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pilot J93

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pilot J93
medical ( yes DR. Bruce....i put my age now...so lets hear your good advice)

ANY suggestions on how to prepare for my Class 3 medical next week??

For example the do's and dont's...any info.
 
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DO review any/all medical records you have.
DO make and take with you notes of every visit to any sort of health professional in the last three years including name, address, date, reason, and outcome.
DO read all the questions on the form and the instruction sheet slowly and carefully.
DO ask the AME for explanation of anything you don't understand.
DON'T omit, elide, obfuscate, or lie.
DON'T sign it until you're sure you understand each question and that you've answered each one truthfully and correctly to the best of your knowledge.
 
I was just going to say show up. If you really want to go crazy stay away from junk food and sugary stuff a week before, drink lots of water and exercise?

Dont think there is much you do to prepair for a physical, I've had sports physicals that were more in-depth, if you're remotely healthy I wouldnt worry about it.
 
You already know that you are going to pass, right? No history of some prescription on the bad list, nothing else that is going to raise a flag. Right? I mean, you wouldn't have made the appointment if that weren't true.
 
  • Don't eat high carb or high sugar food for 24 hours in advance.
  • Don't consume caffeinated beverages before going in.
I made the mistake of doing both for my visit this week and the office tech doing the preliminary stuff got a little ruffled at my results.

I'm already diabetic type II (pill controlled) with a precautionary hypertension rider on the Special Issuance. My status letter from my doc reported an A1C of 7.1 and a BP of 120/75. But because I had my usual fruit smoothie (~35g carbs) for breakfast and a cup of coffee for the 45 minute drive through traffic to office, the urine dip caught some sugar spillage (she said it showed a "2") and the BP (without a chance to properly sit quiet and calm after walking the long hallway to the toilet and back ) was 135/85 or 90. And then she started in on a lecture about how I need to watch what I'm eating, I shouldn't have had the coffee (I wasn't told of that at time of setting appointment), and that I wasn't following my SI letter.

Fortunately the AME doc was doing something nearby, heard this and my answers and intervened.

After I was shown to his exam room, the door was left open and I could hear him explaining to her that there were some conditionals on the sugar in the urine depending on what I had eaten and when (60 minutes prior) and if I had voided at all before the sample (I hadn't). And that she needed to let me have more time resting in the comfy chair before taking the BP reading (it was less than 90 seconds and she was asking me questions where I've learned it takes about 4-5 minutes of quiet to achieve a true resting heart rate and BP).

After he entered the exam room and did the exam, I asked about the encounter with the tech as he filled out his boxes on the FAA form. He said he knew me, knew the situation, trusted my doc and the status letter, and that to him, he's okay with where I'm at medically. All is good, just keep losing weight, here's your new 3rd class medical, and we'll see you next time.


Most important is what the others said... Don't sign the form until you know you're gonna pass without difficulty. Tell the entire truth on the form. And read the questions carefully.
 
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Actually, a reminder that there's no form anymore. You need to enter the info into MedXPress now.
 
I would agree with the sentiments of knowing that you would pass before you go. I was so glad my medication was acceptable, I ran to the AME, thinking he could issue me my first medical. I found out that because of my condition, although the medication is accepted, my condition has to be signed off by OK City. They required an ECG, which to my surprise, showed an abnormality. Now I have an appointment on next Wednesday where I have to run on a treadmill for 9 minutes and hope and pray my heart doesn't explode. If I don't pass this stress test, I'm denied. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO.
 
AggieMike88 said:
Most important is what the others said... Don't sign the form until you know you're gonna pass without difficulty. Tell the entire truth on the form. And read the questions carefully.
Click to expand...
Mike there is no form anymore. You do a medxpress, and the AME wants the download code. The moment he puts it in, it's live.

So do the Medxpress on line, print the PDF whcih is captured ONETIME ONLY from the "exam summary" button on the page AFTER you have hit "submit" successfully.

The exam summary button will not be there the second time you go back.

Print the PDF, cutoff the download code from the bottom, and hand that to the AME. Get his comments. If it's a "go", THEN give him the code.
 
bbchien said:
Mike there is no form anymore. You do a medxpress, and the AME wants the download code. The moment he puts it in, it's live.

So do the Medxpress on line, print the PDF whcih is captured ONETIME ONLY from the "exam summary" button on the page AFTER you have hit "submit" successfully.

The exam summary button will not be there the second time you go back.

Print the PDF, cutoff the download code from the bottom, and hand that to the AME. Get his comments. If it's a "go", THEN give him the code.
Click to expand...

I knew the highlighted going into the AME's office last week. And printed off the completed form with the code on there. I didn't remember to remove the code, but knew going in I was going to pass.

Saying not to sign the form is a "habit" when explaining on these forums.

But interesting enough... When I signed in at the AME's office and handed over the printed form with the confirmation number, the office manager checking me in asked me to sign that copy as if it was the old in-triplicate paper form. :dunno:

I'm good to go through next October now. And I'll remember to do the code trimming for the future rounds.
 
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pilot J93 said:
ANY suggestions on how to prepare for my Class 3 medical next week??

For example the do's and dont's...any info.
Click to expand...

Take your blood pressure now. If it fails, reschedule your medical after you have gotten your BP under control.
 
sorry about that DR bruce..im not online much these days..im only 19...

and umm is the medxpress form found online??? excuse my lack of knowledge.
AND thnax all for the info thus far :)
 
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pilot J93 said:
sorry about that DR bruce..im not online much these days..im only 19...

and umm is the medxpress form found online??? excuse my lack of knowledge.
AND thnax all for the info thus far :)
Click to expand...

Yes, you MUST use that form. And as Dr. Bruce points out, you have but one chance to print it when done.
 
so i can actually fill out the form online at home...print it...and then add it to him..minus the cut out code when i get to the office??
 
pilot J93 said:
so i can actually fill out the form online at home...print it...and then add it to him..minus the cut out code when i get to the office??
Click to expand...

You have to fill it out online--anywhere you can get online. The point is, once you get to the time you can print it, you have only one chance.
 
pilot J93 said:
so i can actually fill out the form online at home...print it...and then add it to him..minus the cut out code when i get to the office??
Click to expand...

Is there anything going on that causes you to question your ability to pass the exam? Are any of the blocks in question 18 going to be marked yes?

If the latter is affirmative, you might want to hold off going to the AME's office until you have a lot more information.

Even at age 19, if your planning on just showing up to the AME with no real prep, you're risking a lot.
 
Okay. Now that I've put it together, J93 is the fellow with the sore neck and the glucosamine which is just so NOT an issue, so lemme tell you a story...

About 5 years ago, a 23 y.o who had earned his ATP already had about 3100 hours in his logbook and had an interview with Horizon (a GOOD first employer as far as regionals go). He did what most young men do - he rolled outta bed at 08:30 for his local 09:00 AME appointment, had a bowl of Captain Crunch cereal, and had a positive urine for glucose. The AME did not make any special effort, and deferred the kid. His interview is now 9 days away.

The stepfather, pirince that he was, called me up and put him on a regional jet from Rochester NY to Peoria. He stayed ovenight at the hotel which is about 250 yards from the office. At 08:30 he rolled outta bed and had a bowl of Lucky Charms, cause that's what they had in the hotel lobby.

I did not download his medxpress. I told him to SIT. "SIT in the lobby and to not eat anything" and I would get to him at 11:00. "Here, I sez, go pee at 10:30 and then drink this bottle of water" and don't go again until I tell you too. At 11:00 he had just gone to pee again. He was empty.

So I handed him a can of Diet Coke (lots of sodium, makes you pee) asked him "do you really think you have enough discipline to become a Flight Deck officer?" I then told him "NOT TO PEE until I told him to do so". At 11:20 there's a knock on the door (I have a young lady pilot in there hooked up to the EKG, security camera recording....the kid stuck his HEAD IN THE DOOR.

I handed him a cup, told him to pee, and "LEAVE IT IN THE MEN'S ROOM on the inboard urinal!" I then excused myself from the exam room about a minute later.

I think I reamed that kid's ear out, right in the bathroom. He did, however, pass the exam and this spring was promoted from right seat to the left seat.

Moral, as I've advised you by email: (1) Report everything (your issue is a nonissue, write it down just as you emailed it to me). (2) Listen to instructions. (3) Follow instructions, including the ones about completing the medXpress and capturing the form on the ONE AND ONLY CHANCE YOU WILL HAVE. Review earlier post #9!.

So the minimum take away lesson, is please don't eat or DRINK a thing for 2 hours before you go. Soda and Coffee count. Life savers and things you suck on, count. It's okay to roll out of bed 30 minutes before, just DON'T PUT ANYTHING IN YOUR MOUTH.

When I got the email telling me he was being sent to training for his upgrade, I told him, "Thank your stepfather who made this all possible". He's really good at instructions, now. I got an email from the stepfather a couple of days later. :)

Relax. You'll do fine.
 
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bbchien said:
Okay. Now that I've put it together, J93 is the fellow with the sore neck and the glucosamine which is just so NOT an issue, so lemme tell you a story...

About 5 years ago, a 23 y.o who had earned his ATP already had about 3100 hours in his logbook and had an interview with Horizon (a GOOD first employer as far as regionals go). He did what most young men do - he rolled outta bed at 08:30 for his local 09:00 AME appointment, had a bowl of Captain Crunch cereal, and had a positive urine for glucose. The AME did not make any special effort, and deferred the kid. His interview is now 9 days away.

The stepfather, pirince that he was, called me up and put him on a regional jet from Rochester NY to Peoria. He stayed ovenight at the hotel which is about 250 yards from the office. At 08:30 he rolled outta bed and had a bowl of Lucky Charms, cause that's what they had in the hotel lobby.

I did not download his medxpress. I told him to SIT. "SIT in the lobby and to not eat anything" and I would get to him at 11:00. "Here, I sez, go pee at 10:30 and then drink this bottle of water" and don't go again until I tell you too. At 11:00 he had just gone to pee again. He was empty.

So I handed him a can of Diet Coke (lots of sodium, makes you pee) asked him "do you really think you have enough discipline to become a Flight Deck officer?" I then told him "NOT TO PEE until I told him to do so". At 11:20 there's a knock on the door (I have a young lady pilot in there hooked up to the EKG, security camery recording....the kid stuck his HEAD IN THE DOOR.

I handed him a cup, told him to pee, and "LEAVE IT IN THE MEN'S ROOM on the inboard urinal!" I then excused myself from the exam room about a minute later.

I think I reamed that kid's ear out, right in the bathroom. He did, however, pass the exam and this spring was promoted from right seat to the left seat.

Moral, as I've advised you by email: (1) Report everything (your issue is a nonissue, write it down just as you emailed it to me). (2) Listen to instructions. (3) Follow instructions, including the ones about completing the medXpress and capturing the form on the ONE AND ONLY CHANCE YOU WILL HAVE. Review earlier post #9!.

So the minimum take away lesson, is please don't eat or DRINK a thing for 2 hours before you go. Soda and Coffee count. Life savers and things you suck on, count. It's okay to roll out of bed 30 minutes before, just DON'T PUT ANYTHING IN YOUR MOUTH.

When I got the email telling me he was being sent to training for his upgrade, I told him, "Thank your stepfather who made this all possible". He's really good at instructions, now. I got an email from the stepfather a couple of day later. :)

Relax. You'll do fine.
Click to expand...

Great story. I learned a decade ago that Dr. Bruce is in this because of his obvious love for aviation. Dr. Bruce is incredibly accomplished, knowledgeable, and empathetic. Just make sure you listen to and understand what he tells you. He knows whereof he speaks!
 
Or just fly to Peoria and drink nothing but water the whole morning, and whole trip there... :)
 
bbchien said:
Okay. Now that I've put it together, J93 is the fellow with the sore neck and the glucosamine which is just so NOT an issue, so lemme tell you a story...

About 5 years ago, a 23 y.o who had earned his ATP already had about 3100 hours in his logbook and had an interview with Horizon (a GOOD first employer as far as regionals go). He did what most young men do - he rolled outta bed at 08:30 for his local 09:00 AME appointment, had a bowl of Captain Crunch cereal, and had a positive urine for glucose. The AME did not make any special effort, and deferred the kid. His interview is now 9 days away.

The stepfather, pirince that he was, called me up and put him on a regional jet from Rochester NY to Peoria. He stayed ovenight at the hotel which is about 250 yards from the office. At 08:30 he rolled outta bed and had a bowl of Lucky Charms, cause that's what they had in the hotel lobby.

I did not download his medxpress. I told him to SIT. "SIT in the lobby and to not eat anything" and I would get to him at 11:00. "Here, I sez, go pee at 10:30 and then drink this bottle of water" and don't go again until I tell you too. At 11:00 he had just gone to pee again. He was empty.

So I handed him a can of Diet Coke (lots of sodium, makes you pee) asked him "do you really think you have enough discipline to become a Flight Deck officer?" I then told him "NOT TO PEE until I told him to do so". At 11:20 there's a knock on the door (I have a young lady pilot in there hooked up to the EKG, security camera recording....the kid stuck his HEAD IN THE DOOR.

I handed him a cup, told him to pee, and "LEAVE IT IN THE MEN'S ROOM on the inboard urinal!" I then excused myself from the exam room about a minute later.

I think I reamed that kid's ear out, right in the bathroom. He did, however, pass the exam and this spring was promoted from right seat to the left seat.

Moral, as I've advised you by email: (1) Report everything (your issue is a nonissue, write it down just as you emailed it to me). (2) Listen to instructions. (3) Follow instructions, including the ones about completing the medXpress and capturing the form on the ONE AND ONLY CHANCE YOU WILL HAVE. Review earlier post #9!.

So the minimum take away lesson, is please don't eat or DRINK a thing for 2 hours before you go. Soda and Coffee count. Life savers and things you suck on, count. It's okay to roll out of bed 30 minutes before, just DON'T PUT ANYTHING IN YOUR MOUTH.

When I got the email telling me he was being sent to training for his upgrade, I told him, "Thank your stepfather who made this all possible". He's really good at instructions, now. I got an email from the stepfather a couple of days later. :)

Relax. You'll do fine.
Click to expand...

thanks Doc Bruce...:) appreciate the advice...i will report the stiff/sore neck as i emailed you...and iv gotten a letter from my eye specialist for my minor eye surgery stating i have no problems concerning my eye sight..other than my BP is fine no criminal records etc...so i am hoping for the best..i allowed myself to believe that i wouldnt pass because of my neck..so i REALLY appreciate your advice...and everyone's' advice thus far. My medical is on Wednesday coming this week ..wish me the best! well let you know how it goes.
 
spiderweb said:
You have to fill it out online--anywhere you can get online. The point is, once you get to the time you can print it, you have only one chance.
Click to expand...

what happens if i miss the one chance to print it? im just asking i havent attempted to fill out the form as yet.

@ doc Bruce..tnx again man.
 
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pilot J93 said:
what happens if i miss the one chance to print it?
Click to expand...
Don't miss it. When you get a successfull submit, hit the exam summary botton and GET IT.

Remember what I said about cutting off the Download code at the bottom. Tell the doc you have it but want to discuss first....
 
no prob..ill fill out the form tonight as soon as i get some ink for Printer...and ill remember to cut it out for sure.
 
My form results came up as a PDF file. Which was just fine for me. I was able to save it for future, email a coy to my office for printing, and toss into good reader for iPad.
 
ok im making some progress now...just unsure of how i should answer these questions (\anone give me your thoughts please) :-

1) Other illness, disability, or surgery ( keep in mind i did minor eye surgery thats why im abit unsure how to answer the first 3 questions i quoted here)


2) Admission to hospital 3) Eye or vision trouble except glasses




4) Airman Medical Cert.Airman Medical & Student Pilot Cert ( as for this question....what do i need to put? all i want is a class 3 medical for private pilot duties)



5)SSN ( as for this one...im from the caribbean...so i dont have a social security number what do i do) do i simply put a tick next to " International/Declined to Submit (An SSN will be generated by the system)"

I ALSO HAVE NO ZIP CODE SO I JUST PUT A DASH??
 
On #4, do you already hold a PPL issued by another country?
 
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