complex migraine

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sonnydog

New Member
Hello doc, Thanks for the site, very helpful. I am a pilot at one of the majors and I have found myself out of work for the last year due to some concerning symptoms that many docs couldnt figure out. I finally found a few neurologists that say I have a complex migraine. (One doc even labeled it as a hemiplegic migraine)

Heres the thing. I dont get the headache, just all other symptoms such as dizziness, heat wave sensation with my vision, double vision (only 2x in the last year, 10 sec long then normal), bowel troubles, sensitivity to light, face numbness, and have felt like I was going to pass out a few times. (never have fully passed out) Every now and then I will get a one sided headache, but the pain is nothing like what others describe with migraines. My pain is very mild and 3 advil take care of the pain.

My Neuro has me on Inderal LA 60mg and it is working wonders for all the symptoms. I have been on that for almost 3 months. The drug combined with avoiding what triggers the events seems to be the answer to being symptom free.

I have had soooo many tests done and all normal except a 24 HR EEG that had a slight variance. My neuro has an entire writeup about why it is normal. (hopefully that wont cause a problem)

I am just wondering what the FAA will say to the diagnosis of hemiplegic migraine or complex migraine and the associated issues. I have not turned in my paperwork yet, but am gathering all the records from my docs now.

I have been using ALPA medical for this, but just wanted to hear from you on your opinion. I am only 34 years old and am very concerned for my career at this point. (This type of Migraine runs in my family)

Thanks for any insight on what may be to come for me. :confused:
 
If it is well controlled, I think there is a good chance they will grant a Special Issuance. What does ALPA Aeromedical say?
 
Thanks for the reply, ALPA medical has told me that I will have to have OKC review the records and then a special issue waiver will be needed to qualify for another first class medical. I am sending off all the test results and doc records to ALPA in the next few weeks. They told me if a waiver is granted there may be a undetermined amount of time (3,6,9 or 12 months) of symptom free or a degree of symptoms that will not cause any kind of performance disruption while on the inderal.

I have never had to report anything to OKC directly,only my AME so far, do you have any idea a rough time frame for the time the FAA gets my med records and issues a waiver to me barring any limitations or restrictions?

Thanks again
 
The process takes 8-12 weeks. They will probably send your file to their consulting neurologist for a review and opinion. The good thing is that with ALPA submitting the documents, the process is usually shorter than when the rest of us submit them.
 
Cool, Hopefully all goes well and I can get back flying soon. I am so glad I signed up for disability insurance :)

Thanks for the information and if anything else comes up, Ill be sure to ask. Keep up the good work here!!!! Its so nice to have you as a resource!!!

I would love to hear from any other pilot that has had a similar experience and their outcome. Thanks
 
I work for a major and had migraine issues as well. Mine were called ocular migraines or migraine variant. Same as you, no headache but other symptoms, mostly visual. Wound up treating it with magnesium and an herb as other meds were not accepted by the FAA. So far so good. They don't know what causes these things however my eye doc thinks it can be related to blood pressure. Mine is very low and he thinks that can sometime be a trigger. I might add that I have teenagers in the house and they may a trigger as well. <G>


As they say, medicine is an art and not a science.

The fed process took exactly 7 weeks. ALPA Aeromed was terrific and I would highly recommend letting them carry the ball for you.

Good luck!
 
Hiho, thanks for the reply. I have also heard the term variant migraine from my docs used to describe my condition. (my dad has it too) My doc has me on a low dose blood pressure drug (FAA approved) that seems to keep the symptoms under control. I have a doc at ALPA Med who has been helping me with how to proceed, but I just havent talked to anyone who has gone through the process to get back to work. It sounds like you didnt have much of an issue. I have tried B12, B2, magnisuim, and feverfew and all seem to help. The biggest help for me is stress reduction and avoiding beer :mad:. Sucks, but gotta do it I guess.

Did the FAA give you a time limit to be out symptom free, or did they just give you the waiver?

Thanks
 
They didn't give an exact time, but ALPA told me that you want to be symptom free for at least 3 months, but 4 or 5 might be safer before you reapply. I waited 4 and then put the wheels into motion.

Of course if you have another episode, the clock starts over.

My waiver says I have to go back every 12 months, (no problem there) and to report any med changes or future episodes. I also have to provide them with an eye exam form each time I go in for a medical. Don't know why as this is a brain thing and not an eye thing, but I will do whatever they tell me to do.

It doesn't seem to me to be a big deal as long as you can prove that the episodes are under control. Its just me talking, but it seems as though they want you to be on some kind of medication. I don't think they like it if they just resolve on their own. I didn't tolerate the BP meds very well as I had low BP to begin with. These other meds seem to do alright.

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Hiho, thanks for the reply. I am submitting all my paperwork to ALPA as soon as I get all my records together. Hopefully I get a good answer from the feds. You said the blood pressure meds didnt work to well, what are you taking now other than magnesium and what kind of herb works for you? I might give it a try.

Thanks again for all your time
 
I have Cluster Migraines and the FAA gave me a special issuance. If your like me they will make you get a letter from your Dr and limit your medical certificate to one year, regardless of class.

It's not that big of a deal really. good luck, I feel you pain
 
Muffinman, thanks for the reply. It's nice to know that it isnt that difficult of a process to get a 1st class medical with migraines. Thanks again :)
 
No worries,

Just make sure you give them everything they ask for.. My migraines don't really effect my flying.. but when I have one I don't drive, much less fly.
 
Good to read others stories. I'm now one month cluster migraine free, I was gettting them several times a week up to almost continuous. It has been a rough journey, took med leave Nov last year and it has taken a lot of trial and error to figure out the issue. I had vertigo, nausea, vomiting, ear ringing and headaches but not all of them were initially with pain.

My journey started with stress management then mold allergy (sick house syndrome from crash pad), eustachian tube dysfunction, TMJ disorder, c-spine alignment (that was a good one) and four months later, migraines! I stopped seeing all of the specialists and back to my primary care doc who started a beta blocker with success. I had also tried Imitrex which is great to get rid of the headaches but got rebound migraines and can't fly following the dose anyway. So far with a few dosage adjustments the beta blocker is doing well. Hopefully no more resetting of the clock.

I am also working with ALPA medical and have been told 4 to 6 months pain free to re apply. They did mention it would be much easier if I was taking a medication to prevent them even if it was ibuprofen daily rather than something after you get a headache. I have also been told that I may need further tests to rule out some issues like Minears disease (sp)- inner ear prob, eeg's, vertigo clinic, etc since I luckily went through those type of docs first before treating the migraines :rolleyes:. ALPA also mentioned I might need a neurologist to sign off on the migraines, have you been told this? I am hoping since all of the other problems have also gone away with the migraines that these tests will no longer be required... time will tell.

Good luck to all.
 
Flyer 2, sounds like you have had a rough go at this as have I. I am submitting all my paper work to ALPA this week. I have been cleared by my neurologist and migraine specialist on paper to get back to flying. I have been symptom free for about 3 - 4 months now. I dont really know what the outcome will be other than what everyone on this thread has said and what ALPA med has told me. It sounds all positive though. :) I will let you know if I have to have other tests done or if I just get the waiver. Stress reduction has been the most beneficial for me to this point. Google a program called the Linden Method. It is for stress and anxiety reduction. Kinda skeptical at first, but has really helped me to get stressful events in my life in check and has helped control my migraine attacks.

Thanks to all for the info and Ill update my progress when I hear something.
 
GOOD NEWS!!!!

Just learned today the feds granted a special issuance first class medical to me!!

The limitation is, its only valid for 6 months at a time, and I must report any symptoms or med changes.

Thanks to all for the info on this site :nana2: :rawk:
 
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