy will complicate your flight physical? I haven't had one yet, but I'm considering it. Thanks. -turtle

Throwaway account for obvious reasons. I'm a pilot not too long out of my B-course and have been operational for less than a year. I recently developed some respiratory issues that I noticed during regular exercise. I went offline to see a civilian doctor who thinks that it's either some sort of Vocal Cord Dysfunction (not what it sounds like...similar to asthma in concept but symptoms present differently) OR some sort of laryngospasm issue. All of it is exercise induced. It's by no means life threatening but something that is very uncomfortable and I'd like to get treated without paying cash and avoiding the whole permanent DNIF thing. I'm wondering if I do go the s…

I recently received my 1042 to return to fly after a year and a half on the ground. I wanted to pass along my experience in case some poor bastard has to go through any of this. The issues I had included vertigo, an unrelated brain cyst, meningitis as a side effect from the brain surgery, and headaches as a result of the meningitis and surgery healing process. I'll also throw in my experiences at ACS. I am (now was) a fighter guy and after a BFM sortie experienced some dizziness and vertigo. The vertigo was diagnosed as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). The big take away from this for me was that there are only a handful of issues that lead to vertigo a…

I have my FC1 in 1 week. Last week, I had my wisdom teeth pulled and was prescribed Vicodin for pain and Amoxicilin for antibiotics. I was under general anesthesia, so I was also given Valium and some IV sedatives (Demerol, Midazolam) on the morning of the surgery. I know that Vicodin is a narcotic...will this cause a problem on the drug-screen? I don't know much about drugs...what about the other drugs like the Valium or Midazolam? I stopped taking Vicodin the morning after the surgery b/c Advil worked better. It'll be 2 weeks exactly between my last dose of Vicodin and the morning of my FC1. I have a letter from my dentist that explains the procedure and lists all…

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.

I searched but didn't find anything in the last decade about this topic: I had PRK eye surgery 4 months ago. My eyes were initially each about 20/400 and they are now 20/25 individually, 20/20 when working together. The doc that did my surgery told me there is nothing I can ever do or wear that would get me to 20/20 in each eye due to the “muscles not developing”. That leaves me with two questions: -Has anyone ever heard of a waiver for 20/25 vision that does not correct to the much-desired 20/20? -Flight docs, does that sound correct that there is nothing I could ever do or glasses I could wear that could get my eyes to 20/20 individualy?

April 27, 2005 This thread will serve as my personal diary to help me follow my progress in improving my vision with the help of eye exercise introduced by the See Clearly Method program. I thought it would be a good idea because it seems there are many on these forums who wonder a lot if this stuff really does work. I haven't been to an eye doctor in over a year and a half so I can assume my vision is somewhere in between 20/50-20/70 with slight astigmatism. Last time I checked it was 20/40 but it probably got worse by now. Whatever it is, by the end of this year I will correct my vision to 20/20 or better, with no astigmatism (this program claims to be able to correc…

Just out of curiosity, how many of you have a waiver for your eye vision? I'm 20/50 and 20/70 right now (only graduating H.S. this year) so I know it will be a lot worse four years down the road when I hope to be shooting for my UPT slot. I've heard mixed answers about getting waivers for eye vision and I just wanted to hear some first hand stories. =) Also, what was your eye sight when you recieved the waiver? Thanks!

Hi all, Longtime lurker, first time poster; just want to take a minute to thank everyone for their contributions over the years as it has been incredibly helpful throughout this process. After extensive searching between these forums, the USAF Medical Standards Directory, and the Air Force Waiver Guide I still have a question regarding visual acuity. On airforce.com/careers under the Pilot FAQ’s in response to “What are the general qualifications to fly, including height?” the answer includes: “Have normal color vision with near visual acuity of 20/30 without correction and distance visual acuity of no worse than 20/70 in each eye, correctable to 20/20.” …

Hello! I'm a former Navy pilot who left active duty about 9 years ago, but I'd like to fly for the Air Force Reserves. 8 years ago I was (wrongly) prescribed antidepressants for less than 5 months and am now wondering if I will be disqualified. I have this letter (below) from my physician that states I did not have a mental disorder. Any thoughts on whether or not I'm screwed? No recurring symptoms or medical conditions. Many thanks!!! GoGoJuice "To Whom it May Concern: Approximately eight years ago, patient was prescribed an antidepressant (Effexor) for less than five months. At the time he was suffering from mild depression and anxiety, and was havin…

Greetings, First off I know this isn't necessarily a flght question but this seems a good place to get the answer I'm looking for, so forgive me if I'm wasting time. I've been searching through numerous AFI's and AFPAM's about this issue, but I cannot seem to find a straightforward answer. I know that for a SMOD physical, normal color vision is a requirement. However, is it possible to get a waiver? Has anyone ever heard of it? The only waiver guide I can find says a waiver will not be granted for a flight physical. I'm highly interested in the 13SX field (Missile side to be exact) but I'm green weak and I cannot pass a PIP exam. Other than that I don't th…

To preface: Normally, the pain due to Osgood-Schlatter disease goes away, at least for most of the population. I was a rare case where the pain persisted, and I resorted to having a bone excision done to remove the piece of bone that was causing the inflammation and pain. I've been pain since then and I was back to running and biking only a week after the surgery. I'm not sure if I technically even have Osgood-Schlatter disease anymore. Anyways, I was hoping to apply for a pilot slot during the next application cycle in March of 2023, but looks like that's on hold for now. I just got back from my MEPS physical and was told I'd need a waiver for Osgood-Schlatter …

Will I be able to get a waiver and keep my flying job with the Air Force with a protein s deficiency? I'm a loadmaster. After developing a DVT in January 2022 I was referred to a hematologist. I was diagnosed with a hereditary protein s deficiency. I've only ever had the one DVT in my leg. I was also on birth control at the time, which was said to definitely have been a contributing factor to developing the DVT. I was on a blood thinner for about 7 months. After seeing 3 different hematologists, one being a blood clotting specialist, it was determined that it was safe for me to discontinue the blood thinner even with being a flyer. My flight doctor is saying wi…

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This is just a general question regarding the physical. Do you automatically bust your physical if you a couple pounds over the max weight? Any help would be appreciated.

Searched around and couldn't find a clear answer on this. What's the process like after completing the FC1/MFS? Does it still need to go to the GB for approval? If you leave Dayton with no waivers is it just waiting on signatures or is there still a chance to be DQ'd?

There are two common points of confusion with flight surgeons. The first is whether or not a military flight doc is a surgeon as understood by the definition of a particular type of physician who carries privileges to perform invasive surgery. The second is whether or not flight docs are pilots. Many junior enlisted members see the flight doc wearing the same uniform, patches, and rank as a pilot and assumes since they fly, they are also pilots. There is another forum post on the pilot physician program, but this makes up only a very small number of individuals. The majority of flight surgeons are: 1. Not surgeons 2. Not pilots The followup question typicall…

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…

Just as the question states.

What's the deal with wisdom teeth at WP for FC1? I have 3 impacted according to my civilian dentist and he suggests removing them. None of them are bothering me at all, but I read on here that wisdom teeth are no go for FC1 at Brooks. I'm guessing it's still the same at WP? I have my FC1 scheduled in two weeks which is not enough time to get them pulled. How long does it take for them to clear your FC1 after you get them removed?

I was told that one must have their wisdom teeth removed before Brooks; Is this true? Shermanator

What do you want from the Medical Group? You probably only want two things: good healthcare when you need it, and to be left the hell alone when you don't. Both of these things can only exist with good communication, something the Air Force generally lacks in great quantities. There will be many times when you really need to talk to somebody about the results of a test, the documentation from an off-base visit, or the status of a special duty application. There will also be times that the MDG wants to talk to you, so they annoyingly call you 5 times a day. Or they'll call once and leave a message, but their line is constantly busy or they never answer the phone. You…

Alright, first off I used TFSF and no hits, with that being said... I have a family member (said individual) that talked to the AF Enlistment recruiter today and the recruiter had to do some digging in his regs because said individual took Xanax for a while for depression. Any medical types know where I could find (or a have a link to) the document that MEPS or the AF would reference regarding this topic. I would like to know if it disqualifying or not. Thanks in advance. Planephlyer