Glyn Gowing

Hi there,

I've been on a CPAP for many years, and when my old machine didn't make it down here when I moved 5 years ago I had a new sleep study and a new machine. I've been fine, but this past year my AHI went up a bit. I was notified of this when I asked the sleep doc's office to fill out the paperwork in anticipation of my FAA medical. 

I replaced my headgear and the numbers started going down. I made some additional lifestyle changes and my numbers are good now, but so far I only have 14-15 days of consistently good numbers. The FAA normally requires that the numbers be good over a year for someone who's been on the CPAP for a while, but since it was an equipment failure and they did not tell me ahead of time, is there any chance that 30 consecutive days of good numbers (per the protocol for a new diagnosis) would be enough to convince them that we've fixed the problem and allow me a special issuance?

I use the device every night, and over 95% of nights are greater than six hours/night, well above the 75% requirement from the FAA. 

Thanks

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Hi there,

I've been on a CPAP for many years, and when my old machine didn't make it down here when I moved 5 years ago I had a new sleep study and a new machine. I've been fine, but this past year my AHI went up a bit. I was notified of this when I asked the sleep doc's office to fill out the paperwork in anticipation of my FAA medical. 

I replaced my headgear and the numbers started going down. I made some additional lifestyle changes and my numbers are good now, but so far I only have ... more

Hello, everyone.

I am trying one last time to obtain my medical, and I wanted to toss this out there for thoughts, input (especially hoping Dr. Chien or another AME will comment). I have discussed this plan with my AME and she believes that it should word. My wife has started her flight training and to be honest, I'm a bit jealous. :-) She's having so much fun with it that I am going to try again to obtain my medical.

Brief history: SSRI use for 27 years following my only suicide attempt, and hardly an attempt because I stopped myself and drove to the doctor's office to seek treatment for depression. No further incidents. I've changed jobs three times since that incident (including a 20 year stay in my most recent job before current job), and I've been in my dream job for the past 5 years. I have had NO incidents since the initial one, the SSRI I have been taking is on the FAA's approved list, but I don't want to have to spend $3000+ on a COGSCREEN every two years.

Also, I moved half-way across the US to take the dream job.

I've only continued taking the SSRI for these 27 years because I was afraid to stop taking the medication. My mood has been stable.

I applied for a 3rd class in Jan 2021 (after an A in ground school) and was denied only because I did not pursue the HIMS/COGSCREEN route. I was on the SSRI at the time. I passed everything else.

PLAN: I stopped taking the SSRI with my nightly dose on Monday, Feb 7. According to the FAA document SSRI Decision Path 1(link below), if I am off of the medication for at least 60 days without any significant changes, I should (in theory) be good to go. I informed both my AME and my PCP of the exact date I have stopped taking the medication so that it is in my records. I have informed numerous people around me (family, co-workers) of what I am doing and have asked them to keep a close watch on my mood so they can tell me if anything seems to be going wrong.

The plan is to wait 90 days (end of the semester) then apply for my medical / have my exam. Once I pass the exam, I'll take my written and then pursue flight training.

It has been a week and other than not sleeping as much (which I hear is typical initially when stopping an SSRI), I'm doing just fine. By this coming Friday, I will be at ~0% blood level of the medication based on the medication's 35-hour half life.

Thoughts/comments? 

 https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/media/SSRI%20Decision%20Path%20-%20I.pdf

Show Less

Hello, everyone.

I am trying one last time to obtain my medical, and I wanted to toss this out there for thoughts, input (especially hoping Dr. Chien or another AME will comment). I have discussed this plan with my AME and she believes that it should word. My wife has started her flight training and to be honest, I'm a bit jealous. :-) She's having so much fun with it that I am going to try again to obtain my medical.

Brief history: SSRI use for 27 years following my only suicide ... more

A quick breakdown of my history, I took 10mg of Lexapro from April 18-2021 for mild generalized anxiety. The start of 2021 I reduced to 5mg, by November 2.5mg and January of this year I was off totally. I've been off now for about 5 months and have an appointment scheduled with my local AME in June. I have gathered a letter from my treating physician stating my history and that I am now in great health. I have written a personal letter. Is there anything else I should have before going in? Has anyone gone through the SSRI path 1 before? 

Show Less

A quick breakdown of my history, I took 10mg of Lexapro from April 18-2021 for mild generalized anxiety. The start of 2021 I reduced to 5mg, by November 2.5mg and January of this year I was off totally. I've been off now for about 5 months and have an appointment scheduled with my local AME in June. I have gathered a letter from my treating physician stating my history and that I am now in great health. I have written a personal letter. Is there anything else I should have before ... more