3rd Class Medical (Ritalin)

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NEFlyer311

New Member
Hi everyone.....new to the forum and had a quick question:

I took Ritalin from Elementary school through High School.....I have not taken it since 1999.

I took lessons in High School and had my 3rd class medical denied because of the Ritalin.

I have been off of it for 8 years, and am looking at flying again. Will this past issue still present a problem? And if not, what can I do to avoid any delays or appeals in getting the medical.

I posted this message on another forum, and was told that the fact that I have previously (9-10 years ago) had a 3rd class medical denied will still pose serious porblems.....does anyone have any insight or suggestions?

Thanks for any responses!!

Stay safe.
 
Your medical certificate will be deferred by the AME. You will need to provide copies of your medical records related to the treatment of ADD with Ritalin and you will need a current (within 90 days) statement from your physician that you are no longer taking Ritalin, when you stopped and that you exhibit no signs or symptoms of ADD. These will have to be forwarded to the FAA in OKC for review and decision. They will probably grant you a medical since it has been so long but it is their call. If you provide all of the required information to the AME at the time of the medical, he can forward it to OKC in one package which speeds the process. Expect the review process to take about a month.
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
Your medical certificate will be deferred by the AME. You will need to provide copies of your medical records related to the treatment of ADD with Ritalin and you will need a current (within 90 days) statement from your physician that you are no longer taking Ritalin, when you stopped and that you exhibit no signs or symptoms of ADD. These will have to be forwarded to the FAA in OKC for review and decision. They will probably grant you a medical since it has been so long but it is their call. If you provide all of the required information to the AME at the time of the medical, he can forward it to OKC in one package which speeds the process. Expect the review process to take about a month.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply! What kind of records will they need? The doctor that prescribed the meds has been retired for years and I would have no clue how to contact him. I have another doctor that now has the file, however I have never had any meds prescribed by that Dr.

I want this to be as painless as possible. Is it even worth trying, or am I fighting a totally uphill battle here? I'd hate to get my hopes up and then have things not work out in the end.

Thanks again.
 
When I was 24 and applied for my first medical,I listed childhood ADD on my medical and a bleeding disorder that I have . I had (and still have been) been off meds since I was 17.

My medical was deferred to OKC. They never asked for any documentation on ADD, they only asked for information on my bleeding disorder. It was a pain to get them to understand my bleeding disorder only affects me if I have a serious injury or major surgery, but after being issued a special issuance and further arguement, I was granted an unrestricted medical.
 
Polarbear said:
When I was 24 and applied for my first medical,I listed childhood ADD on my medical and a bleeding disorder that I have . I had (and still have been) been off meds since I was 17.

My medical was deferred to OKC. They never asked for any documentation on ADD, they only asked for information on my bleeding disorder. It was a pain to get them to understand my bleeding disorder only affects me if I have a serious injury or major surgery, but after being issued a special issuance and further arguement, I was granted an unrestricted medical.
Click to expand...

I may send you a PM when I have a bit more time. I appreciate the response. But real quick......how long did this process take?
 
NEFlyer311 said:
Thanks for the reply! What kind of records will they need? The doctor that prescribed the meds has been retired for years and I would have no clue how to contact him. I have another doctor that now has the file, however I have never had any meds prescribed by that Dr.

I want this to be as painless as possible. Is it even worth trying, or am I fighting a totally uphill battle here? I'd hate to get my hopes up and then have things not work out in the end.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Just get copies of the records your current doc has along with a letter stating that you have no signs or symptoms of ADD and are taking no medications. The process should take about a month and should not really be a problem. GO FOR IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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