Deferred to FAA.

I

In Cog Nito

Guest
Ok, I've gone anonymous. I am a member.

I made a mistake. I went to an AME without doing my due diligence prior. At least not all of it.

Due, according to the AME, to my use of a CPAP, he deferred to FAA. What I have read here said, he would only have to see the cpap printout, see and state that I was well rested, and issue. I almost always use the cpap, 100% over last 180 days 6.9 hours avg. 95.6% over 175 days prior to that with 6.4 hours avg.

I am a "rusty" pilot. Haven't had a medical for 10 years. I am on meds for cholesterol, and BP. Both are well controlled.

Other posts suggest that he could fix anything mis-stated on the form. He didn't.

The exam consisted of weighing in (235 6'2"), BP (normal 140/82), eye check (perfect, with glasses), see doc. He listened to heart and lungs, looked in ears and eyes, and squeezed my knees with his fingers???

I think I got a lazy AME... Just doing it for quick turnaround $$$, and perhaps not knowledgeable... He also does DOT testing for truck drivers and mostly bus companies.

One of my diagnosies, resulting from a CT, was atherosclerosis... I went to a cardiologist at the time, who stated I DID NOT have CAD, NOR CHD. but the atherosclerosis is on the record, I listed it.

How long until I find out how bad it is? How much more am I likely to spend?

Frustrated.
 
Many times the AME will defer the OSA the first time. I don't think they HAVE to, but it happens. I think the turn around time on something like this might be months. The annual renewal is a simple thing for the AME to do in-office, the gray area is what happens that first time.

As long as your CPAP report looks good, it shouldn't be a problem, other than the wait. I can't speak to anything else, though. I don't know if there's a way to make it go through any faster.
 
For the initial OSA and CPAP, there are a few other items that are part of that submission, including the report from the sleep study and treating physician’s report (no right heat failure in exam, presented alert and well rested, not likely to need a nap later in day, etc). We’re those provided?

Do you already possess the SI for OSA or was the first throw?

For the other items, I’ll defer to Dr. Bruce and Dr. Lou
 
I have the summary report. Got it in advance.

No right heat? Whazzat?
 
In Cog Nito said:
I have the summary report. Got it in advance.

No right heat? Whazzat?
Click to expand...
No right *heart* abnormalities noted. I don't know the specifics, but apparently your heart's right side can display some problems that can be detected by listening and it's somehow related to OSA. I think your cardiologist would have caught any of that if it existed.

edit:

In the future, your OSA treating doc will have to see you, write a summary report saying you are treated and the treatment is effective. You include your machine report with this letter and your AME can renew your SI in the office as long as the rest of you is OK.
 
Sorry you have to go through this ordeal. It sounds like your AME screwed up by deferring unless there was something else egregious. I would encourage you to follow up with the FAA periodically and politely inquire where you are in the stack. It may not help, but I believe it did help expedite the process for me and I have heard from others on an SI that they were able to get moved to the top of the stack.
 
It was too late for basic med before this began. Should have consulted with a good AME beforehand... Now, we'll see what FAA et. al. say.
 
idahoflier said:
Sorry you have to go through this ordeal. It sounds like your AME screwed up by deferring unless there was something else egregious. I would encourage you to follow up with the FAA periodically and politely inquire where you are in the stack. It may not help, but I believe it did help expedite the process for me and I have heard from others on an SI that they were able to get moved to the top of the stack.
Click to expand...

Who to? How to contact, who to contact?
 
My original doc, that referred me for original sleep study is in a far away State. As is the original sleep study facility. Am I now going to need a local sleep study, or will my current doc suffice? Current doc should have gotten original sleep study recs here lately. No one is currently "treating" my OSA, but doc here is aware I had the study and use CPAP.
 
In Cog Nito said:
Who to? How to contact, who to contact?
Click to expand...

This link should provide you with the contact info you will need: https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avi...gations/designee_types/ame/amcs/phonenumbers/

In my case I worked with the Region I was located in. Since this sounds all new to you I would start by speaking with your AME that deferred your medical. He/She (or more likely one of their staff) should be able to explain the process to you and answer any questions you may have.

After that you can call the Regional Flight Surgeon's Office and explain your situation. They should be able to give you info like where your file is in the process.
 
In Cog Nito said:
My original doc, that referred me for original sleep study is in a far away State. As is the original sleep study facility. Am I now going to need a local sleep study, or will my current doc suffice? Current doc should have gotten original sleep study recs here lately. No one is currently "treating" my OSA, but doc here is aware I had the study and use CPAP.
Click to expand...

I'm not a medical professional and this is only my opinion. That said, you should be able to contact your original sleep study physician and obtain a copy of your sleep study and medical records so you shouldn't need another sleep study (unless you think you're no longer suffering from OSA). When I was going through the SI for OSA I needed to submit the sleep study and a letter from my treating physician that I was well rested and tolerating CPAP well. I also had to supply a report showing a years worth of CPAP usage where at least 75% of the time I used CPAP < 6 hrs. for sleep periods.
 
PlasticCigar said:
If you have OSA, AME can’t issue you amedical because OSA makes you “ineligible” for a regular 3rd class medical. He will send the paperwork to the FAA and they may issue a special issuance.
Click to expand...

I don't believe that's quite correct. It USED to be the case that the AME couldn't issue, but now the AME can issue and the applicant has 90 days to submit the required materials for a SI if they are already being treated for OSA. Please reference the link AggieMike submitted above.
 
An important takeaway from Post #16 is that, as an aviator, anytime you seek medical treatment beyond a routine wellness visit, ask for and obtain a copy of the chart entry or summary. The more complicated the condition and treatment, the more detailed documentation. Then keep that in a folder or binder for future reference.

Much simpler to keep up with it your own self as you go versus having to deal with obstacles such as distance, time, retirements, office closures, or worse.
 
In Cog Nito said:
My original doc, that referred me for original sleep study is in a far away State. As is the original sleep study facility. Am I now going to need a local sleep study, or will my current doc suffice? Current doc should have gotten original sleep study recs here lately. No one is currently "treating" my OSA, but doc here is aware I had the study and use CPAP.
Click to expand...

You can use your current doc as your "treating physician". He, or she, will need to see you once a year and get enough info from you to be able to write that status report that says you are being treated, you are compliant, and that the treatment is working ("no excessive daytime sleepiness", for example.) Your CPAP data will also show your compliance.
 
In Cog Nito said:
Ok, I've gone anonymous. I am a member.

I made a mistake. I went to an AME without doing my due diligence prior. At least not all of it.

Due, according to the AME, to my use of a CPAP, he deferred to FAA. What I have read here said, he would only have to see the cpap printout, see and state that I was well rested, and issue. I almost always use the cpap, 100% over last 180 days 6.9 hours avg. 95.6% over 175 days prior to that with 6.4 hours avg.

I am a "rusty" pilot. Haven't had a medical for 10 years. I am on meds for cholesterol, and BP. Both are well controlled.

Other posts suggest that he could fix anything mis-stated on the form. He didn't.

The exam consisted of weighing in (235 6'2"), BP (normal 140/82), eye check (perfect, with glasses), see doc. He listened to heart and lungs, looked in ears and eyes, and squeezed my knees with his fingers???

I think I got a lazy AME... Just doing it for quick turnaround $$$, and perhaps not knowledgeable... He also does DOT testing for truck drivers and mostly bus companies.

One of my diagnosies, resulting from a CT, was atherosclerosis... I went to a cardiologist at the time, who stated I DID NOT have CAD, NOR CHD. but the atherosclerosis is on the record, I listed it.

How long until I find out how bad it is? How much more am I likely to spend?

Frustrated.
Click to expand...

You did not need a Class 3. You could have just went Basic Med. Too late now.
 
The letter from your doc needs say:
Complies with cpap daily
Appears refreshed
No complaint of daytime sleepiness
On exam, No stigmata of right heart failure

The cpap report needs show, for the initial: >30 days in which the bar graph shows >75% on nights with over 6 hours’ use.

You need a copy of the sleep study.

That’s all.

B
 
Thanks to all of you. It was way too late for basic med.

It is my first time to have "issues" so I am new to this "process."

Of course, a special thanks to Dr. C. (B). Boiled it right down to the essentials.

Now, I get to test my patience. With. The. Government. That's. The. Hard. Part.
 
I wonder if we could convince the FAA to do same day service for a fee, like passports.
 
catmandu said:
I wonder if we could convince the FAA to do same day service for a fee, like passports.
Click to expand...
Currently being discussed on the AOPA forum. link to thread

One contributor says it well: "A pay-to-expedite system would likely mean that those who didn't pay would have to wait even longer."

And Dr. Bruce has the best comment: "Hmm. FAA to the highest bidder? Be careful for what you wish....."
 
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