I can understand the degree of the frustration that Xyla feels. Some years ago I too was denied a medical. I was prescribed a certain medication by my doctor for a particular passing physical issue. The last question I asked my Dr, who is a personal friend as well as my GP, was “am I safe to fly? He answered most assuredly yes, but also referred me to a specialist, as the condition I was suffering was not common. He also assured me of my fitness for flight. Soon after I had my biannual medical exam and the DAME who I used was informed of all the details of the condition and the meds. He also deemed me safe and renewed my medical certificate. CASA (Australia’s equivalent of the FAA) subsequently cancelled the medical citing significant aero medical issues with the medication. They wouldn’t initially tell me what those issues were but after 3 separate approaches I gained the understanding that among the long as your arm list of potential side effects that had ever possibly been remotely associated with this medication, one was psychosis. With ongoing discussion we were able to reach a compromise and my certificate was renewed but just for 12 months. For a couple years the certificate had to be renewed annually rather than biannually. A somewhat expensive compromise for me as it required significant travel as I lived well away from the places the exams had to be done so it necessitated travel and time away from my business. The crazy thing was without the medication I could hardly move and was unsafe but with the meds I was fit and active and happy. What I learned was that unelected officials in the bureaucracy can ruin your life and you can almost never argue with the bastard that is doing it. I also learned that a lot of people tell outright lies rather than run the risk of fighting with cowards hiding behind bureaucratic anonymity. It encourages one to be very proactive with managing one’s health, particularly in the period approaching medical review, so one is best placed to have no red flags. It all makes a mockery of the system and I endorse Xyla’s efforts to confront the issue. At the same time, I understand and can appreciate Arthur J Foyt’s comment. Certain actions will be a red flag to certain officials and Xyla, your situation and their persecution of you will justify their (too often miserable) position. I wish you success but expect that you will need to be prepared for a long haul and will need to be creative to find ways to legitimately circumvent the persecution you have opened yourself up for.
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