Another SSRI Question

[CFI Wannabee]

I have been lurking on this page for some time but have never posted. Today though, I have a question. I have had my commercial certificate for many years but have really only been exercising private privileges. I switched to Basic med years ago because it was easier. At my annual physical, my primary doc renews it. For me and the type of flying I do, this works great.

Recently, I have found that I can scale back on my 9 to 5 and want to get my CFI. I have no aspirations of doing anything other than instructing. I would like to obtain my Class 2 along with my Basic Med. I know I can act as a CFI on Basic med but a few of the local schools around here tell me they want their CFI’s to have a Class 2 minimum.

Here is the rub. 4 or 5 years ago I was going through a rough patch and my doc said I have anxiety and put me on one of the approved SSRI’s. I started feeling better quickly but stayed on it for just less than a year. We can argue whether I should have or should not have been on it but I can’t undo what is already now part of my medical history. Before it gets asked, I was on a single approved drug protocol, had no suicidal ideations, and have no history of being hospitalized for mental health issues. Today, I am 100% fine, still flying under Basic Med, successful at work, and have a great family life. I have not ever been back on the SSRI nor I have felt I needed to be.

I am asking because I know the rules have changed. What do I do now to get my Class 2? I don’t want to have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to prove that I am truly OK and fit to fly. More importantly, I do not want to put my Basic Med privileges at risk. What are my odds of getting a regular Class 2 without having to get a SI, Cog Screen, or other costly medical evaluations?

 

[bbchien]

If it's documentably > 4 years since your last pill (Need a pharmacy master report for that - a 10 year printout) and you can document: "On a single approved drug protocol, had no suicidal ideations, and have no history of being hospitalized for mental health issues".

The letter from the nonpsychiatrist prescriber should have eight items in it:

(1) Date of treatment date of cessaton
(2) Treated with WHAT
(3) DSM-10 high resolution diagnosis
(4) Doc has to name the stimulus to a "rough patch"
(5) That the stimulus has gone
(6) He had seen you >> 60 days after discontinuation and you are recovered
(7) That here was no suicidality.
(8) That to his knowledge this was the ONLY event in your life requiring psych support.

If you have all that under the current summer 2024 reform the AME can issue you. The Pharmacy search and the letter from the doc (whcih hits all eight items. Not missing a ONE item. Not seven of eight. ALL EIGHT), The AME issues and uploads the supporting documentation.