SSRI meds

[love2fly]

On a related issue, Dr. Bruce Chien, Senior AME, recently wrote in his blog at http://home.comcast.net/~bbchien/site/?/blog/&PHPSESSID=4a345e31e3e8e27f58e143d7e0f76c4e,

"I remain hopeful and am encouraged in conversations with Dr. Tilton, the Federal Air Surgeon, who participated in our panels, that we're going to get the SI pathway for chronic simple depressives, in remission on a low dose single SSRI. I'm not holding my breath (since we wrote this porposal in 2005) but the situation now seems to be about what to do about previously illegal airmen who were clearly flying and not reporting. I looks like we're going to get it: a special issuance pathway, narrowly written, that allows a selected SSRI."


If this proposal goes through, it would represent a significant positive change in policy. Perhaps what we need is for a highly-regarded AME to write a special issuance proposal for mild ADD treated successfully with low dose stimulant medications.

[love2fly]

It's now official. The FAA will medically certify pilots being successfully treated for depression with one of four drugs Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa or Lexapro. To get a medical, one must show success controlling their depression for 12 months using one of the medications. Pilots who have been flying without disclosing their antidepressant use will have amnesty if they report it within six months.

[Tyghe Nielsen]

This is a great decision and I commend the FAA for their effort to help keep more pilots in the air and doing so in a safe way.
Our work continues to incorporate the same type of process for pilots with ADD/ADHD. I am currently working with some folks through the AOPA and hope to be able to give some sort of update in the near future. Rest assured the process continues even if there are not a lot frequent posts.
As always, much thanks to all who have posted.

[patrisha]

Hi,

Like you I was pleased to hear that the FAA had changed the medical regulations concerning treatment for depression; this seems like a positive indicator for making the same kind of adjustment in the rules about ADHD medications.  My 17 year old son with ADD has been training for his Private Pilot-Glider license and will be taking his check-ride on Saturday.  I'm convinced that his training efforts would not have gone as well as they did without the benefit of the medication he takes to help focus his brain.  He has a fine brain-it's made for flying and it is frustrating that his potential is limited by these regulations.  It is unclear to me how the FAA makes amendments in their medical regulations.  Who are the people making these decisions?  What do you think are the biggest roadblocks; the use of stimulant medications or erroneous thinking about ADHD traits?  What do you think the AOPA can do to support this effort?  And finally, how can we support your ongoing work to address this problem?

Thanks for your efforts,

Patrisha- The ADD mom!