Great, I flunked my medical.

Actually, this came close to happening 4 years ago. I tested bad on
blood sugar (I don't know if that means too high or too low). Last time,
I passed it after taking a new blood test after fasting. This time,
the (12 hour) fast didn't help. Last time, I got advised to loose 20lbs
to clear it up, I did, it did, and I have maintained that weight since,
although clearly it didn't help.

So now, official notice is headed for Oklahoma, and now I get to have
extra hassle passing my medical forever. I'm losing another 20lbs, which
I suspect will fix the "issue" again.

How do I get my license back quickly (as possible) ? I have an airplane
that is now a brick. Tell you what, I don't really give a damm if I have
type 2 diabetes. I'm old, something is bound to get me sooner or later.
I care about not being able to fly, that is a definite drop in life
quality.

Anyone been through this ?

Scott Moore wrote:

> Great, I flunked my medical.
>
> Actually, this came close to happening 4 years ago. I tested bad on
> blood sugar (I don't know if that means too high or too low). Last time,
> I passed it after taking a new blood test after fasting. This time,
> the (12 hour) fast didn't help. Last time, I got advised to loose 20lbs
> to clear it up, I did, it did, and I have maintained that weight since,
> although clearly it didn't help.
>
> So now, official notice is headed for Oklahoma, and now I get to have
> extra hassle passing my medical forever. I'm losing another 20lbs, which
> I suspect will fix the "issue" again.
>
> How do I get my license back quickly (as possible) ? I have an airplane
> that is now a brick. Tell you what, I don't really give a damm if I have
> type 2 diabetes. I'm old, something is bound to get me sooner or later.
> I care about not being able to fly, that is a definite drop in life
> quality.
>
> Anyone been through this ?

You will not get your medical until a doctor can attest that your Type II is
controlled by either diet, medication, or a combination of the two. Your
A1C reading also needs to be within the range allowed by the FAA (quite
loose, actually).

Had you planned this right, you could have avoided a denial. Now, it will
take some time to pick up the pieces, which usually can be done.

I highly recommend you seek the advice of AOPA's aeromedical folks before
you go any further with the FAA or a medical examiner. In the meantime, you
might want to get started with an endocrinologist (specialist who treats
diabetes).

You may not care about having Type II but the FAA does because, left
uncontrolled, you can pass out while flying.

In a previous article, said:
>How do I get my license back quickly (as possible) ? I have an airplane
>that is now a brick. Tell you what, I don't really give a damm if I have
>type 2 diabetes. I'm old, something is bound to get me sooner or later.
>I care about not being able to fly, that is a definite drop in life
>quality.
>
>Anyone been through this ?

Yup. Cured it by going to a low carb diet. Haven't lost any weight, but
it's got my blood sugar steady as a rock. Get a blood sugar tester, and
watch. I used to go between 45 and 300 in a day, now I go between 70 and
110.


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
The superior pilot uses his superior judgement to avoid situations in which he
has to demonstrate his superior skill.

Scott Moore wrote:

> Great, I flunked my medical.
>
> Actually, this came close to happening 4 years ago. I tested bad on
> blood sugar (I don't know if that means too high or too low). Last time,
> I passed it after taking a new blood test after fasting. This time,
> the (12 hour) fast didn't help. Last time, I got advised to loose 20lbs
> to clear it up, I did, it did, and I have maintained that weight since,
> although clearly it didn't help.
>
> So now, official notice is headed for Oklahoma, and now I get to have
> extra hassle passing my medical forever. I'm losing another 20lbs, which
> I suspect will fix the "issue" again.
>
> How do I get my license back quickly (as possible) ? I have an airplane
> that is now a brick. Tell you what, I don't really give a damm if I have
> type 2 diabetes. I'm old, something is bound to get me sooner or later.
> I care about not being able to fly, that is a definite drop in life
> quality.

I don't know the answer to your question, but if I was an AOPA member
I'd be on the phone to them pronto. And if I wasn't, I'd be wishing I was!


> Anyone been through this ?

No, but I had my BP go above the maximums many years ago, but I caught
it before my flight physical. For many years now I've had a physical
with my regular doctor a month or so before my official physical to
catch anything that might be disqualifying. Once we found the high BP,
my doctor in consultation with my AME recommended a BP med that was FAA
acceptable and which easily controls my BP. I don't know what would
have happened had my AME found this during my medical exam, but I was
rather glad not to have had to find out!


Matt

In article >,
Scott Moore > wrote:

> Great, I flunked my medical.
>
> Actually, this came close to happening 4 years ago. I tested bad on
> blood sugar (I don't know if that means too high or too low). Last time,
> I passed it after taking a new blood test

Hm, that's odd. I've never had to take a blood test on any of my
medicals. Is there an age where this kicks in, or were my doctors
cutting corners?

(Identity concealed for obvious reasons)

Paul Tomblin wrote:
> In a previous article, said:
>
>>How do I get my license back quickly (as possible) ? I have an airplane
>>that is now a brick. Tell you what, I don't really give a damm if I have
>>type 2 diabetes. I'm old, something is bound to get me sooner or later.
>>I care about not being able to fly, that is a definite drop in life
>>quality.
>>
>>Anyone been through this ?
>
>
> Yup. Cured it by going to a low carb diet. Haven't lost any weight, but
> it's got my blood sugar steady as a rock. Get a blood sugar tester, and
> watch. I used to go between 45 and 300 in a day, now I go between 70 and
> 110.
>
>
Ditto. No starch, no sugars. Use Splenda. Don't eat anything white --
potatos, rice, cake, bread. Get your carbs from salad, beans, sweet
potatos, lentils. Fats and oils control hunger but skip the sat fat. I
have a spread sheet that helps me target 40% of calories from carbs, 30%
from protein and 30% from fats. I lost 42 lb in a year, exercising 5
times a week for 30 minutes. I kept the weight off for another year and
discovered that the treadmill cased back, hip and knee problems. The
pain was becoming so bad that I have to use a cane. So, I stopped and
the weight has started coming back. I don't know what the doc will say
but I hope I can change the exercise routine to keep the weight off.

Stubby wrote:

> Ditto. No starch, no sugars. Use Splenda. Don't eat anything white --
> potatos, rice, cake, bread. Get your carbs from salad, beans, sweet
> potatos, lentils. Fats and oils control hunger but skip the sat fat. I
> have a spread sheet that helps me target 40% of calories from carbs, 30%
> from protein and 30% from fats. I lost 42 lb in a year, exercising 5
> times a week for 30 minutes. I kept the weight off for another year and
> discovered that the treadmill cased back, hip and knee problems. The
> pain was becoming so bad that I have to use a cane. So, I stopped and
> the weight has started coming back. I don't know what the doc will say
> but I hope I can change the exercise routine to keep the weight off.

Have you tried bicycling? I have back problems and a bad ankle, but
find biking to be fairly kind to both. The only problem is that winter
is fast approaching here in PA and it isn't kind to biking! I may have
to invest in a good stationary bike, but I'm not sure I can stand to
bike in place...

Matt

Never had to wizz in the cup? they put a strip in there that detects a
few common drugs as well as high protien and high sugar content. High
sugar in the urine is not a good thing.

Anonymous coward #673 wrote:
> In article >,
> Scott Moore > wrote:
>
>
>>Great, I flunked my medical.
>>
>>Actually, this came close to happening 4 years ago. I tested bad on
>>blood sugar (I don't know if that means too high or too low). Last time,
>>I passed it after taking a new blood test
>
>
> Hm, that's odd. I've never had to take a blood test on any of my
> medicals. Is there an age where this kicks in, or were my doctors
> cutting corners?
>
> (Identity concealed for obvious reasons)

Anonymous coward #673 > wrote in
:

> Hm, that's odd. I've never had to take a blood test on any of my
> medicals. Is there an age where this kicks in, or were my doctors
> cutting corners?

Strange .. every FAA Medical I've taken in over 30 years, I've had to
pee in a cup.

--

"Robert Chambers" > wrote in message
...
> Never had to wizz in the cup? they put a strip in there that detects a
> few common drugs as well as high protien and high sugar content. High
> sugar in the urine is not a good thing.
>
Ph, sugar, protein on the dipstick as far as I know. Think it is unlikely
the strip would screen for drugs.

Detecting adult onset diabetes and getting control of it is a good thing.

Howard

In article >,
Robert Chambers > wrote:

> Anonymous coward #673 wrote:
> > In article >,
> > Scott Moore > wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Great, I flunked my medical.
> >>
> >>Actually, this came close to happening 4 years ago. I tested bad on
> >>blood sugar (I don't know if that means too high or too low). Last time,
> >>I passed it after taking a new blood test
> >
> >
> > Hm, that's odd. I've never had to take a blood test on any of my
> > medicals. Is there an age where this kicks in, or were my doctors
> > cutting corners?
> >
> > (Identity concealed for obvious reasons)
>
> Never had to wizz in the cup?

WIzz, yes. Bleed, no.

John Godwin wrote:

> Anonymous coward #673 > wrote in
> :
>
> > Hm, that's odd. I've never had to take a blood test on any of my
> > medicals. Is there an age where this kicks in, or were my doctors
> > cutting corners?
>
> Strange .. every FAA Medical I've taken in over 30 years, I've had to
> pee in a cup.
>
> --

A urine test isn't a blood test.

"Anonymous coward #673" > wrote in message
...
> Hm, that's odd. I've never had to take a blood test on any of my
> medicals. Is there an age where this kicks in, or were my doctors
> cutting corners?

My first ever medical involved a blood test (dunno what they test for apart
from anaemia) and a urine test, but subsequent ones have had only the urine
test.

D.

Sorry to hear that Scott. You may care about Type 2 Diabetes less than you
do flying but left unchecked, you may lose sensation in one or more limbs
and even amputation. From what I've heard, that tends to make getting a
medical waiver a bit more challenging as well (but by no means impossible).

Now that you've been denied a medical, you can't go the Sport Pilot route to
get back in the air. Why not just lose the weight, get more exercise, and
change the diet? When I got diagnosed with Type2, I considered it a blessing
that I was able to control it that way and using no meds. I also considered
it as a clear message to take care of my body--my "primary airframe."

I haven't had a medical yet after being diagnosed but from what the AOPA
tells me, I just need to show evidence that it is under control.

Good luck,

Marco Leon


"Scott Moore" > wrote in message
...
> Great, I flunked my medical.
>
> Actually, this came close to happening 4 years ago. I tested bad on
> blood sugar (I don't know if that means too high or too low). Last time,
> I passed it after taking a new blood test after fasting. This time,
> the (12 hour) fast didn't help. Last time, I got advised to loose 20lbs
> to clear it up, I did, it did, and I have maintained that weight since,
> although clearly it didn't help.
>
> So now, official notice is headed for Oklahoma, and now I get to have
> extra hassle passing my medical forever. I'm losing another 20lbs, which
> I suspect will fix the "issue" again.
>
> How do I get my license back quickly (as possible) ? I have an airplane
> that is now a brick. Tell you what, I don't really give a damm if I have
> type 2 diabetes. I'm old, something is bound to get me sooner or later.
> I care about not being able to fly, that is a definite drop in life
> quality.
>
> Anyone been through this ?
>



Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
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Scott Moore wrote:
> Great, I flunked my medical.
>
> Actually, this came close to happening 4 years ago. I tested bad on
> blood sugar (I don't know if that means too high or too low). Last time,
> I passed it after taking a new blood test after fasting. This time,
> the (12 hour) fast didn't help. Last time, I got advised to loose 20lbs
> to clear it up, I did, it did, and I have maintained that weight since,
> although clearly it didn't help.
>
> So now, official notice is headed for Oklahoma, and now I get to have
> extra hassle passing my medical forever. I'm losing another 20lbs, which
> I suspect will fix the "issue" again.
>
> How do I get my license back quickly (as possible) ? I have an airplane
> that is now a brick. Tell you what, I don't really give a damm if I have
> type 2 diabetes. I'm old, something is bound to get me sooner or later.
> I care about not being able to fly, that is a definite drop in life
> quality.
>
> Anyone been through this ?
>

Thanks for the good answers in this thread. I'd also be interested in how
long it takes (minimum) to get back my medical status, assuming I check
clean.

The question is germane, I have an airplane that is going to be sitting
until this happens.

--
Samiam is Scott A. Moore

Personal web site: http:/www.moorecad.com/scott
My electronics engineering consulting site: http://www.moorecad.com
ISO 7185 Standard Pascal web site: http://www.moorecad.com/standardpascal
Classic Basic Games web site: http://www.moorecad.com/classicbasic
The IP Pascal web site, a high performance, highly portable ISO 7185 Pascal
compiler system: http://www.moorecad.com/ippas

Good does not always win. But good is more patient.

> The question is germane, I have an airplane that is going to be sitting
> until this happens.

You can still fly with an instructor, or even with another pilot willing
to be PIC.

Jose
--
Money: what you need when you run out of brains.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

"Scott Moore" > wrote in message
...
> Scott Moore wrote:
>
> Thanks for the good answers in this thread. I'd also be interested in how
> long it takes (minimum) to get back my medical status, assuming I check
> clean.
>

You may not want to know. In an effort to clear up the huge backlog of
Special Issuance renewals, OK City is delaying the processing of new Special
Issuances. If yours comes up as an SI, figure on at least 100 days, after
you provide them with all the testing and documentation they will require.

Sorry.

Matt Whiting wrote:
>
> Have you tried bicycling? I have back problems and a bad ankle, but
> find biking to be fairly kind to both. The only problem is that winter
> is fast approaching here in PA and it isn't kind to biking! I may have
> to invest in a good stationary bike, but I'm not sure I can stand to
> bike in place...

Put a TV in your workout room (or put your bike in your TV room) and
watch the news while you bike. They also make stands for standard
bicycles so you can turn your street bike into a stationary bike for the
winter.


-m
--
## Mark T. Dame >
## VP, Product Development
## MFM Software, Inc. (http://www.mfm.com/)
"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of
people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
-- The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Douglas Adams

That's a great idea and one I've used. Usually you won't exercise as long
as the movie is, so it gives you incentive to get back in there the next day
to continue watching the movie. Put the TV in a location where it can't be
seen from anywhere BUT the bike or treadmill.
Jim

"Mark T. Dame" > wrote in message
...
> Matt Whiting wrote:
> >
> > Have you tried bicycling? I have back problems and a bad ankle, but
> > find biking to be fairly kind to both. The only problem is that winter
> > is fast approaching here in PA and it isn't kind to biking! I may have
> > to invest in a good stationary bike, but I'm not sure I can stand to
> > bike in place...
>
> Put a TV in your workout room (or put your bike in your TV room) and
> watch the news while you bike. They also make stands for standard
> bicycles so you can turn your street bike into a stationary bike for the
> winter.
>
>
> -m
> --
> ## Mark T. Dame >
> ## VP, Product Development
> ## MFM Software, Inc. (http://www.mfm.com/)
> "In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of
> people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
> -- The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Douglas Adams

Mark T. Dame wrote:
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>
>>
>> Have you tried bicycling? I have back problems and a bad ankle, but
>> find biking to be fairly kind to both. The only problem is that
>> winter is fast approaching here in PA and it isn't kind to biking! I
>> may have to invest in a good stationary bike, but I'm not sure I can
>> stand to bike in place...
>
>
> Put a TV in your workout room (or put your bike in your TV room) and
> watch the news while you bike. They also make stands for standard
> bicycles so you can turn your street bike into a stationary bike for the
> winter.

Watching TV is almost as much fun as staring at the wallpaper pattern. :-)

I have an "air turbine" stand that I bought 20 years ago, but the
resistance of it is just too low for me. It doesn't give me enough
resistance to even hold a steady gait. It is almost like pedaling while
freewheeling. I found it very unacceptable. One of the more expensive
adjustable stands with magnetic resistance might be better, but I'd
almost as soon get a good dedicatd stationary bike and not wear out my
good bike in the winter.

Matt

Jim Burns wrote:
> to continue watching the movie. Put the TV in a location where it can't be
> seen from anywhere BUT the bike or treadmill.

better yet, hook the bike or treadmill to a generator to power the
TV... can't watch unless you exercise :-)

--Sylvain (a bit sadistic at times :-) )

Mark T. Dame wrote:
> Matt Whiting wrote:
>
>>
>> Have you tried bicycling? I have back problems and a bad ankle, but
>> find biking to be fairly kind to both. The only problem is that
>> winter is fast approaching here in PA and it isn't kind to biking! I
>> may have to invest in a good stationary bike, but I'm not sure I can
>> stand to bike in place...
>
>
> Put a TV in your workout room (or put your bike in your TV room) and
> watch the news while you bike. They also make stands for standard
> bicycles so you can turn your street bike into a stationary bike for the
> winter.
>
My air resistance bike stand makes too much "whoosh" noise. And it
takes a fair amount of space, and thus resistance from GF! And, it
seems to cause problems with my knee joints. (Let me know if you want
mine!).

Stubby wrote:

> My air resistance bike stand makes too much "whoosh" noise. And it
> takes a fair amount of space, and thus resistance from GF! And, it
> seems to cause problems with my knee joints. (Let me know if you want
> mine!).

The GF or the bike?

Stubby wrote:
> Ditto. No starch, no sugars. Use Splenda. Don't eat anything white --
> potatos, rice, cake, bread. Get your carbs from salad, beans, sweet
> potatos, lentils. Fats and oils control hunger but skip the sat fat. I
> have a spread sheet that helps me target 40% of calories from carbs, 30%
> from protein and 30% from fats. I lost 42 lb in a year, exercising 5
> times a week for 30 minutes. I kept the weight off for another year and
> discovered that the treadmill cased back, hip and knee problems. The
> pain was becoming so bad that I have to use a cane. So, I stopped and
> the weight has started coming back. I don't know what the doc will say
> but I hope I can change the exercise routine to keep the weight off.
FWIW, I've had knee and back problems practically my whole life. Weight
training definitely helped solve the back problems and they've
essentially gone away. The knees are bad forever but lot's of
experimentation has shown that while I can't run (at all) outside or on
a treadmill, I can use a Stairmaster brand Stairmaster (not others) and
just about any of the cc ski type machines.

The point being that it may pay to experiment around with different
machines, brands, and configurations to see what you can work with...

....but of course, the real issue getting the motivation to get on and
stay on a few times a week. Movies, great. I'm a reader - did my IFR
study almost entirely on a Stairmaster!

Good luck.

Dave Butler wrote:
> Stubby wrote:
>
>> My air resistance bike stand makes too much "whoosh" noise. And it
>> takes a fair amount of space, and thus resistance from GF! And, it
>> seems to cause problems with my knee joints. (Let me know if you want
>> mine!).
>
>
> The GF or the bike?

Neither. The "roller" stand with air fan for resistance.

Sylvain > wrote in
:

> Jim Burns wrote:
>> to continue watching the movie. Put the TV in a location where it
>> can't be seen from anywhere BUT the bike or treadmill.
>
> better yet, hook the bike or treadmill to a generator to power the
> TV... can't watch unless you exercise :-)
>
> --Sylvain (a bit sadistic at times :-) )

OK Gilligan! ;)

Got mine 4 months later with the help of www.leftseat.com

Greg


"Dick Meade" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Scott Moore" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Scott Moore wrote:
>>
>> Thanks for the good answers in this thread. I'd also be interested in how
>> long it takes (minimum) to get back my medical status, assuming I check
>> clean.
>>
>
> You may not want to know. In an effort to clear up the huge backlog of
> Special Issuance renewals, OK City is delaying the processing of new
> Special Issuances. If yours comes up as an SI, figure on at least 100
> days, after you provide them with all the testing and documentation they
> will require.
>
> Sorry.
>
>
>

If you handle all of this yourself, going through your AME, I'd bet on
about 8 months after you prove you have the problem under control.

For a significant amount of money, you can use the people at
leftseat.com to expedite the FAA part of the process.

You don't have to stop flying - you can work with an instructor on a
rating if there's one you'd like to have, or you can take a safety
pilot.

You do have to take primary responsibility for resolving your
condition, though. I had bypass surgery several years ago and exercise
rigorously to maintain my conditioning, since I now have to pass an
annual treadmill test for the FAA.

The creepy part is, I was just about to make the EXACT SAME response.

Well, I did talk to the AOPA, they recommended I follow up ASAP
with a doctors report. I choose to see an endocreologist (go right
to the specialist). I fully expect to pass, I have been losing
weight as rapidly as I can stand since my medical.

"Brien K. Meehan" > wrote in
ups.com:

> The creepy part is, I was just about to make the EXACT SAME response.
>

Great minds think alike...

Scott Moore wrote:
> Great, I flunked my medical.
>
> Actually, this came close to happening 4 years ago. I tested bad on
> blood sugar (I don't know if that means too high or too low). Last time,
> I passed it after taking a new blood test after fasting. This time,
> the (12 hour) fast didn't help. Last time, I got advised to loose 20lbs
> to clear it up, I did, it did, and I have maintained that weight since,
> although clearly it didn't help.
>
> So now, official notice is headed for Oklahoma, and now I get to have
> extra hassle passing my medical forever. I'm losing another 20lbs, which
> I suspect will fix the "issue" again.
>
> How do I get my license back quickly (as possible) ? I have an airplane
> that is now a brick. Tell you what, I don't really give a damm if I have
> type 2 diabetes. I'm old, something is bound to get me sooner or later.
> I care about not being able to fly, that is a definite drop in life
> quality.
>
> Anyone been through this ?
>

An interesting afternote to this. I did what the AOPA recommended, that
is, I sent an A1C to the FAA immediately to chase the negative medical.

The A1C is fine, as am I. It will probally take months (I am told) to
get the paperwork straightened out, though.

The interesting afternote is that, because my airplane is now idle, my
wife has decided to learn to fly. She took her first lesson today, and
likes it a lot.

One door closes, the another opens.

--
Samiam is Scott A. Moore

Personal web site: http:/www.moorecad.com/scott
My electronics engineering consulting site: http://www.moorecad.com
ISO 7185 Standard Pascal web site: http://www.moorecad.com/standardpascal
Classic Basic Games web site: http://www.moorecad.com/classicbasic
The IP Pascal web site, a high performance, highly portable ISO 7185 Pascal
compiler system: http://www.moorecad.com/ippas

Good does not always win. But good is more patient.

Scott,

The gentleman who sold his plane to us lost his medical for a short
time years ago for several serious medical issues (two heart surgeries
and diabetic condition). He managed to get it back and continued to
fly until he decided to stop at the age of 78.

When I first learn to fly, it took me 8 months to get the medical
certificate due to an unexplainable fainting spell which lasted for few
months few years back. The FAA rejected my initial application and the
appeal which included complete medical record & reexamination by my
neurologist and his verification statement that I was in perfect health
condition for flying. Being persistent, I kept calling Oklahoma's
office asking to talk to an FAA doctor. After half a dozen tries, one
returned my phone call and was extremely helpful. He suggested me to
obtain a new MRI. When the result came back clean, I got my medical
within few weeks. BTW, I did contact AOPA's office after the initial
rejection and the only advise I got was to send the complete medical
record.

So most likely that you will be allowed to fly again. Just knock
on as many doors as you could to speed up the process.

I'm glad to hear that your wife had decided to learn how to fly.
It's great to have a two-pilot family. This has allowed us to
undertake many long cross-country fllights both VFR and IFR in our
plane which is not equipped with an autopilot.

Best wishes to both of you.

Hai Longworth