Syncope due to Dehydration

[mrmeschi]

Hey Doc,
Would a single instance of syncope due to dehydration be an automatic deferral? What documentation would need to be present at the examination? Assuming no family history and a healthy individual.
Thanks for the help.
Mike-

[My Flight Surgeon]

If you were fully evaluated, take copies of the medical records with you to your physical.

[mrmeschi]

Well it was a trip to the emergency room. I had a doctors evaluation and blood tests. Doctors evaluation states that it was vasovagular syncope due to dehydration. I don't understand the jargon on the blood tests but the summary says everything is normal. What are my chances of deferral?

[My Flight Surgeon]

It should not be a problem if the AME writes a nice, concise explanation too.

[mrmeschi]

Went in for my first class today. And as soon as the AME read the explanations for my fainting spell he said he needed to go call OKC and talk to them about it. After he was gone for more then 20 minutes I knew it would be a deferral . Turns out I was right and the guys at OKC said that because It had not been 6 months since the episode I would need to see a neurologist. So I have an appointment scheduled for next week and I am hoping the tests go well. Any idea on what they will entail? And am I grounded from Flight Instruction while the deferral gets worked out?

[My Flight Surgeon]

Neurologist may not order any tests, just have to see.

Yes, you are grounded until then.

[mrmeschi]

Went to a neurologist on Tuesday. He gave me good news, with the basic tests he gave me in the office he says it was obviously a syncopal episode caused by dehydration and that I show no signs of any neurological problems. I am hoping this will be enough to satisfy Oklahoma. My AME didn't specify any specific tests, he just told me to get a consultation/evaluation. The neurologist seemed confident in his evaluation without any of those expensive tests too. The neurologist is going to fax my AME the results tomorrow and he in turn will fax the info to OKC. What's the likelihood that OKC will want more tests? They said they would fax me the certificate when the paperwork gets there so I am assuming there is no "decision" that needs to be made,and that its just a matter of paperwork? Basically I am hoping it will all be handled this week but from other peoples experiences it sounds like it just depends. Any further insight would be greatly appreciated.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Count on it taking 4 weeks to get an answer from OKC. They handle more than 1500 cases a day. The news is good though. You might get AOPA involved after about 3 weeks.

[mrmeschi]

I called the Medical Certification Branch at OKC today and they reported that my application is under "review" and has been back and forth between the review department and the doctors. It sounds like a decision should be made any day now. Im keeping my fingers crossed. Is there anything my AME can do to speed the process? Im also concerned that this episode might affect my chances at getting hired at a regional airline.

[My Flight Surgeon]

If you are an AOPA member, you can call the medical folks there and they can call the FAA for you.

It should not affect hiring since they do not have access to the FAA medical records.

[mrmeschi]

First Class Medical was issued today! However I was told that they can no longer fax certificates due to privacy restrictions?!? Is there a way around this?

[My Flight Surgeon]

It is news to me but the privacy police are PC. You will have to wait for the mail I guess.