Aviation Medicine

Couldn't find anything via search. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Polycystic Kidney Disease earlier this week. My kidney function is normal and my blood pressure is good, but I have over a dozen cysts in and on both kidneys. I discovered it during a BFM flight (pain) and it got worse a few days later, which led to the CT Scan and ultimate diagnosis. I'm also in the middle of a transfer from the Navy Reserve to AF. 1) Assuming the MRI/MRA is good and I have no signs of aneurysm or neural cysts, what are my odds of continuing to fly fighters? Has anyone gone through that waiver process here? How long does it take? 2) WRT the transfer - assuming NAMI approves a waiver, would A…

Flight Doc I am currently on flight status (pilot) and have a skin condition called psoriasis. I have not mentioned this condition to the flight docs and it has not turned up on any of my flight physicals. My dad has told me that psoriasis is the reason he did not pass his draft physical during the 60's. My questions are, if I mention this on my next PHA will I get DQ'd? Is there any medicine I can use (other than the several over-the-counter medicated shampoo's avaliable)? [ 18 November 2002, 08:15: Message edited by: Flight Doc ]

Hey Flight docs, I'm an active duty cross-trainee with a class III medical, currently awaiting ABM training. A few months ago, I started experiencing some pretty intense GI issues to include constant indigestion/ & reflux w/associated chest pain (stress test ruled out cardiac), nausea, stomach pain, and back pain (right shoulder and between the shoulder blades). I was placed on medical hold after I arrived to Tyndall. Of primary concern was the reflux, which has been resistant to every medication in the book (I'm currently on protonix), and which was discovered to have caused some moderate gastritis and esophagitis upon endoscopy (although the esophagitis has cle…

I'm a non-prior who has completed the initial flying class 1. I posted a while back about floaters in my eye that started occuring after my initial flying class physical. I went to an opthomologist who said not to worry about them, but to get them checked out annually just to be cautious. I know floaters are not disqualifying as long as they don't disrupt normal vision. I would like to keep watch of the floaters as the doc said, but I also know I'd never want to outright mention a medical issue to the AF that didn't inhibit performance. My question is, once you're in the AF, can you go to a private doctor or opthomologist for an opinion, or are you at the mercy of the…

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.

I would like a serious answer on this because it will define my career from here on out. I wish to fly in the AF and need a no bullshit answer on whether or not this will disqualify me from flying in the AF. About four years ago, I was having trouble dealing with some issues. the doc had put me on meds, which actually made me feel worse. Finally, it got bad and I attempted to commit suicide. (I tried to hit a semi head on) After this failed, i realized I need help and ON MY OWN ACCORD, went to life skills and got the help i needed. They sent me to a hospital for behavioral health for a week and when I came back i was 110 percent better. This was four years ago, and I h…

I'm asking this for a female friend ;) ; Can a chick get a boob job and fly? Fighters? Take Gs?

About 14 yrs ago (as a 10 yr old boy) I had a neuro-anyeurism operation. The problem was completely resolved, and now, 14 yrs later I'm 100% healthy, with 100% neuroogical function intact. My medical records were sent to MEPS for a determination; not wanting to make a determination MEPS is now forwarding my records to the AF SG. I'm hoping that something that happened over a decade ago (and is resolved w/o any affects) will not stand in my way of being selected for OTS. Do you folks recommend I provide the SG with a letter from the neurosurgeon saying that I am fully neurologically OK? (since the SG will never see me, all he sees is my records from 14 yrs ago, i feel …

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.

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

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 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…

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.

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…

Please help, I am really stuck. In March I lifted something wrong and hurt my back. Since then, I have had sciatica down my right leg. I have been taking it easy and been doing physical therapy for 1.5 months, but I'm not seeing much improvement. I am able to walk, run, etc. with no issues. I feel my pain when I bend my lower back with my right leg straight (touch toes, etc), or when standing up after sitting. It is pretty intense pain. I was really hoping it would resolve on its own before OTS, but I'm losing faith and I'm not sure if I could endure all of OTS with this. I'm a Civ RPA select from 12OT03 and am supposed to leave for OTS in November. I already hav…

Hey everyone, so I fractured two bones in my hand today and the doctor said it'll probably take 6-8 weeks to heal and my flight physical is on March 9th. I'm pretty sure I have to move it to a later date, or can I go with a cast? I'm just a little worried this might affect me more than I would like. I tried searching, but couldn't find anything on this.

A new DD Form 2992, "Medical Recommendation for Flying or Special Duty," has been published. This form will shortly replace the AF Form 1042 (and the DA 4186 and NAVMED 6410 for the other services) which are now "obsolete" (so sayeth the form). Ideally it will allow electronic signatures so folks don't need to deal with physical routing and filing anymore. No news yet from the programmers that manage the medical system (ASIMS) on a timeline for the switch. I expect it will be fairly soon. It is available at: https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/forms/eforms/dd2992.pdf

The recruiter I'm working with submitted our SG Prescreen Waiver for a PDQ Relook about 60 days ago (this is for a guard slot). The PDQ was for minimal mitral valve prolapse in an echo I had done. I saw a cardiologist more recently, and there was no prolapse or leakage indicated in any of the valves. This report, a supporting letter from the cardiologist, and my entire medical history in the past 5 years were submitted in this waiver. My question isn't so much about the medical issue, but about how patient I should be, and how much I should or shouldn't pester my recruiter. If I were 24, this wouldn't be stressing me out so much, but I'm freshly 28, and feel the …

Hello everyone, So recently I was selected by a AF reserve unit as a candidate for their upcoming pilot board. After a few months of talking to a recruiter I took the MEPS physical. I was told I passed by my recruiter and the MEPS doctors, and that he would go ahead and start the process with getting my FC1 scheduled. About a month later my recruiter called me and told me that the AF surgeon generals office disqualified me from even taking the FC1 due to my hearing being out of H1 limits at the 6000hz frequency in my left ear. Besides that I have no medical issues and my vision is 20/40 in both eyes. I just can't believe that I would be denied from even taking the p…

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…

All, I’m an USMC F/A-18 IP on terminal leave with the desire to TX to the AFRES/ANG. I was offered a position with a fighter unit but need a medical waiver. Does anyone have some guidance on who I should speak to about the process ahead? Much thanks for any assistance.

I realize this is a huge shot in the dark, but I wanted to at least talk with some folks. I am 23, currently an Engineer (Mechanical Engineering degree) for a large Aerospace/Defense contractor. I love flying and currently have my PPL, working on my Instrument Rating as we speak. I am really considering making flying a career at this point. I have already confirmed I can get a first class medical (for civilian flying of course) I flew with a fella who flew F-100s in Vietnam and F-105s in ANG. He really recommended I look into ANG. The catch is I have asthma. I do take a preventative inhaler every day. I haven't had an "asthma attack" since I was 3 years old. I r…

I've passed my flight physical, but I see once one arrives at your UPT base you have to go through a few more medical exams before you're officially medically qualified. I see the list as "Audiogram, Optical, PHA, and Dental". Is this experience pretty similar to getting your initial flight physical done all over again, or more like a typical check-up with your doctor? I'm not a huge fan of things completely out of my control, so some more information on this process is appreciated. It's been a while since I had my flight physical so hopefully I'm still able to pass all those tests the same.

I currently am a O-3 and DNIF from an injury I just encountered on a deployment 2 months ago. I had to get surgery last month and I am currently recovering. The doc says I should be able to come off DNIF status in the next 3 months. I am still on my deployment orders, but they expire in the next 3 weeks. I already submitted a LOD, but now I am debating whether to do MEDCON orders or use my airline pilot disability program instead. The airline pilot disability program pays me more than what I make in the Air Force when on AD orders. I normally am a TR and my family and I live 800 miles away from my reserve unit. My only issue with MEDCON is that if I co…

Walk for 1 hour at least 2 hours before you go to the doctors’ office to have your blood pressure checked. Your pulse may be high but your blood pressure will be low. When I say walk, I mean walk. It's BEST to walk on a treadmill, if you are breaking a sweat that is good. Can the flight MD back me up on this idea which has worked for me? It helps me to get that extra adrenaline out of my body. I wouldn't advise running before hand. [ 04. January 2007, 09:30: Message edited by: Tlicious1020 ]