9 years on Citalopram

I know that is not on the list.

I agree the reason they disallow medications is the underlying disease but there are also side effects of medications. Amitriptyline is strongly anticholinergic which is a detriment to flying.
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
I know that is not on the list.

I agree the reason they disallow medications is the underlying disease but there are also side effects of medications. Amitriptyline is strongly anticholinergic which is a detriment to flying.
Click to expand...

The medication stopped making me drowsy after 2 weeks of being on it. I don't experience any other side effect, not even dry mouth. We tried gabapentin first and I was extremely intolerant to it. Do you know if SSRI's or SNRI's are going to be on the list? The mechanisms are different but they also function to increase neurotransmitter levels. Was wondering if they might be effective. Though I hear SSRI's cause more sexual side effects.
 
There are many airmen who have very serious physical ailments and without much stability and on meds get
approved for medical certification.

Then there are those of us with a treatable mental illness and very stable on meds who are automatically disqualified only because our ailment is mental and not physical.

The stigma lives on and is alive and well with the FAA!
 
i read on a forum once, a brain surgeon posted that he could operate on peolple but couldnt fly a cessna, he was on an antidepressant
 
The 4 SSRI's that are going to be on the list for Special Issuance Medical Certificates: Is that just for a 3rd class medical certificate only? Or will 1st and 2nd class medical certificates be eligible as well?
 
Doc,

I got the second letter back from the FAA, this time it states "If your condition improves and your physician recommends discontinuation of the medication, after you have been off medication for 90 days and have remained symptom free during that time, we will be glad to give your request for medical certification further consideration"

Ok, somewhat clear. I need to be off the medication for 90 days and get an update from the doc. They didn't list specific tests but did say they need all records including diagnosis, prognosis, follow-up plan and treatment records.

Here are my questions. I am in the process of weaning myself of the meds (3 weeks in so far).

1. Should I see a psychiatrist now before I am completely off the meds or wait the 90 days first?

2. Since I do not have a current Psychiatrist (He retired), as I look for one to go to, what should I be looking for as far as abilities to help with the FAA? Can you recommend one in Minnesota?

3. The FAA doesn't specify so am I better going to a Psychiatrist or Physiologist for the FAA.

Thanks in advance for your time.
 
Make an appointment with a psychiatrist for 6 weeks from now. It will take that long to get in as a new patient. Take copies of all your records to him so he has th ewhole picture and can write a good report. Use a Board Certified psychiatrist. I do not know one in Minnesota.
 
Good guess doc. 4 weeks for a new patient. One place I tried was 5 months. Seems like it may be a good business to get into.
 
Doc,

I am off my Meds and I am waiting the 90 days. Since I am discontinuing my medication (Citalopram and Trazodone) I made an appointment with a psychiatrist to go over the current situation and show him the letter from the FAA. He understands and had a few thoughts/ questions.

1. On my medical I indicated the reason for the meds as mild depression and trouble sleeping. My actual diagnosis was for mild OCD and mild insomnia. When I turn in my records to the FAA after 90 days with the current evaluation will this cause a flag with the FAA (Medical indicates depression, doctors diagnosis indicates OCD)?

2. The psychiatrist recommended that I should try Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. If I do, will this disqualify me for my medical also?


Thanks in advance for your time.
 
You might want to try Dr. Timothy Lang at Gary Fishler and associates.

http://www.psycheval.com/lang.shtml

When I was investigating this a couple years ago, I found him. He has some experience with certifying military aviators. The tests the FAA wanted to run are expensive - he was estimating $3000 - $4000 back when I talked to him.

He's probably qualified to offer and interpret the tests, but I think you would want to see someone else for management.

Good luck!
 
It will probably not make a difference.

Behavioral therapy willprobably be OK


pppatacki said:
Doc,

I am off my Meds and I am waiting the 90 days. Since I am discontinuing my medication (Citalopram and Trazodone) I made an appointment with a psychiatrist to go over the current situation and show him the letter from the FAA. He understands and had a few thoughts/ questions.

1. On my medical I indicated the reason for the meds as mild depression and trouble sleeping. My actual diagnosis was for mild OCD and mild insomnia. When I turn in my records to the FAA after 90 days with the current evaluation will this cause a flag with the FAA (Medical indicates depression, doctors diagnosis indicates OCD)?

2. The psychiatrist recommended that I should try Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. If I do, will this disqualify me for my medical also?


Thanks in advance for your time.
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