I just received my letter and medical certificate 10 days after I emailed my paperwork to the regional office. Very fast turn-around, possibly because the AME deferred the medical by mistake instead of issuing it to me. The gentleman at the regional office wasn't very happy about that. My case is also an easy one (severe OSA).

SSRI
 

Hey everyone,

Probably the wrong thread but I was curious if anyone had gone through the Special issuance process for an SSRI lately. Currently my paperwork got sent to D.C. to the Federal Flight surgeons office but leaving a voicemail hasn't resulted in anyone contacting me. Really would like a general timeline as we all would like to plan our lives out. Any help is appreciated thanks.

They've had my paperwork since the end of February requesting to continue a newer low side effect medication I haven't heard a word since.

I'm also working on getting my special issuance and my paperwork is in DC right now. Currently at month 9 since the process began. I pilot with worse conditions in my category took 13 months to receive his special issuance. This is my second time around so there's no telling what that means for me. However, my AME is very optimistic that I will receive my SA and fly again.

Don't lose hope. Find something to entertain your mind, look into work in a different part of the industry.

I used AMAS for several years to help with a few medical issues I had. I fought diabetes for nearly 15 years before giving up and going on meds I couldn't fly with. Prior to that every time I switched meds it usually required a waiting period before I could fly again. My AME was good about wavering most of them down to 14 days. AMAS is a great resource. I was lucky in that my company paid for it but even if you have to pay it's worth it. They have a phone conference with the FAA medical folks every week and go over the cases AMAS is working on.

https://www.aviationmedicine.com/

My situation is a little different. The last time I applied for a SI, the entire process from initial 1st class medical exam to getting the out and out denial letter was over a three year period. Over 20K spent. It was determined that my "law enforcement entanglements were drug related" per the Chief Psychiatrist for the FAA. When I got his correspondence stating that, I wrote back that that was ludacrious and absurd. Needless to say, that even though I met or exceed what was required of me, I was not medically certified. That was 10 years ago. I'm a totally different person now. starting the process again next month. My plan is to after submitting my 8500, to contact the HIMS evaluators in MCO and schedule an evaluation. It has to be done anyway, might as well get it done early.

I wish all of you success in being certified.
atp

That is a catastrophically stupid thing to do.
Do NOT submit a MedXpress before you consult the experts. That is the worst idea ever.

Catastrophically stupid....! How about...."that wouldn't be a wise thing to do", then proceed to give me your reasons why. With your chose of words, your intent is as clear as the noonday. Duces!


atp

While a crass and less than helpful approach, it's not wrong. You state that the FAA determined that your problems with the law were drug related. Without offering anything more, you state that this is absurd. Right off the bat you paint a picture that isn't rosy and that throws up a bunch of red flags. You indicate that the good folks at CAMI felt the same way and denied your medical. Now going back ten years later, having shown bad judgement in the past and with a denied medical on your record, your plan shows that no learning has taken place.

Learning is marked by a change in behavior. Having been denied, one would expect some level of learning, in which you determine to get your ducks in a row before you go back to the FAA. You are, after all, "a totally different person now." None the less, apparently enough of the same person that you're going to make the same mistake of applying for your medical certificate first, then seeking support, documentation, and assistance, afterward. Perhaps you're simply gunning for another denial. Who knows?

An expired medical isn't a big deal. A denial is another matter, and should be considered carefully. Approach the medical like one's career depends on it.

It does.

Remember, those responding to you can only respond to what you've chosen to post. Is there more that you wish considered?

JohnBurke:

Granted. I failed to mention the fact that I've reached out to the Office of Aerospace Medicine to reconsider the decision that was made 10 years ago, based on what has transpired since. In addition, I spoke with a representative from that office and was encouraged to re-apply. You see, that statement of "The Good Doctor's" findings being ludicrous & absurd where made in the first year of what turned out to be a 3-4 year process. The first HIMS eval suggested that certification be withheld and that and I go the route of SI. So, I did. The 2nd & 3rd eval recommended certification at the 3rd class level so as to I could at least start my training. Inspite of this, there were additional "hoops" that I had to jump through and I jumped through them successfully. I missed one appointment with my HIMS AME and it was verified by an accountable & reliable source as to why I missed the appointment, yet, I got the denial letter.

I understand that there is a prescribed procedure in the SI process. If certified, DERA, will be the first to know.

On another note, love the last name of your UserId.

atp