AME asked me if I have sleep apnea

[-]

Matuteg@reddit

The new Apple Watch update will let you know if there are signs of sleep apnea. You gotta use your watch for 30 days to sleep tho!

[-]

Typical-Buy-4961@reddit

Bollocks. I’ve been to AMEs all over the country. They make their own rules. Go to the one that makes em fair.

[-]

Typical-Buy-4961@reddit

Ok 110% please name the AME. I’ve ousted myself to shame bad AMEs please do the same.

[-]

The problem isn’t the sleep apnea or the SI. The problem is the way the FAA handles special issuances. Every little benign thing you have just creates another bureaucratic nightmare, and gives the Feds that much more power to take your medical.

[-]

jjkbill@reddit

Not sure about the states but in my part of the world it is possible to get the medical with sleep apnea, although you would have to jump through several hoops for it.

I'm on the fence here. On one hand if it's not bothering you then why make it a problem. The other hand though, many people with undiagnosed sleep apnea don't realise just how much their quality of life will improve once they do have treatment. In the future you might need to take time away from flying to get on a treatment plan and prove that it works, so there's a good argument for doing that now before you start lessons.

[-]

Catkii@reddit

This. Also in Aus, my BMI crept up high and CASA sent me for a sleep study. Surprise- I have sleep apnea.

I had no idea I had it. But my god the world of difference I’ve found in my sleep after getting on the CPAP. The amount of extra energy I have through the day, and the mental clarity and focus I’ve got now - I can see why the authorities want to ask the questions they do.

[-]

Whisky-354@reddit

I had a similar story. I'm in the US (but Aussie), the FAA required a sleep study for me to be issued a medical. I was worried about how much that shit was going to cost given, you know, the US medical system and I got a quote for $5k but the sleep doctor referred me to a lab and did a cash price of $700. The sleep doctor was very submissive of the FAAs approach to sleep apnea based off your BMI, said it can exacerbate an existing condition but not necessarily cause it in the first place.

Anyway did the test and much to my own surprise 0 apnea events.

[-]

Catkii@reddit

Yeah I’m skeptical of the BMI approach. Sure in my case, I was overweight. But I know a bunch of dudes that are jacked but the medical system treats them as obese.

Since I’ve lost the weight I did a follow up sleep study. Still have apnea so it’s not a function of my weight either supporting your doctors claim. It was better than my original, but not enough to convince CASA to drop it from my medical.

[-]

Anthem00@reddit

It’s an absurdly easy to get and maintain SI. If you are diagnosed to have it - you have to submit a report once a year that shows you have used it at least 75% of the time for 6 hours. And less than 5 AHI incidents a night. They are all logged on the cpap machine.

It’s the easiest of SIs. So if you have it - it’s best to take care of it. And it’s not difficult.

[-]

57thStilgar@reddit

Sleep on your side. Snoring over.

[-]

FlowerGeneral2576@reddit

I’m going to tell you right now, there are good AMEs and there are bad AMEs. The good ones don’t hand you rope to hang yourself with shit questions like this. I highly recommend going to someone else next year. Travel out of town if need be to find a good one.

[-]

skateboard_pilot@reddit

Yeah, I personally would not go ask or get diagnosed for it if I wanted to keep my medical. I have two pilot friends with sleep apnea machines they got off the black market. Maybe look into that if you ever start having trouble sleeping.

[-]

kiwi_love777@reddit

I know of a guy at my crash pad who was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and has to carry around his sleep machine and actually USE IT. It sends his sleep stats to his AME.

His ame needs to consolidate a report every 90 days.

Sounds like an absolute nightmare

[-]

BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit

Its a SI if you have it.

You have to do a sleep study and if you have it you get a CPAP machine or a dental device. One a year (when you have EKG visit) you need to submit your sleep logs from the CPAP machine and a "Doctors note" that you are "Responding well to treatment".

Thats it

[-]

Apprehensive-Gift-36@reddit

There are multiple forms of sleep apnea and they can only be diagnosed using a sleep study where you wear measuring equipment while you sleep. Men have a high rate of it as they age. If your stocky, overweight, have a neck measurement over 17 inches and snore you statistically may have obstructive sleep apnea. The FAA has been known to require proactive sleep studies for those that fall in one those comorbidities. The FAA just wants to make sure your sleep apnea if you have it is managed and is being treated. I have had surgery for it and have a CPAP and have a first class medical. It is an extra report you have to provide annually with medical renewal and the AME can issue as long as the report shows your treatment is working. Untreated sleep apnea causes drowsiness, poor judgement, hormonal issues, high rates of heart attacks and strokes.

[-]

rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

I had my first ever 1st class medical as I decided to make sure I could get it before starting flight school. The AME looked into my nose I believe and asked me if I know what sleep apnea is and if I know anyone who has it. Well what I’ve heard from the aviation community is not to self incriminate and I didn’t want to take any chances and said “not that I know of” then the AME explained it to me and said “we don’t want any of our pilots falling asleep up at 30,000 ft” but then after I finished with the test and I passed.

I got in my car and realized my dad has it and he uses the sleep apnea machine to sleep. I’ve been told by my gf I snore in my sleep and I’ve heard sleep apnea can be passed down genetically. I haven’t noticed my sleep being affected too much and if it does it’s because I’m staying up before I have work in the morning. My question is should I go in to see if I have it or get myself checked out for sleep apnea? I know if it effects me later on in life I can get a surgery done to remove something to help me breath and sleep better.

Please downvote this comment until it collapses.

Questions about this comment? Please see this wiki post before contacting the mods.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. If you have any questions, please contact the mods of this subreddit.

[-]

AutoModerator@reddit

Hi, I'm a bot and it looks like you're asking a question about medical issues: apnea.

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!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.