Asthma & the CF (merged thread)

[Budgie]

No, that doesn't help. And I wasn't asking for links about asthma. But thanks anyway.

 

[Inch]

I got rejected for pilot when I first applied, there was a problem with my EEG and the letter stated that if I wanted my application to continue, I had to go see a neurologist for his diagnosis. He said I was good to go and my application got back on track. I don't know if your letter said the same thing, but if you want to persue it, I'd suggest going to see a lung specialist. You'll probably have to pay for it yourself, I know I did. Hope that helps, good luck.

Cheers

 

[chriscalow]

Inch hit the nail on the head, get to a specialist and have them run a "Pulmonary Function Test" and the Methacholine Challenge test.  It won't hurt to get tested for exercise induced asthma as well, just so they can see on paper, what your situation really is.  It is what I did and my second application seems to be going much better than the last.  Good luck.

 

[AndrewD83]

I got rejected for pilot when I first applied, there was a problem with my EEG and the letter stated that if I wanted my application to continue, I had to go see a neurologist for his diagnosis. He said I was good to go and my application got back on track. I don't know if your letter said the same thing, but if you want to persue it, I'd suggest going to see a lung specialist. You'll probably have to pay for it yourself, I know I did. Hope that helps, good luck.

Potential pilots have to get EEGs done on them to get hired by the CF? 

Wow that is some strict recruiting standards.  On the other hand I am sure they just don't want some average joe flying the countries multi milllion dollar toys.

 

[cgyflames01]

Potential pilots have to get EEGs done on them to get hired by the CF? 

Wow that is some strict recruiting standards.  On the other hand I am sure they just don't want some average joe flying the countries multi milllion dollar toys
It there flying fighter's they need very healthy heart's/ and high blood preesure, to keep blood flow in there heads, to combat the G-force.

 

[Inch]

You don't have to have high blood pressure, you just need to concentrate more on anaerobic exercise (weights) vice aerobic. It's the muscles that push the blood into your head while you're straining, not your heart.

Pilot is one of the most strictly controlled trades in terms of medical requirements. Only astronaut medical standards are stricter. You'll have an EEG, ECG, heart ultrasound, lung capacity test, anatomic measurements (leg length, reach, etc), chest/spine x-ray, plus you have to have perfect hearing and 20/20 uncorrected vision. They also take pictures of your cornea for some reason.

The EEG is mostly testing for epilepsy and to see what happens when you're hyperventilating and when you get strobed.

 

[Bograt]

They also take pictures of your cornea for some reason.

The cornea pictures are used for before/after comparisons. In the event there is an accident or disease they can measure the extent of the loss/deterioration and subsequently compensate you accordingly. Also the retina and cornea shots can show the presence of eye disease and laser surgery. So, you can not lie and say you didn't have it done.

They also measure the size and circumference of your wrist. Pilots must be able to wear extremely large watches with lots of dials and buttons. The most disturbing test was the anal probe. They don't even warm the instrument first. What I haven't I done to get a pilot slot?

 

[fleeingjam]

Do the following tests (these will have to be done by a resipiroligist which you will need refferal from your physician)

-PFT (Pulmonary Functions Test)
Calculates Lung Capacity
-Methacoline
Triggers asthma and reports if either you have asthma or you dont and if you do how mild or severe it is.
-EST
You are put through some heavy PT and they check for asthma (this is if you were diagnosed with execersise inducive or post exercise asthma)

Other than that join the club you got at least a year before you see any green.

 

[Budgie]

Can you reapply? And how long do you have to wait before doing it? I plan to talk to my doctor about this and see what can be done. But I'll give myself a few days. I'm pretty crushed right now. :crybaby:

 

[Budgie]

*bump* :'( :crybaby:

 

[spenco]

Can you reapply? And how long do you have to wait before doing it? I plan to talk to my doctor about this and see what can be done. But I'll give myself a few days. I'm pretty crushed right now. :crybaby:

Unless they say that you cant apply for x amount of months/years in the letter you got then you can re-apply when you get the letter from your respective specialist who says you are good to go or whatever.  You will have to start from scratch and submit an entirely new application form.

 

[Budgie]

Thank you. That's what I wanted to know.

 

[wern32]

If its not a problem and if they dont ask, then dont tell them

 

[Art Johnson]

I am probably in the wrong forum to tell this story but in order to inject a little humour I'll tell it anyway. Take note this happened 50 years ago.
When I returned from Korea I had been seriously wounded   but the C.O. of my Reserve Unit wanted me to come back and serve in the Recruiting Office. I said I would and turned up at No. 6 Manning Depot for my medical exam. No crap there I was balls naked in the examining room when the doctor came in he took one look and said "your kidding" and I said "no". "The doctor said "I am not even going to look a you obviously some one wants you in the Army"
For those of you who don't know me I have an above knee amputation of the right leg plus an arthoplasy in the right elbow with ulnar and radial nerve damage. At the time I was in reciept of a 100% disability pension from DVA. The Officer that I was paired with was a WWII arm amputee. We made a great team.

 

[BDTyre]

Back in March, I completed a PFT and methacholine challenge.  I got a negative result on the methacholine challenge, which is a good thing.  Borden sent me a letter explaining this can't rule out exercise induced asthma and they are insisting that I see a respirologist and take an exercise induced asthma test.  I've seen the respirologist, and here is where it gets interesting.  He has booked me in for an exercise test, but told me they are almost never done anymore because a negative result on a methacholine challenge indicates an absence of exercise induced asthma.  He told me he would still book me in for an exercise test because that is what Borden wants.

However, I've just had an established, certified respirologist tell me that I should not have to do this test, and that the medical community itself generally does not run these tests any more.  Makes me wonder what sort of medical staff they have in Borden.

I'm not worried about doing the test, but it is another two months before it will be all done and over with, and if the medical community feels I shouldn't need it (the respirologist, by the way, is the third medical professional to tell me I don't need an exercise test), I really feel like it's two months I'm losing, two months more I have to wait to get it when I've already waitied a year and a half.

Anyone offer some helpful advice?

 

[Meridian]

I'd do the test if only to be absolutely certain myself that I was fit to go.
Never hurts to get one more test done, and the Forces (should) still be around in 2 months.

Last thing you want is to be half-trained and sitting around not being able to go due to asthma.... and thats the last thing the forces wants as well....

Actually, last thing you probably want is to experience problems on tour somewhere....

 

[BDTyre]

I will do the test, because that is what is required.   And Tracker, this is not a question of ethics.   This is a question of why the CF medical is apparently out of touch with the greater medical community.   Having talked to a few law enforcement organizations, all of which do conduct their own medical review, it seems that I would not encounter something like this.

And this isn't an issue of two months more.   Two months would be nice.   By the time I have my follow-up with the respirologist, it will have been six months since I received my letter Borden.   Ultimately, by the time all is said and done, it will likely be 9 -12 months since I received my letter from Borden, and at least 2 years since my date of application.   And to be honest, much of the year and a half it has now taken has been spent waiting on the CF.

I know the government works slowly, but somethings are just unbelievable.  I will just keep waiting it out and doing what they ask because I am comitted to getting in.

 

[Tracker]

Perhaps the greater medical community and law enforcement organizations don't put their members in the same kinds of situations that the CF does. 

 

[fleeingjam]

Perhaps the greater medical community and law enforcement organizations don't put their members in the same kinds of situations that the CF does. 

Tracker, he is not trying to be objective, if you were put in the same situation he was you would do the same..so please try to understand the situation. BD-Tyre you gotta consider the fact that Borden medstaff are not respirologists or cardiologists (sorry for spelling), they do not specialize in every medical section, they have a general education if maybe some specialization. The way they will take the Asthma jargon and take it to the worst case scenario. They want you do those tests not be pains but so they can ensure, you do not have asthma. Now whether this means doing a tests that our no longer used , its up to you. But if you wanna oppose there judgement you may suceed or have to suffer another year of time spent out of the forces. The situation has become a 50/50, but honestly you got nothing to lose so I would do the test anyways, that way you leave them no excuse to think of asthma as a factor.

-Good Luck, I know youll make it
-Usman Syed

 

[Armymedic]

Back in March, I completed a PFT and methacholine challenge. I got a negative result on the methacholine challenge, which is a good thing. Borden sent me a letter explaining this can't rule out exercise induced asthma and they are insisting that I see a respirologist and take an exercise induced asthma test. I've seen the respirologist, and here is where it gets interesting. He has booked me in for an exercise test, but told me they are almost never done anymore because a negative result on a methacholine challenge indicates an absence of exercise induced asthma. He told me he would still book me in for an exercise test because that is what Borden wants.

However, I've just had an established, certified respirologist tell me that I should not have to do this test, and that the medical community itself generally does not run these tests any more. Makes me wonder what sort of medical staff they have in Borden.

I'm not worried about doing the test, but it is another two months before it will be all done and over with, and if the medical community feels I shouldn't need it (the respirologist, by the way, is the third medical professional to tell me I don't need an exercise test), I really feel like it's two months I'm losing, two months more I have to wait to get it when I've already waitied a year and a half.

Anyone offer some helpful advice?

Yeah, go find another line of work...

Other then hearing what you wanted to hear, from a single specialist who may or may not have any idea why you need to do the test, what gives you the right to question the decisions of a panel of experienced current and ex military doctors and medical specialists who have to look at a file and determine whether or not you are going to spend more time at the medical facility then at work?

I will do the test, because that is what is required.   And Tracker, this is not a question of ethics.   This is a question of why the CF medical is apparently out of touch with the greater medical community.   Having talked to a few law enforcement organizations, all of which do conduct their own medical review, it seems that I would not encounter something like this.

Maybe because the CF is the only employer who as a basic requirement has you doing strenuous work while wearing CHEMOX or dressed in MOPP 4 for more then 8 hrs. What do you call an asthmatic in that situation?

a Bluey in green, and Ventolin doesn't go thru a C7 canister

They are not "out of touch".