Case 54
It is indeed possible to get a medical with a history of kidney stones. I had one in 1990 and another in 1997 (removed via lithotripsy).
The AME did grant my medical, but the FAA send a letter a few weeks later requesting supporting information to show that I was "stone free". That ended up entailing a couple of IVPs, some renal tomograms, and other expensive tests. But eventually I submitted enough paperwork that the FAA gave in. I was told by the AME that they may ask for additional proof of being stone free when my medical comes up for renewal. And, of course, if I suspect I may have a stone, I have to ground myself.
I'd suggest you don't give up. AOPA will have some specific advice. Your case is a little different, because instead of just a history of stones, you have one right now, small as it may be.
Though I wouldn't wish the FAA medical certification nightmare on my worst enemy, I can't really begrudge the FAA the caution with which they treat kidney stones--the pain they can cause is serious business (i'm referring to both the FAA and the stones). :)
Case 53
I had an experience with a stone some years back. I was actually on final at night in a P51 when the attack hit me. It felt like a knife sticking in my side and a very angry man twisting it. As I sit here I can't even begin to describe the pain, it was that bad. The doctor compared it to natural childbirth without any medicine to dull the pain.
Needless to say I made it ok, as I'm still here to tell the tale, but I reported it on my next medical. The medical was denied and I spent six months fighting with the FAA to have it reinstated. What a damn mess that was.
It's a double edged sword with these things. As a responsible pilot you should report anything that might affect you physically in the air. I was asked on the medical form about kidney stones and I told the truth. I also told them I had passed the stone and the problem was over. To my surprise, the doctor denied the medical. The problem is that once into the system, it's hard to have this kind of thing reversed, even if the symptom has been corrected or relieved. In my case, I passed the stone, but the FAA treated the matter as an ongoing problem...and it was a royal bear to fix it. I really don't know what to advise pilots who ask me about this type of problem. As a flight instructor, I must tell you officially to always tell the truth on a medical form.....but I really hope the FAA someday corrects the stupid way they can handle these things with pilots.
Case 52
I reached a point on Monday where my CFI tells me that I should slow down my training a little until my medical comes in. I'll explain. I started in early January and was denied medical due to migraines 5 years ago (have not been treated since). All of my stuff was sent off to Oklahoma and a few weeks ago I got the "please send us your medical records" letter. I know that they will approve me, but I also know that it will take them more time for "review" before I can get my medical cert.
Case 51
Well, I went for my third third-class medical exam today. Was the first one I've been to since the last one three years ago, and the first one since I got a SODA for Defective Color Vision. I didn't quite know what to expect, but went with my copy of the SODA from the FAA to show the AME.
Went through all the vision stuff with the nurse until she said "tell me the numbers in the circles". I just said: "we don't have to... really". Reminds me of that dr.'s office scene in the movie "Fletch"...hahaha! Ever serve time, doc?
Anyway, I showed the SODA to her and the doc and on went the exam without any further questions -- and I still don't believe there are any numbers in those circles... it's all just a trick. For anyone else who is wondering or has yet to go through a new medical after having gotten a SODA for color vision, there's is no required color identification part to the exam at all. Just make sure that you remember to keep your copy of the SODA safe and bring it with you. Also, the SODA's are issued effective only for the class medical that you had/have when you took/take the SODA. I asked about upgrading even to a first class, and the AME said that the
SODA test will carry through up to the higher classes. To get an upgrade, a letter must be sent requesting such before the visit to the AME. Then the FAA can send a letter authorizing the upgrade of the SODA class without the need for a test re-take.
Case 50
I received my third class medical yesterday!!!
I applied for it almost 3 months ago. I have eye trouble in my right eye and have had several surgeries to correct the problem, but I am still just past the minimums. I sent of a letter to the FAA with my app. I was told by several pilots and instructors that it would be no problem. They would send someone out to fly with me to make sure the problem didn't interfere with my flying. Well, yesterday I got the letter and and they cleared me without any problems. I couldn;t believe it! There it was in the letter, my third class medical. I was shouting for joy! Now I know why they use gold paper, it's as precious as gold!
Case 49
I've always had a minor problem with acid reflux, as have most male members of my family. It would flare up with mild symptoms for a couple of days, make me uncomfortable, then go away.
In between medicals a few years ago, it got considerably worse, with the symptoms lasting 3 days or so and every other week. I went to my doctor and had an upper GI done, as well as other tests to confirm that I didn't have any ulcers or other problems and after a couple hundred dollars of lab work and another couple hundred dollars of consultations, everybody decided that yes, I indeed had acid reflux that two over-the-counter Pepcid AC's taken daily controlled very nicely.
When I got ready to renew my medical a couple or three months later, I got copies of the upper GI, consultation reports, and a letter from my personal physician that summarized everything, course of treatment, results and prognosis.
The AME made a note of this in his own letter that accompanied my medical application to OKC, kept the stuff I brought him in his files in case OKC wanted it, and gave me my medical certificate. I never heard another word about it.
If you have ANY problems, you need to plan ahead before you go if you want to avoid delay. I'm already working with my AME after my back injury and blood clots to get all my ducks in a row, and I don't have to take the medical for another 8 months. But when I do, I expect it to be a non-event because I'll be ready.
The absolute WORST thing you can do is to show up with an undocumented problem or to have the problem (high-blood pressure, bad ear, etc.)discovered at the medical. If this is your first, I strongly recommend you make an appointment with your regular doctor FIRST for a thorough physical before you take your flight physical. If you don't, you're playing a form of Russian roulette.
Case 48
I had a minor problem surface with the OKC folks after my medical last year. I called the local FSDO and they took care of calling OKC for me immediately. I had my medical back the next day.
Case 47
One person hired a medical consultant prior to each medical to assure compliance with the FAA regulations. One opinion
was that an AME is only required to transmit the application to the FAA. There is no requirement to submit a history.
The AME should have conferred with the regional flight surgeon's office, in which case the certificate would have been issued immediately. The FAA keeps the EKG's and compares them with the most recent.
Even after oral approval for his medical the airline pilot received from the Medical Certification Division a form letter stating that he was ineligible for a medical and that this applied to all classes of medicals. he was issued a 6-month certificate. This letter was a burecratic screw-up since he had been cleared by the FAA Review Board that there was nothing wrong with his heart.
On further review the FAA was unable to find any records. Once again through his doctor he was assured that
everything was cleared and that he would be receiving a letter saying so. Four weeks later the identical form letter arrived stating that he was ineligible for any class of medical. Again the doctor contacted Dr. Silberman, the Manager of the Aeromedical Certification Division who a week later send him a letter stating that the special issuance was not required and enclosed his first class medical certificate.
Case 46
I received my permanent certificate a few days after I called the FAA in OK City and spoke to a FRIENDLY mature woman who had a handle on things. It had been 62 days by then.
Case 45
Apparently I'm stuck in this mess now, too. I was concerned about a minor incident before my medical, but everything went well and I got my certificate. The rules state the FAA has 60 days to deny a medical, and after 60 days, I thought I was home free. Well, five months later (a couple weeks before my checkride), I've been asked to submit all sorts of medical paperwork. I imagine the FAA will wait another five months to realize food poisoning is not a "history of abdominal pain" as they state in their letter.
Case 44
I am currently training and loving every minute of it, but I have had some problems with the medical. I checked that I was treated for migranes over three years ago. I have no problem being honest and know I did the right thing by answering, but I never dreamed that it would take so friggin long to get it cleared. I took the medical in early January and have been bugging the FAA since mid March. Monday I received a letter from them that I needed to get with the M.D. that treated me three years ago and send in a copy of my medical records from that episode. What I would like to know is if anyone else out there has been through a similar ordeal and knows how long it takes
After I send in those records. I am more than ready to solo, but cannot until this thing is cleared and the wait is driving me nuts. In the mean time, I continue to fly once or twice a week with the instructor doing more advanced things on the checklist for PPL.
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