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Rv8tor(at)centurytel.net
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 Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 3:50 pm Post subject: Sleep Apnea |
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I have had a sleep study completed on me, and have been diagnosed with
sleep apnea. I have a Bi-PAP machine. I can't get used to it. I've
tried it on and off for 6 months. I also have sinus problems so it is
hard for me to breath through my nose anyway (I've had 3 operations on
my nose), that makes using the Bi-PAP machine even harder, you must
breath through your nose. I've also been told that operations for
sleep apnea are only about 40% to 60% successful with a chance for
some really bad side affects.
I work 60-80 hours a week every week, and I never fall asleep during
the day. Sure I'm tired but who wouldn't be with those hours.
Has anyone gone through this with the FAA and got your medical back
with a Special Issuance?
What is required, and what is the cost?
I could use some advice on who to talk to and, the steps to take.
Right now my medical is just expired.
I'm literally sick to my stomach that my flying days could be over,
and may never fly my RV-8.
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Terry Watson
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 290
Location: Seattle, WA USA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 6:51 pm Post subject: Sleep Apnea |
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Gene,
I empathize with your situation. Just Friday I got my medical back after it
was discovered that I had indications of a possible problem when I tried to
get my medical renewed in December. My problem was not the same as yours,
but there may be some similarities in what you will go through to get it
resolved.
One of the first things I did was go to the AOPA members only section and
read their discussion of the medical problem that they thought I might have.
It was a total disqualifier, so I actually ended up undergoing surgery to
prove that I didn't have it. Anyway, here is the reference to the AOPA page
about Sleep Apnea: http://www.aopa.org/members/files/medical/apnea.html
Good luck with it.
Terry
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Bob Perkinson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 51
Location: Hendersonville, Tennessee
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:25 pm Post subject: Sleep Apnea |
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I don't quite understand why sleep apnea would endanger your flight medical?
Is sleep apnea listed as a disqualification for a medical? You are not
taking any medication to control it, are you, and the only time you are in
any physical danger is while you are asleep.
Bob
I have had a sleep study completed on me, and have been diagnosed with
sleep apnea. I have a Bi-PAP machine. I can't get used to it. I've
tried it on and off for 6 months. I also have sinus problems so it is
hard for me to breath through my nose anyway (I've had 3 operations on
my nose), that makes using the Bi-PAP machine even harder, you must
breath through your nose. I've also been told that operations for
sleep apnea are only about 40% to 60% successful with a chance for
some really bad side affects.
I work 60-80 hours a week every week, and I never fall asleep during
the day. Sure I'm tired but who wouldn't be with those hours.
Has anyone gone through this with the FAA and got your medical back
with a Special Issuance?
What is required, and what is the cost?
I could use some advice on who to talk to and, the steps to take.
Right now my medical is just expired.
I'm literally sick to my stomach that my flying days could be over,
and may never fly my RV-8.
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n395v
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 450
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| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:12 am Post subject: Re: Sleep Apnea |
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| Quote: | the only time you are in
any physical danger is while you are asleep. |
Not quite true.
Sleep apnea has profound effects on the brain and heart depending on severity and duration. Even mild sleep apnea degrades mental performance and decision making therefore placing the pilot and everyone on the ground under his flightpath in danger.
Sleep apnea does its major physical harm over 20-30 years and the consequences at that point are deadly,disabling and irreversible.
The proper course at this point is treatment and resolution of the problem, then worry about tne medical and flying. The CPAP machine is essential in the treatment and if persistently used he will get used to it and feel better for it.
He also needs to be under the chronic care of a physician who specializes in this long term. He is correct surgery is not very useful.
Just do not delude yourself into thinking it is only a loss of sleep. This is a serious medical problem.
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rvlist(at)rv9a.deru.com
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:32 am Post subject: Sleep Apnea |
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Bob Perkinson wrote:
| Quote: |
I don't quite understand why sleep apnea would endanger your flight medical?
Is sleep apnea listed as a disqualification for a medical? You are not
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In even not so severe cases, a person with sleep apnea can fall asleep
during the day while acting as a PIC or a controller. Or as a driver of
a car.
A friend of mine wrapped his car around a lightpole a couple of years
ago after he fell asleep at the wheel. He woke up wondering how & why
he was in a wreck. Fortunately, he walked away uninjured. He was
diagnosed with sleep apnea and since then has been doing much better
with CPAP therapy.
It's definitely a serious condition, regardless of whether medication is
involved or not. However, it is not disqualifying as long as there is
effective treatment.
--
Tim Coldenhoff
N194TC - 2.5L Egg Subaru powered RV9a
http://rv9a.deru.com
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charleskaluza(at)verizon.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:40 am Post subject: Sleep Apnea |
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I don't quite understand why sleep apnea would endanger your flight medical?
Is sleep apnea listed as a disqualification for a medical? You are not
taking any medication to control it, are you, and the only time you are in
any physical danger is while you are asleep.
The problem is the associated daytime sleepiness, big problem with over the road truck drivers. One study showed a small percentage of truck drivers are clinically asleep while driving 75,000 pounds at 60 MPH.
Adequate treatment should allow you to regain your medical but you may need a test called a "Maintenance of wakefulness test". They put you in a room and dim the lights to see if you can stay awake. Boring but proof that your ability to stay awake is adequate. Show up for the test well rested and do not cheat by using stimulants because they will probably do a drug screen.
CPAP and BiPAP are the standards of therapy but you need to make sure your nose is working. Weight loss and surgery are good options. Staged surgery has been shown to be as effective as CPAP but entails more pain and money.
I'm mostly retired now but have been able to get most pilots with OSA healthy enough to get their medical back. OSA is a significant factor in people dying young...if you have it, get it treated.
Charlie Kaluza
Nose Doc
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nanchang(at)zipnet.us
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| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:22 am Post subject: Sleep Apnea |
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No one has mentioned it so far but all PAP machines have available a mask
that covers both the nose and mouth. So, if you can't breath through your
nose, ask for one of these. I had Apnea for most of my life without even
knowing there was a name for it (flew jet fighters for 20 yrs & DC-9/MD80's
for 12) then, 4 yrs ago (age 64), got diagnosed, went on CPAP and it's been
a whole new world. I hope you can work it out, it's certainly worth it.
do not archive
---
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