Posted by detroitpistons on July 21, 2006, at 9:32:34
In reply to Re: I'm totally crushed, posted by linkadge on July 20, 2006, at 21:01:17
> Have you tried lithium ? If you responded to lithium, then lithium ororate might be worth a shot.
I haven't tried lithium and I don't ever want to.> I see what you are saying though. I had a friend in the same situation.
>For the first time, I actually had hope that I may have found something which I would like and be good at.
> As far as fully treating bipolar with alternatives, I think its possable, how much effexor are you currently taking ?
I'm on 225mg. I'm not even convinced that I'm bipolar. Maybe I'm somewhere on the bipolar spectrum, but I've never been manic. I know that I would be a great pilot and I wouldn't pose a safety risk to anybody.
I think these stupid rules are based on old paradigms from over 20 years ago. Tricyclics make people tired and foggy. The newer drugs are much more benign but they still pose the risk of similar side effects. Based on statistics though, there MUST BE pilots out there who are depressed. They don't seek treatment because they would be grounded, most likely without pay. I'd rather have a happy pilot on Paxil than a depressed pilot who's not being treated. Doctors go through the same thing. They fear negative repercussions on their medical licenses.
> Amino acids can help, although some people find that the effects don't last too long after dosing.
>
> Suppose you got your licence while off prescription drugs, and then had an episode requiring prescription medicine, would the licence be revoked permanantly, or just for as long as you are treated with antidepressants?
>You can't have any history of a bipolar diagnosis in order to get certified. Hell, even if I don't have anything specifically citing bipolar, the number of depressions I've had would probably raise some questions. The FAA doesn't care if you've taken antidepressants and that you've been depressed, as long as that's not the case while you're flying. If you have an episode of depression and need meds, then you are grounded until you are no longer ill and have been of ADs for 3 months. You need a doctor to write a letter saying that your condition has resolved.
I don't know if or how the FAA searches your medical records. You go in for an examination and at that time you give your complete medical history. I suppose if I lied and said that I've never had any mental issues, they may not even look into it. But I just don't know how the process works. I think it's just too risky to try to get around the system.
It's hard to be positive right now...back to hopelessness.
poster:detroitpistons
thread:668646
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060717/msgs/668923.html