Dehydration syncope - Should I fly?

A

Annoymous

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Should I keep working toward my commercial rating with my instructor?

Last year I had a brief syncope episode on vacation. I went to the local ER and got a workup - EKG, chest x-ray, blood panel, etc. Nothing. The ER doc said I was fine. All clear. But he recommended that I see my GP when I got home.

Back home I went to my GP. His diagnosis was dehydration based upon my high level of physical activity mixed with some drinking and the (legal) workout supplements I was taking. Because I'd rather live than fly, I requested more testing anyway. He agreed if it gave me mental closure, go for it. Blood drawn, another EKG, heart monitor, and echocardiogram. I asked for a head scan to make sure it wasn't neurological. He said I was going overboard but agreed. Everything came back clear. His diagnosis was still dehydration.

The main question is, how do I successfully navigate this or should I stop flying altogether?
 
Annoymous said:
The main question is, how do I successfully navigate this or should I stop flying altogether?
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Why would you stop flying? Not for medical reasons, obviously, since you've established there's nothing medically wrong with you, so what's your actual concern? Your next medical exam should not be an problem either. Consult with a good AME and share whatever documentation he wants before the exam, and you shouldn't have any issue.
 
Lindberg said:
Why would you stop flying? Not for medical reasons, obviously, since you've established there's nothing medically wrong with you, so what's your actual concern? Your next medical exam should not be an problem either. Consult with a good AME and share whatever documentation he wants before the exam, and you shouldn't have any issue.
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Read the linked threads above and you will know why.

If alcohol was mentioned in the medical record, it might be a lengthy road ahead.

For the OP, it depends on what your goals are for the commercial. If you want to be a CFI, why not go BasicMed?
 
GeorgeC said:
Read the linked threads above and you will know why.

If alcohol was mentioned in the medical record, it might be a lengthy road ahead.

For the OP, it depends on what your goals are for the commercial. If you want to be a CFI, why not go BasicMed?
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If OP goes to the right AME, he should get his medical in the office.
 
Lindberg said:
If OP goes to the right AME, he should get his medical in the office.
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How do I find the “right” AME? Is there a recommended DFW AME that specializes in this situation? There is no alcohol listed in the record, btw.

I may want to go for CFI in the future. Although I have a nice non-aviation gig now, the goal was/is to create future piloting options for an aviation career.

BTW, thanks for the links. I read most of them before I posted but I wanted to learn more. Thanks for the help.
 
Under most conditions (depends on what the caridologist writes)
If you have a adequate and negative stress treadmill echo
Cardiol concurs that this was "vasovagal"
Normal Echocardiogram
Unremarkable 24 hour rhythm monitor, the AMe can issue you.

But the drinking might be an issue. If it was associated and CLEARLY not a contributing factor, you will be allright. But if the relative dehydration and loss of vasomotor tone associated with alcohol is contributory, this will be viewed by FAA as Abuse....
 
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bbchien said:
Under most conditions (depends on what the caridologist writes)
If you have a adequate and negative stress treadmill echo
Cardiol concurs that this was "vasovagal"
Normal Echocardiogram
Unremarkable 24 hour rhythm monitor, the AMe can issue you.

But the drinking might be an issue.
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Would you recommend I schedule a stress test before approaching an AME? If this helps clarify, the “drinking” was a glass of wine at night but the doctor didn’t note that. But it probably didn’t help with the level of physical activity + workout supplements. Thanks for the reply Dr. Chien.
 
Annoymous said:
Should I keep working toward my commercial rating with my instructor?

Last year I had a brief syncope episode on vacation. I went to the local ER and got a workup - EKG, chest x-ray, blood panel, etc. Nothing. The ER doc said I was fine. All clear. But he recommended that I see my GP when I got home.

Back home I went to my GP. His diagnosis was dehydration based upon my high level of physical activity mixed with some drinking and the (legal) workout supplements I was taking. Because I'd rather live than fly, I requested more testing anyway. He agreed if it gave me mental closure, go for it. Blood drawn, another EKG, heart monitor, and echocardiogram. I asked for a head scan to make sure it wasn't neurological. He said I was going overboard but agreed. Everything came back clear. His diagnosis was still dehydration.

The main question is, how do I successfully navigate this or should I stop flying altogether?
Click to expand...
Fly baby Fly.. no alcohol abuse correct?
 
Annoymous said:
How do I find the “right” AME? Is there a recommended DFW AME that specializes in this situation? There is no alcohol listed in the record, btw.

I may want to go for CFI in the future. Although I have a nice non-aviation gig now, the goal was/is to create future piloting options for an aviation career.

BTW, thanks for the links. I read most of them before I posted but I wanted to learn more. Thanks for the help.
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There are several AMEs in the area who can help. You can create an account and send me a DM, or ask for AME recommendations on the North Texas Aviators Facebook group.
 
Imagine for just a moment that these machinations were required of any portion of the 232 million licensed drivers in this country and time they had an ER visit that ended with them being cleared by a physician to walk out the door under their own power?

To quote Prof. Instapundit: "Tar. Feathers."
 
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