I lost my medical, what do I do?

buttman wrote:
Is the
atitude over at the FAA along the lines of "banned medication = no
medical under any circumstances" or is it up for case-to-case review?


You need to consult with a doctor that is familiar with the FAA
requirements. Start with AOPA.

The bad news is that there is no way the FAA is even going to
consider a waiver for you to take Celexa even if you were taking
it to relieve a hangnail.

On Tue, 14 Feb 2006 08:38:56 -0600, "Gig 601XL Builder"
wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote:


"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
om...
Gig 601XL Builder wrote:

The problem you are going to have is not so much the medication as the
underlying condition. Hop over to the AOPA web site and read this...
http://www.aopa.org/members/files/medical/psych2.html


Actually it is both. The FAA refuses to accept any legitimate
purpose for drugs that have any psychoactive connotations. This
means no SSRIs period, no wellbutrin for smoking cessation, no
weak dosages of trycyclics for autonomic muscle spasms, etc...

They have their heads up their asses with regard to this.

I don't think so. I had a friend who smoked but was otherwise completely
healthy both mentally and physically. He went on Wellbutrin and before he
even got to the point where you stop smoking he displayed a marked
psychological change. He would flash from angry to sad in a matter of
minutes. He saw it for what it was and stopped taking Wellbutrin. The
problems stopped in a mater of days.

The psychoactive drugs can effect different people different ways and even
the same person in different ways over a period of time.

As do many over-the-counter meds. You take them for a while to see if
there is any adverse side effects and if none, you fly.

Quite some time back I took an antibiotic which killed all the good
critters as well as the bad. I didn't fly, of course part of that was
because I didn't dare get more than about a 100 feet from the can for
a while.

Many people have some reaction to specific foods and probably most
haven't even made the connection. I don't know the numbers, but my
understanding is, it's quite a large number. Just because a bunch
of people have a reaction to ... say tomatoes, they are not a banned
substance and if you have an allergy or reaction to them you report
it, and stay away from tomatoes.

I agree with Ron, if the person has no adverse effects from the drugs
and does not have physiological problems then why ban them when the
purpose for the prescription is not a problem.



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

Just because a bunch
of people have a reaction to ... say tomatoes, they are not a banned
substance and if you have an allergy or reaction to them you report
it, and stay away from tomatoes.

Report it? To whom? For what purpose?

Jose
--
Money: what you need when you run out of brains.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

"Roger" wrote in message
...

As do many over-the-counter meds. You take them for a while to see if
there is any adverse side effects and if none, you fly.

Quite some time back I took an antibiotic which killed all the good
critters as well as the bad. I didn't fly, of course part of that was
because I didn't dare get more than about a 100 feet from the can for
a while.

Many people have some reaction to specific foods and probably most
haven't even made the connection. I don't know the numbers, but my
understanding is, it's quite a large number. Just because a bunch
of people have a reaction to ... say tomatoes, they are not a banned
substance and if you have an allergy or reaction to them you report
it, and stay away from tomatoes.

I agree with Ron, if the person has no adverse effects from the drugs
and does not have physiological problems then why ban them when the
purpose for the prescription is not a problem.




There is a wide difference from the effects of a food allergy and that of a
psychoactive drug. The psychoactive drug effect can be very slow onset and
not outwardly visible. Add to that the fact the effect may be that you want
to kill yourself or someone else I think the FAA has a pretty good set of
rules in effect on this one.

On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 08:15:13 -0600, "Gig 601XL Builder"
wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote:


"Roger" wrote in message
.. .

As do many over-the-counter meds. You take them for a while to see if
there is any adverse side effects and if none, you fly.

Quite some time back I took an antibiotic which killed all the good
critters as well as the bad. I didn't fly, of course part of that was
because I didn't dare get more than about a 100 feet from the can for
a while.

Many people have some reaction to specific foods and probably most
haven't even made the connection. I don't know the numbers, but my
understanding is, it's quite a large number. Just because a bunch
of people have a reaction to ... say tomatoes, they are not a banned
substance and if you have an allergy or reaction to them you report
it, and stay away from tomatoes.

I agree with Ron, if the person has no adverse effects from the drugs
and does not have physiological problems then why ban them when the
purpose for the prescription is not a problem.




There is a wide difference from the effects of a food allergy and that of a
psychoactive drug. The psychoactive drug effect can be very slow onset and
not outwardly visible. Add to that the fact the effect may be that you want
to kill yourself or someone else I think the FAA has a pretty good set of
rules in effect on this one.


In my view, this attitude is tragic and uninformed. It ignores the
living experiences of many who benefit from these medications and who
function better with them than without them in all aspects of their
lives.

"Jim" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 08:15:13 -0600, "Gig 601XL Builder"
wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote:


"Roger" wrote in message
. ..

As do many over-the-counter meds. You take them for a while to see if
there is any adverse side effects and if none, you fly.

Quite some time back I took an antibiotic which killed all the good
critters as well as the bad. I didn't fly, of course part of that was
because I didn't dare get more than about a 100 feet from the can for
a while.

Many people have some reaction to specific foods and probably most
haven't even made the connection. I don't know the numbers, but my
understanding is, it's quite a large number. Just because a bunch
of people have a reaction to ... say tomatoes, they are not a banned
substance and if you have an allergy or reaction to them you report
it, and stay away from tomatoes.

I agree with Ron, if the person has no adverse effects from the drugs
and does not have physiological problems then why ban them when the
purpose for the prescription is not a problem.




There is a wide difference from the effects of a food allergy and that of
a
psychoactive drug. The psychoactive drug effect can be very slow onset and
not outwardly visible. Add to that the fact the effect may be that you
want
to kill yourself or someone else I think the FAA has a pretty good set of
rules in effect on this one.


In my view, this attitude is tragic and uninformed. It ignores the
living experiences of many who benefit from these medications and who
function better with them than without them in all aspects of their
lives.

I'm not saying that the drugs aren't needed by people. Far from it. But to
think that they can have no side effects that would negatively effect
someone's ability to safely fly an aircraft shows that you don't fully
understand how these drugs can react with different individuals.

I'm a big fan on pain medication if I've been injured. But I don't think I
should fly while I've got a morphine drip attached to my arm.

On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 09:27:14 -0600, "Gig 601XL Builder"
wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote:


"Jim" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 08:15:13 -0600, "Gig 601XL Builder"
wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote:


"Roger" wrote in message
...

As do many over-the-counter meds. You take them for a while to see if
there is any adverse side effects and if none, you fly.

Quite some time back I took an antibiotic which killed all the good
critters as well as the bad. I didn't fly, of course part of that was
because I didn't dare get more than about a 100 feet from the can for
a while.

Many people have some reaction to specific foods and probably most
haven't even made the connection. I don't know the numbers, but my
understanding is, it's quite a large number. Just because a bunch
of people have a reaction to ... say tomatoes, they are not a banned
substance and if you have an allergy or reaction to them you report
it, and stay away from tomatoes.

I agree with Ron, if the person has no adverse effects from the drugs
and does not have physiological problems then why ban them when the
purpose for the prescription is not a problem.




There is a wide difference from the effects of a food allergy and that of
a
psychoactive drug. The psychoactive drug effect can be very slow onset and
not outwardly visible. Add to that the fact the effect may be that you
want
to kill yourself or someone else I think the FAA has a pretty good set of
rules in effect on this one.


In my view, this attitude is tragic and uninformed. It ignores the
living experiences of many who benefit from these medications and who
function better with them than without them in all aspects of their
lives.

I'm not saying that the drugs aren't needed by people. Far from it. But to
think that they can have no side effects that would negatively effect
someone's ability to safely fly an aircraft shows that you don't fully
understand how these drugs can react with different individuals.

I'm a big fan on pain medication if I've been injured. But I don't think I
should fly while I've got a morphine drip attached to my arm.


No, this is simply not correct. I do understand. And it is shocking
to have "a morphine drip" offered as an analogy to the medications
being discussed.

That these medications, like perhaps all medications, CAN have effects
contrary to safe flying is true. That they MUST have such effects is
not true and ignores that, on the contrary, such medications CAN have
a positive effect on an individual's performance - in flying as well
as in other activities.

Jim wrote:
On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 08:15:13 -0600, "Gig 601XL Builder"
wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote:


"Roger" wrote in message
. ..


As do many over-the-counter meds. You take them for a while to see if
there is any adverse side effects and if none, you fly.

Quite some time back I took an antibiotic which killed all the good
critters as well as the bad. I didn't fly, of course part of that was
because I didn't dare get more than about a 100 feet from the can for
a while.

Many people have some reaction to specific foods and probably most
haven't even made the connection. I don't know the numbers, but my
understanding is, it's quite a large number. Just because a bunch
of people have a reaction to ... say tomatoes, they are not a banned
substance and if you have an allergy or reaction to them you report
it, and stay away from tomatoes.

I agree with Ron, if the person has no adverse effects from the drugs
and does not have physiological problems then why ban them when the
purpose for the prescription is not a problem.




There is a wide difference from the effects of a food allergy and that of a
psychoactive drug. The psychoactive drug effect can be very slow onset and
not outwardly visible. Add to that the fact the effect may be that you want
to kill yourself or someone else I think the FAA has a pretty good set of
rules in effect on this one.



In my view, this attitude is tragic and uninformed. It ignores the
living experiences of many who benefit from these medications and who
function better with them than without them in all aspects of their
lives.

So what happens when someone forgets to take their medicine or slips and
ends up in a major depressive episode and *won't* take it?

"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
newsQAGf.79254$QW2.71112@dukeread08...
What is the reason for the medication is what determines
what happens after you quit using the drug and it has
cleared your system. You don't have to tell the FAA
anything until your next physical exam and then you are
required to report the treatment and doctor visit. As long
as your current medical has not expired, you have not "lost
it" but you're required to self-ground as long as you're on
the medication or the underlying medical condition would
still make you ineligible for a medical certificate.
Consult with your treating doctor, check the FAA drug list
with the AOPA [you should be a member] www.aopa.org and
never lie or conceal your condition from the FAA, just don't
apply unless you know you'll pass. You have over a year to
get clean. Even then as long as there is no official
grounding, you can continue to fly as a Sport Instructor
with just your DL.
Google finds a lot of info on the drug and side effects.

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Use...ml#sideEffects
Brand Name(s): Celexa
Generic Name Citalopram

What are citalopram tablets?
CITALOPRAM (CelexaT) is a medicine for depression and
other related problems. You may have to take citalopram for
up to 4 weeks or longer before you begin to feel better.
Generic citalopram tablets are available.

What should my health care professional know before I
take citalopram?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
.diabetes
.heart disease
.kidney disease
.liver disease
.mania
.receive electroconvulsive therapy
.seizures (convulsions)
.suicidal thoughts or a previous suicide attempt
.an unusual or allergic reaction to citalopram, the
related drug escitalopram, other medicines, foods, dyes, or
preservatives
.pregnant or trying to become pregnant
.breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?
Take citalopram tablets by mouth. Follow the
directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets
with a drink of water. Citalopram can be taken with or
without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not
take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop
taking except on your prescriber or health care
professional's advice.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of citalopram, take it as soon as
possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing
schedule. Follow your prescriber or health care
professional's advice on missed doses. Do not take double or
extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with citalopram?
Do not take citalopram with any of the following
medications:
.cisapride
.escitalopram
.medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil®),
tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®),
selegiline (Eldepryl®)

Citalopram may also interact with the following
medications:
.alosetron
.alprazolam
.amphetamine
.aspirin, warfarin, or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen
.buspirone
.carbamazepine
.certain diet drugs (dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine,
phentermine, sibutramine)
.clarithromycin
.cimetidine
.cyproheptadine
.dexamethasone
.dextromethorphan
.dextroamphetamine
.diazepam
.diltiazem
.erythromycin
.ethosuximide
.furazolidone
.grapefruit juice
.kava kava
.ketoconazole
.linezolid
.lithium
.medicines that treat depression or other mood
problems
.medicines that treat HIV infection or AIDS
.methadone
.migraine headache medicines (almotriptan, eletriptan,
frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan,
zolmitriptan)
.medicines for psychosis or severe mood problems
.modafinil
.nefazodone
.nicardipine
.phenobarbital
.phenytoin
.prescription pain relievers (codeine, hydrocodone,
meperidine, morphine, tramadol, oxycodone)
.primidone
.procarbazine
.quinine
.rifabutin
.rifampin
.St. John's Wort
.troglitazone
.tryptophan
.valerian
.verapamil

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about
all other medicines you are taking, including
non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or
health care professional if you are a frequent user of
grapefruit juice, drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you
smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way
your medicine works. Check with your health care
professional before stopping or starting any of your
medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking citalopram?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber
or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
.confusion
.dizziness or lightheadedness
.skin rash, itching (hives)
.fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are
out of control
.suicidal thoughts
.vomiting
More common:
.agitation, anxiety, or restlessness, especially in
the first week of treatment or when doses are changed

Side effects that usually do not require medical
attention (report to your prescriber or health care
professional if they continue or are bothersome):
.blurred vision
.diarrhea
.difficulty sleeping
.drowsiness
.dry mouth
.fever
.frequent urination
.headache
.indigestion, nausea
.increased or decreased appetite
.increased sweating
.sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or
desire)
.taste alterations
.tremor (shaking)
.weight changes

What should I watch for while taking citalopram?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for
regular checks on your progress. Continue to take your
tablets even if you do not immediately feel better. It can
take about 4 weeks before you feel the full effect of
citalopram.

Patients and their families should watch out for
worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out
for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling
anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive,
impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and
hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens,
especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or
after a change in dose, call your health care professional.

If you have been taking citalopram regularly for some
time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually
reduce the dose, or your symptoms may get worse. Ask your
prescriber or health care professional for advice.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use
machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until
you know how citalopram affects you. Do not stand or sit up
quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This
reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may
interfere with the effect of citalopram. Avoid alcoholic
drinks.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies
without asking your prescriber or health care professional
for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side
effects.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or
sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber
or health care professional that you are taking citalopram.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of reach of children in a container that
small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C
(59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after
the expiration date.


Available at: www.DrugDigest.org Last
Updated:02/04/2005



© 2005 Express Scripts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
These materials are the property of Express Scripts,
Inc. and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other
laws. Permission for use is granted only for personal,
noncommercial purposes.





FAR 61.53 prohibits a person from acting as pilot in command
or as a required pilot flight crew member while that person
(1) "knows or has reason to know of any medical condition
that would make the person unable to meet the requirements
for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot
operation"; or, (2) "Is taking medication or receiving other
treatment for a medical condition that results in the person
being unable to meet the requirements for the medical
certificate necessary for the pilot operation."

FAR 91.17 states (a) No person may act or attempt to act as
a pilot crewmember of a civil aircraft...

(3) While using any drug that affects the person's faculties
in any way contrary to safety...




--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.




"buttman" wrote in message
oups.com...
| I'm a CFI with a first class medical issued 6/15/05. I
began taking a
| banned medication (celexa) about a week ago. I have not
flown since I
| started the drugs, and I don't plan on returning until the
medication
| stops (the doc said that may not be for another 6-12
months). When I
| "get back" will my current medical still be current, or
will I have to
| reapply for a new one? Am I supposed to tell the FAA about
this, or do
| I just wait it out or what?
|



Once again, Jim is right. You don't have to report it until your next
physical. I am going through the same thing with Prozac, and have a letter
here from the FAA medical division. They will be looking for 90 days off the
proscribed drug, and a clean bill of health. You may qualify by the time you
go for another physical. If you don't think you'll pass, don't apply. A
denial removes your sport pilot privileges.

Al

Ok, but you've been taking "insert drug here", for ten years, under
supervision, and have shown no side effects. Now do you think that the label
that says "Could" or "Possibly" still apply to you? I've flown with a
depressed pilot, on and off for 14 years. He eventually tried to kill
himself in a lear24 with me as the co-pilot. Do you think anyone was better
off for his lack of treatment? Not me. Ymmv.

Also, Jim has a point. There are people out there with a minor imbalance
in blood chemicals, that can be chemically treated successfully without side
effects.
Once they are fixed, why muck with them anymore?

Al CFIAMI

"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote in message
...

"Jim" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 09:27:14 -0600, "Gig 601XL Builder"
wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote:


"Jim" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 08:15:13 -0600, "Gig 601XL Builder"
wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote:


"Roger" wrote in message
om...

As do many over-the-counter meds. You take them for a while to see
if
there is any adverse side effects and if none, you fly.

Quite some time back I took an antibiotic which killed all the good
critters as well as the bad. I didn't fly, of course part of that
was
because I didn't dare get more than about a 100 feet from the can for
a while.

Many people have some reaction to specific foods and probably most
haven't even made the connection. I don't know the numbers, but my
understanding is, it's quite a large number. Just because a bunch
of people have a reaction to ... say tomatoes, they are not a banned
substance and if you have an allergy or reaction to them you report
it, and stay away from tomatoes.

I agree with Ron, if the person has no adverse effects from the
drugs
and does not have physiological problems then why ban them when the
purpose for the prescription is not a problem.




There is a wide difference from the effects of a food allergy and that
of
a
psychoactive drug. The psychoactive drug effect can be very slow onset
and
not outwardly visible. Add to that the fact the effect may be that you
want
to kill yourself or someone else I think the FAA has a pretty good set
of
rules in effect on this one.


In my view, this attitude is tragic and uninformed. It ignores the
living experiences of many who benefit from these medications and who
function better with them than without them in all aspects of their
lives.

I'm not saying that the drugs aren't needed by people. Far from it. But
to
think that they can have no side effects that would negatively effect
someone's ability to safely fly an aircraft shows that you don't fully
understand how these drugs can react with different individuals.

I'm a big fan on pain medication if I've been injured. But I don't think
I
should fly while I've got a morphine drip attached to my arm.


No, this is simply not correct. I do understand. And it is shocking
to have "a morphine drip" offered as an analogy to the medications
being discussed.

That these medications, like perhaps all medications, CAN have effects
contrary to safe flying is true. That they MUST have such effects is
not true and ignores that, on the contrary, such medications CAN have
a positive effect on an individual's performance - in flying as well
as in other activities.


Now for the last time I don't think these drugs are bad I fully understand
that they help people. I do think that those that have been diagnosed with
certain conditions and/or prescribed psychoactive drugs should not be
handed a medical without going through the waiver process.


The following is a direct quote from the prescribing information from
ZOLOFT.
"
The following symptoms, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia,
irritability, hostility

aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness),
hypomania, and mania, have

been reported in adult and pediatric patients being treated with
antidepressants for major

depressive disorder as well as for other indications, both psychiatric and
nonpsychiatric.

Although a causal link between the emergence of such symptoms and either
the worsening of

depression and/or the emergence of suicidal impulses has not been
established, there is concern

that such symptoms may represent precursors to emerging suicidality.

"