Pilots with fibromyalgia?

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ParagliderPilot

New Member
Hello,

I’m wondering if there are any pilots on here who have fibromyalgia and also have an FAA medical certificate. Haven’t been able to find much info on aviation and fibromyalgia on the internet.

I have fibromyalgia, and I’m currently on Cymbalta to help manage it, and it has worked wonders. But I still have fatigue, some pain, and I’m limited on how much I can physically exert myself without my heart beating too fast. Like I can’t run for long or play a basketball game, but I can easily do less physically demanding activities.

I’m hoping to get an FAA medical but not sure if my condition would be disqualifying.

Any input would be appreciated.
 
If one has fibromyalgia and does not need medications then the FAA has no problem with a medical certificate. Your Cymbalta is a disqualifying medication and because of the pharmacological class of the drug I think you would need to wait at least 90 days off meonsiderationdication before they would consider a medical certificate. As has been stated here before it is a combination of the disease and the medication to treat it that is taken into consideration when decisions are made on medical certificates.
 
Thanks for the reply. Ok yeah I had read that the FAA had lifted the ban for some antidepressants/SSRIs like Lexapro, Prozac, etc, and I just assumed that Cymbalta was on the list, but I guess it's not one of them.

I wonder how easy it would be to get a waiver?
 
ParagliderPilot said:
Definitely... it’s just that I was in such bad condition before going on Cymbalta that I’m afraid to get off.
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I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and was on med for it and ended up going off of them and the disease appears to be in remission. I just take some CO Q10 and Fishoil and have been good. I too fear it coming back as the pain was horrible. If you want to fly it is worth the risk IMO and seeking alternative treatments approved by the FAA. I was on Methotrexate for RA and it worked wonders. If I am not mistaken it can be use to treat your disease as well and is a FAA approved drug. I just don't know if the FAA allows it to be used to treat your condition.
 
It will be quite some time before the FAA adds another SSRI to the list. They need to develop a track record with the ons they chose before they add more.
 
Methotrexate is approved for some inflammatory conditions. They would probably approve it for fibromyalgia but that will depend on the rest of the facts in the medical records.
 
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