Question about medical certificate and Zyban...

wrote:


I do not have any problem quitting Zyban. I do not think that I will
have any problems staying off the cigarettes once I quit Zyban.

Talk to your doctor and quit the Zyban. At some point you have to throw
away the crutch, and you've been on it plenty long. I do have experience
with this.

I am afraid, though, that because I have taken it that I may be forever
banned from piloting an airplane. Or maybe I have to be off the Zyban
for like 60 days and I'd pass with flying colors... But, if I go in
after 59 days, I'll get a big FAILED stamp put on the exam, which would
forever disqualify me from getting a sport pilot license (If that's all
I can get) -- or maybe even disqualify me from getting ANY license.

Unless there is an AME here, I doubt anyone can answer "how long" you
have to be off it. That's why the membership cost of AOPA is worth it.
They can answer questions like this. Some (of course not I)might say
that if you have been off the drug for a couple of weeks and are not
suffering any ill effects, why even report previous use? It's not like
it's an illegal drug. But spend the $39 for AOPA.

" Some (of course not I)might say
that if you have been off the drug for a couple of weeks and are not
suffering any ill effects, why even report previous use? It's not like
it's an illegal drug"

Honestly, not reporting the previous use is something that I
considered. (And quickly dismissed).

Ethics aside, I was under the impression that part of the exam was for
you to disclose any and all care providers, who would (be it
theoretical or not) disclose the usage to the AME.

But, regardless, as one who has jumped out of airplanes hundreds of
times, I have learned that the regulations are rarely put into place
arbitrarily. They are there to save my life, and the lives of my
potential passengers, and those below me, as well as to impart a level
of respect and confidence to the public at large.

Here's what the big fuss is about Zyban:

It's an altered-dosage form of Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is a psych med.
Look it up... I will not delve into the pretty much well known FAA
stance on psychotropic meds - its "not no, but hell no".

Also, Wellbutrin can lower the seizure threshold in individuals. This
means that it can become easier for you to have a generalized seizure,
which in my experience, having witnessed many, is incapacitating. It may
take 10 or 15 minutes to fully regain consciousness after such an event.
Once conscious, you still are wiped out, and off your game for hours
sometimes.

If I remember what the insert on Zyban said (Never used it, just an
ER/ICU nurse/Paramedic), you take it for 2 weeks then stop smoking. This
is in keeping with what most of the psych meds out there in regards to
their pharmacokinetics: it takes time to build up to therapeutic levels,
and it takes time for them to clear your system. The scientific phrase
for this is "long half life".

As others have said, deal with AOPA's medical staff. Also, while I
cannot recommend being dishonest on your medical application, it takes
less than 2 weeks for these kinds of drugs to clear your system. There
is no routinely performed test that shows wellbutrin in your system.
(most occupational drug screens are for drugs of abuse, typically 7
substances or less: coke, MJ, benzos, barbs, pcp, opiates, amphetamine
and one other..not to mention the AME's **** tess is for protien and
sugar to screen for kidney and diabeties probs, NOT drugs)

Use it if you must, then QUIT smoking, then QUIT taking the wellbutrin..
its only for short term use in this situation anyways. A few weeks
later all should be well. In that situation, I would have little issue
with not disclosing its use.

Seven months is excessive med use for smoking cessation. A few WEEKS is
more appropriate. Quit hanging around the smokers and it will be easier
to resist the urge (I know how powerful the smoker's group can be, from
a social interaction standpoint - several colleagues missed the
interaction and picked up smoking again.

Call AOPA and find out what the legal options are, and go from there
Dave

wrote:
Hi all,

I am just about to start my private pilot training.

In fact, I have about $2000 on account and went in today to sign up for
everything.

Luckily, before signing all the papers, I stumbled on the FAA's
position that Zyban automatically disqualifies you from obtaining a
medical certificate. (I have been taking Zyban for smoking cessation
for about 7 months).

So, before signing everything; before taking lessons which would only
lead to a dead end; and before taking the medical exam, I would very
much like to know what my options are.

For example, one thing I learned today was that I had an option of
getting a sport pilot license instead of private pilot. BUT, if I had
taken the medical exam, and been disqualified due to my taking Zyban, I
would be forever unable to get a sport pilot license.

So, I don't know what to do. Should I just settle on a sport pilot
license, because since I have been taking Zyban, I am forever banned
from a private pilot license. Or maybe I can quit the Zyban for like 90
days, and THEN take the medical, and based on that duration of
abstenence (sp?) be eligible without jumping through hoops? Or,
perhaps I should just walk into the medical as-is, and see what the AME
recomends?

A note from the doctor who prescribed the Zyban taken into the AME for
the exam after how ever many days of abstenence would be required?

Sigh...

Please, any guidance with this would be very much appreciated. Kinda
frustrating that a heroine addict could EASILY lie their way into a
medical certificate. But, an honest guy who wanted to do the right
thing, and quit smoking could just as easily be permanently banned from
ever getting a private pilot license.

Thanks much!!!!!!!!

If you're unable or unwilling to ask FAA anonymously, go to AOPA and ask
there. You'll get a straight answer from current AME's who have good
information.

Yes, and use $35 of that $2000 to join AOPA. I'm not a joiner,
ordinarily, nor a magazine subscriber either, but flying is different.
You need an advocate, and AOPA is it.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net
In Search of Lost Time: www.readingproust.com

On 24 Jul 2005 21:35:11 -0700, wrote:

I am afraid, though, that because I have taken it that I may be forever
banned from piloting an airplane. Or maybe I have to be off the Zyban
for like 60 days and I'd pass with flying colors.

Look, all you need do is ask!

Ask AOPA for choice.

Ask the FAA otherwise.

There is a considerable difference between 60 days and forever.



-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net
In Search of Lost Time: www.readingproust.com

I was on a "banned" medication when I took my physical. FAA in OKC
required me to be off for three months, then have a letter written by
my primary care doctor confirming that I'd had no ill effects from
being off the med. After that, my medical was issued. In my opinion,
if you go off the medication, there is no reason to mention to your AME
that you were on it...the form asks for current meds, not historical
meds.
Good luck. CPW

Don Hammer wrote:
One thing you might consider - The internist that takes care of me is
also my flight surgeon. He won't give me anything that disqualifies
me to fly.



That's potentially a poor idea. As a former Pan AM pilot said, "you don't tell
your AME anything unless you want to quit flying". I have two physicians. They
have never met.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE

wrote:
Some have suggested asking AOPA. Looks like it's a great resource,
regardless. But, it costs $39 to join, and right now, the flight
school has all my money.



It's more than a great resource; it's an imperative. Their medical department
can certainly answer your question definitively. Besides the monthly magazine
(which is the only flying rag I read), that alone makes it worth your while. If
you can't afford the $39, you can't afford the 3rd class medical either.

I wouldn't ask the FAA anything directly, unless it's from a phone booth using
an assumed name and cash. Assuming you do want to fly, that is....




--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE

wrote:
Honestly, not reporting the previous use is something that I
considered. (And quickly dismissed).

Ethics aside, I was under the impression that part of the exam was for
you to disclose any and all care providers, who would (be it
theoretical or not) disclose the usage to the AME.

But, regardless, as one who has jumped out of airplanes hundreds of
times, I have learned that the regulations are rarely put into place
arbitrarily. They are there to save my life, and the lives of my
potential passengers, and those below me, as well as to impart a level
of respect and confidence to the public at large.


Forget everything I previously said. How's the weather out there in Oklahoma
City?



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE

If you fly, you need to join AOPA. I have been a member for 35 years.
They are about the only ones looking out for us in Washington DC. The
$39.00 is cheap for what you are doing. Give them your credit card for
automatic renewal and I think you get a discount. That is what I do.

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI


wrote:
Well, I do thank you all for your replies. Though, I think that much
of the point was missed.

I do not have any problem quitting Zyban. I do not think that I will
have any problems staying off the cigarettes once I quit Zyban.

I am afraid, though, that because I have taken it that I may be forever
banned from piloting an airplane. Or maybe I have to be off the Zyban
for like 60 days and I'd pass with flying colors... But, if I go in
after 59 days, I'll get a big FAILED stamp put on the exam, which would
forever disqualify me from getting a sport pilot license (If that's all
I can get) -- or maybe even disqualify me from getting ANY license.

Some have suggested asking AOPA. Looks like it's a great resource,
regardless. But, it costs $39 to join, and right now, the flight
school has all my money.

But, I do sincerely thank all of you who have taken the time to
respond.