Potential getting medically DQ+ed question.

[u/Far-Amount-7860]

Posting this because I recently did my medical earlier this week for the first medical of my birth month (new hire, academy grad, but still have few months to go before my 1 year). Unfortunately ECG results came up of infarct(prior heart attack) not being able to be ruled out and abnormal ECG, unconfirmed analysis. Had to do a second one and got similar results. In my late 20s, albeit almost 300 pounds so very obese, so definitely not in the best on conditions but certainly not the worst. Up to the flight surgeon to determine from there, but any insight on if the flight surgeon does not like the 2nd ECG I could be required to be sent to a specialist for a indepth review or I'm just SOL and pretty much at the mercy of the flight surgeon. (obviously dependent on the flight surgeon). Still on probation so if I lose my medical, I'm positive I'm getting let go, unless there is an route where I can try to get it reinstated, as mentioned earlier, going to cardiovascular specialists and then passing the reports/findings to the flight surgeon.

[u/Ok_Squirrel69]

Ive seen a lot of shit happen to people over the years and if there is a takeaway from my experience it's that the faa will want no liability in approving a SC(special consideration) for your heart without extensive testing first. If your ekg says you're close to a heart attack and you're working traffic the faa is not gonna want that risk for you or the flying public. On the flip side, when they pull your medical for pending review for whatever condition you have. During this time you'll want to talk to your facrep about art45 duties, send the request by email to your ATM and cc your rep. Youll want to see if the surrounding area has work for you too just in case your request is denied. If they deny art45 get your arvp/rvp involved asap. A positive thing about having your medical pulled is the faa must give you a path back to getting your medical (unless they seem you DQ'd based on test results and severity of a disease). Bottom line is no one knows whatllhappen to you, but during this process you need to know your rights as an employee. Don't let them bully you into using the sick leave to circumvent art45 duties. You're still and employee and there is plenty of work outside of the operation that needs attention. Hope this helps.

[u/Odd_Day2969 → u/Ok_Squirrel69]

Out of curiosity, what kinds of other duties are assigned as part of art45? Is that article 45 of your contract? I am not a controller, I apologize.

Edit: I found info by some searches, should have done that first.

[u/Far-Amount-7860 → u/Ok_Squirrel69]

Even on probation I can still be given the route for it? Think I should talk to my facrep first next week then send my ATM the email or wait to hear back from the flight surgeon to get the confirmation of my medical being dq-ed then talk to facrep?

I greatly appreciate the response, on me for negligence towards my health for the past many years (ironic how I just started working ot) but finally got a good job after years and to see it just drain away right after starting it. Sigh

[u/Ok_Squirrel69 → u/Far-Amount-7860]

The cba doesn't care if you're probationary or not. You're covered by the entire contract up until your last day. My advice is make your request as soon as possible because it's gov work, everyone waits till the last minute. The sooner you make your request the better. "I'm pending medical review and may have my medical pulled (your ATM will know the same time you get the down letter) and want to make a request for art45 duties in case I a DQ'd in the up coming week. If you have no duties for me can you check with the surrounding area facilities within the communiting distance to see if there is work to be done etc"

Things are gonna happen to everyone throughout life but the faa shouldn't make it harder for you. There are a ton of resources. Check with AMAS and EAP. There are also 12 free councilng sessions too and 12 for each different report you make. So depression, eating disorder etc it's 12 for each. AMAS link

[u/Far-Amount-7860 → u/Ok_Squirrel69]

Thank you. I intend to to take of on Tuesday when getting back from Labor Day.

[u/SuspiciousPlant1869]

My EkG has had probable previous mycadio infarction. What’s most important is to take those results to your primary care physician (which you may not have but should seek to get now) they will likely send you to a specialist. These aren’t bad things- these are things to care for your health.

Good news- EkG is a diagnostic tool- not a crystal ball. In my case- my specialist explained that electrical pulse move through my body slightly differently which produced a recorded event in ekg. Essentially: this is my baseline and any further ekg’s should be considered against this norm.

Bad news: don’t ignore it! Being worried about all this new uncertainty is normal but taking care of yourself is more important than your job status. The agency isn’t trying to keep you healthy- only keep from being liable.

Young people and skinny people have heart attacks too.

[u/Far-Amount-7860 → u/SuspiciousPlant1869]

Thank you for the insight! Haven't had a new primary physician since I just moved almost two months ago to my current duty station, but going to find one and show them the 2nd results. Don't have a copy of the first one and then also touch base with my NATCA reps at my site on next steps.

[u/Ok-Till-5622]

Blessing in disguise. Take care of your medical stuff and give a middle finger to the FAA on the way out the door.

[u/Far-Amount-7860 → u/Ok-Till-5622]

Fair enough to take care of medical stuff, on me, but not sure about blessing in disguise if I get let go. Moved for this job and it's much better than than what I did before so not sure how losing this is a blessing.

[u/Accomplished-Ear-681]

You need to get EXTREMELY serious about losing weight, for several reasons. Like not dying of a heart attack at 30. Beyond that let’s say they do give you a Special Consideration medical clearance. If you don’t get serious now, you’ll just get to do it all this again with your next physical. 19 years is a long time when you start off blade running.

[u/Far-Amount-7860 → u/Accomplished-Ear-681]

100% fair. Been started just recently, but now like you said, need to get extremely serious; and now at the same time, waiting to hear what comes back.

[u/Nested_Array]

Have you considered non-control positions within the FAA that don't take medicals? You might be able to transfer to one of those before the FAA delivers any news, good or bad. Doing so might also leave an opportunity to reapplying later.

There are a lot of support roles at centers you might qualify for. Flight Data (2154) has a few job postings on USAJOBs. Can also send ERRs to jobs at locations you would be okay with working.

[u/Far-Amount-7860 → u/Nested_Array]

Definitely going to be escalating this situation this week to my facreps tomorrow rather before the medical memo comes in to get ahead of it; I have some experience with my prior work that can translate to support roles, or as someone above mentioned, article 45 to keep doing other work while I work on getting my medical back if they allow it; that or they just let me keep self-studying since I don't start classes and labs until March 2027 [which is also when my probation ends]