Aviation Medicine

F16PilotMD, Had my FC1a done today. The examiner said that I had a "borderline" EKG and the flight doc reiterated it. Does "borderline" terminology indicate a specific abnormality or just that one of the electrical returns came close to regulation max/mins? The way they used the term "borderline" made it sound like it was medical lingo for a specific EKG abnormality. If the term indicates a specific problem, what are the chances, if any, that it will be a disqualifying condition? Thanks for the help. [ 15. February 2005, 22:45: Message edited by: Critical Mass ]

I just got some routine bloodwork done with my PCP for an annual physical and the results showed higher than average ALA aminotransferase and aspartate aminotrans numbers. Some later blood work and an ultrasound eliminated some common/serious causes (not hepatitis, diabetes, etc) but doctors are recommending a biopsy to figure out what the cause could be. Besides that no other abnormalities on the blood tests and I am in good, healthy physical condition. No drug use or significant medical history besides an appendectomy. I’m currently waiting for the 6-month post-LASIK period to even go to MEPS but I wanted to ask if this is something that that can potentially raise …

I went through my FC1 physical at Wright Pat a few months ago. They determined that I have an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly). They said that this is disqualifying until I can determine its cause. Since then I've had 4 rounds of blood work, ultrasound, CT scan of abdomen and pelvis, and a bone marrow biopsy. Besides a slightly enlarged spleen (17 cm), I'm completely healthy. My blood, CT scans, and bone marrow are perfect. Is this waiverable and if so what can I do to help prove my case? Thanks!

Hi all, I wanted to get some opinions on the FC1 Medical History review. I am thinking about applying for ANG UPT, but I don't want to go through years upon years of trying only to be stopped at the FC1. I have seen a lot of back and forth on just what to include on the DD 2807. I think it is fair to argue that the majority of folks, to say the least, leave out some information on the DD 2807. For many folks on the civilian side this won't present much of a problem because there are no medical records directy accessible by the flight doc. However, for the prior enlisted/commissioned guys there are electronic records and hard copy records readily available. My question…

Has anyone taken this stuff? Was on leave in Central America and experienced "travelers diarrhea". Cause unknown, most likely local water. In an effort to curtail my symptoms I took this stuff on a local doctors recommendation. You can get this at the local pharmacy and all it is is a set of probiotic vials w/ a set of pills. BL, do you think I am required to tell the flight doc I took it upon my return or no? It did work and I feel fine now. Thanks

Any docs perusing this board (or anyone experienced), a keg to you (I mean it) for any help you can provide. I'm getting out of AD for family reasons and have been hired at a non-flying reserve unit that needs rated folks. I’m also on the short list for two IMA positions so at the unit level the Reserves want me and my experience. I had absolutely counted on getting into the Reserves to continue my service, work towards retirement and still get to feel kind of cool. While on AD I had several bouts of kidney stones that ended up with an MEB and an ALC (C-2). I have been symptom free for over a year and as long as I take my medication (urocit-k) it looks like I ha…

Anyone have any experience with deploying with an epi-pen due to severe allergies?

I am in the process of applying for an Air Guard UPT slot and although I haven’t officially run into this problem yet, I wanted to get ahead of it. Six years ago, when I was 19, I went into the doctor after feeling a lump in my testicals. I was a cyclist and had always felt a little discomfort while riding. They put me in for an ultrasound and found some cysts and hydroceles. Ultimately, the doctor didn’t recommend any action and said it was definitely due to the cycling. He even cleared me to get back on the bike. Below is the report from the ultrasound. I have found that this issue, despite living comfortably with it, could be a disqualifier and I would like to know wha…

Does anyone know if there are any authorized ED medications you can be taking while you are on a rated flying status? Hoping to start a general discussion about this 'hush' 'hush' topic, so any info regarding this would be appreciated...

Here's the situation, a have my OTS class date and am all ready to go but the other day I am reading a list of medical disqualifiers and notice that I may have a condition that is on the list. I have had a couple endoscopies done when I was younger where they found "trachealization of the esophagus", and did dialations. I have not had anything done in about nine years, but the reason that I had them done initially was because I would get food stuck in my throat sometimes. It still happens to me sometimes, 3-4 times a month, but it only happens when I am trying to swallow too large of pieces of a fairly non-malleable food (ie. steak, also very large tablets). Generally…

I recently found out I have esotropia in my left eye. Now it sounds like I have to go in for 3 different depth perception tests, the red lens test, and something else. I did a search for this topic and didn't get any hits. I know the reg has lots of references to diplopia, but my optometrist said it isn't the same and there are no references to esotropia in the reg. I've passed the five horizontal dot depth perception test (after a few tries), and am concerned about taking all these tests. Should I be terribly concerned? Please advise... What [ 09. August 2006, 21:28: Message edited by: JLoweCSU ]

Thanks for reading! I am an active duty Marine Special Operations Officer with Marine Special Operations Command. I recently hit the lottery and got hired by an Air National Guard unit to go to flight school and fly jets for them. The day before my flight physical Wright Patterson called to let me know I can't do the physical because I have a back surgery on my record. In 2011 I was wounded twice in Afghanistan and had some minor surgeries to recover in the coming years, and one was a micro-discectomy L5-S1 and was back to full duty two months later. I have done over two years of operations since the minor back surgery and multiple training and combat deploym…

Has anyone ever applied for an exception to policy(or know of anyone who has)? I have been selected for a Nav job in the Guard. My physical was excellent except one of my eyes is just beyond the waiverable limits for a class 1A. I know that the ETP is hard to get approved, but I wont know unless I try. If anyone out there has any idea of where in the regs to go to find info about how to proceed with the ETP or has tried it yourself, I would appreciate anything that you may have. Thanks for your time.

This question is very premature because I haven't even talked to a recruiter yet, but I wanted to get your guys opinion on something. Ever since I was a kid I've had a problem where my face sweats more than normal. Now my knowledge (from the internet) of this is not much other than it is called hyperhidrosis. From what i can tell the Air Force will DQ you if you have this of the hands or feet, but not of the face. It's not that my face sweats excessively all the time just when working out, when it's hot and very humid, and sometimes when I'm nervous. If it is real hot and humid out I can start sweating just standing outside. What I was wondering is if this will more…

I let my Flying Class II physical lapse (I'm in a non-flying/no fly pay job, currently). How many years can I go without a Class II exam before I have to do a Class I or initial to get back to flight status? IOW how many years beyond expiration before I have to jump thru hoops?

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…

I got my FCI physical yesterday and everything went good except for the pressure in my eye was a little higher than normal. I have never had any problems with this and there is no history of glaucoma in my family. I now have to get a consultation with an opthomologist. Has anyone here had the same problem. If so how was the consultation? Any help would be great. I have my consultation tomorrow and I am a little nervous about the whole thing.

So, I am currently in high school, but am planning for a future in the AF. I have a 4.0GPA, tons of leadership, community service, mission trips, 28 ATC score, etc. So, I am not currently worried about getting an ROTC Scholarship, but, my eyesight is bad. I wear glasses/contacts with a prescription of -2.00 in one eye and -1.75 in the other (probably around -2.5 now!). So my distance vision is bad. Do I have a chance at a pilot spot? IF so, will it be a good chance and how could I go about that way? Thanks!

Hello all, As the title states, do you need any kind of medical certification with the FAA on the civilian side to fly military? I am trying to become either a pilot or navigator and want to know what's required. Also what level/ certifications of medicals are required for pilots/navs? Thanks in advance!

Need a class 2 for potential job. AME initially said I was good to go but then FAA said I'll need waiver (SI) for my eye issue. Had waiver for it in the AF for last 8 years flying. Documentation showing its stable not progressing and not requiring any treatment or meds. I've seen anywhere from a couple weeks to many months. Anyone have experience with the process lately? Currently waiting on a LETTER from FAA to start the process. Also, the new color vision test is a bitch.

Quick discussion for the Air Force guys here. A few years back, shortly before I commissioned in the AF, I was selected for UPT but shortly thereafter medically disqualified at Wright Patterson AFB for all flying duty (Pilot, nav, RPA, ABM) based on a very rare but also extremely minor corneal imperfection, Thygeson's Keratitis (small spots on the surface of my eye). I still met the vision minimums but unfortunately the flight surgeons would not consider me for a waiver, and their justification was that this condition was "debilitating","extremely painful", and "progressive". I remember the day I was disqualified, they were adamant that I would never be able to g…

Hi folks, I am planning on getting back to flying here in Korea at Osan, though I need to go get my FAA med. done first. My question is about eyesight, I can not always see 20/20 with my right eye. Sometimes I can, sometimes on a bad day I can not. However I don't want to get a restriction on my license because of something that could be pseudomyopia or ciliary spams, I am planning to get an through eye exam done here on post and order contacts, though can you wear them for the FAA exam? As far as I know, for a first class, you need to have 20/20 corrected or uncorrected, if it is corrected, then it has to go on your license. I was wondering if anyone out there h…

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…

Aside fomr my vision, which is still in the limits, I have had a weight problem my whole life. I tried atkins lost a great amount of weight but found after I decided to get off of it about half of it came back. I have begun a low calorie diet, and to help out I have been taking Calcium Pyruvate to help out, it is a natural drug (I know that doesnt speak for much so was ephedra) but it is meant to increase your bodies expenditure of calories in rest mode and thoruhgout the day. I have not felt any side effects, I took hydroxycut a few times back when ephedra was still legal and I was full of energy, I feel no different on this. I have noticed in just 2 weeks doing it (h…

Just got the memo that I got my FC1 scheduled. Working on getting all the items squared away that are required 5 business days upon receipt of the memo. This part is confusing me a bit. "If you have had an FAA exam (any class) within the past 36 months, you do not need to complete this step; please continue to step 4. FAA Class III medical/student pilot certificates are now valid for 5 years." I have a valid Class III FAA Medical right now, but its been more than 36 months since I received it. Do they just want me to sign up/register anyway. I'm assuming its so they can renew it at the end of the FC1 and not have to worry about it lapsing, even though I w…