Problematic medical for potential new student?

So, after a few years of putting it off (actually..."after a few years of
saving enough $$$"), I decided I want to get a private pilot cert.
Welllll...from the time that I first wanted to do that (about 10 years ago)
until now, I've had some changes in my medical status, which will
*definitely* require a waiver. The question to the group is, what are my
chances? In other words, I don't want to go through the hassle of getting
all my records together if there's not much of a chance I will receive the
waiver. On the other hand, if people think that the waiver is probable,
what steps should I take? Should I get the records together first and then
take the medical? See, I don't want to even start taking instruction (and
spend the $$) if there's not much of a chance that I'll be able to get the
cert...

In a nutshell:
31 year old otherwise healthy male (6'3" 190 lbs).

1998 or so, taken to the hospital due to an anxiety attack (severe heartburn
thought to be a heart attack that snowballed). Nothing serious, haven't had
one since...
12/00 - DUI
10/01, 02/02 - Hospitalizations for situational depression. (1 week each
time) Was prescribed Paxil at the time (see below)
08/02 - Over night observation hospitalization for slip-and-fall with loss
of conciousness. All tests (CT, Xray) negative, no residual effects
apparant.

Since about 1994 or so, I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my
knees. I have taken everything from Advil to Vioxx for relief (see below)

In early 2003, I was taken off the Paxil by my GP, showing no signs of
depression.

Now, within the past year or so, I started getting severe headaches. Note:
I have NOT seen a neurologist; but these headaches have been diagnosed by my
GP as migraine (with aura, by the way, so I actually know about 10 minutes
before they occur). At their peak they were occurring about 4-5 times a
month. This was also about the time that my GP put me on the COX-2
Inhibitor class of drugs (Vioxx/Bextra/Celebrex) for my knees. We were
playing "musical chairs" with the drugs to try to find the best acting drug
(none of them seemed to be particularly effective). This was due to..

Fatty liver diagnosis. I need to stay away from Tylenol and alcohol...

Anyway, back to the migraines. I was NOT put on any prophylactic for the
migranes, but prescribed a triptan for treating the attacks (specifically
Relpax).

About February of this year, my GP put my on Daypro (NSAID class) for my
knees and took me off the COX-2s. Since then (actually about 2 weeks
later), my migraines have stopped occurring...I have not required a dosage
of Relpax. Now I am beginning to wonder if it was actually the COX-2 drugs
that were partially responsible for the migraines.

So currently, my medical status is:

1) Fatty liver: Stay away from products containing Acetomenaphin , and also
alcohol.
2) Borderline high cholestorol: My GP wants me on Lipitor, but due to the
liver side effects I am wary. I have not started taking the drug, but am
first trying to lower it through diet and exercise
3) History of migraines. Controlled by acute intervention medications. No
attack in the past four months, could be related to the drug switching.
4) Osteoarthritis in the knees. Controlled by Daypro with no discernable
side effects except upset stomach if I don't take it with food.


What do y'all think, is it possible, or just a pipe dream?

Thanks...

I would say to go get the medical and see. If it is denied, you are only
out $100 roughly, but you may find out that you are qualified.

Also, there is the sport pilot stuff now, where you only need a drivers
license I believe. I actually haven't read all the sport pilot
requirements, but that is an option to look into if you can't get the
medical approved for the private rating.

Fred

"Doug S" wrote in message
...
So, after a few years of putting it off (actually..."after a few years of
saving enough $$$"), I decided I want to get a private pilot cert.
Welllll...from the time that I first wanted to do that (about 10 years
ago) until now, I've had some changes in my medical status, which will
*definitely* require a waiver. The question to the group is, what are my
chances? In other words, I don't want to go through the hassle of getting
all my records together if there's not much of a chance I will receive the
waiver. On the other hand, if people think that the waiver is probable,
what steps should I take? Should I get the records together first and
then take the medical? See, I don't want to even start taking instruction
(and spend the $$) if there's not much of a chance that I'll be able to
get the cert...

In a nutshell:
31 year old otherwise healthy male (6'3" 190 lbs).

1998 or so, taken to the hospital due to an anxiety attack (severe
heartburn thought to be a heart attack that snowballed). Nothing serious,
haven't had one since...
12/00 - DUI
10/01, 02/02 - Hospitalizations for situational depression. (1 week each
time) Was prescribed Paxil at the time (see below)
08/02 - Over night observation hospitalization for slip-and-fall with loss
of conciousness. All tests (CT, Xray) negative, no residual effects
apparant.

Since about 1994 or so, I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my
knees. I have taken everything from Advil to Vioxx for relief (see below)

In early 2003, I was taken off the Paxil by my GP, showing no signs of
depression.

Now, within the past year or so, I started getting severe headaches.
Note: I have NOT seen a neurologist; but these headaches have been
diagnosed by my GP as migraine (with aura, by the way, so I actually know
about 10 minutes before they occur). At their peak they were occurring
about 4-5 times a month. This was also about the time that my GP put me
on the COX-2 Inhibitor class of drugs (Vioxx/Bextra/Celebrex) for my
knees. We were playing "musical chairs" with the drugs to try to find the
best acting drug (none of them seemed to be particularly effective). This
was due to..

Fatty liver diagnosis. I need to stay away from Tylenol and alcohol...

Anyway, back to the migraines. I was NOT put on any prophylactic for the
migranes, but prescribed a triptan for treating the attacks (specifically
Relpax).

About February of this year, my GP put my on Daypro (NSAID class) for my
knees and took me off the COX-2s. Since then (actually about 2 weeks
later), my migraines have stopped occurring...I have not required a dosage
of Relpax. Now I am beginning to wonder if it was actually the COX-2
drugs that were partially responsible for the migraines.

So currently, my medical status is:

1) Fatty liver: Stay away from products containing Acetomenaphin , and
also alcohol.
2) Borderline high cholestorol: My GP wants me on Lipitor, but due to the
liver side effects I am wary. I have not started taking the drug, but am
first trying to lower it through diet and exercise
3) History of migraines. Controlled by acute intervention medications.
No attack in the past four months, could be related to the drug switching.
4) Osteoarthritis in the knees. Controlled by Daypro with no discernable
side effects except upset stomach if I don't take it with food.


What do y'all think, is it possible, or just a pipe dream?

Thanks...

Before following Fred's advice below I would check the Sport Pilot medical
info. I think a refusal of a medical may prevent you from using a driver's
license for light sport.


"Fred Choate" wrote in message
...
I would say to go get the medical and see. If it is denied, you are only
out $100 roughly, but you may find out that you are qualified.

Also, there is the sport pilot stuff now, where you only need a drivers
license I believe. I actually haven't read all the sport pilot
requirements, but that is an option to look into if you can't get the
medical approved for the private rating.

Fred

"Doug S" wrote in message
...
So, after a few years of putting it off (actually..."after a few years of
saving enough $$$"), I decided I want to get a private pilot cert.
Welllll...from the time that I first wanted to do that (about 10 years
ago) until now, I've had some changes in my medical status, which will
*definitely* require a waiver. The question to the group is, what are my
chances? In other words, I don't want to go through the hassle of
getting all my records together if there's not much of a chance I will
receive the waiver. On the other hand, if people think that the waiver
is probable, what steps should I take? Should I get the records together
first and then take the medical? See, I don't want to even start taking
instruction (and spend the $$) if there's not much of a chance that I'll
be able to get the cert...

In a nutshell:
31 year old otherwise healthy male (6'3" 190 lbs).

1998 or so, taken to the hospital due to an anxiety attack (severe
heartburn thought to be a heart attack that snowballed). Nothing
serious, haven't had one since...
12/00 - DUI
10/01, 02/02 - Hospitalizations for situational depression. (1 week each
time) Was prescribed Paxil at the time (see below)
08/02 - Over night observation hospitalization for slip-and-fall with
loss of conciousness. All tests (CT, Xray) negative, no residual effects
apparant.

Since about 1994 or so, I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my
knees. I have taken everything from Advil to Vioxx for relief (see below)

In early 2003, I was taken off the Paxil by my GP, showing no signs of
depression.

Now, within the past year or so, I started getting severe headaches.
Note: I have NOT seen a neurologist; but these headaches have been
diagnosed by my GP as migraine (with aura, by the way, so I actually know
about 10 minutes before they occur). At their peak they were occurring
about 4-5 times a month. This was also about the time that my GP put me
on the COX-2 Inhibitor class of drugs (Vioxx/Bextra/Celebrex) for my
knees. We were playing "musical chairs" with the drugs to try to find
the best acting drug (none of them seemed to be particularly effective).
This was due to..

Fatty liver diagnosis. I need to stay away from Tylenol and alcohol...

Anyway, back to the migraines. I was NOT put on any prophylactic for the
migranes, but prescribed a triptan for treating the attacks (specifically
Relpax).

About February of this year, my GP put my on Daypro (NSAID class) for my
knees and took me off the COX-2s. Since then (actually about 2 weeks
later), my migraines have stopped occurring...I have not required a
dosage of Relpax. Now I am beginning to wonder if it was actually the
COX-2 drugs that were partially responsible for the migraines.

So currently, my medical status is:

1) Fatty liver: Stay away from products containing Acetomenaphin , and
also alcohol.
2) Borderline high cholestorol: My GP wants me on Lipitor, but due to the
liver side effects I am wary. I have not started taking the drug, but am
first trying to lower it through diet and exercise
3) History of migraines. Controlled by acute intervention medications.
No attack in the past four months, could be related to the drug
switching.
4) Osteoarthritis in the knees. Controlled by Daypro with no discernable
side effects except upset stomach if I don't take it with food.


What do y'all think, is it possible, or just a pipe dream?

Thanks...

Dan, you may be right.......

I am reading the FAR's right now, and under 61.23 in section C paragraph 2
there is some language there that may support what you say.

Fred


"Daniel L. Lieberman" wrote in message
...
Before following Fred's advice below I would check the Sport Pilot medical
info. I think a refusal of a medical may prevent you from using a driver's
license for light sport.


"Fred Choate" wrote in message
...
I would say to go get the medical and see. If it is denied, you are only
out $100 roughly, but you may find out that you are qualified.

Also, there is the sport pilot stuff now, where you only need a drivers
license I believe. I actually haven't read all the sport pilot
requirements, but that is an option to look into if you can't get the
medical approved for the private rating.

Fred

"Doug S" wrote in message
...
So, after a few years of putting it off (actually..."after a few years
of saving enough $$$"), I decided I want to get a private pilot cert.
Welllll...from the time that I first wanted to do that (about 10 years
ago) until now, I've had some changes in my medical status, which will
*definitely* require a waiver. The question to the group is, what are
my chances? In other words, I don't want to go through the hassle of
getting all my records together if there's not much of a chance I will
receive the waiver. On the other hand, if people think that the waiver
is probable, what steps should I take? Should I get the records
together first and then take the medical? See, I don't want to even
start taking instruction (and spend the $$) if there's not much of a
chance that I'll be able to get the cert...

In a nutshell:
31 year old otherwise healthy male (6'3" 190 lbs).

1998 or so, taken to the hospital due to an anxiety attack (severe
heartburn thought to be a heart attack that snowballed). Nothing
serious, haven't had one since...
12/00 - DUI
10/01, 02/02 - Hospitalizations for situational depression. (1 week each
time) Was prescribed Paxil at the time (see below)
08/02 - Over night observation hospitalization for slip-and-fall with
loss of conciousness. All tests (CT, Xray) negative, no residual
effects apparant.

Since about 1994 or so, I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my
knees. I have taken everything from Advil to Vioxx for relief (see
below)

In early 2003, I was taken off the Paxil by my GP, showing no signs of
depression.

Now, within the past year or so, I started getting severe headaches.
Note: I have NOT seen a neurologist; but these headaches have been
diagnosed by my GP as migraine (with aura, by the way, so I actually
know about 10 minutes before they occur). At their peak they were
occurring about 4-5 times a month. This was also about the time that my
GP put me on the COX-2 Inhibitor class of drugs (Vioxx/Bextra/Celebrex)
for my knees. We were playing "musical chairs" with the drugs to try to
find the best acting drug (none of them seemed to be particularly
effective). This was due to..

Fatty liver diagnosis. I need to stay away from Tylenol and alcohol...

Anyway, back to the migraines. I was NOT put on any prophylactic for
the migranes, but prescribed a triptan for treating the attacks
(specifically Relpax).

About February of this year, my GP put my on Daypro (NSAID class) for my
knees and took me off the COX-2s. Since then (actually about 2 weeks
later), my migraines have stopped occurring...I have not required a
dosage of Relpax. Now I am beginning to wonder if it was actually the
COX-2 drugs that were partially responsible for the migraines.

So currently, my medical status is:

1) Fatty liver: Stay away from products containing Acetomenaphin , and
also alcohol.
2) Borderline high cholestorol: My GP wants me on Lipitor, but due to
the liver side effects I am wary. I have not started taking the drug,
but am first trying to lower it through diet and exercise
3) History of migraines. Controlled by acute intervention medications.
No attack in the past four months, could be related to the drug
switching.
4) Osteoarthritis in the knees. Controlled by Daypro with no
discernable side effects except upset stomach if I don't take it with
food.


What do y'all think, is it possible, or just a pipe dream?

Thanks...

That is a fact: If you have been denied a medical, you can't fly sport
pilot either.

"Fred Choate" wrote in message
...
Dan, you may be right.......

I am reading the FAR's right now, and under 61.23 in section C paragraph 2
there is some language there that may support what you say.

Fred


"Daniel L. Lieberman" wrote in message
...
Before following Fred's advice below I would check the Sport Pilot
medical
info. I think a refusal of a medical may prevent you from using a
driver's
license for light sport.


"Fred Choate" wrote in message
...
I would say to go get the medical and see. If it is denied, you are
only
out $100 roughly, but you may find out that you are qualified.

Also, there is the sport pilot stuff now, where you only need a drivers
license I believe. I actually haven't read all the sport pilot
requirements, but that is an option to look into if you can't get the
medical approved for the private rating.

Fred

"Doug S" wrote in message
...
So, after a few years of putting it off (actually..."after a few years
of saving enough $$$"), I decided I want to get a private pilot cert.
Welllll...from the time that I first wanted to do that (about 10 years
ago) until now, I've had some changes in my medical status, which will
*definitely* require a waiver. The question to the group is, what are
my chances? In other words, I don't want to go through the hassle of
getting all my records together if there's not much of a chance I will
receive the waiver. On the other hand, if people think that the
waiver
is probable, what steps should I take? Should I get the records
together first and then take the medical? See, I don't want to even
start taking instruction (and spend the $$) if there's not much of a
chance that I'll be able to get the cert...

In a nutshell:
31 year old otherwise healthy male (6'3" 190 lbs).

1998 or so, taken to the hospital due to an anxiety attack (severe
heartburn thought to be a heart attack that snowballed). Nothing
serious, haven't had one since...
12/00 - DUI
10/01, 02/02 - Hospitalizations for situational depression. (1 week
each
time) Was prescribed Paxil at the time (see below)
08/02 - Over night observation hospitalization for slip-and-fall with
loss of conciousness. All tests (CT, Xray) negative, no residual
effects apparant.

Since about 1994 or so, I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in
my
knees. I have taken everything from Advil to Vioxx for relief (see
below)

In early 2003, I was taken off the Paxil by my GP, showing no signs of
depression.

Now, within the past year or so, I started getting severe headaches.
Note: I have NOT seen a neurologist; but these headaches have been
diagnosed by my GP as migraine (with aura, by the way, so I actually
know about 10 minutes before they occur). At their peak they were
occurring about 4-5 times a month. This was also about the time that
my
GP put me on the COX-2 Inhibitor class of drugs
(Vioxx/Bextra/Celebrex)
for my knees. We were playing "musical chairs" with the drugs to try
to
find the best acting drug (none of them seemed to be particularly
effective). This was due to..

Fatty liver diagnosis. I need to stay away from Tylenol and
alcohol...

Anyway, back to the migraines. I was NOT put on any prophylactic for
the migranes, but prescribed a triptan for treating the attacks
(specifically Relpax).

About February of this year, my GP put my on Daypro (NSAID class) for
my
knees and took me off the COX-2s. Since then (actually about 2 weeks
later), my migraines have stopped occurring...I have not required a
dosage of Relpax. Now I am beginning to wonder if it was actually the
COX-2 drugs that were partially responsible for the migraines.

So currently, my medical status is:

1) Fatty liver: Stay away from products containing Acetomenaphin , and
also alcohol.
2) Borderline high cholestorol: My GP wants me on Lipitor, but due to
the liver side effects I am wary. I have not started taking the drug,
but am first trying to lower it through diet and exercise
3) History of migraines. Controlled by acute intervention
medications.
No attack in the past four months, could be related to the drug
switching.
4) Osteoarthritis in the knees. Controlled by Daypro with no
discernable side effects except upset stomach if I don't take it with
food.


What do y'all think, is it possible, or just a pipe dream?

Thanks...

I wonder what the following situation would be:

Lets say you have a valid medical, go in, and are denied the next one
(for some improvable reason, like you failed the eye exam or high blood
pressure). You then later return and pass the medical. After the
valid one expires, can you then fly Sport Pilot? It would really bite
to not have the option if someone failed an eye exam or something 20
years ago because they didn't know they needed glasses yet.

Fred Choate wrote:
I would say to go get the medical and see. If it is denied, you are only
out $100 roughly, but you may find out that you are qualified.

Also, there is the sport pilot stuff now, where you only need a drivers
license I believe. I actually haven't read all the sport pilot
requirements, but that is an option to look into if you can't get the
medical approved for the private rating.

If you intend to go the sport pilot route, don't even think about trying for a
medical certificate. If the certificate is denied, you will not be able to fly
sport pilot either.

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.

George Patterson writes:
If you intend to go the sport pilot route, don't even think about
trying for a medical certificate. If the certificate is denied, you
will not be able to fly sport pilot either.

So this I don't understand.

My understanding of the sport pilot is "this is for folks who don't
want to invest the time, money, and effort it takes to get/maintain a
private pilot certificate."

On the other hand, many folks seem to think that the sport pilot
license is the license for folks who can't or think they can't pass a
medical.

Isn't one of the requirements of flying sport pilot that you swear you
are in good health? If you think you may not pass a medical, can you
honestly say you think you are in good health?

Chris
--
Chris Colohan Email: PGP: finger
Web: www.colohan.com Phone: (412)268-4751

Isn't one of the requirements of flying sport pilot that you swear you
are in good health? If you think you may not pass a medical, can you
honestly say you think you are in good health?

"Good" has different values for different endeavors. One of the things
about the sport pilot is that he is restricted from flying certain
aircraft, certain weather, stuff like that, whereas a private pilot
would not have those restrictions. So, one doesn't have to be in as
"good" health to be good enough for sport pilot as one would need to for
a private pilot.

Jose
--
Nothing takes longer than a shortcut.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Jose wrote:
. One of the things
about the sport pilot is that he is restricted from flying certain
aircraft, certain weather, stuff like that, whereas a private pilot
would not have those restrictions. So, one doesn't have to be in as
"good" health to be good enough for sport pilot as one would need to for
a private pilot.


Do you honestly think there aren't restrictions for private pilots? Try to rent
a B-747. Or even a Baron, if you lack a MEL rating. We won't even go into the
VFR-only types.

There are nothing but restrictions. It doesn't really matter what level of
license you hold.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE