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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by detroitpistons on July 20, 2006, at 15:37:31
I just need to vent...
I have had terrible luck with my career/jobs so far. Besides the bad circumstances that I've been placed in, I don't particularly like what I do. I've been diagnosed with ADHD also. It seems like I'm not very good at things which don't interest me, MUCH MORE THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON. If I'm bad at something and I don't get much satisfaction from it and I don't have much interest in it, the results are usually bad in one way or another. You may say that this is the case with most people, but it isn't true for everybody. In fact, most people I know are successful at jobs that they just consider paychecks. I on the other hand have a really, really low tolerance for jobs that I don't particularly like. Career issues have caused me a lot of problems and have triggered 3 major depressions in the past 4 yrs.
Recently, I found something that I had never thought of before, but that would fit me perfectly in every respect...flying.
I started researching flght schools and just informing myself in general. I was about to schedule a couple preliminary flights. I was so excited to finally have found something with some promise.
But then I went from happy and hopeful to completely crushed...You can't fly if you're on antidepressants or if you have anything in your medical history which indicates a bipolar disorder. I guess I'm somewhere on the bipolar spectrum, but I'm not completely convinced of that.
Depending on what's on my medical records, I still may be able to get certified as long as I get a letter from a doctor stating that I've been off meds for at least 90 days and the condition has resolved. I'm currently on meds though, so I'd have to quit Lamictal and Effexor...But if at some point in the future I need meds again (which is very likely), I wouldn't be able to fly.
I am absolutely devastated right now.
Posted by linkadge on July 20, 2006, at 15:56:58
In reply to I'm totally crushed, posted by detroitpistons on July 20, 2006, at 15:37:31
Replace lamictal and effexor with SJW and Taurine.
Linkadge
Posted by detroitpistons on July 20, 2006, at 16:10:18
In reply to Re: I'm totally crushed, posted by linkadge on July 20, 2006, at 15:56:58
Maybe I'll try that for a few months and see how it goes. If it goes well and my medical record doesn't specifically say "bipolar," then there may still be hope, albeit small.
My doctor won't be very happy about this.
What about phenylalanine or 5-HTP. I tried SAM-E for about a month with no success.
Even if supplements work at first but then I still end up needing meds down the road, I'll be screwed because my whole investment will be shot. It will end up costing about $70-$80k in loans to get to all the certificates.
> Replace lamictal and effexor with SJW and Taurine.
>
> Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on July 20, 2006, at 20:51:28
In reply to Re: I'm totally crushed » linkadge, posted by detroitpistons on July 20, 2006, at 16:10:18
Sometimes illness causes you from doing what you really want to do. If you are truly bipolar and have manic episodes I would seriously accept not flying and chose another career maybe something to do with planes? Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on July 20, 2006, at 21:01:17
In reply to Re: I'm totally crushed » linkadge, posted by detroitpistons on July 20, 2006, at 16:10:18
Have you tried lithium ? If you responded to lithium, then lithium ororate might be worth a shot.
I see what you are saying though. I had a friend in the same situation.
As far as fully treating bipolar with alternatives, I think its possable, how much effexor are you currently taking ?
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?
Linkadge
Posted by xbunny on July 21, 2006, at 4:49:28
In reply to I'm totally crushed, posted by detroitpistons on July 20, 2006, at 15:37:31
>
> But then I went from happy and hopeful to completely crushed...You can't fly if you're on antidepressants or if you have anything in your medical history which indicates a bipolar disorder. I guess I'm somewhere on the bipolar spectrum, but I'm not completely convinced of that.I'll ask my dad about this, hes a pilot. Here in the UK there is a list of drugs the CAA will allow a pilot to take and still fly. For example temazepam is ok, but zopiclone is not (the night before obviously not whilst your flying!). I would be very surprised if a history of bipolar illness prevented you from flying, mental illness is very prevalent these days including amoungst flight staff. A pilot must have regular health checks so they would cover whether you are actually sick from a mental illness, not actually sick and I think you would be ok to fly. This is just conjecture though I will ask my dad and I guess the rules for your country may be different too.
Dont lost hope, Bunny
Posted by xbunny on July 21, 2006, at 5:42:40
In reply to Re: I'm totally crushed » detroitpistons, posted by xbunny on July 21, 2006, at 4:49:28
I did a bit of research and all this is UK only but I thought it might be of some interest. According to the CAA the restrictions on flying following mental illness are inline with the DVLA (which is the transport ministry - they issue driving licenses and the like). You can read the guidelines here http://www.dvla.gov.uk/at_a_glance/ch4_psychiatric.htm
Interestingly I found the guideline on the CAA website for medical conditions which affect flying
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=49&pagetype=90&pageid=872
the pdf for psychiatric conditions says that the symtpoms must be controlled as per the dvla guidelines and there must be no side effects. This would imply to me that taking psychiatric medications whilst flying is ok like it is whilst driving.Hope this is of some help, Bunny
Posted by detroitpistons on July 21, 2006, at 9:17:05
In reply to Re: I'm totally crushed » detroitpistons, posted by Phillipa on July 20, 2006, at 20:51:28
I don't think I've ever been manic. I just became "hypomanic" while on Effexor, which could just be a side effect of Effexor. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that I could have been a great pilot, and very safe.
> Sometimes illness causes you from doing what you really want to do. If you are truly bipolar and have manic episodes I would seriously accept not flying and chose another career maybe something to do with planes? Love Phillipa
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.
Posted by detroitpistons on July 21, 2006, at 9:34:48
In reply to Re: I'm totally crushed » detroitpistons, posted by xbunny on July 21, 2006, at 4:49:28
Bunny,
I'm basing this from what I read directly from the FAA's rules. It doesn't look good.
Posted by detroitpistons on July 21, 2006, at 9:37:23
In reply to Re: I'm totally crushed, posted by xbunny on July 21, 2006, at 5:42:40
Bunny,
I really appreciate you looking into this for me. I love the people on this board. Maybe if I move to the UK I can be a pilot. I'd have to become a citizen and all of that.
> I did a bit of research and all this is UK only but I thought it might be of some interest. According to the CAA the restrictions on flying following mental illness are inline with the DVLA (which is the transport ministry - they issue driving licenses and the like). You can read the guidelines here http://www.dvla.gov.uk/at_a_glance/ch4_psychiatric.htm
> Interestingly I found the guideline on the CAA website for medical conditions which affect flying
> http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=49&pagetype=90&pageid=872
> the pdf for psychiatric conditions says that the symtpoms must be controlled as per the dvla guidelines and there must be no side effects. This would imply to me that taking psychiatric medications whilst flying is ok like it is whilst driving.
>
> Hope this is of some help, Bunny
This is the end of the thread.
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