does the depression dog wag the rudder?

[lbfjrmd]

working with a 3rd class renewal - airman presented taking Celexa. We began the HIMS process after being given the FAA go ahead. Appointments made etc. Airman then elected to stop said medication and reapply. I advised him to remain off the drug for 2 months and return. Upon return 6 months later airman had restarted Celexa stating he and more importantly his wife found the anti-depression/mood-stabilizing medication most beneficial. I again advised airman to stay on present stable dose and scheduled his PnP visit for 2 months hence. Then airman advised me the wife had found a nice retirement home in the south of the state ( 600+ miles from me) and wanted to know how he could find another HIMS AME, as they were moving in one week! This is when the psychiatric phenomenon of 'transference' occurred - airman is happy and i am depressed!

I am glad for the airman ... he made a correct medical decision and continues to pursue it. He will be successful, but establishing himself with a new HIMS AME will take time. And then new AME will need to arrange PnP etc.

 

[Rushie]

If I were that airman I would travel back to you. Way way way easier than trying to get established with a new doctor. But I guess he will learn the hard way.

I'm taking pause over his reasoning for getting back on the drug. Did his wife decide she liked not being pestered for sex? It's a rhetorical question, I don't expect you to spill the guy's details. Also, depending on the whole history and doseage two months might not be long enough to get back to whatever the non-drugged normal will be, especially if he quit cold turkey. Ought to taper down that stuff.

Anyhow I'm assuming length of time was less than two years, but now, back on it he is planning to go the SSRI unipolar depression pathway? He should stick with you, plane tickets aren't that expensive.

 

[lbfjrmd]

airman himself felt better/less moody (i have never taken such so i just do as i am trained) AND he says wife definitely approved ... so i left the 'pestering' part alone! As far as sticking with me ... his decision. 5 years of occasional travel to me and a once a year shrink visit ( at least for a few years) to the FAA Psychiatrist up here may be too much for him.

 

[Rushie]

airman himself felt better/less moody (i have never taken such so i just do as i am trained) AND he says wife definitely approved ... so i left the 'pestering' part alone! As far as sticking with me ... his decision. 5 years of occasional travel to me and a once a year shrink visit ( at least for a few years) to the FAA Psychiatrist up here may be too much for him.

Well I hope it works out for him.

 

[bbchien]

One of my most careful discussions is always about, "Hey I throw away my med and sixty days letter I reapply, right?" which is followed by me with (Provided the airman has had one and only one exposure):

"Are you a better "Dave", on the med than off the med?

The answer is sometimes surprising....