Controlled Epilepsy for 17 Years

Medicine and other human performance related issues.

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Controlled Epilepsy for 17 Years

Unread post by FlyBy88 »

Somehow I think I already know the answer to this question.

If you were diagnosed with Epilepsy as a child but all subsequent EEG's show no sign of it, yet you are still on medication, does it still disqualify you? Or is that something that should be discussed with the AME?
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Re: Controlled Epilepsy for 17 Years

Unread post by Phugoid »

Schedule 1 of the CATS might help you - hope the link works

https://caa.mylexisnexis.co.za/Content/ ... b%22}#g1fr
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Re: Controlled Epilepsy for 17 Years

Unread post by rosen »

Sorry for bumping, but my son was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 7 (he is 8 now). He is on meds. The last EEG didn't show any improvement, unfortunately, but at least, the pills work for him. I read that many people who have this health issue in childhood (about two-thirds) outgrow their seizures by the time they are teenagers, so I hope for the better.

And thanks for the link, Phugoid.
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Re: Controlled Epilepsy for 17 Years

Unread post by GeraldNagel »

Epilepsy is a complex medical problem.

I have experienced the results by two members of the family.

Grand mal and petty mal seizers needs to be explained.

One had a petty mal seizure coming downhill with her vehicle just before a red robot. Wiped out two vehicles plus her own.

Yes, controlled whilst taking medication. Both had seizures from the age of 8 and 10.

Outgrow epilepsy is a new one for me as things like what you eat, light and stress can bring it on even though you think you are cured.

I will never, ever climb in a car or aircraft with someone in control that has a history of epilepsy.
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Re: Controlled Epilepsy for 17 Years

Unread post by Kootenayflyer »

GeraldNagel wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:01 am Epilepsy is a complex medical problem.

I have experienced the results by two members of the family.

Grand mal and petty mal seizers needs to be explained.

One had a petty mal seizure coming downhill with her vehicle just before a red robot. Wiped out two vehicles plus her own.

Yes, controlled whilst taking medication. Both had seizures from the age of 8 and 10.

Outgrow epilepsy is a new one for me as things like what you eat, light and stress can bring it on even though you think you are cured.

I will never, ever climb in a car or aircraft with someone in control that has a history of epilepsy.
I unfortunately second Gerald. The risk of recurrence is lifelong…. You say it in your own title: controlled is NOT cured….

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Re: Controlled Epilepsy for 17 Years

Unread post by Iceberg »

From the DAMES's guide: Not a good outcome but one has to accept it.

12.1. Epilepsy

Applicability

Section 1 of this Schedule 1 Protocol is only applicable to classes I, II, III and IV medical certificates and it
excludes cabin crew.

Aeromedical considerations

An applicant diagnosed with epilepsy is medical unfit to be granted a medical certificate to fly.

Important concepts
a. Diagnosis of a single epileptic attack means that the applicant is permanently unfit to fly.

b. No applicant who has had a convulsion after the age of 5 years shall be considered for pilot training.

c. Any inexplicable loss of consciousness (LOC) shall be regarded as epilepsy until otherwise
diagnosed.

d. An applicant with a history of a single, uncomplicated febrile convulsion between the ages of one and
five years shall be eligible for pilot training. If, however, the convulsion was complicated, the applicant
shall no longer be eligible for pilot training under the following conditions:
i. a convulsion before the age of one year. This holds the risk for mental retardation and epilepsy later in
life;
ii. multiple febrile convulsions;
iii. duration of convulsions longer than 5 minutes; or
iv. lateralising signs during febrile convulsions.
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Re: Controlled Epilepsy for 17 Years

Unread post by GeraldNagel »

Iceberg,

I do feel sorry for those that lose out.

You can become the best Protea bowler in History but rather not a pilot.

"Jonty Rhodes" =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
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Re: Controlled Epilepsy for 17 Years

Unread post by Flagship1 »

I was diagnosed with epilepsy at 31 after a very wonderful career at a good airline.

I only have absent seizures (or well, that's what my wife says- I can't remember them happening) I've only had one in the simulator (Didn't even know, but the other pilot aborted the take-off as I didn't respond to the call outs) but luckily never on the flight deck (that I recall).

Anyway, I lost my medical and was placed on medication that so far, I think, seems to have me kind of under control- but not 100% yet.

It's worth while to give it a shot after 17 years seizure free. The SACAA doesn't allow it, but EASA does after 10 years seizure free- You can always use EASA as a case study to try and fight it, as I know a couple of guys that lost their medicals on other grounds and challenged it with foreign law. I mean, what's the point of medication if we can't use it? Or just do your training in the EU or GB. I would however suggest to go and study a degree before committing to aviation. It's fickle, as you can see, and I don't want you to end up in the same boat as me with nothing to fall back on.

As for me, and the age of onset, there isn't much hope and I am afraid of it coming back as my seizures are brought up by fatigue and airline flying isn't really the "I have a proper sleeping schedule" job.

If you do challenge it, just be aware that you will, for your entire career, be under scrutiny from the medical board and will be required to submit reports every 3 to 6 months (from what I heard from the other guys in the same boat)

All the best- I sincerely hope you all the success in the world.

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