SSRI/Anxiety from a while ago

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Grasshopper2468

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Hello, looking to get my 3rd class medical. However, about 9 years ago I saw my PCP for anxiety and they prescribed my Lexipro and suggested therapy. For about a year I was on the meds and saw a therapist. After a year I was off both and haven’t had any reoccurring issues since. My question is what documents do I need to bring to my AME exam that would be acceptable? I don’t live in the same state as the PCP or therapist any more. Will a note from my current PCP suffice? Would a copy of my pharmacy records help to show I wasn’t on meds? Not sure what the best next steps would be. Thanks!
 
The current PCP is only of use if he will vouch for the past 8 years ago in addition to your current state, that he does not think you had any psych issues. Maybe the therapist (if the original PCP is inaccessable) could suffice- but you'd have to visit.

The problem is that the FAA needs to distinguish credibly that your interim 8 years were without difficulty. Why? Because everyone says "but I've been fine". That was the core argument that Andreas Lubitz made to the JAA. They had a psychologist who took the bait, and testified; and the FAA is not going to get burned on that.

The alternative is the current PCP letter and cards and letters from your employers and professors to the same effect, covering the entire period.

B
 
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Is it preferable to go to the prescribing PCP even though I haven’t seen them since then?
bbchien said:
The current PCP is only of use if he will vouch for the past 8 years ago in addition to your current state, that he does not think you had any psych issues. Maybe the therapist (if the original PCP is inaccessable) couild suffice- but you'd have to visit.

The problem is that the FAA needs to distisnguish credibly that your interim 8 years were without difficulty. Why? Because everyone says "but I've been fine". that was the core argument that Andreas Lubitz made to the JAA. They had a psychologist who took the bait, and testified; and the FAA is not going to get burned on that.

The alternative is the current PCP letter and cards and letters from your employers and professors to the same effect, covering the entire period.

B
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Is it preferable to go to the prescribing PCP even though they haven’t seen me since then? If I don’t have letters at I done for or should I expect more hoops to jump through to get a medical?
 
Grasshopper2468 said:
Not sure what the best next steps would be.
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Contact a Senior AME who has experience with "hard cases" and schedule a CONSULTATION. If the AME doesn't do consultations, find a different one who does. Bring all your documentation. Follow the path that he lays out for you to get a medical. If he and you are not both confident that you will be issued a medical, consider not applying and retaining your no-medical-certificate options.
 
Grasshopper2468 said:
Is it preferable to go to the prescribing PCP even though I haven’t seen them since then?

Is it preferable to go to the prescribing PCP even though they haven’t seen me since then? If I don’t have letters at I done for or should I expect more hoops to jump through to get a medical?
Click to expand...
YES, it is.
 
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