Hi
Does anyone have experience of re-acquiring pilot's licences, scuba diving and motor racing medicals after a diagnosis of CML, or treatment with TKI's?
With scuba in particular, there just doesn't seem to be much information about how the pressure underwater might affect blood treated with TKIs, and I'd rather not find out the hard way!
Rod
Hi Rod - When I was Dx'd back in 2006 I got in touch with the MSA (MotorSports Association) about implications for race license, and there response was, if you had been advised to not drive then they wouldn't supply a license however if nothing was seen as stopping you from getting a normal license then there wouldn't be a problem. This advise was the same a issued by my car insurer.
This was for just a National Speed 'b' license - So for hillclimbs & Sprints - So I have not had a problem license wise or driving (see some footage of my Caterham Hayabusa if you are interested). For more serious racing I think you will have to declare it for any medical but then I suspect it would be with your GP who would know anyway...but if it is not imparing your ability to drivethen shouldn't be a problem.
Now for me, some of the side effects had an adverse reaction to things like muscle cramps, tiredness etc. and I did change some of my routines and prep to try and mitigate them somewhat. I did let the orgnaisers of the competition about my condition, but stressed to them that it wasn't an issue, they where appreciative of this but basically said the same as the MSA in that if I was ok to drive then no problem with them.
Havign said that for motorsport I would check in with the MSA prior to any license application/renewal...
Rob
I was diagnosed with Chronic Eosinophilic Leukaemia (FIP1L1-PDG-FRA) in 2008. This disease is analogous to CML, very rare and is treated with Imatinib.
At the time, I was a Co-Pilot for Virgin Atlantic Airways. The UK CAA suspended my medical for about 8 months, by which time I have achieved CCyR and PCRU status.
I was reissued a UK CAA Class 1 flying Medical and resumed flight duties.
Since then, I have left Virgin in the financial crisis, joined a different airline, gained my Captain rank, become a management pilot and last year moved to one of the world's biggest mining companies as Captain on their corporate jet.
I fly the CEO worldwide and I consider this to be a vote of confidence of my wellbeing and longevity. He knows of my past medical history.
The UK CAA are only interested in what your Consultant says. They have no expertise at all in molecular diseases.
So, in short, there is absolutely nothing stopping anyone flying for a living as long as your illness is well controlled.
As for car racing and scuba diving - I can't imagine it being a problem at all.
Diagnosed in 2005 the CAA suspended my Class 2 medical and forecast a long wait to restore it. After a good response to Glivec and a superb report from my consultant, the CAA restored my medical after only three months. I have had no problems since then although I have now changed to a NPPL because it is much more convenient and, at 72, it gives me everything I need. I have more problems getting travel insurance than I do with medicals.
Hi Could either of the gentlemen who responded please let me have their email addresses: the CAA have responded to me that *any* ongoing treatment means they will not consider me for a Class 1 or even a class 2. The wording of their own documents says ongoing chemotherapy, not just any treatment, so I hope to contest this, but if they've approved pilots with Imatinib before, it would be a great help to be able to refer to it. Thanks
Hi Rod,
Not looked in for a while, so I'm glad I've picked up on your question.
If you're looking for an initial CAA Class1 medical, I think the path may be slightly trickier than if it is for a reissue of a Class1. Reason being that they don't like issuing medicals for things they don't understand! Getting experts on side will be key - and that means doctors willing to plead your case to the CAA.
Give me an email on: redflight2@me.com and we can arrange time to perhaps talk and I can give you any thoughts that come to mind.
Cheers,
Matt
Hi
After some discussion with the CAA and a report from the consultant which showed satisfactory blood tests and no material side-effects, I received today got a letter from the CAA allowing me to have a Class 2 (non-commercial) flying medical while on Dasatinib.
The conditions are simply that I forward 6 monthly monitoring reports to the CAA, when I have my regular appointments.
They have said they'll consider a return to Class 1 (allowing commercial flying) when further stability is established, I'd expect about a year would be enough to start pushing them.
I hope this is useful for anyone else considering flying in the UK, and it's one more step back to normality for myself - I can scuba dive and fly again, these drugs truly are amazing at letting us have our lives back.
Rod
Hi Rod,
Have you been SCUBA diving on dasatinib yet? I went a month or so ago - just for a pretty easy day of diving, but didn't want to push it on the first time back in the water. All went pretty well.
David.
