Larry wrote: > Very informative, but what about S.D. (diabetes)? I'm borderline, and have been > told that if diagnosed, I could lose my Med.Cert. Why?
The AME warned me I was borderline on my physical two years before the medical exam that lost me my medical certificate. He told me to get treatment on the first visit but I ignored him. Fact is, if you have a FASTING blood glucose level of 150, you are running much higher numbers the rest of the day. High enough that you are at MUCH higher risk of heart attack, stroke and blindness. The FAA has no problems with diabetics treated with diet and exercise and that's best for your health. They aren't too restrictive about diabetics treated with diet, exercise and ORAL medications. If you show good control, you can expect to get your medical back. If you let it slide to the point of needing oral medications and INSULIN (like I did), then they get VERY restrictive. When you use insulin, if you get the dosage wrong you can get muzzy headed, unconscious or (if you really over do it) brain damaged. We have to show history of control, show that we don't get low blood sugar without warning and have to take blood sugar readings before and every hour during flights. My medical request is pending and the FAA tells me they should act on it within the next week or so. It's been six months since I sent it in. All my requests through the EAA for assistance didn't do anything, but the AOPA gave me the number of the right person to call -- I think they put my packet back in the file cabinet last summer and didn't pull it out till I talked to the right person. For treatment, as they say, diet and exercise first. Medication second. But I've really had to change my diet and be serious about regular exercise. If only I'd done this stuff before that bad medical, I wouldn't have been grounded for the last six and a half years. Summary, to all who might be borderline diabetic: GET TREATMENT NOW!!!!! (In nettiquite, capital letters are shouting.) Besides facilitating keeping your medical, it'll do a lot to let you live more years in good health without the minor inconveniences of losing your legs and eyesight and having strokes and heart damage. -- Ed Burkhead Peoria, Ill. Ercoupe N3802H, 415-D --------------------------------- to unsubscribe send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________________________ Check out the new and improved Topica site! http://www.topica.com/t/13
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