On 9/27/2005 23:48, Chuck wrote:

Hi everyone,

I've run into a problem with renewing my medical because of a
diagnosis of Sleep Apnea. It didn't cause me to fail my medical, but
I didn't pass either.

Since the AME had never run into a pilot with Sleep Apnea before, he
wound up calling Oklahoma and talking to the FAA. The FAA person had
the doctor "defer" the medical and send the paperwork to them.

I spoke with the doctor for quite a while and he feels sure that the
FAA will eventually approve the medical and I'll be flying again. But
he thinks that the FAA will be asking for paperwork on my diagnosis
and test results. And he suggests I get together as much information
as possible -- for when the FAA does ask for it. I'm working on that.

But in the meantime, I was wondering if anyone out there has been in
the same situation before? Has anyone out there run into a medical
problem because of Sleep Apnea? Or does anyone know of a pilot with
the problem???

I am a pilot and I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea.


I'd really like to speak to anyone with similar experience. I'd like
to talk about how their situation resolved and any
suggestions/recommendations they might have in dealing with the FAA.

When I went to the AME, he asked about my treatment regime. I explained
that I use the CPAP machine nightly, and get adequate sleep each night.

That was the end of it.

I seem to remember there was some test that would verify that I was
really fully awake, but I can't remember now if he even did that. I
think he didn't...


Having the FAA consider Apnea a problem is actually kind of curious.
Sleep Apnea isn't something that sneaks up on you like a stroke or
heart attack. Apnea just keeps you from sleeping correctly and if
you've had a problem while sleeping, you know it when you get up. So,
Apnea isn't something that should affect you while flying -- at least
I hope no one is sleeping at the controls.

Are you being treated for Apena now? Perhaps your case is not that severe.

Before I began treatment, I had a hard time keeping awake during the
day. In meetings especially, it was tortuous to stay awake. I've read
about cases where people with the condition can suddenly pass out, even
while operating heavy machinery or driving a car, etc.

I definitely would not want to see anyone with untreated apnea in any
situation that could be hazardous if they should suddenly fall asleep.

After beginning to use the CPAP machine, the difference was like night
and day. As mentioned by another poster, the condition builds up and
wears you down. With adequate treatment, you can function like a normal
person again.




And if you had a problem with Apnea the night before, you get up
tired and feeling bad -- and I'd really hope that someone in that
situation wouldn't get behind the controls!!! So, I'm a little
puzzled why the FAA consider it a possible flight problem -- but I'll
play along and supply anything they request.

Most people that have apnea don't even realize it, or don't realize
how sever it actually is. It's not something that can affect you
one night but not another.

Of course, there are a lot of things that can happen that would cause
me to take pause before climbing into an airplane as PIC. Not being able
to get enough (CPAP assisted) sleep the night before would certainly be
one of those.


Thanks for listening guys. And if anyone has any information, please
send it to me at or post it to this list.



Chuck
PA28-180



--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Sacramento, CA