Originally Posted by
BrutusBuckeye
All,
I'm a C-17 driver who had a seizure that I maintain was caused by meds I was taking (steroids) for a severe sinus/ear infection. I just finished a week of tests at Wilford Hall culminating in a consult at ACS where they informed me that until they can "prove" unequivocally that it was the meds (which a toxicologist said it wasn't), I'll never get a waiver to fly in the USAF. All of my tests at Wilford hall were normal MRI, EEG, neuro exam, etc as they were when I left my home station. I know what I felt like when I took this medication and I was not "right" in fact I exhibited a number of allergic side effects including heavy sweating (in normal temp environments), dizziness, facial redness, headache and finally the seizure but I can't seem to find a doctor who's got the ba((s to be willing to put their name next to that diagnosis. If I thought I had something wrong, my take would be different as I want to ensure I'm around for the family. However, I know to the core of me that those meds caused it. All of the docs except my local flight docs all just keep referring to the "statistics".
My concern now is that the final action once pilot is medically DQ'd is that the HQ USAF med personnel inform the FAA of such disqualification (per AFI 48-123). Does anyone know what the USAF will tell the FAA, and with this single seizure, any knowledge of FAA waivers for at least a class II medical? I still want to be flying in some capacity, even if it is not with the USAF.
Other questions, I still have time left on my UPT commitment (approx 3 yrs). Any chance of getting released from that? I've heard stories of a couple of guys that were told they couldn't get out even when they couldn't fly. Finally, as for civilian employment, how will this effect me during the "new hire medical screening" that seems commonplace among employers should I get out and do anything on the civil side?
Any an all help is greatly appreciated.
Well, maybe it was out of your control, but the first mistake was letting Wilford Hall get it's hands on you. Stay away from that place. They live to DQ flyers.
Get away from your local flight docs as well. They're just a bunch of GPs who generally are clueless when it comes to anything but basic romper room medical treatment.
Demand to be referred to a specialist outside of the AF medical community for a second opinion and or/supporting opinion. They may balk, but it's your right. At this point, you don't have any friends in the AF medical community. Stay away from them at all costs.
Also (AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!), get a complete copy of your medical records from the time you first went to the docs for the sinus event until now. It's very important that you closely review what they are saying in your medical records. Note anything documented in your records that is contradictory to your recollection. File a request for correction of your records. This is all done through your Med Group HIPAA officer, usually a civilian. There is a specific form for requesting copies of your medical records and there is a specific procedure to file a complaint for corrections to your medical records. Don't assume that what medical folks tell you orally is being faithfully reproduced in writing in your medical records. Trust me, I'm about to get an AF Chief of Flight Medicines (former, thanks to me) sanctioned for this. I've already got him fired.
I'd also highly recommend recording all of your visits with anyone in the AF when you discuss your medical situation. Depending on which state you live in, this can be done without telling anyone. There is no Federal or DoD or AF reg against this. It only boils down if you are in a two party or single party state:
http://www.callcorder.com/phone-reco...aw-america.htm
FYI, your medical records are in fact not your records. They are DoD property.