
The rules are the rules however and I live in hope

I enjoyed my short time in the air though....there is no better feeling than the freedom of flight.
Fly safe all

Moderator: Moderators
Thanks FlymedFlymed wrote:6.4. Disqualifying Conditions
1. Any history of depressive disorder of a severe degree is disqualifying.
2. The following conditions will by virtue of their risk profile exclude a person from obtaining a Certificate of
Aviation-medical fitness:
a. History of psychosis
b. Impairment of arousal
c. History of electro-convulsive therapy
d. Concurrent treatment with multiple antidepressant medications
e. History of multi-agent drug use (prior use of other psychiatric drugs in conjunction with
antidepressant medications)
f. History of discontinuation of acceptable medication and then a subsequent onset of depression.
g. Any other manifestation of mood disorder as specified at the time of promulgation, or at the
discretion of the treating psychiatrist.
These are the disqualifying risk factors identified by SACAA in their protocol. If any of them are present, then there is no going forward.
Medication on the list does not yet include SNRI's, but we did propose the use of SNRI's. For reasons beyond any reasonableness, the SNRI's were not written into the protocol by CAA one sidedly. What I am trying to say is that you can fight them and win the fight if you are not "guilty" of above "offences" and is on one drug (SNRI) alone.
The drug that was cleared very specifically was Cymbalta; if this helps.
Although Valdoxane (different class drug altogether) is not on the list, it will also be a drug favourable with use in aviation. That is if you are up to the fight.
Who can I speak to at the CAA?Flymed wrote:Yes, you can. Your stumbling block will be the fact that you were on two drugs. CAA will insist on a detailed psychiatric report stating very clearly that you are well controlled on one drug alone. They will also ask for a psychological report, and would prefer a neuro-psychology report rather than a general psychology report.
Make sure you give your psychiatrist the CAA protocol (on their website) to guide him in his reporting.
Eishslysi wrote:Who can I speak to at the CAA?Flymed wrote:Yes, you can. Your stumbling block will be the fact that you were on two drugs. CAA will insist on a detailed psychiatric report stating very clearly that you are well controlled on one drug alone. They will also ask for a psychological report, and would prefer a neuro-psychology report rather than a general psychology report.
Make sure you give your psychiatrist the CAA protocol (on their website) to guide him in his reporting.
That person is not listed on their websiteFlymed wrote:Eishslysi wrote:Who can I speak to at the CAA?Flymed wrote:Yes, you can. Your stumbling block will be the fact that you were on two drugs. CAA will insist on a detailed psychiatric report stating very clearly that you are well controlled on one drug alone. They will also ask for a psychological report, and would prefer a neuro-psychology report rather than a general psychology report.
Make sure you give your psychiatrist the CAA protocol (on their website) to guide him in his reporting.
The problem is that CAA sees the medication as indicative of the underlying disorder for which it is normally prescribed. SNRIs are typically prescribed for major depressive disorder, which is a big no-no - although there are a number of other lesser conditions for which they are also prescribed.slysi wrote:The use of specific SSRI antidepressants is permitted subject to some conditions. Other antidepressants, such as SNRIs are not permitted.
Careful now!Mauler wrote:The problem is that CAA sees the medication as indicative of the underlying disorder for which it is normally prescribed. SNRIs are typically prescribed for major depressive disorder, which is a big no-no - although there are a number of other lesser conditions for which they are also prescribed.slysi wrote:The use of specific SSRI antidepressants is permitted subject to some conditions. Other antidepressants, such as SNRIs are not permitted.
Bear in mind that it is not just the effects or side-effects of a drug which could ground you either temporarily or permanently.
One big problem is that GPs often tend to prescribe heavy medicine for minor ailments and around 20% of medications are prescribed "off-label" - that is for conditions for which the medication was never approved. At AOPA we have come across a number of instances where GPs prescribed medication solely intended to treat epilepsy for minor problems like motion sickness or the effects of a temporary ear infection. CAA is unlikely to look past the epilepsy - at least not after a long period of grounding and observation. Other drugs like Concerta/Ritalin are routinely prescribed for helping people study for exams etc, when the approved uses may be much more serious, such as narcolepsy.
If your local doc writes you a script for something minor or temporary, you would be well-advised to investigate the drug further before using it. It may be worth getting getting another medical opinion if it is used for any seriously debilitiating conditions. Also, there is a lot info available on the internet which will help you check for any of these concerns.
I so wish the outcome was different . . . . .Its better to have tried and lost than not to have tried at all.slysi wrote:Well in closing, the CAA would not budge on their decision. I had to quit flying....