Hanging up my wings

Just figured I'd post here as I lurked and posted in the
rec.aviation.student groups a lot during training. Mostly looking to
vent some as I have no pilot-friends aside from my former
instructor.

Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
signs are pointing to me having panic disorder. I've no doubt that I
will/would fail my next medical; I don't even trust myself in the air
at the moment and have voluntarily grounded myself. Kinda
disappointing as I've always been so interested in flying and having
only started training about 2 and a half years ago (and having had my
PPL for less than a year); it's not fun to have to hang it up so
early.

Oh well. Just needed somewhere to rant a bit. I'm thinking I'll keep
going up every now and then with an instructor along; it's not the
same as solo (I actually enjoyed flying alone), but it's a safe and
legal way to get into the air.

Mike

Mike,

I am sorry to hear about this unexpected health problem. Ten
years ago, out of the blue, I had episodes of unexplained dizziness
and very short (few seconds) loss of consciousness. I went through a
barrage of tests and the neurologist could not find anything wrong.
The symptoms lasted only few months. When I got interested in
flying, my medical certificate application was turned down even though
I was completely symptoms free for over three years. After appealing
three times over the course of almost a year, and went through several
rounds of testing (the last round were some specific tests recommended
by a very helpful doctor from Oklahoma), the FAA finally relented and
granted me my medical. I have been flying intensively over the last 6
years (hit 700 hours mark last week).

Like you, while waiting for my medical certificate, I kept flying
with an instructor. I probably hold the record of most amount of
dual time before getting my pp certificate! So keep flying and good
luck.

Hai Longworth

"Mike Gaskins" wrote:

I've no doubt that I
will/would fail my next medical; I don't even trust myself in the air
at the moment and have voluntarily grounded myself.

Well, you've done the right thing to ground yourself, but the Fat Lady ain't
sung yet.

Don't give up without some more medical opinions and some help from AOPA.

Good luck.

--
Dan
T-182T at BFM

"Mike Gaskins" wrote in message
ups.com...
...
Oh well. Just needed somewhere to rant a bit. I'm thinking I'll keep
going up every now and then with an instructor along; it's not the
same as solo (I actually enjoyed flying alone), but it's a safe and
legal way to get into the air.



Sorry to hear that.

FWIW - you don have to fly with an "instuctor" - look for a private pilot
buddy and you could save a few bucks and still be safe and legal.

--
Geoff
The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com
remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail
When immigration is outlawed, only outlaws will immigrate.

"Dan Luke" wrote in message
...

"Mike Gaskins" wrote:

I've no doubt that I
will/would fail my next medical; I don't even trust myself in the air
at the moment and have voluntarily grounded myself.

Well, you've done the right thing to ground yourself, but the Fat Lady
ain't sung yet.

Don't give up without some more medical opinions and some help from AOPA.

Good luck.

--
Dan
T-182T at BFM


I agree with Dan. Find out more about it.

Well, you've done the right thing to ground yourself, but the Fat Lady
ain't sung yet.


And that's the truth.

Al G

In article . com,
Mike Gaskins wrote:


Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
signs are pointing to me having panic disorder.

Sorry to hear about that, Mike.

BTW, just a thought -- do you drink a lot of diet soft drinks? The
artificial sweeteners can upset the amino acid balance in some people.

On Aug 24, 7:39 pm, Orval Fairbairn wrote:
In article . com,
Mike Gaskins wrote:



Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
signs are pointing to me having panic disorder.

Sorry to hear about that, Mike.

BTW, just a thought -- do you drink a lot of diet soft drinks? The
artificial sweeteners can upset the amino acid balance in some people.

No, don't drink any diet ones, but definitely my fair share (too much)
of the regular ones. That has affected my weight a bit, but not to
the extent that it's caused any problems (my heart, blood pressure,
and sugar levels are all checking out a-ok). We'll see. My biggest
fear regarding the medical is that if I'm denied one I can't exercise
sport pilot - ever. I had kinda told myself that if this gets sorted
out and I go 10 years or so with no further problems, I'd certainly
like to freshen up and try the sport pilot option.

We'll see though. If I could retain my medical and safely fly I
certainly would want to take that route. I just wanna make sure that
I'm actually safe to go up before doing so. The nature of this that
stress or fear can trigger it, and the last thing I wanna do is get up
there and think "what if" and have the mere fear of an attack actually
trigger one . I'll definitely try to keep my options as open as
possible though.

And BTW thanks for all the suggestions guys. They really do help.

Mike

"Mike Gaskins" wrote in message
oups.com...
And BTW thanks for all the suggestions guys. They really do help.

I wish to echo the remarks of others; don't give up yet!

That said, have all of your ducks in a row before you see an AME.
Regardless of what happens next in your medical situation, you will have to
check "YES" to two killer questions should you decide to fill out another FAA
Form 8500-8. ("Dizziness or fainting spells" and "Unconsciousness for any
reason") Talk to the AOPA folks before you do that!

Vaughn

Mike Gaskins wrote:
Over the last few months I've unexpectedly lost consciousness 3 times
on two occasions (second time I went out again a few minutes later).
I've also had several episodes of not feeling "right" - dizzyness,
inability to focus, feeling disconnected, etc. I haven't been flying
at all during this time as I was afraid of anything happening in the
air, and now, though I haven't gotten an official diagnosis yet, all
signs are pointing to me having panic disorder.

Sorry to hear that. But I have to wonder - how do you feel about driving?
If you lose consciousness at the wrong time while driving it could lead to
a serious road accident.

Hope your prognosis is good.

Sorry to hear that. But I have to wonder - how do you feel about driving?
If you lose consciousness at the wrong time while driving it could lead to
a serious road accident.

Hope your prognosis is good.

Yes, we had a 20 year old apparently pass out or fall asleep while
driving here in Boise a week ago. He crossed into oncoming traffic in
his jeep and his a semi head on, killing him instantly. The truck
driver was not injured. Losing conciousness while driving could be as
bad as flying, perhaps worse.

Dean
AeroLEDs LLC
www.aeroleds.com