Category 3 Medical - PPL

[NeckStrain]

Good Evening,

I am an initial first time applicant. I recently completed my Cat 3 Medical (Qualified for a Cat 1 according to the CAME), during the examination, I was asked about any head injuries.

I informed the CAME that in 2009 (8 years ago), I was hit on the head by a hockey stick playing road hockey & suffered a concussion. Since I was out for a few seconds, my friends called an ambulance and I was taken to the emergency room. Head CAT, Neck CAT, were all fine and there was no fracture. Subsequently, I saw a neurologist about 6 months after the incident, & if my memory serves me best, nothing important stands out that was of concern.

Today, while checking on the status of my file (I'm getting close to my Solo), Transport Canada told me they've sent a letter out to me and my CAME about my concussion.

Should I be worried ? What happens if I can't track down these records ? I was told the hospital gets rid of them after 5 years and I've never had a family doctor.

Is the dream over before it's started ? Hard to believe a mild concussion like that would end it 8 years later.

Thank you for any answers.

[Big Pistons Forever]

There are lots of pilots with a concussion on their medical records, including me. Worst that could happen is you may need to take some more tests to prove there are no issues. I would get your CAME to follow up with TC to see if you can proactively address TC's concerns.

[NeckStrain]

May 29th - Medical Completed
June 7th - Follow up with TC
June 8th - TC calls - letter has been sent out for more info on June 7th
June 9th - I call TC - I have no letter - what info do you need? - TC: "Wait for letter, it will tell you" - I call CAME: they haven't received letter either.

=== Safe to say that I am nipping this in the bud ===

I am totally down for doing any test they want! This was a Grade 11 concussion, since then I've went on to do a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering degree and live a normal life.

Thank you for your comforting words. Will make this weekend much easier (maybe this anxiety and worrying is caused by the concussion... haha

There are lots of pilots with a concussion on their medical records, including me. Worst that could happen is you may need to take some more tests to prove there are no issues. I would get your CAME to follow up with TC to see if you can proactively address TC's concerns.

[jg24]

Relax! It's all good.

In the letter, they are 99% likely to just say they want you to do a (or multiple) medical test(s). And there will be instructions on there to forward results to the chief medical examiner at TC.

Go to your CAME, because he is likely to guide you as to where to do those tests, since you don't have a family doc. Call up those clinics, do the tests/scans. And make sure when you walk in to say that this is for TC and you need the results forwarded to address XXXX, might as well have them send a copy to your CAME too if you want. Or you may get the results yourself, in which case just mail it yourself all together. Include a copy of the letter you received asking for those tests (so they can quickly find your file and process everything back at TC).

Then that's it. Just a waiting game. The doctor/technician doing the exams should tell you if everything checks out, and if it does, then the chief medical person at TC will be satisfied and will clear your medical.

[NeckStrain]

Honestly, I'd rather it ask for more tests than track down records haha.

Would you by any chance know what kind of tests ? Just Neurological testing (Short term memory, reaction, etc.) & a CT Scan ?

I'm an Ontario resident, OHIP covers medical services if they are medically necessary. Any idea if tests requested by TC be considered as medically necessary ? (I'm assuming if my CAME refers me to a Radiology clinic etc. it will be considered medically necessary)

Relax! It's all good.

In the letter, they are 99% likely to just say they want you to do a (or multiple) medical test(s). And there will be instructions on there to forward results to the chief medical examiner at TC.

Go to your CAME, because he is likely to guide you as to where to do those tests, since you don't have a family doc. Call up those clinics, do the tests/scans. And make sure when you walk in to say that this is for TC and you need the results forwarded to address XXXX, might as well have them send a copy to your CAME too if you want. Or you may get the results yourself, in which case just mail it yourself all together. Include a copy of the letter you received asking for those tests (so they can quickly find your file and process everything back at TC).

Then that's it. Just a waiting game. The doctor/technician doing the exams should tell you if everything checks out, and if it does, then the chief medical person at TC will be satisfied and will clear your medical.

[photofly]

OHIP doesn't cover your regular TC medical equipment exam, so I doubt it covers any extra tests TC wants.

[jg24]

Honestly, I'd rather it ask for more tests than track down records haha.

Would you by any chance know what kind of tests ? Just Neurological testing (Short term memory, reaction, etc.) & a CT Scan ?

I'm an Ontario resident, OHIP covers medical services if they are medically necessary. Any idea if tests requested by TC be considered as medically necessary ? (I'm assuming if my CAME refers me to a Radiology clinic etc. it will be considered medically necessary)

Relax! It's all good.

In the letter, they are 99% likely to just say they want you to do a (or multiple) medical test(s). And there will be instructions on there to forward results to the chief medical examiner at TC.

Go to your CAME, because he is likely to guide you as to where to do those tests, since you don't have a family doc. Call up those clinics, do the tests/scans. And make sure when you walk in to say that this is for TC and you need the results forwarded to address XXXX, might as well have them send a copy to your CAME too if you want. Or you may get the results yourself, in which case just mail it yourself all together. Include a copy of the letter you received asking for those tests (so they can quickly find your file and process everything back at TC).

Then that's it. Just a waiting game. The doctor/technician doing the exams should tell you if everything checks out, and if it does, then the chief medical person at TC will be satisfied and will clear your medical.

Can't tell you exactly what tests they will want you to take. Just wait until the you get the letter, and disccuss it with your CAME, he/she will point you in the right direction and refer you to the appropriate specialist in the field for the required tests.

[NeckStrain]

Aviation Medicals are covered by OHIP- If you're under 40 and only require 1 Medical every 12 months - OHIP will technically cover the medical since it will be part of your yearly physical for your health. You just have to find the right doctor that includes it in his Yearly 5 hour physical package so he can bill everything to OHIP!. Look into that the next time you're getting one and save some cash, ridiculous what some CAME's charge and collect in CASH, which I find disconcerting....

Also ==

If a doctor refers you, i.e. you go to your CAME or a walk-in clinic, and you tell them test x,y,z, will determine if there has been any permanent damage in my brain due to a concussion, that would be considered medically necessary in diagnosing any adverse cognitive side effects from your concussion so you can seek a treatment plan to enhance / maintain your current faculties. Deteriorating brain function may eventually lead to Parkinsons, AlZ, & Seizures

& of course you can always go the "I don't feel well, I think something is going on because of that concussion I had" - which since doctors want to be on the safe side would refer you for any testing needed to determine cause. Personally, I could totally not feel well if my medical wasn't approved because of this concussion that my health would deteriorate from not knowing if there is permanent damage.

OHIP doesn't cover your regular TC medical equipment exam, so I doubt it covers any extra tests TC wants.

[photofly]

Aviation Medicals are covered by OHIP... You just have to find the right doctor

Darling, everything is covered under OHIP if you find the right doctor.

[NeckStrain]

Ahah, that may definitely be true, but when I was calling around for my medical, some offices didn't offer it by itself!

But that's a good piece of information to know

hehehhe

Aviation Medicals are covered by OHIP... You just have to find the right doctor

Darling, everything is covered under OHIP if you find the right doctor.

[NeckStrain]

UPDATE: Received the letter, TC asking for clinical reports from the incident as well as any reports related to imaging. I guess they just want an official account of the head injury before assigning the medical.

Ahah, that may definitely be true, but when I was calling around for my medical, some offices didn't offer it by itself!

But that's a good piece of information to know

hehehhe

Aviation Medicals are covered by OHIP... You just have to find the right doctor

Darling, everything is covered under OHIP if you find the right doctor.