Medical renewal - war story

On Sat, 21 Oct 2006 03:36:31 -0500, "Jim Macklin"
wrote:

The AOPA members section has a ton of info on just what is
required to allow issuance in cases like yours, what
documents you need to take in, etc. They also have staff
doctors to talk to for help. They have a list of acceptable
to the FAA medications.
www.aopa.org

These people are well worth talking to.


I had pretty much the same situation as the OP but with an entirely
different outcome.

It's two things. The first just like taking the PTS is "be prepared"
and the second is finding an examiner who knows what needs to be done
and in what order. With the be prepared, we should all have regular
checkups with our own doctor. If anything turns up, get it taken care
of. It's rare for something like high blood pressure to just suddenly
turn up...well with a few exceptions like heavy traffic or a good
argument.

I had been diagnosed with mild hypertension (high blood pressure)
My doctor (he reads this NG) put me on medication and I set up an
exercise program. My BP went down and although it varies it's well
within acceptable limits. Now if those damn cookies would stop
jumping out and into my hands every time I pass the pantry it'd
probably be even better. I know my weight would.

I called the AOPA as I knew this *could* become a problem at medical
time. They have a "Hypertension" worksheet on line as a pdf. After
talking with them on the phone I printed it off, set up a schedule
for an EKG, and other tests that would be required including three
separate BP readings. My doctor filled out the work sheet and
included a letter stating the BP was controlled using medication and
exercise.

I took the paper work to the AME who did the regular check up, I could
find the eye chart (actually improved to 20:20 at distance but still
need glasses close up), my BP was fine. Every thing was in order. She
sent in the paper work along with the exam results and told me I'd
probably hear from the FAA within a few weeks if they had any
questions. That was two medicals ago and they still seem happy.

I think diet and exercise are as important as the medication or even
more so when it comes to lowering the BP.

But again...particularly for those of us over 40, OK way over 40 it's
a good idea to have regular checkups and if there are any questions
call the AOPA well ahead of time.

They can provide a list of doctors to you.



"joel williams" wrote in message
.. .
|I have been a private pilot for about 20 years.
| My usual practice is to go for a medical in the
| beginning of the month in which my current medical
expires.
| That way I get the full 24 months of coverage (class 2).
| Bad idea.

Usually I go within a day or two of expiration, plus or minus. On my
schedule I will have had a regular physical within a couple of months
prior to taking the medical so I should have a good idea if there may
be problems or not.

Another thing is to be conscious of the repercussions for any
medication. Don't make the mistake of assuming that because your
medications have been OK for the last 15 years they are still OK. I
had been taking a nasal spray for congestion due to allergies for some
years. I check regularly but a year of so ago when I checked it had
moved from the acceptable to the banned list. So I immediately called
the Allergist and had my prescription changed to an acceptable spray.
Of course the acceptable spray costs more.


Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com