The Doctor is in! Ask a Flight Surgeon!

[BusyBee604]

Dr. Hal, what would we do without your incredible medical acumen & advice?
BzB

 

[MasterBates]

Wake up with stinky fingers I think.

 

[scoolbubba]

Question for a doctor:

Can having external prolapsed hemorrhoids cause you to fail the medical exam for becoming a pilot? Should I get them taken care before I start the application process or is it ok to go to MEPS and not have to worry? They really don't bother me unless I am passing some hard stools. And then sometimes there is a little blood. Not a lot. Just a smattering on the toilet paper. They don't bother me when sitting for long times. I would just like a doctors personal opinion on what should be done. Thank you.

For the love of god man, this is a public forum, and you aspire to be part of a community based on competition, (friendly) public humiliation, and degradation of the fucking new guy at any opportunity. It isn't that hard to figure out who's who. Don't go outta your way to earn a call sign early, especially not one that has anything to do with "just a smattering" of asshole blood. No one wants to hear about your butt period. Talk to a real doc.

 

[feddoc]

Question for a doc:

I am ProRec SNA, went to MEPs everything checked out fine but my blood pressure was a little high there. Never having high blood pressure before and due to the fact of nerves or what not they sent me to go to my doctor to have my blood pressure checked two days in a row. After doing this all my bp readings were normal and within standards also including my resting heart rate. I got word from my processor now that they want an EKG done to help process waiver consideration. I am confused as to why they want an EKG with my normal blood pressure at my doctor, is this normal just do double check things? Please let me know.

Thank you

Don't sweat it.

 

[Renegade One]

Don't sweat it.

Probably the best three word sentence you could ever hear from a Flight Surgeon.

 

[Joseph Kirksey]

I agree super relieving!! Everything checked out good to go with my EKG and I am off to OCS on the 19th of this month! Thanks for the help sir!

 

[Okie3]

Fresh new ensign here. I went up to Newport hoping for pilot, and I came home an Intel Officer. Not disappointed at all considering the numbers that get selected for intel. I was NPQ at OCS for hypothyroidism. I had two doctors in an argument over my flight status. The exact wording is

hypothyroidism, unspecified (2449) (disqualified).

Also states npq but aeronautically adapted for all duty involving flying.
then later on same paper states

2. Based on flight surgeon's recommendation and NAMI-342 review, a waiver is not recommended for all duty involving flying.

The flight surgeon said I had subclinical hypothroidism- meaning no symptoms, healthy now, but I AM GOING TO GET LETHARGIC, OBESE, SLOW ETC SOMEDAY.
The doc who specialized in endochrinology looked at my levels and disagreed with the fight surgeon. He suggested once I got out of OCS to go see as many other flight surgeons and specialists as possible. There is only one in Newport. The second doc also said, "I shouldn't be medicated. It would mess my thyroid up and cause me to go HYPER."

My TSH sensistive level on my lab work was 5.32. The level I needed was 4.68. I'm just wondering if my levels could jump down to that, because at the time of blood draws I had stress and we had just been vaccinated the day before. I gave A LOT of blood while at OCS during the first few weeks, however I didn't have any drawn during the last few weeks after I had already redesignated. I was told the levels a civilian doc would look for to diagnose hypothyroidism is in the 10-12 range.

All my other levels were within range. No family history- dad is 140lbs mom 100lbs.
Played college b-ball so pretty quick, one of the more athletic guys in my OCS class, and I weigh about 145-150 now. I'm on the scrawny side.

For now I'm doing 9 weeks of OHARP, waiting to class up in Nov. for intel, and figuring out options for later on down the road.

 

[Brett327]

FWIW, the guy in Newport is NOT a flight surgeon. He's a regular doc who is qualified to do flight physicals. He also has a reputation for being overly conservative. If you have the option to see an actual flight surgeon or have your case reviewed by NAMI, then do so.

 

[Okie3]

I'm doing OHARP right now with a lot of free time it looks like. I'm close to Tinker AFB so I probably need to get over there. I have my medical folder with all the information, and the first paper you see on top is the dang hypothyroidism. I know that hypothyroidism is non-waiverable for a non-winged guy. I'm just curious to know if I even have it. The processer I work with in OKC actually had hypothyroidism. He suggested I wait until I'm out in Virginia to go see more docs. He was worried about me getting med hold or something crazy in Oklahoma.

At any rate I know I'm locked into Intel for the next four years (presumably), but after the four years is what I'm looking towards. I'm 23 right now so I still have time I believe.

 

[HAL Pilot]

You need to pursue it now or forget about it. In four years, your chances will be very, very slim. Intel would have to let you go, aviation would have to pick you up, and Big Navy would have to be willing to pay for it. There are only a few lateral transfer slots a year and you would have to be the number one superstar water walker to get one.

Impossible? No. Unlikely? Yes.

 

[Okie3]

Seeing a doc tomorrow at Tinker. It will be all in the numbers he said since I don't show signs of hypo...need 4.68 on a blood draw to have any chance. The blood draws they did at OCS had been progressively dropping. Maybe I'll get lucky. Keeping fingers crossed.

 

[feddoc]

Question for a doctor:

Can having external prolapsed hemorrhoids cause you to fail the medical exam for becoming a pilot? Should I get them taken care before I start the application process or is it ok to go to MEPS and not have to worry? They really don't bother me unless I am passing some hard stools. And then sometimes there is a little blood. Not a lot. Just a smattering on the toilet paper. They don't bother me when sitting for long times. I would just like a doctors personal opinion on what should be done. Thank you.

I have never heard of anyone failing because of 'roids.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I have never heard of anyone failing because of 'roids.

I have seen MEPS turn people away for little things such as a cold, not healed cut, and a wart on foot, so who knows how they would view a condition like he has.

 

[bert]

I have never heard of anyone failing because of 'roids.

"Rectum? Damn near killed 'im..."

That is all.

 

[jcj]

Question for a doctor:

Can having external prolapsed hemorrhoids cause you to fail the medical exam for becoming a pilot? Should I get them taken care before I start the application process or is it ok to go to MEPS and not have to worry? They really don't bother me unless I am passing some hard stools. And then sometimes there is a little blood. Not a lot. Just a smattering on the toilet paper. They don't bother me when sitting for long times. I would just like a doctors personal opinion on what should be done. Thank you.

Not a flight surgeon - but I am a civilian pilot and general surgeon - I used to do lots of hemorrhoid treatment - the most important is the basic stuff - get lots of good high fiber diet to build up your stool for your ano-rectal area - also want topical agents and more topical agents If you progress to where other treatments are possible (rubber bands). maybe laser or thermo work with Hemorrhoids and you may be cured. But alas, there are surgucal approriaches such as newer microstapler and the standard hemorrhoidectomy (which requires staples and gives you the sensation that you'll be shittin' razor blades for a few months. But once u'r done' ur done