Question about medical certificate and Zyban...

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.

It's been over two years since I've seen the form, but if I remember correctly,
for your first exam, they ask if you have ever had a variety of ailments.
Smoking is not one. They also ask what drugs you are currently taking.

Fine. Quit taking the Zyban and inform your doctor that you are quitting it.
Don't mention it to the AME. My personal feeling is that you should answer all
the questions honestly, but do not volunteer any information.

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.

Mortimer Schnerd, RN wrote:

IÂ*haveÂ*twoÂ*physicians.Â*Â*They
have never met.

Considering that you need to indicate on the form for your medical all
physician visits, is this really significant? Cannot the FAA (or AME or
some clerk somewhere along the way) just get the sought information.

I don't recall, but I assume that there's some sort of privacy waiver for
that purpose in the form we complete.

- Andrew

"Andrew Gideon" wrote in message
online.com...
Mortimer Schnerd, RN wrote:

I have two physicians. They
have never met.

Considering that you need to indicate on the form for your medical all
physician visits, is this really significant? Cannot the FAA (or AME or
some clerk somewhere along the way) just get the sought information.

I don't recall, but I assume that there's some sort of privacy waiver for
that purpose in the form we complete.

No, the only such waiver is for NDR records.
(http://www.leftseat.com/Programs/85008.htm)

--Gary

wrote:
" 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.

Yes, but no medical provider worth his salt would disclose any
information (even with the blanket waiver you give the FAA) without
an explicit authorization from you (or a court order perhaps).

Anyhow, the FAA has a dim view if they ever did find in the future
you had purposefully undisclosed qualifying conditions.

On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 15:53:39 -0400, Andrew Gideon
wrote:

IÂ*haveÂ*twoÂ*physicians.Â*Â*They
have never met.

Considering that you need to indicate on the form for your medical all
physician visits, is this really significant?

I think it's very significant. I have found my own doctors (I switched
docs between 2nd and 3rd physicals) both to be very discreet,
enthusiastic about my flying, and anxious to help me get over the
obstacles. (I was 66 when I started taking flying lessons, so there
were indeed some obstacles.)

The AME by contrast basically works for the FAA. He too has become a
friend, but not one I'd expect to walk a mile on my behalf.



-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
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the blog: www.danford.net
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On 24 Jul 2005 16:35:09 -0700, wrote:

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

Yes, Zyban is basically an anti-depression drug, and automatically
disqualifying.

Get a different AME. Stop taking Zyban. If you have to go to a
nicotine patch or gum, do so, it's not disqualifying. Since this is
your first medial, don't EVER mention that you've taken Zyban. And
even if you have to sell your wife's good china, join AOPA

I fly red-eye to across the US 2 to 4 times a month. I can't sleep on
airplanes, and started using a sleeping pill called Sonata. It's very
short acting, and wears off after 4 hours. I didn't know it was
disqualifying. After I got turned down for my medical I stopped
taking it (so I'm a zombie when I'm in Washington, but oh well). I
had to get every medical record I'd ever had, going back 20 years, and
letters from every doctor I had (including my urologist) that I wasn't
taking it any more. It took me 3 years to get my medical back. I had
to have a letter from a sleep disorder clinic that I didn't have a
sleep disorder.

Get real, AOPA is useless. It leans more and more to the jet set crowd and
for good reason.


"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...

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

This is the best advice ever given on this board.


"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" wrote in message
. com...
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