Good evening, I am currently undergoing medical workup for migraines w/aura. I have been DNIF and prescribed triptans (oral) by flight med since January. I am currently waiting on a true Neurology diagnosis, but the appointment process seems to be extremely slow post-referral (Cannon). Is there anything I should expect/be preparing for? My flight doc is speaking as if everything is waiverable, but from what I have seen online and regs, the likelihood is slim to none.
Tl; dr - In migraine diagnoses purgatory, what should I be planning for/expecting
Update: It seems that the "neurologist" my pcm/tricare selected was simply a pain management doc/PT specialist. They are coded as a neurology specialist in Tri-Care, but the doctor admitted that he was not a neurologist at all. They weren't really familiar with anything besides physical medicine-based migraine treatment. Planning to inform my pcm at our next meeting since he doesn't appear by name in the secure message portal.
Yeah, I've had friends reclass during UPT due to medical issues, but I've heard separation is more likely than reclass after you've been operational for a while. I'm expecting to PCS to my second operational flying tour within the year, so I think they would lean towards the separation or making me a permanent schoolhouse instructor. For me, either result is fine; the bigger annoyance for me is the murkiness of it all. With my luck, they'll wait til I get my PCS orders, then cancel them for the board/waiver process.
Still waiting on the results from the second part of the CPAP titration. PCM wants to hold off to see if CPAP helps with migraines and OSA. Titration was 6 April
CPAP titration results received and uploaded to MHS Genesis. Still waiting on CPAP pickup. Expecting the temp ALC code at some point. Next meeting with PCM set for 27 May due to availability. Next meeting with the "Non" neurologist is set for tomorrow.
Also a pilot with migraines here, but not why I am getting MEB'd. I have had migraines for years and hid them well so I could go to OTS, keep pilot slot, and was an enlisted flyer. I finally went and got diagnosed Oct of 2024 because other things weren't going well and I wanted everything documented for the VA claims. I get about 5 per month that are really bad and lay me out for 6-10 hours and my flight doc still didn't seem to care and said I could get a waiver. So take that for whats its worth if you want to continue flying. I saw guys get kicked out of UPT for migraines but once you are qualified there are different rules it seems like.
I see. In my case, although not always prostrating or accompanied by aura, I pretty much have a migraine event/ headache everyday with mixed triptan efficacy, so I’m not really holding my breath.
Met with PCM, going to try a different triptan. Told waiver would be unlikely/very hard at this point. Elected to continue the treatment process and whatnot.
The new triptan has pretty much the same efficacy rate as my old meds, so no improvement. I have been doing PT as well, which feels great in the moment (basically a massage), but results in flare-ups about 30 mins afterwards. Also have my 30 day CPAP compliance appt coming up, so I figure more info/direction will be laid out then.
Apparently my PCM is separating, so my clinic does not have the manpower to get me in until sometime in July. Whomever I have my next appt with will be a fresh set of eyes on everything so far.
