Can i become a pilot???

[C]

Thanks for your replies BUT....

You're welcome.

Am i right in asking that you can't fly because of the drugs you take to stop hayfever,

or is it just hayfever on its own??

I actually dont take any medication for my hayfever (Its not really that bad), i only have organic remedes to help.

Generally (well, in all cases I've known of) you will only be allowed to fly on medication prescribed by a military doctor when ill (if allowed to fly at all). In your case, if you're not having to take any medication that may be to your advantage...

[beaky]

I've never heard of a hayfever fit bringing down a plane, but I have read many accident reports where even over-the-counter meds were cited as a contributing factor, including antihistamines.
I used to suffer a little every season, and used to take Sudafed and stuff like that- even the non-drowsy formulas seemed to mess up my head. But I started taking nettle pills instead, and maybe it's a coincidence, but I don't get hayfever symptoms any more, even though I rarely take nettle now, just multivitamins.
 On the US FAA medical questionnaire, they do ask about such illnesses as hayfever, but the focus seems to be on what you're taking for it...

[Craig.]

Which goes back to the point i made about medicine that makes you drowsy. The stuff I have to take for my migranes would knock an elephant out for a few hours, so the idea of operating machinery/aircraft while under its effects is quite a scarey thought

[flightmedic]

Thanks for your repies BUT....


Am i right in asking that you can't fly because of the drugs you take to stop hayfever,

or is it just hayfever on its own??

I actually dont take any medication for my hayfever (Its not really that bad), i only have organic remedes to help.

Being a paramedic I can teel you this. Hayfever has been know to affect the respiratory system with symptoms that are considered to risky for military. Civy opn the other hand....I don't think is a prob

As for the meds........this is a big problem if it actually states on the bottle that you should not operate machinary. Even meds that are seemingly harmless can have an affect on someone. Example : I picked up a lady the other day who is in her late 40's. She has taken advil ( Ibuprofen) her entire life with no probs. I picked her up with an anaphylactic (alergic) reaction to taking the advil that her airway closed up and I had to drop an Endotracheal Tube(airway) down her just so she could breath. So this is why there are such strict rules about meds and flying. You can take food, meds, anything even bee stings, you can have them your whole life and not have a prob and then one day....BANG!!

[beefhole]

I'm the son of the CSO of Johnson & Johnson, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies on the planet.

You do not want to hear what he has to say about organic remedies

(I always find it funny when he goes off on his rants )

[TacitBlue]

The reason that herbal remedies work (the ones that do anyway) is because they contain the same chemicals as over-the-counter and Rx drugs. For example salicylic acid, which is the active in asprin is found in white willow bark. So if someone drinks some willow bark tea for a headache, its pretty much the same as taking asprin.

[Hagar]

I'm the son of the CSO of Johnson & Johnson, one of the largest pharmaceutical countries on the planet.

I think you meant to say companies. Freudian slip?

You do not want to hear what he has to say about organic remedies

(I always find it funny when he goes off on his rants )

Well, he would say that wouldn't he. Pharmaceuticals is his business after all.

[EGNX]

[quote]i only have organic remedes to help.

[beefhole]

one of the largest pharmaceutical countries on the planet

Umm.. err... wasn't supposed to reveal the evil plan... umm...

Thanks for pointing that out to me Doug, it must have been REALLY late when I posted!

Well, he would say that wouldn't he. Pharmaceuticals is his business after all.

The difference being, my dad isn't trying to sell me anything-he's seen the reports, worked with them first hand, has an in on everything that goes on in the medical world.  He speaks without bias too, so I'm generally inclined to go along with what he says

I'm not knocking organic stuff, I've never taken it, so therefore I can't claim to know how effective it is.  I was just mentioning what my dad happens to think of it.

[Hagar]

Umm.. err... wasn't supposed to reveal the evil plan... umm...

Thanks for pointing that out to me Doug, it must have been REALLY late when I posted!

You're welcome. It gave me a good giggle anyway.

[quote]The difference being, my dad isn't trying to sell me anything-he's seen the reports, worked with them first hand, has an in on everything that goes on in the medical world.

[flightmedic]

The reason that herbal remedies work (the ones that do anyway) is because they contain the same chemicals as over-the-counter and Rx drugs. For example salicylic acid, which is the active in asprin is found in white willow bark. So if someone drinks some willow bark tea for a headache, its pretty much the same as taking asprin.

This is exactly right. The point that allot of people miss is that a gram of said tree bark could be as potent as taking 10 aspirin. (I'm using this a mediforicly as possible) you get my drift...................this is why thee is so much problems with med overdosing. I deal with it all the time.

Brent

[flightmedic]

Its not exatcly a drug.

Misconception # 2

[C]

I would take the bottle in and show it to the flight Dr. who will do your flight medical a see what he says. He will know more than anybody.

EGNX has potentially got another 2 or 3 years before he has to see that chap in the situation mentioned, and he'll need to be very careful as to what he says, as a hint of having a problem and they'll jump on it...

[flightmedic]

EGNX has potentially got another 2 or 3 years before he has to see that chap in the situation mentioned, and he'll need to be very careful as to what he says, as a hint of having a problem and they'll jump on it...

Mmmmmm.....agreed......good point Charlie.

Brent

[EGNX]

Cheers guys, you have really helped!  ;)

Im going to the RAF careers centre on monday, so ill ask about it then. But does anyone know if i can still be a airline pilot if a can't fly for the RAF?