Class 3 Medical w/ current kidney stone?

M

MrRyan2

New Member
Hi everyone--

I'm a 31-year-old male, currently training towards my PPL. I'm absolutely loving it, but I got a nasty shock when I looked over the medical requirements and saw that having a current kidney stone might be a problem. I'm hoping to get some advice about what I should expect in terms of my medical clearance.

About 8 years ago I had 6mm kidney stone that was discovered on a routine x-ray. It hadn't bothered me at all, but I got it treated with lithotrypsy and that was that--no problems.

Three years ago, another kidney stone was discovered--this one is 3mm and is in my kidney. Again, it hasn't bothered me at all. My urologist said that there was no need to treat it, due to its size and the fact that is wasn't hurting. So I've lived with it for the last three years, and never had any symptoms--I have no idea it's even there. I go to my urologist every year or so, he takes an x-ray, and it just seems to be hanging out in the same place, not moving, not growing.

So I'm wondering whether I'm going to have an issue with my medical--whether the AME can clear me, or, if not, how long the FAA is going to take to make its decision. Also, what documents I should collect from my urologist, and so on.

Thanks!
 
I had a close friend who had this issue as well. You will need a statement from your doctor stating that the stone is stable and isn't likely to pass spontaneously (I guess the fear is that if it did you could be incapacitated by the pain mid-flight?) You might have problems with the size, I think 3mm or greater they look at more closely.

I don't know if the fact that you have both recurrent kidney stones (a history of at least 2) AND a retained one will be an issue, but at the least expect to have to do more stuff like one of those all day urinalysis and follow up reports every year if you get a SI.

The doc can answer your questions better than me though, but your best bet is probably to get with a AME that has a history of both doing a lot of flight physicals and a lot of special issuances. You don't want to go to a pediatrician who just does the bare minimum of flight exams on the side to keep his AME current.
 
You will neded a report from the urologist as well as a current Xray or CT scan showing where the stone is located. They will most likely grant you a Special Issuance medical certificate.

Take all of the documentation to the AME. He can call OKC or the Regional FLight Surgeon to see if they will let him issue a certificate>
 
Thanks.

So then can I be fairly confident that I'll receive my certificate? If not right then from the AME, later from the FAA?
 
Most likely. Without actually seeinbg the medical records, I canot say. That would be pure speculation and inappropriate. Almost all applicants get their medical.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top