I am a 62 year old male. I have over 200 hrs. Flying. I have been away from flying for over 30 years. I have started flying again and love it. I have had my physical and I am waiting to hear back from the FAA. I have been taking Paxil for 19 years. That seems to be a problem with the FAA. Just wandering if I can sill get a 3grd class medical. I do have a private license.
Yes... it is still possible. However, since you have already seen the AME and submitted your application, expect the FAA to send you a letter saying more action and documentation will be needed before they will issue your medical certificate.
Did the AME you saw say anything about your Paxil use when your declared it on the MedXpress application? You did declare it, right?
Below is a copy/paste item that likely applies to you.... I hope it helps.
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The SSRI you mention will be an item you need to learn more about how the FAA handles this.
Start with this page of the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. Read the entire page, then click the link about SSRI initial certification and read that.
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_or...process/exam_tech/item47/amd/antidepressants/
The FAA provides you two paths to certification... Path #1 is if you can successfully wean off of the medication and be okay without it. There are still some particular steps you must go through, but they are not as many with Path #2, where you remain on the medication
For a really good explanation of the process from an airman's point of view, read this post by @cogscreamer
As mentioned by many members here, a really good HIMS AME to start talking to is Dr. Bruce Chien. Go to his website,
www.aeromedicaldoc.com and click the How To Start page. Your initial conversations with him will provide you the right knowledge of how to start and proceed through the process. You are more than welcome to find more info on you're own. But Dr. Bruce's knowledge, experience, and expertise will trump Google each time.
And which ever HIMS AME you choose, make sure you do not do an official live exam with any AME until all you initial questions have been answered, all preparatory reports (including exams by non-AME's and psychologists) are done, your submission file is 100% complete and properly organized, and your HIMS AME is willing to say with 100% certainty that you will eventually be issued your medical certificate.