AFIB in the aging pilot need help

[riobison]

Gents,
Im 69 yrs of age and a private pilot here in Canada. With my new Pixel Watch I have found out that I have paroxysmal afib and its rate controlled on its own at 75+- bpm and I don't even know I have it unless I look at my watch or it notifies me and I see my resting pulse has gone from a 62 to a 75 or so. I'm still into the gym wt training, cardio and hard core Cross Country Skiing. In short I've been a athlete all my life and still in excellant shape for my age except for this. And yes I have passed all of the tests, Carotid ECG, Echo, Holter, Stress test etc. Labs are perfect etc. When I go into AFIB its only for a few hrs or a day or so and it pops out on its own.

As to be expected they won't renew my medical.

2 cardiologists have told me it won't kill me nor leave me incapacitated. I do take aphixabahn twice a day to prevent clots. Lots of people have it and are never treated for this type unless it impacts their life. I'm on a waiting list and its 2 yrs out as mine isn't life threatening.

I was prescribe Pill in the Pocket (Flecainide) they have made it clear that's out. I've never even used it and can take the pills back so the Dr can count them for Transport Canada.

TC wants a plan on what we are going to do. That means monitoring me, continue with the Apixaban etc. I have asked them directly what else they suggest but they refuse to guide me on what's acceptable and only on what's not acceptable. A real waste of time and resources for everyone. Even the doctors are shaking their heads on this.

Any suggestions or what to propose for a plan short of quit flying? I'm assuming that things will be similar in the US and is why I'm reaching out.

Thanks

 

[RV8JD]

FWIW, here is the FAA’s guidance from their "Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners”:

https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/special_iss/all_classes/afib

https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/AtrialFibrillationDispositionTable.pdf

Below is the link to the FAA "Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners” webpage. Type in ‘Afib’ in the "Search the AME Guide” block for more links.

https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide

Hope it helps to get a plan together.

 

[GerryWA]

Gents,
Im 69 yrs of age and a private pilot here in Canada. With my new Pixel Watch I have found out that I have paroxysmal afib and its rate controlled on its own at 75+- bpm and I don't even know I have it unless I look at my watch or it notifies me and I see my resting pulse has gone from a 62 to a 75 or so. I'm still into the gym wt training, cardio and hard core Cross Country Skiing. In short I've been a athlete all my life and still in excellant shape for my age except for this. And yes I have passed all of the tests, Carotid ECG, Echo, Holter, Stress test etc. Labs are perfect etc. When I go into AFIB its only for a few hrs or a day or so and it pops out on its own.

As to be expected they won't renew my medical.

2 cardiologists have told me it won't kill me nor leave me incapacitated. I do take aphixabahn twice a day to prevent clots. Lots of people have it and are never treated for this type unless it impacts their life. I'm on a waiting list and its 2 yrs out as mine isn't life threatening.

I was prescribe Pill in the Pocket (Flecainide) they have made it clear that's out. I've never even used it and can take the pills back so the Dr can count them for Transport Canada.

TC wants a plan on what we are going to do. That means monitoring me, continue with the Apixaban etc. I have asked them directly what else they suggest but they refuse to guide me on what's acceptable and only on what's not acceptable. A real waste of time and resources for everyone. Even the doctors are shaking their heads on this.

Any suggestions or what to propose for a plan short of quit flying? I'm assuming that things will be similar in the US and is why I'm reaching out.

Thanks

Ask this guy, he seems to know everthing about the US medical stuff which probably parallels what you run into up north. anyway that’s probably your best bet asking somebody that could you from a medical standpoint.

Learn about Flight Physicals by Dr. Bruce Chien; Bolingbrook, IL

Dr. Bruce Chien in Bolingbrook, IL offers FAA Medical Exams required for Pilots & Air Traffic Controllers. Learn more about the exam and this clinical practice.

flightphysical.com

 

[scorwin]

First, big breath. You will get through this.
Second. A-fib is incredibly common. Surely, someone at Transport Canada has helped someone with this. Ask around. Call another CAME. If TC is asking "you" what the next step is, you need to talk to someone else.
Third. You have likely had this for a while, after being seen by 2 cardiologist and the battery of tests performed. If you're on Apixiban, you must have some risk factors (Chads-VASC), otherwise you would be on Aspirin. The work up has been completed and should make for a quicker resolution.
Lastly. FAA on our southern side of the street has a clear path. I'm not familiar with the northern side, so reaching out like you have just done is a great step. Search on different forums and reddit. Don't give up and don't be shy. This is why pilots don't tell the whole truth on pilot exams. It's frustrating on both sides (pilot and physician examiners).
Source: ED Physician for 20 years, soon to be AME for this reason.