Worried: Celexa for 2 months, need help guiding my doc

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I am trying to get my lapsed medical back. In Feb, I seeked out a doc to help me with some depression I was dealing with. He classified it as "lowered mood" and put me on Lexapro and Abilify. I took it for approx. 2 months and did well on it. I chose not to refill it or go back to the doc. I was doing very well.

I went to my AME for the exam. He sent everything in and the FAA is wanting more info. They sent a letter with pretty detailed instructions, but I am trying to anticipate the visit with my doc which will be this week, to discuss what they want. I also need "convince" him I'm better?

How do I "prove" I've been off meds? I haven't seen another doc and I didn't ask him to refill.

Looking back, I guess I should have went back in for another follow-up, but I was feeling better, then I lost health insurance temporarily.

In another turn, I asked for a letter for a mental health specialist he asked me to see as part of my treatment. In the letter, she states I suffered from dysthymia, for the past few years. This isn't really true, as I have never been diagnosed or even seen a doctor about it. Is this a potential problem?
 
Unregistered said:
I am trying to get my lapsed medical back. In Feb, I seeked out a doc to help me with some depression I was dealing with. He classified it as "lowered mood" and put me on Lexapro and Abilify. I took it for approx. 2 months and did well on it. I chose not to refill it or go back to the doc. I was doing very well.

I went to my AME for the exam. He sent everything in and the FAA is wanting more info. They sent a letter with pretty detailed instructions, but I am trying to anticipate the visit with my doc which will be this week, to discuss what they want. I also need "convince" him I'm better?

How do I "prove" I've been off meds? I haven't seen another doc and I didn't ask him to refill.

Looking back, I guess I should have went back in for another follow-up, but I was feeling better, then I lost health insurance temporarily.

In another turn, I asked for a letter for a mental health specialist he asked me to see as part of my treatment. In the letter, she states I suffered from dysthymia, for the past few years. This isn't really true, as I have never been diagnosed or even seen a doctor about it. Is this a potential problem?
Click to expand...

Oh boy, you need to get in touch with Dr. Bruce Chien. You can find him over on the red board or send a message to www.aeromedicaldoc.com
You have a can of worms and Doc Bruce is THE worm charmer. On thing, do not mislead him in any way and do EXACTLY what he tells you. Good luck.
 
Definitely talk to Dr. Bruce (www.aeromedicaldoc.com use the email rather than the webform to contact him, the latter he's been having issues with). Doc was the one who helped right the SSRI SI protocol. I'd get a letter from the doc who issued the prescription to indicate that you're off the meds for 90 days and no effects and that your depression was transient. Dysthemia isn't as bad as the main depression diagnosis. It sort of a long term chronic low level "out of sorts."

Then I'd the hell away from the quack. I doubt he's a psychiatrist. The fact that he prescribed abilify without seeing how the SSRI did on it's own is contrary to standard practice (and the prescribing guidelines). By the way, I'm pretty sure Abilify is not permitted, even if you go through the massive hoop jumping of the SSRI special issuance.
 
Once you're off for 90 days and produce a letter from the prescriber that you have no symptoms, you'll get an insurance.
 
mikeinbama said:
Oh boy, you need to get in touch with Dr. Bruce Chien. You can find him over on the red board or send a message to www.aeromedicaldoc.com
You have a can of worms and Doc Bruce is THE worm charmer. On thing, do not mislead him in any way and do EXACTLY what he tells you. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Pretty much this is what you should do. Do it before your FAA medical exam.
 
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