Well I went in for my 1st Class last month like I do every 6 months and didn't pass the **** test. High sugar content. AME followed up with a finger stick test for blood glucose. Well over 200.

I'm seeing an Endocrinologist that's got me on a treatment plan. Looks like I'll be out for at least three months, assuming it's type II.


I've drastically changed my diet and have been exercising nearly every day.

Anyone else gone through this?

 

Did you change your diet and exercise AFTER you were diagnosed with diabetes?

 

After. The AME gave me a slight chance of being able to pass the exam if I tested good with 14 days. Didn't come close on the test results.

 

And the change in the diet has involved cutting out a bunch of carbs. I hardly ever touch candy/junk food. I really didn't eat all that unhealthy before.

 

How old are you? What caused this?

 

47.

Genetics so the doc says. Though he said that without the results of the blood test. I'll see him later this week for what hopefully won't be worse news.

 

Not a doc but a few buddies with "almost diabetes". Many times, overweight to obese is a trigger. Also, high fructose corn syrup is reported to mess up your endocrine system. 200 is way high. Did you get the A-1-C checked? This is a better indicator. You should get both checked.

On any medical, you should drink water all day and when you pee it should be the cleanest pee possible. Not saying this will avoid a diabetes flag, but it is better than submitting a dehydrated cup of dark yellow urine and causing the nurse to say "uh, what is this"

Good Luck

 

Hey LRShooter,


Been there, done that.
Have a family history of Type II (that's what I am), and my diet was awful, as a FAR 121 night package carrier pilot.

9 years ago, flunked the urine test on a 7am early morning, 1st Class medical at the AME.

Went to Family Doc.
A1c test showed 8.7 which was horrible.

He handed me a sheet of paper and said follow this diet.
Also said lose weight, exercise, etc.
Basically eat nothing fun or good (by my then standards), and 3 weeks later I was 7.7 on the A1c test, with the diet only changes !!!

2 weeks after that I achieved 7.2 A1c, and received my Special Issuance First Class Medical.
About 6 weeks after that I was 6.4 on the A1C, which isn't bad.

My situation was salavageable at the time.
Not smart enough to say yours is, but everyone I know that had a path like mine, is back flying by following a reasonable diet, losing weight, exercise, etc..

You may find yourself ultimately on Oral Meds. (still can certifiy to First Class standards), as the disease continues, and if you go all the way, you may be dealing with insulin, once a day or way more often.
That one only allows a Third Class medical, if you jump through a thousand hoops or so.
Only 1,300 or so people have that special issuance from the FAA, again, third class only.

Other countries (Australia, England, Canada to name a few) do allow insulin in the cockpit of big jets, but the FAA is always years behind on this kind of stuff.

The Aeromedical Board of Directors in OKC (I think that's their title), are all new people in the last 2 years, so maybe something might move along on the insulin, but no one really knows what their agenda is.

Good luck, eat right and you'll probably pull this off, at least for now.

Don't forget any options on your LTD (Long Term Disability Insurance) if it's not too late at your FAR 121 carrier.
It has saved my backside on the paycheck.

Be prepared to learn how to do your "Paperwork" to exacting FAA standards, when you get your medical back, unless you like long delays in receiving your special issuance, every time you get another medical.
FAA loves their paperwork and exacting detail on records.
This will take much co-operation from your "treating physician" and his/her office staff.
It must be assembled in a certain way to be expedited, or you will lose much time (and probably work $$$), because of the "system".

Your AME may be good at that, but the majority, will pretend they are, and then fall on their faces (long delays for you).

PM me if you'd like more info.


jabr800

 

Been where you are my friend. Three years ago ... same sorta deal... urine dip test... BAD... A1C terrible....

Went on oral meds, changed my diet a bit... got everything under control and was back flying in 60 days. 3+ years later... my A1c is around 4.5... fatty liver is gone... dropped 80#s... change in diet... but the big thing was I went from being sedentary to biking 120-140 miles per week when I am home ( if fly 121 supp and I am gone 17 days a month ) when on the road I hit the gym 6 days a weeks...somedays twice a day.. mainly cardio and light high rep weights... still looking to drop another 25 pounds.. but I haven't looked or felt this good in 20 years.....

as someone mentioned above ... as long as you don't require insulin to control.. you can get your 1st class back. My AME has been awesome thru this .. he is also my treating physician for my type II... he and his staff always go above and beyond to get the FAA paper work right the first time.

 

My AME once told me I has a lot of protein in my urine. He asked if I've hydrated today. I didn't drink anything that day. He said it was probably because I was dehydrated. The next time I went the following year I drank some water before going and everything was fine. What would protein in my urine indicate if I wasn't dehydrated?