PPL Hopeful - In the meantime, will asking for FMLA for back issues be a deterrent?

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FridayMcNight@reddit

I don't think the FAA will know or care about FMLA, but "Pain management doctor" is probably gonna pique their interest. It's my sense from being around this sub for a while that that the FAA doesn't readily believe applicant claims of "no diagnosis" & "nothing wrong" if you were prescribed pain killers for any length of time.

I've read plenty of posts like yours where the person says later on that there was indeed a diagnosis even though the doctor told them otherwise. It seems common that insurers won't pay claims without a diagnosis, so doctors will enter one even though the condition may be idiopathic.

Definitely search the sub and read up on what you might want to do before applying for a medical certificate.

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vanhawk28@reddit

You doctor does not decide when you use fmla leave. You/your work does. You don’t even need to personally be sick to take fmla. Your work might require you to get a doctors note if you want to use it. But your doctor does not “authorize fmla”

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rFlyingTower@reddit

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

32M - USA. Hope to get my PPL one day - sooner than later.

I have had chronic back pain since I was 18. I’ve been to spine specialists 3x - X rays, MRIs, CTs…. “nothing wrong,” aside from some arthritis. I’m still seeing a Pain Management doctor.

My work has a very strict attendance policy - 3 weeks of PTO, 1 week of sick. If you run out of time beyond that, you have 3 different misses / write-ups and then you’re fired. I’ve seen it happen to others before. No considering said person’s reasoning. it’s cut and dry, otherwise it would be “favoritism/discrimination.”

I’ve always managed my time but there are years when I cut it close. Between a few hours here and there for appointments, occasional weddings, getting sick, etc., It’s not hard to burn through the time. I haven’t been able to take an actual vacation in years because of this.

I’m considering asking my MD for FMLA for days when my pain is flaring up and as a fall back but I don’t want to hurt my future chances for a PPL.

I realize this sounds a bit silly given I don’t have a condition diagnosed, but want to make sure.

thank you.

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