My Medical Timeline
Posted by ReflectionLarge2719@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 11 comments
I want to write up my medical timeline for a class one medical to help others who are currently in this process. My words of wisdom, and everyone else’s in this process is stick to it and persevere through all of these hoops and you’ll get what you want. So all from the beginning.
June 1st 2023 - I go to my locally recommended AME for my exam. Long story short, after talking with the doctor he was very helpful and guided me in the right direction. He spoke on how I would need to get off of the ADHD medicine that I was taking to move forward with this process, gave me a list of phone numbers and that I would be deferred for further consideration to OKC. I asked zero questions leading up to this appointment and wish I had because I had no idea what to expect from all of this to be completely honest, it was all so new to me. So I highly recommend that if you’re unsure of a medical condition or medicine that you find a HIMS AME and schedule a consultation, not an appointment.
Cost = $175
June 25th 2023 - I receive my first correspondence from the FAA regarding my deferral and the next steps. The next steps were to gather some basic information from my PCP’s office regarding my ADHD and adolescent anxiety diagnosis. After gathering all of this information, I sent it in about a week later and waited about two months.
September 7th 2023 - Next steps were to gather medical records, prescription records, and a report from a HIMS Psychologist. Another step of this was to get off of my ADHD medicine and wait three months before testing. I had three months to collect all of the required paperwork and by the second month, I had collected all of the required paperwork, made copies and was ready to bring it to my next appointment.
-
Some time in between these dates I found and saw a HIMS AME thinking it was my HIMS appointment. Felt pretty stupid because it cost me $300 but the doctor was very helpful and lead me in the right direction. So like I said above, I highly recommend the consultation if you’re unsure BEFORE you begin this process.
Cost $300
January 15th 2024 - I find a HIMS Psychologist and schedule an appointment with them for the 15th. Testing was very easy and straight forward, they ruled out my ADHD diagnosis to be false (I totally agreed) so that was a huge plus. Although easy and straight forward, the testing was very lengthy. Arrived at 7:30am (2 hour drive from home) and left at about 5:30pm. Waited for my drug test to come back while the report was being generated. About one week after the test, received the results from the testing, the drug test, and the Doctor sent everything in a mailing to the doctor (requested documents from the original correspondence on 9/7/23). All very positive and supportive of my medical certification.
Cost = $3,600
(Some time in between here I submitted a congressional inquiry, and heard a response 14 days later)
March 12th 2024 - Received correspondence from the FAA and long story short, was told they were still unable to determine my eligibility of receiving a medical certificate. Next up was seeing a HIMS Psychiatrist. But before that, I had to request my medical file directly from the FAA be sent to the HIMS Psychiatrist. Literally had all the papers I just sent in at home but couldn’t use them. In the meantime I researched HIMS Psychiatrists nearby and found someone and reached out to them. Received permission to have documents sent to them directly and when I receive a letter from the FAA confirming the documents had been released, I would reach out to the doctor. I mailed the request form out next day air on March 21st and didn’t receive confirmation of them being released until April 26th 2024.
April 26th 2024 - Form received stating that my records had been released.
May 12th 2024 - Appointment with HIMS Psychiatrist that was fairly short. Doctor couldn’t understand why I was being asked to get a report from him. Report was great. Completely supported my medical certification like the last and recommended I ask my CFI and a boss at work for a letter of recommendation showing that my anxiety is not a factor / non existent at important places like the flight deck or when at work.
Cost = $2,000
May 13th 2024 - Received the report the same day as the appointment and sent it out the next day via next day air with my two letters of recommendation.
(Second congressional Inquiry sent on 8/2/24 and have yet to hear from the office back as today is the 13th day)
August 15th 2024 - Checked MedExpress to a surprising green check mark. Below it stated I have been issued a first class medical with zero limitations. I’m due for an exam since it has been over a year since my initial exam. Best day ever, seriously!
DMs are open to anyone who has questions, hope this helps!
Total Cost = $6,075
Top_Flounder_2582@reddit
Do you have any recommendations for how to speed up the process at all? Currently trying to get a first class medical right now. FAA has all my paperwork and I am just waiting for it to be reviewed. The crazy thing is the FAA gave me a first class medical years ago when I was taking adderall and they didn't ask me any questions and now I'm having to go through this very lengthy and expensive process...
ReflectionLarge2719@reddit (OP)
Unfortunately, the best course of action and the “fastest” is to give exactly what they ask and no more, or no less. Anything else will just slow them down.
Top_Flounder_2582@reddit
Out of curiosity was there a reason they deferred you again after the HIMs neuro report? Seems like the HIMs report showed no issues or anything to be concerned of. I had to do the neuro report to and the report shows no issues and nothing that would hinder me from flying in any way. I'm wondering if they are going to ask me to do further steps as well?
ReflectionLarge2719@reddit (OP)
They really didn’t specify other than they wanted me to see a psychiatrist
Top_Flounder_2582@reddit
Gotcha
Top_Flounder_2582@reddit
Sounds good thank you.
Tricky-Medicine8789@reddit
Huge congrats!! I am in the early stages of the process so it is nice to read your story and see that there is hope! Can’t imagine how good it feels to finally get that class 1 medical 🤙
Top_Flounder_2582@reddit
Do you have your first class yet or are you still waiting?
TobyADev@reddit
Congrats! Similar to my journey in steps but I was far less expensive (as I paid £400 for a psychiatrist instead of 2k and didn’t have to fork out 3.6k in tests)
I also had to get other exams for other things wrong with me..
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I want to write up my medical timeline for a class one medical to help others who are currently in this process. My words of wisdom, and everyone else’s in this process is stick to it and persevere through all of these hoops and you’ll get what you want. So all from the beginning.
June 1st 2023 - I go to my locally recommended AME for my exam. Long story short, after talking with the doctor he was very helpful and guided me in the right direction. He spoke on how I would need to get off of the ADHD medicine that I was taking to move forward with this process, gave me a list of phone numbers and that I would be deferred for further consideration to OKC. I asked zero questions leading up to this appointment and wish I had because I had no idea what to expect from all of this to be completely honest, it was all so new to me. So I highly recommend that if you’re unsure of a medical condition or medicine that you find a HIMS AME and schedule a consultation, not an appointment.
Cost = $175
June 25th 2023 - I receive my first correspondence from the FAA regarding my deferral and the next steps. The next steps were to gather some basic information from my PCP’s office regarding my ADHD and adolescent anxiety diagnosis. After gathering all of this information, I sent it in about a week later and waited about two months.
September 7th 2023 - Next steps were to gather medical records, prescription records, and a report from a HIMS Psychologist. Another step of this was to get off of my ADHD medicine and wait three months before testing. I had three months to collect all of the required paperwork and by the second month, I had collected all of the required paperwork, made copies and was ready to bring it to my next appointment.
-
Some time in between these dates I found and saw a HIMS AME thinking it was my HIMS appointment. Felt pretty stupid because it cost me $300 but the doctor was very helpful and lead me in the right direction. So like I said above, I highly recommend the consultation if you’re unsure BEFORE you begin this process.
Cost $300
January 15th 2024 - I find a HIMS Psychologist and schedule an appointment with them for the 15th. Testing was very easy and straight forward, they ruled out my ADHD diagnosis to be false (I totally agreed) so that was a huge plus. Although easy and straight forward, the testing was very lengthy. Arrived at 7:30am (2 hour drive from home) and left at about 5:30pm. Waited for my drug test to come back while the report was being generated. About one week after the test, received the results from the testing, the drug test, and the Doctor sent everything in a mailing to the doctor (requested documents from the original correspondence on 9/7/23). All very positive and supportive of my medical certification.
Cost = $3,600
(Some time in between here I submitted a congressional inquiry, and heard a response 14 days later)
March 12th 2024 - Received correspondence from the FAA and long story short, was told they were still unable to determine my eligibility of receiving a medical certificate. Next up was seeing a HIMS Psychiatrist. But before that, I had to request my medical file directly from the FAA be sent to the HIMS Psychiatrist. Literally had all the papers I just sent in at home but couldn’t use them. In the meantime I researched HIMS Psychiatrists nearby and found someone and reached out to them. Received permission to have documents sent to them directly and when I receive a letter from the FAA confirming the documents had been released, I would reach out to the doctor. I mailed the request form out next day air on March 21st and didn’t receive confirmation of them being released until April 26th 2024.
April 26th 2024 - Form received stating that my records had been released.
May 12th 2024 - Appointment with HIMS Psychiatrist that was fairly short. Doctor couldn’t understand why I was being asked to get a report from him. Report was great. Completely supported my medical certification like the last and recommended I ask my CFI and a boss at work for a letter of recommendation showing that my anxiety is not a factor / non existent at important places like the flight deck or when at work.
Cost = $2,000
May 13th 2024 - Received the report the same day as the appointment and sent it out the next day via next day air with my two letters of recommendation.
(Second congressional Inquiry sent on 8/2/24 and have yet to hear from the office back as today is the 13th day)
August 15th 2024 - Checked MedExpress to a surprising green check mark. Below it stated I have been issued a first class medical with zero limitations. I’m due for an exam since it has been over a year since my initial exam. Best day ever, seriously!
DMs are open to anyone who has questions, hope this helps!
Total Cost = $6,075
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AutoModerator@reddit
Hi, I'm a bot and it looks like you're asking a question about medical issues: ADHD.
Medicals can be confusing and even scary, we get it. Unfortunately, the medical process is very complex with many variables. It's too complex, in fact, for any of us to be able to offer you any specific help or advice.
We strongly suggest you discuss your concerns with a qualified aviation medical examiner before you actually submit to an official examination, as a hiccup in your medical process can close doors for you in the future. Your local AME may be able to provide a consultation. Other places that may provide aeromedical advice include: AOPA, EAA, the Mayo Clinic, and Aviation Medicine Advisory Service.
For reference, here is a link to the FAA's Synopsis of Medical Standards and for more in-depth information here is a link to the FAA's Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.
Also, feel free to browse our collection of past medical write-ups and questions in our FAQ.
Finally, we suggest you read the instructions on the medical application very closely. Do not volunteer information that isn't asked for, but also do not lie. Some people may urge you to omit pertinent information, or even outright lie, on your medical application in order to avoid added hassle and expense in obtaining a medical certificate. Know that making false statements on your medical application is a federal crime and that people have been successfully prosecuted for it. But for heaven's sake, don't tell the FAA any more than you absolutely have to.
If you're not in the United States, the above advice is still generally correct. Just substitute the FAA with your local aviation authority.
Good luck!
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