FAA Medical Certificate mishap

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Hello everyone,

I am currently a cfi/ii building hours. I am 22 years old, been active all my life (rowed in college). No issues getting medical in the past. I recently went to get my first class medical (new ame). On my records they saw I went in to see a cardiologist back in college. Explaining it short, I have a minor form of pectus (indentation in chest ribs) and NCAA wanted me to get it checked out. Did ekg, stress test, echo, and did a short follow up every year. Cardiologist said I was completely normal. AME wanted those records so I showed him, however I do have a slight arrhythmia showed in the ekg (irbbb) even with that cardiologist in writing saying I am normal. So, the ame didn't want to do my medical, that I have to do more tests again. Talked to different experts even another ame saying it is a common condition and with me not displaying symptoms and having previous cardiologist records I should of still done the physical.

I decided to go with redoing all those tests I did in college to prove I am fine, even another cardiologist says I should be ok. Sucks because my medical is expiring this month so it is a rush. I'm thinking of just going to a different ame I got recommended to be safe. I'll bringing all the new records I am obtaining. Unfortunately the one ame has still not canceled the medxpress days after requesting. Should I worry about this mishap again? Getting denied over this? Was he in the right? The doctor was a family medicine doctor so I don't believe he does a lot of faa medicals
 
Did the old ame open it up as a medical? If so, you’re committed. You have to do a medical and you have to do it through him.

in the future, if you have questions about your medical, get a consult first, without giving the Medexpress number to the ame.
 
Did the old ame open it up as a medical? If so, you’re committed. You have to do a medical and you have to do it through him.
You don't have to finish it with him, but if you don't, you'll be denied. And you have to disclose the denial on your next application.

If the AME didn't open the file on Medxpress, then you can just give the confirmation number to the new AME.
 
I’m confused. If the current AME asking the questions opened the new MedXpress app, I thought the only option going forward for the AME are issue/CACI, defer, or deny. I don’t think there’s a “do-over” button in that sense, even though the AME does have the ability to add context to the previously submitted information.

You do have to report all visits to a provider in the previous 3 years, and all the diagnoses, notes, reports will need to be provided as supporting documentation to determine how to issue (in office, CACI, defer, deny).

The AMEs specialty has no bearing on their proficiency issuing FAA medicals. The AME I use for basic med is a dermatologist. One of the legendary AMEs is a retired anesthesiologist, for example. Another is a family med doctor.
 
Perhaps do basic med while you’re getting this sorted out to take the time pressure off. You can still teach / CFI on basic med.

Then when your AME is happy get your first class. And then never go back to that AME
 
You don't have to finish it with him, but if you don't, you'll be denied. And you have to disclose the denial on your next application.

I was trying to say the same thing. Perhaps I could have been clearer - if the old AME opened the medical, you're committed to use him. The medical has to be completed to one of the possible outcomes, which includes denial if you walk away.
 
Is this the same AME who did your current medical?
 
What a mucked up system. I would have, if able, gone to another AME since this one “didn’t want to do the medical”. But, listen to the experts here, I’m not a medical exam / doctor expert. It’s a shame you have to go thru this. You’ll be fine when it’s all over, you just don’t know yet the duration of your dilemma.
 
I was trying to say the same thing. Perhaps I could have been clearer - if the old AME opened the medical, you're committed to use him. The medical has to be completed to one of the possible outcomes, which includes denial if you walk away.
What happens after the 2 week period is up? I can't get in to do the cardiologist tests and see him back in that period
 
Is this the same AME who did your current medical?
New AME, never even got to see his face. The nurse at the desk said he wouldn't take me until I got the arrhythmia figured out. He opened the medxpress though
 
Automatic deferral.
What a waste of time. Based on FAA guidelines for AME's my condition is considered apparently a "normal variant" and "not a cause for deferment". So I guess after that is just the waiting game? Probably get basic med so I am not out of a job for too long
 
FAA wants you to prove your aerobic capacity, (stress treadmill), structural non interference with the Pectus (echo) and these are one time only. Your arrythymia -->24 hour holter monitor, and that likely will be a special unless totally benign.
 
FAA wants you to prove your aerobic capacity, (stress treadmill), structural non interference with the Pectus (echo) and these are one time only. Your arrythymia -->24 hour holter monitor, and that likely will be a special unless totally benign.
Roger. I've done these sets of tests 3 times in the past decade (first diagnosed, college, now) with the cardiologist saying I am fine everytime. Glad to hear I won't have to do this again for at least awhile. I was told the arrhythmia by the doctor is very mild and common, so hopefully I don't need a monitor
 
Incomplete right bundle is not an arrhythmia. Why would a holter moniter be required? My understanding was an incomplete right bundle branch block was not a reason for denial in a 22yo. Page 84 Aviation Medical Examiners' Guide.
 
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Update: I did the echo and stress test. The echo had imaging issues due to my Pectus, but everything was normal from what they could get. The stress test went really well, did the protocol according to the faa achieving max heart rate for me which was 198. Nothing abnormal. Went significantly over the 9 minute mark that is apparently required and my exercise capacity was in the excellent range. Felt good after, no abnormal symptoms. I'll probably end up getting deferred though for the 2 week period issue
 
If you are still within your two-week window, see if you can rush these results to the AME. Otherwise the wait for an FAA decision will be excruciatingly long.
 
If you are still within your two-week window, see if you can rush these results to the AME. Otherwise the wait for an FAA decision will be excruciatingly long.
My follow up with the cardiologist is on the last day for the 2 week period. Also, I am not sure if he is going to have me do a CT scan or an esophageal echo since the echo results were suboptimal and could not give full results.
 
My follow up with the cardiologist is on the last day for the 2 week period. Also, I am not sure if he is going to have me do a CT scan or an esophageal echo since the echo results were suboptimal and could not give full results.
Update: cardiologist said I am fine and obtained a first class medical on the last day. AME was pretty chill, stated that I shouldn't have to go through all that stuff again since I have all the paperwork showing I am fine. Glad it is taken care of
 
So you did a cardiologist AND and AME on same day? Busy day! But AME issued your 1st on the spot?

Congrats!
 
So you did a cardiologist AND and AME on same day? Busy day! But AME issued your 1st on the spot?

Congrats!
Was able to get into the cardiologist the day before, he faxed all the info and I called the AME ahead of time to verify that the information was good. Said it was, went in on the very last day and did the basic physical stuff and got the piece of paper super easy.
 
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