Medical - taking medication

FlyBoyAndy

FlyBoyAndy

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Apr 20, 2011
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FlyBoyAndy
I have been flying for several years and was fortunate to never have to check the box for taking medication. It looks like I may have to take medication for high blood pressure.

Does anyone here take blood pressure medication and have you had any issues with your medical? Does the dosage matter?

I'm not looking forward to taking medication in general and I certainly wasn't looking forward to wearing reading glasses either. Getting old sucks.
 
FlyBoyAndy said:
I have been flying for several years and was fortunate to never have to check the box for taking medication. It looks like I may have to take medication for high blood pressure.

Does anyone here take blood pressure medication and have you had any issues with your medical? Does the dosage matter?

I'm not looking forward to taking medication in general and I certainly wasn't looking forward to wearing reading glasses either. Getting old sucks.
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I've been on high blood pressure medication since I got my first medical. I was at one time on 3 simultaneous meds. Since the HBP was well controlled it was not an issue and now I simply say PRNC. About 2 years ago (during the Sleep Apnea medical furor) I got serious about losing weight. I load MyFitnessPal on my phone and counted calories. (I exercised some as well but mostly counted calories.) I've lost ~60 pounds, down from 275. I am now on a single drug and the lowest dose of that drug. My AME was thrilled and I have never had an issue with my medical.

John
 
jsstevens said:
I've been on high blood pressure medication since I got my first medical. I was at one time on 3 simultaneous meds. Since the HBP was well controlled it was not an issue and now I simply say PRNC. About 2 years ago (during the Sleep Apnea medical furor) I got serious about losing weight. I load MyFitnessPal on my phone and counted calories. (I exercised some as well but mostly counted calories.) I've lost ~60 pounds, down from 275. I am now on a single drug and the lowest dose of that drug. My AME was thrilled and I have never had an issue with my medical.

John
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I'm in the same boat as far as needing to lose weight. My blood pressure sure does go towards normal when I do. Thanks for the information.
 
Do not let a desire to fly get in the way of maintaining good health, especially when it comes to cardiac issues and especially high blood pressure. Not properly controlled, damage is occurring all the time and will catch up to you in a bad way.

Here is the CACI worksheet and the FAQ's about Hypertension.

What will help your case is, before your next AME visit, have your primary doctor (aka treating physician) write up a simply worded status letter that covers items such as

  • You're being treated for hypertension (or benign hypertension if your BP is just a little bit above normal levels).
  • During your visit, BP reading of XX/YYY was recorded
  • You are taking ____ medication, dosage, frequency
  • No side effects of the medication are occurring
  • You are not being followed for CAD

Drs Lou or Bruce can provide more/better/official detail. But the above is what I have been obtaining from my doctor for the past few years and the AME is happy with it.
 
Just make sure the Dr prescribes an approved type. I brought the list of approved to my Dr. I said choose one of these. Then when medical came due I had my PCP due three good readings as directed and sailed through my medical. Cross your T's and dot your i's
 
jsstevens said:
I've lost ~60 pounds, down from 275. I am now on a single drug and the lowest dose of that drug. My AME was thrilled and I have never had an issue with my medical.

John
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Congrats!
 
jsstevens said:
I've been on high blood pressure medication since I got my first medical. I was at one time on 3 simultaneous meds. Since the HBP was well controlled it was not an issue and now I simply say PRNC. About 2 years ago (during the Sleep Apnea medical furor) I got serious about losing weight. I load MyFitnessPal on my phone and counted calories. (I exercised some as well but mostly counted calories.) I've lost ~60 pounds, down from 275. I am now on a single drug and the lowest dose of that drug. My AME was thrilled and I have never had an issue with my medical.

John
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I think it's a great change, good luck.
 
FlyBoyAndy said:
I need more exercise too.
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Increasing frequency and duration is always a good thing. Adding 20 more minutes to your walk and doing it 5 days a week versus 2 or 3 will make a big difference in the long run. So will simple weight resistance exercise.

Also be more aware of what you're eating. Check into one of the food diary apps for your smartphone (such as LoseIt) to aid in food choices, and tracking sodium and carb intake.
 
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