Questions about COPD

[Unregistered]

I apologize in advance if this ends up being a long post;
I have a medical expiring in 5 months. I am guessing I need to get started now on documentation.
In April, I was diagnosed with COPD.

The primary component of my copd is asthma. My last pulmonary function test revealed that I am at the bottom of the "normal" scale. I respond well with a (rescue) inhaler and I am on 2 maintenance drugs, Advair and Spireva. This test was done less than 2 months after I was hospitalized. Additionally, the dr's put me on zyban (sp) to assist with quitting smoking and have been off that almost 2 months. I am off all the steroids but also take Prilosec and Lasix (I rebounded from massive amounts of steroids, they really did step me down fast). I am guessing at some point in the near future, I will quit the Lasix (edema in feet/hands)

I have been told by some I don't have to report; others say yes so, I am in a quandry as to what to do. Do I report all, part, .... any suggestions would be appreciated.

Oh, and by the way..... smoke free, 3+ months.

 

[Chache]

I apologize in advance if this ends up being a long post;
I have a medical expiring in 5 months. I am guessing I need to get started now on documentation.
In April, I was diagnosed with COPD.

The primary component of my copd is asthma. My last pulmonary function test revealed that I am at the bottom of the "normal" scale. I respond well with a (rescue) inhaler and I am on 2 maintenance drugs, Advair and Spireva. This test was done less than 2 months after I was hospitalized. Additionally, the dr's put me on zyban (sp) to assist with quitting smoking and have been off that almost 2 months. I am off all the steroids but also take Prilosec and Lasix (I rebounded from massive amounts of steroids, they really did step me down fast). I am guessing at some point in the near future, I will quit the Lasix (edema in feet/hands)

I have been told by some I don't have to report; others say yes so, I am in a quandry as to what to do. Do I report all, part, .... any suggestions would be appreciated.


Oh, and by the way..... smoke free, 3+ months.

Yes. I Had a triple bypass five years ago.

I have never has any manifestations of pulmonary disease,
difficulty breathing, out of breath, heavy breathing,
forced exhalations, rales, crickets, or snakes and mice....

But ....Since I previously smoked for 40 some years....
my cardiologist reported COPD, in my report to FAA.

This required me to go for a "Spirometry" test,

see:
http://www.nlhep.org/spirom1.html

Readings :

Fev1 / FVC lower than 70%, means an obstruction
60 - 75 = mild,
40 - 59 = moderate
<40 = severe

I attained readings of 89 percent. ( I'm in my sixties.)
The FAA required a letter from the Dr. stating that the condition, was stable,
and was not a problematic factor.

Dr Bruce, will confirm this:
Never lie on your medical application!
Sooner or later, when you least expect it,
it will come back and bite you in your Gluteus Maximus..

I got my 3rd class medical. (Special issuance)

Skyraider

 

[bbchien]

http://www.nlhep.org/spirom1.html

Readings :

Fev1 / FVC lower than 70%, means an obstruction
60 - 75 = mild,
40 - 59 = moderate
<40 = severe

I attained readings of 89 percent. ( I'm in my sixties.)
The FAA required a letter from the Dr. stating that the condition, was stable,
and was not a problematic factor.

Dr Bruce, will confirm this:
Never lie on your medical application!
Sooner or later, when you least expect it,
it will come back and bite you in your Gluteus Maximus..

I got my 3rd class medical. (Special issuance)

Skyraider

No kidding.

Why don't you get your pulmonary functions and email me. FEV1/FVC is less than 70% the quality of the letter and whether you are stable or not, have and episodes where you're had to be hosptialized for antibiotics, etc, becomes important.

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks, Skyraider and Dr Bruce. I have another test the end of September to see what kind of progress if any I'm making. I'll forward both reports on to you then.