H
Heavy Metal Aviator
Guest
The question: How often does the FAA discover false information on medical applications, that are not a part of a special investigation like the VA-disability sting?
The reasons for asking:
A) I've never read/heard about the FAA finding out about false info other than through the special investigations (not to say it doesn't happen)
And B) About 12 years ago, I went on what was supposed to be a week-long solo backpacking trip in the wilderness. About 4 days into the trip, although I went to sleep feeling completely normal, I woke up feeling absolutely HORRIBLE. And by horrible, I don't mean a normal horrible such as flu-like symptoms but a "weird horrible" with the most bizarre feelings: very loud tinnitus, strong metallic taste in my mouth, dry mouth, severe optical migraine to the point that I could hardly see, extreme skin sunlight sensitivity (5 minutes of sunlight was nearly unbearable), weakness, and very bad hand tremors.
Although difficult, I managed over the course of the day to hike back to civilization (but still no cell service), and somehow managed to drive myself to a hospital (30 miles took about 3 hours of driving, with my hazards on, down the road shoulder, and I kept hoping I would get pulled over).
Once at the hospital I got a whole range of tests, and I saw all kinds of specialists, but no one could say what was wrong. I was tested for various infections, nerve diseases, and even poisons. Every test came back "normal". After about 2 days, the optical migraines became infrequent (one or two a day, lasting 30 minutes or so) and I was released from the hospital. Once home, I saw many more specialists and was tested further, but no one could find a cause for the problem. The best answer I got was "possible heavy metal poisoning". After about 6 months to a year, the only symptoms that remained "full force" was the tinnitus and metallic taste/dry mouth. The other symptoms lessened or disappeared completely. To this day I still have the loud tinnitus.
About 5 years ago, I learned to fly, and never disclosed any of this when I got my medical (hence, my question). I'm over 40 and in the past five years I'm on my third class 3.
The reasons for asking:
A) I've never read/heard about the FAA finding out about false info other than through the special investigations (not to say it doesn't happen)
And B) About 12 years ago, I went on what was supposed to be a week-long solo backpacking trip in the wilderness. About 4 days into the trip, although I went to sleep feeling completely normal, I woke up feeling absolutely HORRIBLE. And by horrible, I don't mean a normal horrible such as flu-like symptoms but a "weird horrible" with the most bizarre feelings: very loud tinnitus, strong metallic taste in my mouth, dry mouth, severe optical migraine to the point that I could hardly see, extreme skin sunlight sensitivity (5 minutes of sunlight was nearly unbearable), weakness, and very bad hand tremors.
Although difficult, I managed over the course of the day to hike back to civilization (but still no cell service), and somehow managed to drive myself to a hospital (30 miles took about 3 hours of driving, with my hazards on, down the road shoulder, and I kept hoping I would get pulled over).
Once at the hospital I got a whole range of tests, and I saw all kinds of specialists, but no one could say what was wrong. I was tested for various infections, nerve diseases, and even poisons. Every test came back "normal". After about 2 days, the optical migraines became infrequent (one or two a day, lasting 30 minutes or so) and I was released from the hospital. Once home, I saw many more specialists and was tested further, but no one could find a cause for the problem. The best answer I got was "possible heavy metal poisoning". After about 6 months to a year, the only symptoms that remained "full force" was the tinnitus and metallic taste/dry mouth. The other symptoms lessened or disappeared completely. To this day I still have the loud tinnitus.
About 5 years ago, I learned to fly, and never disclosed any of this when I got my medical (hence, my question). I'm over 40 and in the past five years I'm on my third class 3.