At what point do you go to the ER?

I would say it interferes with your safety as PIC. Sorry.
 
I can't answer your questions, but just want to encourage you to keep the faith, doctors tend to work from the worst to least worst explanations for things like this. Hopefully yours is the least worse such as a virus or something else that will pass. Ride the process out, get better, we're pulling for you.
 
SkyDog58 said:
You may want to refer to 14 CFR 61.53.
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For some reason I can't multi-quote, but anyway that's what I was looking for. That is not ambiguous.

Weilke, I would agree that as a blanket statement you may be correct, although my symptoms are not acute. Certainly, there is the question of high altitude effects. Regardless, I intend on playing by the rules so it's a moot point.

I appreciate the support from everyone. I've researched the protocol, and it looks dismal. At the moment though, I'm not worried about the FAA medical proceesss at this point. There are bigger life picture issues at stake here. If I were twenty years older and this happened I could accept it a lot easier than I can swallow it now. If I can come off the meds and then live a normal life I'll be happy. Otherwise, well I'll just have to cross that bridge later.
 
First thing is to figure out the why you are having problems. Then work with your Dr to find the best treatment for you, and then get better. Also, unless your treating Dr is also your AME, discuss any meds or procedures that are going to be done and how they will be looked at by the feds. Being proactive prior to doing things can lead to going different routes that could lessen problems with the feds. Above all, keep good records of what you are doing to solve the problems and get better.
 
Well I'm not really much further in the process but I have consulted with an AME, and there is a real possibility of denial unless a root cause has been identified, and has been determined to be a one time event. So far that hasn't happened.

If I don't reapply for a third class medical, am I still eligible for light sport?
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Your experience is discordant with my observations in my part of the world. Understandable there will be regional differences.
I personally know two busted arms that were transported. One I drove to the hospital and walked her -maybe I'm wrong, but I call that 'ambulatory' - into emergency; talking and joking - I call that 'not particularly critical'- then followed her across the road to the airport where the Pilatus took her to the city for surgery 3 days later (it took a while to find a free surgeon and there was no rush) on her arm.
Another is a woman I know in the same situation (broken arm from a clumsy trip) who was also completely stable, no complicating conditions, (probably could have driven herself to any hospital, as the pain was not terrible) - she also got the $60K flight to the city. There are many other such stories, here is one is from 6 years ago; a dislocated artificial hip they could not replace locally (by all local accounts she was not at all critical) and unfortunately (but completely unrelated to the discussion - however it may help someone believe the veracity of my stories as it can be searched) the 421 crashed on takeoff sometime after midnight, all fatal. Reminds me of another artificial hip dislocation I personally know (robust, 70s, adult male) they were preparing to fly out, but they were finally able to replace it.
Very tiny communities; many such stories like these ones abound so we get to hear them and they are easily verified.
BTW the two air ambulance services we subscribe to out here (you need both to get full coverage) are LifeShield and AirMedCare.
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Your issue should be with

1 Dead beat insurance companies who don't pay out, even though they always take your premiums, forcing both medevacs and ERs to jack up their rates to compensate.

2 Bad referring agencies who call for medevac when they shouldn't, or worse sit on a critical pt instead of getting them to the next level of care.


Why you have a problem with the medevac is frankly beyond me, and beyond logic.
 
Did I miss something as I skimmed through this thread or is the OP worrying more about his FAA medical than finding out what's going on with his health?

FWIW... I had a similar issue recently... turned out to be (believe it or not) Severe Heart-Burn.... Yep, the back pain, shortness of breath, etc... And my nurse girlfriend called it right even before I spent the $1700 copay to get the same answer from the hospital...Now I'm on daily medication to keep it at bay...
 
I think the OP has already found out what is going on...
 
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WTF said:
Well I'm not really much further in the process but I have consulted with an AME, and there is a real possibility of denial unless a root cause has been identified, and has been determined to be a one time event. So far that hasn't happened.

If I don't reapply for a third class medical, am I still eligible for light sport?
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If you don't reapply then you won't be "denied".
 
Why you have a problem with the medevac is frankly beyond me, and beyond logic.
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It's your lucky day!
Once each month, I allow someone to misread or misinterpret my post without comment or complaint.
 
OP here.

So basically, as it stands, I'm grounded, and I had been advised by the AME not to reapply for a Class 3 until the doctor can issue a definitive statement as to the cause of the blood clots, and then, it would be an SI issuance. The doctor says the tests that could establish such cannot be run until I'm off blood thinner medication. And, there is no guarantee that the cause can be identified, or identified in a manner that could establish it as a one-time event.

The clots themselves are gone. Physically I'm in great shape and have my original aerobic capacity. The question is, where to I stand once the PBOR becomes effective?
 
Glad you are doing well. I hope they find a cause and it is correctable or a one time deal.
 
Okay I'm off Coumadin. Doc isn't exactly forthcoming on the next steps I need to take in preparation for getting an SI. I did talk to my AME a while back and was told I need some sort of statement from the doctor identifying the cause, and likelihood of reoccurrence of the blood clots, as well as volumes of documentation of the whole event.

Anyone have any idea what tests can be run to achieve that end?
 
WTF said:
Okay I'm off Coumadin. Doc isn't exactly forthcoming on the next steps I need to take in preparation for getting an SI. I did talk to my AME a while back and was told I need some sort of statement from the doctor identifying the cause, and likelihood of reoccurrence of the blood clots, as well as volumes of documentation of the whole event.

Anyone have any idea what tests can be run to achieve that end?
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Call Dr Bruce Chien, http://www.aeromedicaldoc.com/
 
At what point do I go to the ER?

My wife drives me there when I'm unconscious.
 
WTF said:
Okay I'm off Coumadin. Doc isn't exactly forthcoming on the next steps I need to take in preparation for getting an SI. I did talk to my AME a while back and was told I need some sort of statement from the doctor identifying the cause, and likelihood of reoccurrence of the blood clots, as well as volumes of documentation of the whole event.

Anyone have any idea what tests can be run to achieve that end?
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It may be worth considering just waiting for the PBOR2 rules to come out. If your medical was actually withdrawn or revoked, or if your condition falls within the following, then you will still need a SI medical one time before being able to take advantage of PBOR2:
(C) A cardiovascular condition, limited to a one-time special issuance for each diagnosis of the following:
(i) Myocardial infraction.
(ii) Coronary heart disease that has required treatment.
(iii) Cardiac valve replacement.
(iv) Heart replacement.
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Otherwise you will probably not need to get a new medical/SI under PBOR2 (at least under my interpretation of the way it is written in the bill that was passed) assuming you can find a doctor that is willing to do the medical checklist with you and sign you off. You will have to disclose all your diagnoses, medications, and previous medical visits to him.

If you do go to an AME and apply for a medical and are denied, you will be locked out of the PBOR2 rules unless you can get that denial reversed.
 
Did you go to the emergency room when this happened? Did you eventually consult a good cardiologist? If not why not? Sound as though you should get a complete work up with an excellent heart specialist , stress test, sonogram, blood oxygen , on and on. I sure would not fly until a real pro had looked at me. Does not sound good to me.
 
Hate to belabor the question, but, here is the current situation. I am off medications, and the clots are gone. No they do not know yet what the cause of them was. Yes I know that a subsequent third class medical, if pursued, will be special issuance. I have reviewed 14 CFR 61.53, and it is not definitive (at least to me) whether I am still grounded or not. My current medical is still valid (or, "valid," however you want to put it) until mid next year.
 
Jimmy cooper said:
Did you go to the emergency room when this happened? Did you eventually consult a good cardiologist? If not why not? Sound as though you should get a complete work up with an excellent heart specialist , stress test, sonogram, blood oxygen , on and on. I sure would not fly until a real pro had looked at me. Does not sound good to me.
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Yes, and they ran all of those. The ticker is perfectly fine. It was a lung clot issue, basically the lungs could not transfer a sufficient amount of oxygen above a moderate level of exercise. That condition cleared up fairly quickly after medication was administered.
 
If Dr. Bruce doesn't answer here, why don't you email him? His contact information is in many places here. I will tell you that he got someone I know with what sounds like a similar condition a first with SI. No, it was not me.
 
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