9 years on Citalopram

[pppatacki]

So I went and took my physical after not flying for ten years and didn't read this forum or other articles on the net first. I listed Citalopram and wham... defered. So I understand from reading other's posts that it is a disquilifying drug. Most others on thiss forum have been off their meds for years and go through the requestred test for the FAA and they are good to go. Is that an option for me or will the FAA say "You have been on these meds for 8 years, no way" I have been thinking of weaning myself off this drug anyhow as I have not had any of the original symtoms in years. (Obsesive thoughts, basically I would worry a lot)Any advise? Do I have a chance?

Pete

[SFCC/UND]

I'm sure the FAA surgeons are going to want to see your 8 year record and maybe ask you to do more tests, which is going to cost a lot more money. But anything is possible.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Under the current guidelines, you will have to be off the medication for at least 3 months, submit copies of your medical records and a current psychiatric evaluation after the 90 days off the medication.

In the next few weeks (I know many of you have heard this before but htey are getting close) the FAA will start to allow a Special Issuance for those on antidepressants. The FAA is waiting for the Department of Justice to sign off for the process. From what I hear from the FAA, these Special Issuances will be handles by HIMS certified AME's (there are about 100 of these in the US) and will include psychiatric evaluation.

[pppatacki]

What it be of any value to see one of these HIMS AME's? Are there any in Minnesota? Since I need to go see a psychiatrist and mine is no longer around can you recomend one in Minnesota?

[My Flight Surgeon]

The process has not started yet. Watch for an announcement on this forum when the FAA finally approves it. Yes, there are HIMS AME's in Minnesota.

[pppatacki]

Thanks for your help.

[ktsai91]

Just wondering, what does HIMS stand for?

[My Flight Surgeon]

Human Intervention Motivational Study http://www.himsprogram.com/

[Prozac Pilot]

I was told by the AOPA medical rep that the FAA is going to name the exact meds that a person can be on. Additionally, there is only going to be about five different types of antidepressants that are going to be allowed and that a pilot can only be on one type of medication. If a person is on two different antidepressants (like me) then there still will be no medical issued. I guess I will just have to stay on the ground until my doc says otherwise. I just cannot force myself to lie about my condition in order to fly. My integrity is worth more to me than flying is.

Keep an eye on the sky!

Prozac Pilot

[patty@myflightsurgeon.com]

Originally Posted by Prozac Pilot

I was told by the AOPA medical rep that the FAA is going to name the exact meds that a person can be on. Additionally, there is only going to be about five different types of antidepressants that are going to be allowed and that a pilot can only be on one type of medication. If a person is on two different antidepressants (like me) then there still will be no medical issued. I guess I will just have to stay on the ground until my doc says otherwise. I just cannot force myself to lie about my condition in order to fly. My integrity is worth more to me than flying is.

Keep an eye on the sky!

Prozac Pilot

Good for you, and yes your health and integrity must come first.

[Woodpecker]

Doc Forred,
I've been on 40mg of Citalopram, 1mg of Lorazepam, and 10mg of Ambien (all taken at bedtime) for the past 6 years. Under my Dr.'s recommendation (and in an effort to qualify for the upcoming program) I have recently started to wean off the Lorazepam and am now at 0.5mg per night. I will also be weaning off the ambien in the next month. Do you know what the time limits are for being off both Lorazepam and Ambien? Many thanks.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Three months sounds reasonable.

[pppatacki]

I heard from the Feds today and they denied my application for a medical certificate based on my use of Citalopram. They included the following "This denial does not constitute an action of the Administrator under 49 USC 44703 and is subject to reconsideration by the Federal Air Surgeon (FAS) of the FAA. A request for such consideration may be made pursuant to Title 14 of the CFR, section 67.409, by submitting a written request in duplicate to the Federal Air Surgeon" Obviously I need to request a reconsideration. What do I need to state in my letter to the Federal Air Surgeon.

I was also suprised they didn't give me the "Stay off the meds for 90 days, get some tests, and submit results to Air Sugeon, or does that come after the request for reconsideration?

[My Flight Surgeon]

He is going to deny the request. Wait until the anti-depressant Special Issuance process is published and apply under that. It is your best shot.

[pppatacki]

"He is going to deny the request."

Why is that? Can't I go off the meds for a period of time and get an evaluation?

[My Flight Surgeon]

You can but the letter probably states you have 60 days to appeal.

[pppatacki]

Doc, thanks for your help. Yep it says 30 days. So if I don't appeal and a year from now I have been off the meds for 6 or 9 months, can I just go try to get a medical again? Then I would assum they would want to have a batch of test with a psychiatrist, or is that once I am denied I am denied for life?

[My Flight Surgeon]

You can always reapply. If they ask for more testing, they will extend the time for you to submit the evaluations.

[pppatacki]

Thanks again.

[srleslie]

I am not flying currently but I am taking 10 mg amitriptyline qd, not for depression, but for moderate peripheral neuropathy in my left arm resulting from an occupational injury. I could live without the med and still function normally but it takes away most of the chronic pain. Do you think TCA's will be on the list? I believe the reason for banding psychotropic meds is not the meds themselves but because of the underlying pathology, which in my case is not psychiatric, but somatic. Would they take this into consideration? Looking to get back to taking lessons later this year/early next year.

[My Flight Surgeon]

I know that is not on the list.

I agree the reason they disallow medications is the underlying disease but there are also side effects of medications. Amitriptyline is strongly anticholinergic which is a detriment to flying.

[srleslie]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

I know that is not on the list.

I agree the reason they disallow medications is the underlying disease but there are also side effects of medications. Amitriptyline is strongly anticholinergic which is a detriment to flying.

The medication stopped making me drowsy after 2 weeks of being on it. I don't experience any other side effect, not even dry mouth. We tried gabapentin first and I was extremely intolerant to it. Do you know if SSRI's or SNRI's are going to be on the list? The mechanisms are different but they also function to increase neurotransmitter levels. Was wondering if they might be effective. Though I hear SSRI's cause more sexual side effects.

[My Flight Surgeon]

There are 4 SSRI's that are going to be on the list.

[srleslie]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

There are 4 SSRI's that are going to be on the list.

Are they effective for neuropathic pain?

[ktsai91]

Is Prozac on the approved list for SSRIs?