arnoldaj74

I tried to get referrals locally. I live in Milwaukee. Nobody had any solid leads locally. I should have drove two to the Chicago area were I did get several referrals.

Nevjets

I hope everything works out for you. Let us know how it goes.

arnoldaj74

This is where I am hung up with my situation. I don’t have symptoms of OSA with the exception of maybe snoring occasionally. I sleep well and I do not have daytime tiredness. I don’t not fall asleep in an airplane or in a car. I generally do not take naps because I don’t need them. The AME mentioned a “table 2 and 3” but never showed them to me. It was only later after the exam that I found those and to my surprise I have none of those symptoms or conditions. I am at 34 BMI (he noted last years BMI which was 39). I wear a 17” neck size and it is slightly loose but he said that’s too big. I’m male and I’m 43 which he noted. He examed my jawline and said my throat is a “type 3”...regardless at this point I must comply and my PCM although he has stated that he does not believe that I am at risk for OSA he will not write a letter. He said he will not do it because he is not a sleep specialist. He also thinks that it is not a bad idea to see a sleep specialist just in case.

It is my understanding that if you see a sleep specialist they will not rule out OSA without a home sleep study. Then regardless of the sleep study most people end up on a CPAP. I don’t know I just feel like I got screwed by the AME I went to.

rickair7777

Yes, I would commute for a good AME if necessary.

jh1180

Wait, are you saying he went with your shirt size instead of actually measuring?

arnoldaj74

Yes he first guessed at my neck size. I told him my work shirts are 17” neck size but they are slightly loose because I don’t like them snug. On top of that I have lost about 25 since my last medical so my neck size may even be less.

jonnyjetprop

I squarely fit into the get tested group, even though I didn't have any symptoms. The sleep specialist did a home study which was no big deal. I was diagnosed with OSA, but my case was borderline. My sleep specialist did not recommend any treatment and the FAA accepted this. All I do now is comment that I have no changes to my condition.

My sleep specialist told me that most folks have no idea that there's a problem until they get tested.

I know pilots that got tested, got diagnosed and went on CPAP. To a tee, they are all much happier once they went on CPAP.

Bottom line, take care of your health. If needed, spend the $150 for the home sleeping test and if needed, get the treatment. The FAA paperwork is nothing and is transparent to any employer looking at your medical status.

arnoldaj74

This week I saw a Pulmonologist/Sleep Doctor to complete an OSA assessment. I was expecting that he would set me up with a sleep study but he did not. Based on his assessment he concluded that I am at a low risk for sleep apnea.

I have until January 16th to get a letter submitted to the FAA. This doctor said he would write a letter but he has never dealt with the FAA. He asked me what the FAA will need to see in this letter. Is there specific information the FAA requires in letter after an OSA assessment?

Thanks

BlueMoon

I’d call Alpa medical if you are a member or consult a senior ame that has dealt with osa to get the proper wording.

Even if it costs money it could save you months of back and forth.

jonnyjetprop

You need a specialist AME to walk you through this. In your previous posts, you stated that your current AME has issues. Sending in a letter that raises more issues will add additional heartache at best and could ground you for months.

https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/comm...he-faa.103001/

Dr. Bruce Chen is one of the posters on this thread. He's a specialist AME that several corporate pilots that I have met online used.