Aniexty

[hierhier]

A question for you all-

Recently I went to the doctors for an aniexty type condition. It all started a couple months ago I experienced some chest pain and went in and had everything checked out.. I came out alright with nothing to show. Its just over the past two months I've experienced more aniexty than normal.. giving me a nervousness type feeling/ myself thinking about my breathing rate... etc. It comes and goes and its very psoriatic. Anyways.. i ended up going to the doctors and they put me on this pill called Paxil. The doctor said its balancing some chemicals so my nerves are not overreacting. So my question is will this interfere with me getting hired later on at an airline? I'm only 18 hold a private single and multi and currently working on the instrument with a first class medical.

What do you guys think? Know of anyone thats had a similar condition?

Thanks!

 

[SteveC]

[ QUOTE ]
Antidepressants and psychoactive medications: The FAA will not approve any of the medications in this category--including serotonin uptake inhibitors (Celexa, Effexor,Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft) as well as other psychoactive medications (Lithium, Buspar, Elavil, Sinequan, Amitripityline, etc.). Pilots who undergo treatment with these medications can be cleared to return to flight duty after they have stopped taking the medication and the treatment issues have been resolved. See Depression in the VFS Medical Information Center. These medications are sometimes used for non-psychiatric conditions, but are still not approved for use in flight in this context.

The FAA generally requires the pilot to wait 60-90 days after completing treatment with the medication. You must submit records of your treatment to the FAA for the agency's approval. Formal psychological testing is often required. VFS can assist with this process.

[/ QUOTE ]
aviationmedicine.com

And from AOPA:
[ QUOTE ]
Paxil (paroxetine HCl) NOT ALLOWED - SSRI antidepressant

FAR 61.53 prohibits a person from acting as pilot in command or as a required pilot flight crew member while that person (1) "knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation"; or, (2) "Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation."

FAR 91.17 states (a) No person may act or attempt to act as a pilot crewmember of a civil aircraft

(3) While using any drug that affects the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety

Although we maintain the medications list as accurately as possible, there may be drugs that do not appear in the database. If you have any questions about a particular medication that does not appear, contact the Medical Certification specialists on the AOPA Pilot Information Center, 800/872-2672.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, but it looks to me like you're grounded while taking Paxil. Don't take my word for it though. If you're an AOPA member call them up. They have some pretty good staff people that can help. I'm sure that there are other sources as well.

 

[Minnesota_Flyer]

You cannot fly while taking Paxil. In addition, before recertifying you, the FAA probably will want you to be off the drug for about 90 days and then submit paperwork from your treating physician to the effect that you are OK without the meds.

If you are an AOPA member, they can offer more specific help. They were very helpful for me once I actually called them. Your AME also might be willing to give you advice. In my case, I went to the AME for a new medical after having been off Xoloft for only 30 days. He was forced to defer to the FAA while I waited for the 90 days and got my Dr.'s cert. It would have sped up the process if I knew the rules ahead of time. It ended up taking almost 1 year to get my 1st Class back (and I still have to provide annual recert. from my treating physician). The real chafe is that the damn drug didn't help at all anyway . . . turns out I just REALLY hate my job. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

In the meantime, if you fly, make sure you are with an instructor b/c you can't function as PIC.

MF