On SSRI Pathway

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LostInTheWeb

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Hi All,

Hope everyone is having a great 2026. I was looking for some guidance and a bit of expectations to be sure all of my ducks are in a row.

I have a mental health background, misdiagnosis of ADHD (about 5 years ago) and current MDD/GAD. Currently on the same dose of an approved SSRI for about a year. Small extent of trialing off and back on. I’ve seen Dr. Chen say untreated/recurrent is a no no. So it’s treated and with that getting off of it is not an option.

Curious if anybody (I know a long shot) has been through an experience similar to mine and if so, what the cost OOP was for all testing/hims. Also, if anybody has some recommendations on providers on the east coast. For clarity, I’ve already been deferred (shame on me for jumping the gun) so sport is out of the cards, but I do want to get atleast a 3rd class so I can fly as a hobby, and then switch to basic med.

Thanks everybody, and fly safe!
 
If you are on an approvable med (Single med), and if your MD psychiatrist is amenabe and will do the federal checklists as part of your care, all you are on the hook for is a cogscreen AE done in a HIMS psychologist's office for the SSRI program)- It may run $1,500. But for ADHD you need the full battery and it's just under $3,800 commonly.

I can't believe you're trying to do this on your own. I just don't see how to do that in less than "several years" of fits and starts.

Please Go to the "find an AME page" on faa.gov and get the HIMS AME list, and hire one. Do not do another flight physical until you have it all "in the bag".. You've already created a burden for the HIMS AME and for the HIMS neuropsychologist (lists are public) to order and await the HIMS AME verison of your FAA medical record. No, it's different than the one that you recieve.

The concept here is "hire expert help". "Lost in the web" as a "handle" kinda implies you might not "get" this concept (but might not be necessarily true).
 
bbchien said:
If you are on an approvable med (Single med), and if your MD psychiatrist is amenabe and will do the federal checklists as part of your care, all you are on the hook for is a cogscreen AE done in a HIMS psychologist's office for the SSRI program)- It may run $1,500. But for ADHD you need the full battery and it's just under $3,800 commonly.

I can't believe you're trying to do this on your own. I just don't see how to do that in less than "several years" of fits and starts.

Please Go to the "find an AME page" on faa.gov and get the HIMS AME list, and hire one. Do not do another flight physical until you have it all "in the bag".. You've already created a burden for the HIMS AME and for the HIMS neuropsychologist (lists are public) to order and await the HIMS AME verison of your FAA medical record. No, it's different than the one that you recieve.

The concept here is "hire expert help". "Lost in the web" as a "handle" kinda implies you might not "get" this concept (but might not be necessarily true).
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Im re-reading my post, and dont see anywhere that says I’m trying to do this on my own nor that I’m not willing to look for expert help. Was simply curious what to realistically expect hence why I posted on the medical help forum. I know the importance of a good HIMS AME, which is why I was looking for suggestions here. I know the database returns a lot but as I’m not in the field I want to be sure that I select the right one after making sure my finances are in order as to not hire one, waste their time, due to lack of funds. Atleast your first paragraph was helpful, I’ll take your rant with a grain of salt :)
 
Not to mention, HIMS AMES are non existent in my area (see I already used that tool) so if I’m going to travel, my options are much more open to select the right one.
 
Where is, "where you are?". I CAN make some suggestions.....

As for doing it on your own….well you did bomb on in, pretty blind and get deferred, right?
 
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bbchien said:
Where is, "where you are?". I CAN make some suggestions.....

As for doing it on your own….well you did bomb on in, pretty blind and get deferred, right?
Click to expand...
Ohio Area, can drive easily to WV/PA. Willing to catch a flight for the right provider. Unfortunately my AME, who is a nice guy but now described by some other pilots I’ve spoken to in the area is old time. When I went into speak with him he just asked for a note saying I was stable, which sounded simple enough. But of course now it’s not. I should have checked this forum first but didn’t discover it until now. So now I’m just trying to pick up the pieces. Can’t change the past and unless I make another med express account and openly lie and risk 250K fine and jail time, I just need to press on. I do appreciate the help here.
 
Dr. Steinhauser and Dr. Carrol are not worth seeing. Dr. Steinhauser used to be a good AME, but has been weird since Covid and can be rather cold to deal with. Dr. Carrol is expensive. The guy near Pittsburgh is also expensive to the tune of $8000 just in his fees before you’d even see the Neuropsych. And follow up appts run around $2000. I’d look into Western Ohio if anything. Just my 2 cents as someone who lives around the area.
 
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