A question and my reasons for asking:

  • Thread starter Heavy Metal Aviator
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Heavy Metal Aviator

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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.
 
What got you worried about your medical, after all those years? I would PM the docs on the forum for advice.
 
if it happens to you, it is not rare. disclose all!


Lou, a theoretical question, if you don't mind.

If he let his 3rd class expire and went Basic Med at this point, not having a denial, does that snap a new line and provide a safe haven? Can the FAA go back and deny an already expired medical and invalidate Basic Med? I don't see a mechanism for that in the letter of the law, but I'm by no means completely knowledgeable about this stuff.
 
Lou, a theoretical question, if you don't mind.

If he let his 3rd class expire and went Basic Med at this point, not having a denial, does that snap a new line and provide a safe haven? Can the FAA go back and deny an already expired medical and invalidate Basic Med? I don't see a mechanism for that in the letter of the law, but I'm by no means completely knowledgeable about this stuff.

basically ... correct
 
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