I lost my medical, what do I do?

"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?


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

My condition is Social Anxiety Disorder, which I have been told my both
my doctor, and AOPA that is not an issue in itself. The issue is the
medication they have me on to treat it. I've had symptioms of SAD since
I was in middle school, yet I was able to get all my flight training
through CFI done with the condition, so the SAD is no factor.

I actually never thought about getting a wavier. I have no idea how
this thing works. I glanced over part 67 and saw no mention of a wavier
subpart, maybe I'll look into that a little more closley tonight. Does
anyone have any experience with getting a medical wavier? 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?

Find a doctor that will treat you without drugs, drugs are
not a requirement for treatment of a thought process. I had
an anxiety disorder about whether I'd ever have sex, but
after a few years an older girl took action and I found out
I wasn't as anxious anymore. So find a doctor that talks
and ditch the doctor who peddles drugs.



"buttman" wrote in message
ups.com...
| My condition is Social Anxiety Disorder, which I have been
told my both
| my doctor, and AOPA that is not an issue in itself. The
issue is the
| medication they have me on to treat it. I've had symptioms
of SAD since
| I was in middle school, yet I was able to get all my
flight training
| through CFI done with the condition, so the SAD is no
factor.
|
| I actually never thought about getting a wavier. I have no
idea how
| this thing works. I glanced over part 67 and saw no
mention of a wavier
| subpart, maybe I'll look into that a little more closley
tonight. Does
| anyone have any experience with getting a medical wavier?
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 know the diffreance between a drug dealer and a drug pusher?

The drug pusher has an M.D.


"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
news:r1NGf.79306$QW2.76907@dukeread08...
Find a doctor that will treat you without drugs, drugs are
not a requirement for treatment of a thought process. I had
an anxiety disorder about whether I'd ever have sex, but
after a few years an older girl took action and I found out
I wasn't as anxious anymore. So find a doctor that talks
and ditch the doctor who peddles drugs.



"buttman" wrote in message
ups.com...
| My condition is Social Anxiety Disorder, which I have been
told my both
| my doctor, and AOPA that is not an issue in itself. The
issue is the
| medication they have me on to treat it. I've had symptioms
of SAD since
| I was in middle school, yet I was able to get all my
flight training
| through CFI done with the condition, so the SAD is no
factor.
|
| I actually never thought about getting a wavier. I have no
idea how
| this thing works. I glanced over part 67 and saw no
mention of a wavier
| subpart, maybe I'll look into that a little more closley
tonight. Does
| anyone have any experience with getting a medical wavier?
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?
|

buttman wrote:
My condition is Social Anxiety Disorder, which I have been told my both
my doctor, and AOPA that is not an issue in itself. The issue is the
medication they have me on to treat it. I've had symptioms of SAD since
I was in middle school, yet I was able to get all my flight training
through CFI done with the condition, so the SAD is no factor.


Personally, I'd stop taking the medication and find a doctor who will
get to the root of the problem.

Did you report the medication to the FAA? What was the AME's reaction?

("Rachel" wrote)
Personally, I'd stop taking the medication and find a doctor who will get
to the root of the problem.


Maybe its something like a broken fight-or-flight switch ...where meds would
help.

What if the root of the problem is something akin to emotional epilepsy?
Meds please.


Montblack

Montblack wrote:
("Rachel" wrote)

Personally, I'd stop taking the medication and find a doctor who will
get to the root of the problem.



Maybe its something like a broken fight-or-flight switch ...where meds
would help.

What if the root of the problem is something akin to emotional epilepsy?
Meds please.

All I know is my own experience. When I was a freshman in college, I
was told I had "depression". I never took the meds that were
prescribed. What I couldn't put a finger on then, and know now, was
that what I was feeling was homesickness, stress, loneliness. Really,
college is a huge adjustment, and without a good support system, anyone
will go a little crazy. It was NOT depression. The problem is, most
doctors are so quick to diagnose anyone who's not happy as having
clinical depression. It's simply not true.

Are there some cases that need meds? Sure. But I bet you a lot of them
are like I was.

emotional epilepsy...?

wrote)
emotional epilepsy...?


I was shooting for something where talk therapy wouldn't have much hope for
success.

Emotional epilepsy (made up term) - electrical misfires that maybe trigger
(severe?) chemical mood imbalances, where drugs might then act as some kind
of a calming buffer.

Ok, I'll leave the medical stuff to you.


Montblack ...well, you knew this was coming. :-)
"Doctor, my eyes
Cannot see the sky"

Rachel wrote:

Are there some cases that need meds? Sure. But I bet you a lot of them
are like I was.


I've had numerous cases over the years where a doctor has written me a
perscription "just in case". For example, I once had a nasty stomach flu
(or some such; I don't recall the details) where she prescribed something
that I presume was anti-nausea. I never filled the prescription.

It's nice, I suppose, that a doctor is willing to provide options, but she's
always quite clear that it's my choice whether I actually need to exercise
the option.

This may not be analogous to the OPs situation, of course.

- Andrew