Kidney Stone(s)

[Shiftace]

Not how I wanted to start 2026, but here goes. Had severe abdominal pain couple weeks ago. Trip to local urgent care was not fruitful; got sent to ER.

CT Scan indicated a nice (5mm) size stone stuck in the ureter. Got some meds, was told to drink water and see if it passes. 3 days, half the city's water supply and plenty of ibuprofen later, no luck. Went to urologist for follow-up and they said gotta do surgery right quick and get this out. During said visit they also noted a second stone in the kidney just hanging out. Said they would break that one up as well and get it all out.

The uretoscopy did not go to plan. The ureter was too tight for them to get it all out and there was blood and debris. So they stopped. They did manage to break up the stones. They put a stent in and sent me home. Have to return for a second follow-up surgery to get the stent out and clean out the remnants of the stone.

Now - doctor/nurse said I am OK to fly between now and the next surgery. No problem, no pain. Nothing. Not on any meds. They are confident that the next surgery will go well.

This is my first medical issue since I started flying. Questions:

1. Do I need to report this to my AME? Or wait till my next medical in 2027? (I think not).
2. With 2 stones and 2 surgeries what do I need to watch out for during my medical?
3. Am I cooked?

Thanks!

 

[ClearedForOption]

Can't remember - do you have access to AMAS? If you do... call them. They can walk you through the whole thing. Union with an aeromedical committee? DART/PDR them. They will have advice... you aren't the first (or last) to get a stone.

Now, don't take any medical advice from me... but someone I know may have gone through this process at some point... so, until someone can give you proper medical advice I'd start here with this decision tree...

1.) https://share.google/RzPmTCd8wpGPNj8XB

and you'll almost for sure need one of these:

2.) https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/PilotInformation_DetailedClinicalProgressNote.pdf

and then because it's 2 stones - you'll probably need to do the CACI.

3.) https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/CACIRetainedKidneyStones_0.pdf

Chances are once you are stone free, you'll be cleared to go and fly again - then present the packet to your AME for an issuance.

Hope this helps and/or gets you pointed in the right direction at least. Paperwork lists many of the pitfalls and how your medical may get deferred and/or if it has to go to a SI.

 

[Skåning]

God damn that sucks, sorry you had to go through that. As a guy, that sounds extremely uncomfortable.

 

[jhugz]

When I had a stone, I passed it but had a very large one retained that was never going to pass. Doc said he wouldn’t have done anything with it but had to do surgery thanks to the FAA.

Retained stones and if I remember correctly a stent is a no go. All that needs to be cleared up. Thankfully you have no pain with your stent, I was in constant pain for two weeks with mine. Every leak was torture. Them removing the damn thing while I was awake was also the stuff nightmares are made of.

Good luck.