Please be honest with me.

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indecision_killingme@reddit

The answer is that this will be very hard, high likelihood of no.

I believe suicide attempt is a permanent disqualifier, but it doesn’t sound like you had an attempt. Sounds like it was an ideation that you were treated for.

Go talk to an ex expert if this is what you really wanna do, get a consult.

Bruce Chen and Greg Pinnell are two name you can look into. Be ready to pay $ for a consultation.

I know nothing about Lexapro, you have to be symptom-free and untreated for the ADHD for at least six months I think. Sleep apnea needs to be treated. The pseudoseizures will need to be fully explained and reviewed at Oklahoma City, lots of money on tests and lots of waiting.

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ltcterry@reddit

You will not qualify for any FAA medical. At least not for a long, long time.

Technically you could be eligible for Sport or Glider but with the things you've described I would discourage that. And I almost always encourage everyone to look at gliders.

You need to focus on your own well being and think of the kid who's going to need you for a long time.

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m4a785m@reddit

Like a checkride failure, might not be best case to be a suicidal airline pilot with seizures and adhd but you can still make it with some effort 😊

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UNDR08@reddit

Few is these responses are giving you a tiny bit of a false hope, long but not impossible. Psh. I’m going to go a head a just tell you it’s impossible.

It will be a waste of time and money, which will lead to you be frustrated and no where other than where you are right now.

If you still feel like you need to fly, looking into something that doesn’t require a medical, or flying others around. Maybe a powered parachute? While not flying commercially, could still scratch the itch partially.

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DataGOGO@reddit

Just going to be blunt; You are never going to qualify for ANY medical, not even a third class.

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Y0uMadD0g@reddit

As others have said, realistically, you have no chance.

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Rilex1@reddit

don’t listen to positive comments, it is impossible. don’t waste your money and time.

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SRM_Thornfoot@reddit

Aside from whether or not you could qualify for a first class medical, you should be terrified about the possibility of having another 'pseudo seizure' when you are the sole pilot of an airplane. What do you think would happen?

It is fantastic that you have not had another occurrence since that single episode, but you said you think it happened because of the pressure and stress that you were under. Well, you are going to find plenty of pressure and stress during your aviating career. I would wager even more than what you experienced training as a firefighter. In fact, every pilot I know has ended up in a situation, either accidentally or foolishly, in which they felt they were about to die. Some discontinue training after that happens, some shrug it off. Having a seizure at that instant due to the stress would pretty much guarantee a lethal accident.

You want to hear it true? OK, I am sorry. I do not think you should even attempt to get a first class medical because you can never be certain enough that you could safely bet your life and the life of others that this will not happen again. The other issues you mentioned can probably be addressed with time patience and money, but collapsing when under stress will likely lead to tragedy.

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minfremi@reddit

Book a consultation with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), only they can give you the official answer.

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Wafer420@reddit

Wouldn't want to fly with ya

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Competitive-Elk6117@reddit

This is getting downvoted for something that’s true unfortunately.

It may be a bit of a hurtful way to put it but to be quite honest, I can’t say I’d be comfortable flying with another pilot who has had seizures or suicidal ideation. Let alone both.

This is not to shit on you OP but that is at least MY truth and what is likely in many cases.

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Wafer420@reddit

Thanks. Where I'm from a direct and clear answer is much more appreciated.

Having this prior knowledge about the pilot would not put my mind at ease.

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Seattle-Resident@reddit (OP)

This response is fine, I asked for plain language. What if all those things I listed happened 15 years ago?

If I just simply wait years and years and if everything is good and there’s been nothing since. What would you think?

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Wafer420@reddit

Well ignorance is bliss. If you had no issues for fifteen years and I had no idea about it then I'd happily fly with you.

Perceived safety is worth something.

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dylanm312@reddit

I’m sorry but it’s just not in the cards for you. If you have unlimited time and money and want to fight it, then by all means give it a shot, but right off the bat I can tell you that you’ll have an extremely long road ahead of you. Five figures and 2-5 years of work.

The notable issues are: - Lexapro. Requires a special issuance. - ADHD is disqualifying, period. You will have to submit to extensive testing and convince the FAA that the original diagnosis was made in error. - Sleep apnea requires a special issuance. - Suicidal ideation requires a special issuance. This one will be very hard to overcome. You will have to submit to extensive testing and convince the FAA that you are no longer liable to fly your plane into the side of a mountain. - Seizures (from your description it actually sounds more like syncope, but idk I wasn’t there). Requires a special issuance. Minimum wait time is 10 years since the last seizure, so you can put this whole thing aside until 2029 at least.

You asked me to speak plainly, so I’ll give it to you straight up. I do not think it would be a wise or prudent use of your time and money to attempt to get a medical. I think this is not the career for you. That’s no one’s fault and it’s certainly not a reflection on your character or abilities, it just is what it is.

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KJ3040@reddit

Very very long odds.

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Alive-Meal-3787@reddit

The seizures may be the hardest part, although clearing yourself for the ideation etc would also be very expensive.

If this is FAA, I’d suggest considering other options because of how insanely expensive it can be. If this is Europe, it is significantly easier to clear resolved mental health history.

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K1TTYKAT51@reddit

Realistically, nope. Probably not even your third class medical with those on your medical record. Even if you could get a third class, youd have to spend as much as a pilots license on a medical by having to get all the tests and appointments and “evidence” (which likely won’t be covered under insurance because it’s not medically necessary) to prove you’re fit to fly, and even after all that, the medical can be revoked at a moments notice, rendering all flight training null and void. Unless you have $1,000,000 to burn, I simply wouldn’t even try it. Get into flight sims and enjoy it that way imo, cheaper, safer, and no medical necessary. Sorry, we all wish the system was better but it’s not.

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trackday21@reddit

you will self disclose at the time of your application for a first class medical with an AME. If you don't tell them they may never know. If you tell them they may disqualify you. If you want to know, if you're completely upfront, can you get a first class medical? You have to ask the AME when you apply. If you're serious about the career you gotta talk to the AME.

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12-7@reddit

Not impossible, but very, very difficult and expensive with no guarantee that you'll be successful. There are posts on this subreddit (and r/faahiims) from aviators who have had a history of suicidal ideation, but having such recent episodes is going to be a big issue. It's explicitly listed as disqualifying for even being considered for a special issuance: https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/app_process/exam_tech/item47/amd/antidepressants

Go for a few flights to see if this is something you actually want to pursue before committing several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars in pursuit of just your medical.

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Supremetm@reddit

Sorry man. You will not be able to get your medical. You listed several permanent disqualifiers.

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rFlyingTower@reddit

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

Hi, this is on my mind, please don’t hold back, and please tell me the truth, even if it hurts.

I’m aspiring to become a commercial pilot. Paying for school and attending one aside, I’m worried about never qualifying for first class medical.

I am 25, I’ve been on Lexapro since 2019 and it really works for me. When I was 13 I was diagnosed with adhd, although don’t take any medication for it. Also, I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and I don’t treat it.

However, after my son was born in 2022, life got hard and I checked myself into the hospital for suicidal ideation. I hadn’t actually acted on it. But it’s there in my record that I had this ideation.

Something else as well. In 2019 I was training to become a firefighter, during academy training I collapsed and had what was called “pseudo seizures”. They haven’t happened before or since. Basically they said I was under so much pressure and stress that my brain and body gave out, or at least that’s what they think. On the brain scans and everything they tested me for and with came up negative. They have no idea what happened and guessed that.

Am I basically never ever going to qualify to get my first class? I feel like my case is impossible. Please speak plainly, is this a milllion to 1 scenario?

Please downvote this comment until it collapses.

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AutoModerator@reddit

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

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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.

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