"GEG" wrote in message
...
[...]
The thing that got me was the Bextra has no FAA restrictions
yet he wants medical records specifically on my use of Bextra.
Plus, I only have 2 weeks to get the info.

Is this normal?

Since probably most pilots don't take Bextra, I don't see how any handling
of Bextra could be considered "normal" one way or the other. Why the
two-week deadline, I don't know. That seems odd. Typically, any
irregularities like that would just result in your application being
"deferred" to the FAA offices in Oklahoma City. It should be out of your
AME's hands, the moment anything falls outside the normal procedures he's
supposed to follow.

There were a half-dozen other pilots through there, one older
gentleman who seemed as though he could barely walk and he went
right through (I'd imagine he is a professional pilot
and has been going there a long time.)

Do I need to worry? I mean, my hip condition isn't too bad (I did
have some surgery), and I know I can play hockey and lift weights
well beyond what the other pilots there were doing.

I don't think you need to worry about taking a medication that's not on the
FAA's restricted list. But as Dave says, for best results you might
consider becoming an AOPA member and availing yourself of their medical
advisors. They aren't perfect either, but they certainly can offer better
and more specific advice than most of us could.

[...]
Oh - he charged me $20 extra because of "extra paperwork" for the
items I need to follow up on and get sent to them.

Is that also normal?

Never heard of it myself. I've had a variety of "extra paperwork" type
issues over the years, and have never paid any additional fees. That said,
a $20 surcharge seems reasonable, for a doctor who wants to nickel and dime
everyone. Just be glad it's not $50.

Pete