Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and medical

[Vin Diesel]

I am a healthy male, late twenties with no significant medical history. However, in early 2010 I had an episode of vertigo. I had been working a punishing schedule at work and I just generally felt exhausted. Eventually, I 'collapsed' with a spinning sensation (vertigo) for a short period of 10-20 seconds.

I did not seek a diagnosis then though as I just attributed the episode to exhaustion/stress and thought no more of it. The next 12 months passed symptom free.

However, I then had 3 over the course of a 4-6 month period from summer 2011 to December 2011. Each incident followed my generally feeling unwell with a punishing work schedule and a lack of sleep. Each episode was similar, a sudden onset of vertigo, spinning sensation, having to reach for an object to keep my balance.

I saw my a family doctor after the final episode who performed a number of tests, tracking a light with my eyes, putting me (my head) into various positions to try to induce another episode of vertigo (Dix Hallpike test?) but I did not show any signs of nystagmus and did not feel any sense of vertigo. The tests were 'negative'. So on the basis of my history and description of the symptoms he diagnosed benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and he performed the Epley maneuver to reposition the likely debris in my ears which was causing the vertigo episodes. His prognosis was unclear. He said that it may never return, or I could have a future event, which is extremely worrying as I would like to train as a pilot.

With that in mind I am wondering where I stand from a medical perspective. Ideally, I would like to fly commercially and hold a class 1 medical.

1. Is is possible to hold a class one medical having had an episode of bppv diagnosed?
2. I seems that transient vertigo requires FAA decision at a minimum, and even then, there's no indication of whether a class 1 is possible or would only a lesser class would be considered? The Faa medical standards state "Transient processes, such as those associated with acute labyrinthitis or benign positional vertigo may not disqualify an applicant when fully recovered."
3. What does fully recovered mean? My last episode was in December 2011. The physician performed the Epley maneuver and I have felt fine since. My episodes were all of short duration (5-10 seconds) and I had no nausea/tinnitus or other symptoms.
4. Is there a particular length of time the FAA will want to see without symptoms before they can issue a medical?
5. Are there other specialists I should see to get further tests performed (do I need to see an otolaryngologist/audiologist or other specialists)?

I desperately want to fly. I would love to fly commercially but if that is not possible I would still love to train for a PPL so any advice in relation to this condition would be most welcome!

I read some other threads on BPPV but none seemed to relate to a class 1 medical, and none seemed to speak to specifics of time without symptoms etc.

I hope some users can help!
Thanks!

 

[comanche]

As everyone here has told me you really want to talk with Dr. Bruce. Not only is he a senior AME, hi is a multi-rated pilot. He is currently helping me. Hope you are able to get this thing under control.

 

[SCCutler]

Vin:

Dr. Chien may well appear (magically) here right away, but you can also be proactive and contact him at www.aeromedicaldoc.com

He is a fine advocate for pilots, for safe flying practices, and is a man of exceptional character. Plus, his wife is really nice.

 

[Doggtyred]

What do you think would happen if your vertigo were to recur? While airborne? And how long are you willing to wait to see if It recurs or not?

 

[bbchien]

Vin, because we can't tell which probability you really have, and becuase time separates out the diagnoses, nobody will recertify you for any class until a year out from your last "dizzy". Think Dec 2012. You'll need a current status letter from the ENT and a fresh ENG, and the outcome really depends on what he thinks.

 

[Vin Diesel]

What do you think would happen if your vertigo were to recur? While airborne? And how long are you willing to wait to see if It recurs or not?

Anything I (or a non AME) says about vertigo recurring would be speculation. I'm seeking a profesional opinion so that I can comply with all applicable regulations and contribute to maintaining safety in the air.

I'm willing to comply with the requirements for certification, whatever they may be. If it is the case that it recurs and I can never hold any class of air medical, so be it. That is the price that I have to pay to ensure that the skies remain safe for aviators and for passengers and of course, the mere mortals below.

Though that was not what I was hoping to hear, I sincerely appreciate the explanation of what is required for recertification. Thanks for your advice Doctor.

I can honestly say that when I first took flying lessons over ten years ago I never envisaged that my ambition to become a professional pilot would be ended in my twenties by a medical issue, especially something like BPPV, as it appears to be incurable.

While i'm devastated that realistically i'll never command an aircraft, I am in a way thankful that in the decade since I first flew other factors have prevented me from becoming a professional pilot. At least my grounding is a little more palatable as a non-professional pilot I don't have the intense stress of losing my income due to my medical issue.

Flying really is a unique industry in so many ways, but perhaps none more so than for the fact that a professional pilot's career can end at any moment for a medical issue which may be completely irrelevant to 99% of other employments.

Hopefully the economic recovery will return the profession to the days where flight crew want to see their children follow in their footsteps!

 

[gprellwitz]

Vin, this is one of the reasons why you will frequently find many on the board recommending to potential pilots that they not major in aviation, but in something more general that will serve as a good backup career. There are too many things out of the control of the pilot that can tank the career seemingly overnight.