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.

 

The FAA standards are generally much looser, but when it comes to incapacating conditions they are right up there with the military: DQ

With that said, you have more control over how you present your case to the FAA...one approach might be to go find a civilian specialist who will support your idea about the cause of the seizure, vigorously and in writing. Keep looking until you find one, then go to the FAA with all the supporting docs.

Also off the top of my head, high fevers and infections may also cause seizures...might be avenues to explore.

There are several companies which offer fee consulting for FAA medical issue, they are staffed by ex-FAA AME's (no longer obligated to report everything they hear to OKC). Virtual Flight Surgeons is one, they are used by ALPA.

My guess with the airlines is that if the FAA agrees that it was a transient condition caused by meds or illness, they won't care about it.

BTW if you want an airline job you will need a First Class Medical. That also applies for most of the best non-airline jobs too. A second class basically just allows a pilot who used to have a a first class to keep his job after he develops some condition.

 

AOPA medical people may be able to help if you belong.

Do you currently hold a FAA medical (hopefully already a Class 1)? Because it is easier to get waivers for a medical you already hold than it is to get clearance and waivers for an existing condition to allow you to obtain a medical.

For that reason alone, I keep a Class 1 eventhough I only need a Class II for my job and will probably be a Professional First Officer (PFO) for the next ten years.

good luck

 

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.

 

Regardless of what is submitted by DOD to FAA, you would have to report your condition on the FAA medical form under 18-L (Neurological disorders; epilepsy, seizures, stroke, paralysis, etc.) and 18-R/S (Military medical discharge / Medical rejection by military service).

The best thing that you can do is what has been previously stated- get a complete copy of your records, and seek additional opinions/consult OUTSIDE of the FAA aeromedical division.

The folks at Virtual Flight Surgeons might also be of assistance: www.aviationmedicine.com

 

When you first noticed any of these symptoms/side effects from taking the steroids, did you report it to the docs?

Be ware, the AF medical community is like the police force "thin blue line". They will circle the wagons to protect themselves if necessary. At this point, I can assure you that they are far more interested in getting you DQ'd than return to fly.

I can guarantee that the AF doctors who prescribed the steroids are doing everything they can to distance themselves from this.

I can't stress this enough. From this point on, treat every AF medical person with extreme caution and assume that their only goal is to DQ you.

And DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. START A JOURNAL!!!

Also, go to your patient advocate and request they attend every meeting you have with AF medical personnel (as I've said before, your goal to is avoid all AF medical personnel from here on out until/unless necessary). Make sure you get the patient advocate to document (in an e-mail) that the purpose of them attending these meetings is to represent you/your interests and to document the meetings. Make sure the PA agrees to provide you a copy of his/her notes from the meeting/s. (You should still take your own notes as well as recording the meeting). Have a patient advocate with you for ANY meeting, no matter how mundane it may seem. If the PA is not available, postpone the meeting until he/she is available.

After any meeting, fully document your version of the meeting in an e-mail and send it to the doctor/s and request they acknowledge that your documentation is correct. Be sure you only send it to medical personnel, otherwise you will not be protected by HIPAA.

By the way, the only person outside of the AF medical community who can have access to details of your medical situation (unless you give express permission) is your "G" series commander. Not a supervisor, not an operations officer, not a flight commander, not an aircraft commander.

What flyerjosh said is true. Now that you have had a seizure, you will have to report it to the FAA. However, what you want now is to report a seizure due to medication prescribed by AF doctors, it was a one time event, and AF doctors fully cleared you for return to fly with documentation that the seizure was caused by the medication.

 

Brutus:

If the Sandman can't help you, nobody can. Trust me. CALL HIM !!!

Senior Aviation Medical Examiner

-Fatty

 

Additionally Brutus, you need to get a second opinion. You need to see another FS or a neuro-specialist who can end this madness.

During UPT, I too was diagnosed with some diabolical disease. Had it not been for a TDY flight surgeon one day, I would be DQ and on full disability.

Get second opinions ... call the Sandman for help with the FAA.

 

Again, I'd recommend absolutely do not get the second opinion from any AF medical personnel. Demand to be referred to a civilian specialist (not sure where to start, Endocrinologist??) outside of the AF. The TRICARE referral office will give you a list of specialists in the local area to choose from. Do your research first before selecting the specialist. Call each Dr. first and tell him your situation and see what they say. If they don't seem interested in exploring your theory, then move on.

 

After reading your previous post, I highly recommend a civilian referral. The military FS are not your friends.