Hanging up my wings

[Mike Gaskins[_2_]]

Just figured I'd post here as I lurked and posted in the
rec.aviation.student groups a lot during training. Mostly looking to
vent some as I have no pilot-friends aside from my former
instructor.

Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
signs are pointing to me having panic disorder. I've no doubt that I
will/would fail my next medical; I don't even trust myself in the air
at the moment and have voluntarily grounded myself. Kinda
disappointing as I've always been so interested in flying and having
only started training about 2 and a half years ago (and having had my
PPL for less than a year); it's not fun to have to hang it up so
early.

Oh well. Just needed somewhere to rant a bit. I'm thinking I'll keep
going up every now and then with an instructor along; it's not the
same as solo (I actually enjoyed flying alone), but it's a safe and
legal way to get into the air.

Mike

[Longworth[_1_]]

Mike,

I am sorry to hear about this unexpected health problem. Ten
years ago, out of the blue, I had episodes of unexplained dizziness
and very short (few seconds) loss of consciousness. I went through a
barrage of tests and the neurologist could not find anything wrong.
The symptoms lasted only few months. When I got interested in
flying, my medical certificate application was turned down even though
I was completely symptoms free for over three years. After appealing
three times over the course of almost a year, and went through several
rounds of testing (the last round were some specific tests recommended
by a very helpful doctor from Oklahoma), the FAA finally relented and
granted me my medical. I have been flying intensively over the last 6
years (hit 700 hours mark last week).

Like you, while waiting for my medical certificate, I kept flying
with an instructor. I probably hold the record of most amount of
dual time before getting my pp certificate! So keep flying and good
luck.

Hai Longworth

[Dan Luke[_2_]]

"Mike Gaskins" wrote:

> I've no doubt that I
> will/would fail my next medical; I don't even trust myself in the air
> at the moment and have voluntarily grounded myself.

Well, you've done the right thing to ground yourself, but the Fat Lady ain't
sung yet.

Don't give up without some more medical opinions and some help from AOPA.

Good luck.

--
Dan
T-182T at BFM

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

"Mike Gaskins" > wrote in message
ups.com...
<...>
> Oh well. Just needed somewhere to rant a bit. I'm thinking I'll keep
> going up every now and then with an instructor along; it's not the
> same as solo (I actually enjoyed flying alone), but it's a safe and
> legal way to get into the air.
>


Sorry to hear that.

FWIW - you don have to fly with an "instuctor" - look for a private pilot
buddy and you could save a few bucks and still be safe and legal.

--
Geoff
The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com
remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail
When immigration is outlawed, only outlaws will immigrate.

[Al G[_1_]]

"Dan Luke" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Mike Gaskins" wrote:
>
>> I've no doubt that I
>> will/would fail my next medical; I don't even trust myself in the air
>> at the moment and have voluntarily grounded myself.
>
> Well, you've done the right thing to ground yourself, but the Fat Lady
> ain't sung yet.
>
> Don't give up without some more medical opinions and some help from AOPA.
>
> Good luck.
>
> --
> Dan
> T-182T at BFM
>

I agree with Dan. Find out more about it.

> Well, you've done the right thing to ground yourself, but the Fat Lady
> ain't sung yet.
>

And that's the truth.

Al G

[Orval Fairbairn]

In article om>,
Mike Gaskins > wrote:

>
> Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
> on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
> I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
> inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
> at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
> air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
> signs are pointing to me having panic disorder.

Sorry to hear about that, Mike.

BTW, just a thought -- do you drink a lot of diet soft drinks? The
artificial sweeteners can upset the amino acid balance in some people.

[Mike Gaskins[_2_]]

On Aug 24, 7:39 pm, Orval Fairbairn > wrote:
> In article om>,
> Mike Gaskins > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
> > on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
> > I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
> > inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
> > at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
> > air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
> > signs are pointing to me having panic disorder.
>
> Sorry to hear about that, Mike.
>
> BTW, just a thought -- do you drink a lot of diet soft drinks? The
> artificial sweeteners can upset the amino acid balance in some people.

No, don't drink any diet ones, but definitely my fair share (too much)
of the regular ones. That has affected my weight a bit, but not to
the extent that it's caused any problems (my heart, blood pressure,
and sugar levels are all checking out a-ok). We'll see. My biggest
fear regarding the medical is that if I'm denied one I can't exercise
sport pilot - ever. I had kinda told myself that if this gets sorted
out and I go 10 years or so with no further problems, I'd certainly
like to freshen up and try the sport pilot option.

We'll see though. If I could retain my medical and safely fly I
certainly would want to take that route. I just wanna make sure that
I'm actually safe to go up before doing so. The nature of this that
stress or fear can trigger it, and the last thing I wanna do is get up
there and think "what if" and have the mere fear of an attack actually
trigger one :). I'll definitely try to keep my options as open as
possible though.

And BTW thanks for all the suggestions guys. They really do help.

Mike

[Vaughn Simon]

"Mike Gaskins" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> And BTW thanks for all the suggestions guys. They really do help.

I wish to echo the remarks of others; don't give up yet!

That said, have all of your ducks in a row before you see an AME.
Regardless of what happens next in your medical situation, you will have to
check "YES" to two killer questions should you decide to fill out another FAA
Form 8500-8. ("Dizziness or fainting spells" and "Unconsciousness for any
reason") Talk to the AOPA folks before you do that!

Vaughn

[Jim Logajan]

Mike Gaskins > wrote:
> Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
> on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
> I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
> inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
> at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
> air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
> signs are pointing to me having panic disorder.

Sorry to hear that. But I have to wonder - how do you feel about driving?
If you lose consciousness at the wrong time while driving it could lead to
a serious road accident.

Hope your prognosis is good.

[[email protected]]

> Sorry to hear that. But I have to wonder - how do you feel about driving?
> If you lose consciousness at the wrong time while driving it could lead to
> a serious road accident.
>
> Hope your prognosis is good.

Yes, we had a 20 year old apparently pass out or fall asleep while
driving here in Boise a week ago. He crossed into oncoming traffic in
his jeep and his a semi head on, killing him instantly. The truck
driver was not injured. Losing conciousness while driving could be as
bad as flying, perhaps worse.

Dean
AeroLEDs LLC
www.aeroleds.com

[Todd W. Deckard]

Mike, please go see a competent neurologist, the first priority is to figure
out the
cause - then you can work out the consequences to your passion.
Good luck, and best regards
Todd

[Mxsmanic]

Mike Gaskins writes:

> Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
> on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
> I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
> inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
> at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
> air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
> signs are pointing to me having panic disorder. I've no doubt that I
> will/would fail my next medical; I don't even trust myself in the air
> at the moment and have voluntarily grounded myself. Kinda
> disappointing as I've always been so interested in flying and having
> only started training about 2 and a half years ago (and having had my
> PPL for less than a year); it's not fun to have to hang it up so
> early.

Since you make it sound exactly like a self-fulfilling prophecy, I daresay you
think it's a lot more fun than you admit. You've already diagnosed yourself
and written off your PPL without even talking to a doctor. You probably don't
really want to fly for some reason (which might indeed be related to a panic
disorder, but there are many other possible reasons).

> Oh well. Just needed somewhere to rant a bit. I'm thinking I'll keep
> going up every now and then with an instructor along; it's not the
> same as solo (I actually enjoyed flying alone), but it's a safe and
> legal way to get into the air.

So something is making you panic on the ground or in the air and you'd rather
stop flying entirely than risk having that unpleasant experience again?

[Doug Semler]

"Mike Gaskins" > wrote in message
ups.com...

> Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
> on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
> I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
> inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. ...
> though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
> signs are pointing to me having panic disorder.

You don't make this clear, but are you sure of the causal relationship?
Contrary to Dr. Mxsmanic's oh so expert opinion, are you sure that feelings
of "not feeling right" are causing the loss of consciousness, or could it be
that you are so worried about the unexplained loss of consciousness that you
are "not feeling right". Like others have said, if you haven't already done
so, you should talk to a competent neurologist; there may be an underlying
cause of the unconcousness. I know someone who faints after she eats a
starchy meal and the ambient temperature is over 85 degrees (ok,
exageration, but you get the point).

> I'm thinking I'll keep
> going up every now and then with an instructor along; it's not the
> same as solo (I actually enjoyed flying alone), but it's a safe and
> legal way to get into the air.
>

As others have said: you don't need an instructor, just another pilot.
Sure, it's not the same, but I'm sure that you can find one "sympathetic" to
your needs (and hell, they then become $50 hamburgers, not $100 ones <big
grin>)

Good luck!

--
Doug Semler, MCPD
a.a. #705, BAAWA. EAC Guardian of the Horn of the IPU (pbuhh).
The answer is 42; DNRC o-
Gur Hfrarg unf orpbzr fb shyy bs penc gurfr qnlf, abbar rira
erpbtavmrf fvzcyr guvatf yvxr ebg13 nalzber. Fnq, vfa'g vg?

[Dale[_3_]]

In article >,
"Todd W. Deckard" > wrote:

> Mike, please go see a competent neurologist, the first priority is to figure
> out the
> cause - then you can work out the consequences to your passion.
> Good luck, and best regards
> Todd

It seems to me that you lose consciousness due to reduction/loss of
blood flow to the brain.

If it were me the first guy I'd talk to would be a cardiologist.

Brugada syndrome, which I have and have lost my medical because of, is a
condition that can cause loss of consciousness and is generally
diagnosed because of "unexplained" LOC.

[Phil]

On Aug 24, 3:38 pm, Mike Gaskins > wrote:
> Just figured I'd post here as I lurked and posted in the
> rec.aviation.student groups a lot during training. Mostly looking to
> vent some as I have no pilot-friends aside from my former
> instructor.
>
> Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
> on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
> I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
> inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
> at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
> air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
> signs are pointing to me having panic disorder. I've no doubt that I
> will/would fail my next medical; I don't even trust myself in the air
> at the moment and have voluntarily grounded myself. Kinda
> disappointing as I've always been so interested in flying and having
> only started training about 2 and a half years ago (and having had my
> PPL for less than a year); it's not fun to have to hang it up so
> early.
>
> Oh well. Just needed somewhere to rant a bit. I'm thinking I'll keep
> going up every now and then with an instructor along; it's not the
> same as solo (I actually enjoyed flying alone), but it's a safe and
> legal way to get into the air.
>
> Mike

Mike, you are discouraged and that is only natural. But it's way too
early in this process to give up. Get yourself to a specialist and
get a real diagnosis. Then you will know what you are dealing with,
and what you can do about it. It may be that it can be effectively
treated.

If you want an example of someone overcoming the odds to return to
flying, there is a book by Susan Edsall called Into The Blue. It's
about her father, who returned to flying after suffering a serious
stroke.

Hang in there, Mike. Don't give up on your dream.

Phil

[Mike Gaskins[_2_]]

On Aug 25, 9:34 am, Mxsmanic > wrote:
> Mike Gaskins writes:
> > Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
> > on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
> > I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
> > inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
> > at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
> > air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
> > signs are pointing to me having panic disorder. I've no doubt that I
> > will/would fail my next medical; I don't even trust myself in the air
> > at the moment and have voluntarily grounded myself. Kinda
> > disappointing as I've always been so interested in flying and having
> > only started training about 2 and a half years ago (and having had my
> > PPL for less than a year); it's not fun to have to hang it up so
> > early.
>
> Since you make it sound exactly like a self-fulfilling prophecy, I daresay you
> think it's a lot more fun than you admit. You've already diagnosed yourself
> and written off your PPL without even talking to a doctor. You probably don't
> really want to fly for some reason (which might indeed be related to a panic
> disorder, but there are many other possible reasons).

Where did I say I hadn't consulted a doctor? I've been to the
hospital twice (once carried out in an ambulance when I collapsed at
work) and consulted my family doctor 4 times regarding this issue.

> > Oh well. Just needed somewhere to rant a bit. I'm thinking I'll keep
> > going up every now and then with an instructor along; it's not the
> > same as solo (I actually enjoyed flying alone), but it's a safe and
> > legal way to get into the air.
>
> So something is making you panic on the ground or in the air and you'd rather
> stop flying entirely than risk having that unpleasant experience again?

Panic attacks aren't necessarily triggered by anything (though they
can be). The first time this happened I thought I was having a heart
attack. It's taken a while for them to exclude other possiblities.
Are you suggesting that after having lost consciousness 3 times in the
last few months I should climb into a plane at this point?

Of course, I know this reply is falling on deaf ears anyways. I've
been around these groups for years and know very well your trollish
nature.

Mike

[Bob Noel]

In article . com>,
Mike Gaskins > wrote:

> Of course, I know this reply is falling on deaf ears anyways. I've
> been around these groups for years and know very well your trollish
> nature.

Then why bother responding to it?

--
Bob Noel
(goodness, please trim replies!!!)

[Mike Gaskins[_2_]]

On Aug 25, 1:08 pm, Phil > wrote:
> On Aug 24, 3:38 pm, Mike Gaskins > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Just figured I'd post here as I lurked and posted in the
> > rec.aviation.student groups a lot during training. Mostly looking to
> > vent some as I have no pilot-friends aside from my former
> > instructor.
>
> > Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
> > on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
> > I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
> > inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
> > at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
> > air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
> > signs are pointing to me having panic disorder. I've no doubt that I
> > will/would fail my next medical; I don't even trust myself in the air
> > at the moment and have voluntarily grounded myself. Kinda
> > disappointing as I've always been so interested in flying and having
> > only started training about 2 and a half years ago (and having had my
> > PPL for less than a year); it's not fun to have to hang it up so
> > early.
>
> > Oh well. Just needed somewhere to rant a bit. I'm thinking I'll keep
> > going up every now and then with an instructor along; it's not the
> > same as solo (I actually enjoyed flying alone), but it's a safe and
> > legal way to get into the air.
>
> > Mike
>
> Mike, you are discouraged and that is only natural. But it's way too
> early in this process to give up. Get yourself to a specialist and
> get a real diagnosis. Then you will know what you are dealing with,
> and what you can do about it. It may be that it can be effectively
> treated.
>
> If you want an example of someone overcoming the odds to return to
> flying, there is a book by Susan Edsall called Into The Blue. It's
> about her father, who returned to flying after suffering a serious
> stroke.
>
> Hang in there, Mike. Don't give up on your dream.
>
> Phil

Thanks. I'll see about visiting a specialist. I've seen several
doctors all-ready but all were general practitioners so far. I do
know that it's not heart related (they've done a lot of testing there
- which did relieve my mind quite a bit as the first time I thought it
may have been a heart attack). I also know that it's not diabetes.
Panic disorder has been suggested but not confirmed as of yet. If I
can get back into the air safely I'd be extremely happy. I was kinda
revved up about looking into buying an older model taildragger and
having some fun in it, and this has just put a real damper on things.

MIke

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Mike Gaskins" > wrote

> Thanks. I'll see about visiting a specialist. I've seen several
> doctors all-ready but all were general practitioners so far. I do
> know that it's not heart related (they've done a lot of testing there
> - which did relieve my mind quite a bit as the first time I thought it
> may have been a heart attack). I also know that it's not diabetes.
> Panic disorder has been suggested but not confirmed as of yet. If I
> can get back into the air safely I'd be extremely happy. I was kinda
> revved up about looking into buying an older model taildragger and
> having some fun in it, and this has just put a real damper on things.

If you can get it figured out, and can be assured that it won't happen
again, at least there are sport planes in your future. It sounds like what
you want to do would go well with that.

Good luck with your "detective work."
--
Jim in NC

[Vaughn Simon]

"Morgans" > wrote in message
...
> If you can get it figured out, and can be assured that it won't happen again,
> at least there are sport planes in your future.

Don't forget soaring!

Vaughn

[Mxsmanic]

Mike Gaskins writes:

> Where did I say I hadn't consulted a doctor?

"... I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet ..."

Which would be unusual if you had consulted a doctor.

> Are you suggesting that after having lost consciousness 3 times in the
> last few months I should climb into a plane at this point?

No.

I'm suggesting that if you are seriously interested in flying, it is perhaps
premature to "hang up your wings" with the precipitation that you seem
determined to exercise.