Suspension due to Anxiety:

[LR2000]

Hello,

Currently went through a period of situational anxiety, self reported to my CAME and employer because I needed time off to deal with the situation and got emailed my that my medical was suspended due to significant anxiety symptoms.

Went on an SSRI for 3 weeks whilst I was dealing with the issues but have since come off and feel fine. This all happened in October. I’ve felt completely fine all of November since the issues have now been resolved but now I feel like I’m climbing a mountain with TC.

Honestly not sure what’s going to happen. I have reports from my therapist noting my improvement, been visiting my CAME weekly and he also mentioned how im “pretty much back to your old self” and I’m waiting for a report from a Psychologist.

If anyone else would like to share their experience I’d really appreciate that. I don’t know how long the wait will be until I hear back from TC, so in the meantime I’ve applied to some volunteering giggs because the boredom is seriously getting to me.

[ZBBYLW]

Posts like this are why many people don't report these issues to their CAME.

The cat is definately out of the bag for you so you'll have to play their game.. just an observation more than anything, but it seems like many people just deal with it rather than talk with the doctors. We should encourage TC to change for the better.

[goingnowherefast]

Posts like this are why many people don't report these issues to their CAME.

The cat is definately out of the bag for you so you'll have to play their game.. just an observation more than anything, but it seems like many people just deal with it rather than talk with the doctors. We should encourage TC to change for the better.

This x1000.
I hope the big wigs at TC read this thread. The current policies are a big threat to aviation safety by strongly discouraging involvement and compliance.

[digits_]

Posts like this are why many people don't report these issues to their CAME.

The cat is definately out of the bag for you so you'll have to play their game.. just an observation more than anything, but it seems like many people just deal with it rather than talk with the doctors. We should encourage TC to change for the better.

Absolutely.

I think the easiest change could be that if you self report and pull your own medical, that you have the right to reinstate it yourself when you feel better.

TC can then still do their tests if they want, but with the stipulation that you keep your medical until they have proof there's a medical issue. Not the other way around.

[lownslow]

If anyone else would like to share their experience I’d really appreciate that.

I found myself in a similar place a couple years ago though it never made it as far as the letter from TC. I did end up on a short but still too long medical leave from my flying job. What I found about getting reinstated to my position at work was there were a lot of people on all sides needing various reports but due to privacy rules they couldn’t communicate directly, leaving me as the middle man on everything.

What I found was that the CAME, the psychiatrist, and whatever number of clerks were all competent and comfortable in their jobs to the point where they think things are obvious. In most cases they are not. I learned to say “This is my first time going through this” which makes them slow down and consider all the steps, and prevents me from getting an email six weeks on saying I didn’t do some step that I hadn’t been told about. Saves time for everyone and gets you back on your feet faster.

Oh and fair warning, you’re probably going to be asked about this on every medical renewal forever.

[Bede]

I think the easiest change could be that if you self report and pull your own medical, that you have the right to reinstate it yourself when you feel better.

TC can then still do their tests if they want, but with the stipulation that you keep your medical until they have proof there's a medical issue. Not the other way around.

What the OP did was the correct way to deal with this, although it's a pain. On the next medical, you do have to answer truthfully to the question, "have you even been diagnosed or investigated for...".

For the OP: you will get your medical back, but it will be a slow process, not because of anything you did. The RAMO may require a psychiatrists report instead of the psychologist's.

May I ask what region you're in? The reason that I ask is that the RAMO in Ontario changed a couple years ago and the new guy is far more difficult to deal with than the old one. That's coming from my CAME. Hance, the difficulties people are having.

[LR2000]

I think the easiest change could be that if you self report and pull your own medical, that you have the right to reinstate it yourself when you feel better.

TC can then still do their tests if they want, but with the stipulation that you keep your medical until they have proof there's a medical issue. Not the other way around.

What the OP did was the correct way to deal with this, although it's a pain. On the next medical, you do have to answer truthfully to the question, "have you even been diagnosed or investigated for...".

For the OP: you will get your medical back, but it will be a slow process, not because of anything you did. The RAMO may require a psychiatrists report instead of the psychologist's.

May I ask what region you're in? The reason that I ask is that the RAMO in Ontario changed a couple years ago and the new guy is far more difficult to deal with than the old one. That's coming from my CAME. Hance, the difficulties people are having.

I am in Ontario, interestingly enough my CAME said this RAMO is fair and easy to work with. Like I said I’ve been seeing my CAME weekly and he said “you should be fine” - whatever that means. I am just waiting for a report from the Psychologist. The letter that TC sent said that a Psychiatrist or Psychologist report would suffice. Hopefully I don’t have to do things twice. This stuff isn’t cheap lol!

[Bede]

I am in Ontario, interestingly enough my CAME said this RAMO is fair and easy to work with. Like I said I’ve been seeing my CAME weekly and he said “you should be fine” - whatever that means. I am just waiting for a report from the Psychologist. The letter that TC sent said that a Psychiatrist or Psychologist report would suffice. Hopefully I don’t have to do things twice. This stuff isn’t cheap lol!

You'll be ok. I know people who have got their medicals back with worse symptoms.

[LR2000]

I am in Ontario, interestingly enough my CAME said this RAMO is fair and easy to work with. Like I said I’ve been seeing my CAME weekly and he said “you should be fine” - whatever that means. I am just waiting for a report from the Psychologist. The letter that TC sent said that a Psychiatrist or Psychologist report would suffice. Hopefully I don’t have to do things twice. This stuff isn’t cheap lol!

You'll be ok. I know people who have got their medicals back with worse symptoms.

Thanks for the support. This waiting is agonizingly painful but such is life. I’ll post updates as I get them for those going through the same situation who don’t really know what the process is like or what timelines to expect.

[rotorspeed]

It used to be you could get a letter from treating physician, psychiatrist, that stated your were good and stable that worked. A few years back they drastically changed. Not only wanted very detailed report, which is never good enough, then they wanted Dr to write something that a physician had stated isn't even legal for them to say, such as patient has no symptoms. So fx it was depression which everyone goes through once in awhile, the Doc would basically have to say patient doesnt even experience, it being well controlled is irrelevant now. The Dr at Toronto is hell bent on denying any mental health applications. Let's say having a valid medical for years with documentation is no issues is no longer good enough. They absolutely changed a few years ago. Once you tell TC you've had any mental history, you can almost forget it unless you have a letter that says exactly to the tee what they want it to say. Admitting you've ever had an issue or have taken medication will scar you for life with TC medical. They absolutely do everything in their power to deny you. But the guy who's 80lbs overweight taking massive blood pressure meds to avoid a heart attack is fine

[LR2000]

Hahaha well, I am so happy to hear that. Thanks for the share!

[LR2000]

I am in Ontario, interestingly enough my CAME said this RAMO is fair and easy to work with. Like I said I’ve been seeing my CAME weekly and he said “you should be fine” - whatever that means. I am just waiting for a report from the Psychologist. The letter that TC sent said that a Psychiatrist or Psychologist report would suffice. Hopefully I don’t have to do things twice. This stuff isn’t cheap lol!

You'll be ok. I know people who have got their medicals back with worse symptoms.

Might be a dumb question, but do you know how long some of them waited?

[Bede]

I am in Ontario, interestingly enough my CAME said this RAMO is fair and easy to work with. Like I said I’ve been seeing my CAME weekly and he said “you should be fine” - whatever that means. I am just waiting for a report from the Psychologist. The letter that TC sent said that a Psychiatrist or Psychologist report would suffice. Hopefully I don’t have to do things twice. This stuff isn’t cheap lol!

You'll be ok. I know people who have got their medicals back with worse symptoms.

Might be a dumb question, but do you know how long some of them waited?

Around a year I think.

[LR2000]

You'll be ok. I know people who have got their medicals back with worse symptoms.

Might be a dumb question, but do you know how long some of them waited?

Around a year I think.

Ahh, alrighty then. Well hopefully I can be shorter but that’s just a hope.

[Halaxx]

I’ve been in a similar rough patch, and what helped me was mixing practical support with stuff that kept my body out of panic mode. Talking with an aviation medical examiner early made things smoother than I expected. I also found small wellness add-ons like reading about full spectrum cbd distillate bulk helpful for keeping my nerves steady, though I still leaned on therapy and structured coping tools most.

[LR2000]

Saw this old thread and couldn’t resist adding something. I’ve seen a few pilots go through similar issues, and getting support early made a big difference for them. Some were able to work with their AME to set up a clear plan for returning, which seemed to ease a lot of stress. Is anyone here willing to share what steps helped them get their medical reinstated?

Hey there, I haven’t gotten mine reinstated yet. I just submitted all the paperwork to transport just before the holidays. I can shed some light on my experience so far. Basically started to get unwell in the fall and knew I couldn’t work, talk to my personal came and went through my company doctors to get a leave. I didn’t think it would go as far as getting my medical suspended but I suppose I was too naive.

Anyway, got the letter from transport saying I have significant anxiety symptoms and that this is disqualifying but in order to get reinstated I need a mental health assessment. Sat with my CAME and he said to get report from my therapists, while he works on a referral for a psychiatrist. The letter from transport said I could see a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist and I asked my CAME in the interest of time if I could seek out a psychologist, he said shouldn’t be an issue. Found a clinic that could get me in and done with a report in my hand within 5 weeks so I got that all done. Got the psychological assessment, report from my therapists, and then my came wrote a report saying I’m stable and able to return to work.

A big thing for people in this situation is data. Sit down with your doctor/ CAME weeekly so they can document your progress. The more positive data that transport sees, the better it is for you. My CAME reassured me that my medical will come back, it’s just a process. It happens to pilots more than you think. People get unwell, it’s life. The hardest part is accepting to be on transports timelines and that it is all out of your control. If you have anymore questions please PM me.

[rotorspeed]

Unfortunately saying stable is no longer good enough

[LR2000]

Unfortunately saying stable is no longer good enough

Do you have any insight on what is good enough then?

[rotorspeed]

The second thread in this sub forum has the form loaded on it
You must have every answer detailed. You cannot skip any questions. Also need doctor to write" illness in full remission"
This form says stable remission but TC seems to still be sticking with this wording, not 100% sure if it can say " stable remission". If you have not done this to every jot and title you can forget it. The days of having a good letter from mental health professional are gone

[rotorspeed]

Do you have any updates on your status, let us know how it goes

[LR2000]

Do you have any updates on your status, let us know how it goes

Nothing yet, it’s been about 2 months since tc has my file

[rotorspeed]

Did you submit according to the 10 part article guidlines, or general letter with stability. Certain things seem sticking points even with that. Dr Brooks from TC medicine doesnt answer emails directly or at least havent experienced that. You can PM if you prefer

[LR2000]

Did you submit according to the 10 part article guidlines, or general letter with stability. Certain things seem sticking points even with that. Dr Brooks from TC medicine doesnt answer emails directly or at least havent experienced that. You can PM if you prefer

Check PM

[rotorspeed]

double check you sent dont see it

[LR2000]

double check you sent dont see it

Sent now