On 24 Jul 2005 16:35:09 -0700, wrote:

:Luckily, before signing all the papers, I stumbled on the FAA's
osition that Zyban automatically disqualifies you from obtaining a
:medical certificate. (I have been taking Zyban for smoking cessation
:for about 7 months).

Yes, Zyban is basically an anti-depression drug, and automatically
disqualifying.

Get a different AME. Stop taking Zyban. If you have to go to a
nicotine patch or gum, do so, it's not disqualifying. Since this is
your first medial, don't EVER mention that you've taken Zyban. And
even if you have to sell your wife's good china, join AOPA

I fly red-eye to across the US 2 to 4 times a month. I can't sleep on
airplanes, and started using a sleeping pill called Sonata. It's very
short acting, and wears off after 4 hours. I didn't know it was
disqualifying. After I got turned down for my medical I stopped
taking it (so I'm a zombie when I'm in Washington, but oh well). I
had to get every medical record I'd ever had, going back 20 years, and
letters from every doctor I had (including my urologist) that I wasn't
taking it any more. It took me 3 years to get my medical back. I had
to have a letter from a sleep disorder clinic that I didn't have a
sleep disorder.