2nd Class after syncope episode during dental procedure

P

PassedOutPilot

Guest
Hello All,

I wanted to post this question here to see if anyone had any advice to give.

Last weekend, I fainted while getting a root canal in one of my molars. The doc got me up out of the chair to do some x-rays in another room. Shortly after sitting down, I passed out, and apparently convulsed while i was down. I was out for only about a minute or so, but the doc was worried i was having a seizure, so she recommended going to the ER.

Fast forward 8 hours, I was given the diagnosis of "syncope, convulsive". No evidence of a seizure was found. They did a CT scan, EKG, blood work, the whole 9 yards. They found nothing and told me to be on my way. I specifically explained my concern about my career and the ER doc told me I should be okay, but I'm sure she isn't fluent in aviation medical law. I was in pain, dehydrated, and just had to get up quickly after being laid down for about an hour. Would any of that qualify as a "common cause" as suggested on the syncope decision tool?

I've never experienced this before and, of course, I am due for a new 2nd class medical in about a month. If anyone has any advice about how I can go about this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
bbchien said:
"convulsed while I was down" Can you say....maybe....Lidocaine overdose? (I have anesthesiology boards). I would get the record of how much he used, do some math and it might qualify on the "syncope decision tool".
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Very doubtful a lidocaine overdose. Very common to have minor convulsive appearing activity with a simple syncopal episode. However, like Bruce said, get your records from that appointment as well as the full ED record. (I probably have at least 35,000 outpatient anesthesia cases under my belt and administered various local anesthetics for all of them).
 
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A lot of syncope episodes result in the patient getting movement confused for a seizure. Problem as you found out, it usually results in not being allowed to drive 6 months and even worse if you are a pilot. The suggestion by Dr Bruce is a great start ...
 
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