IgA Nephropathy

[Guest Randy170]

This is my first post, so hopefully I'm in the right place.

I've had non-progressive IgA Nephropathy for the past eight years that I know of. The IgA Nephropathy has caused asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria in my urine and my protein/creatnine ratio was initially at 0.9 and it has fallen since, partly due to the ACE inhibitor I take once daily. From what I've read, the symptoms produced by my condition deem me disqualified for military service, however, a waiver can be obtainable. I've been weighing the decision of going into the Air Force for the past ten years or so. I'm 26, college grad, and I've earned my Private Pilot's License and Instrument rating since. To those in the know, what are my chances of obtaining a waiver so that I can hopefully get selected for flight training and enter OTS? Ideally that's what I would like to do if I can get in but I know that it depends on the needs of the service. As far as I know the kidney condition is the only thing holding me back. I know with the current budget and billet cuts, it may hurt things. I'm not pinning all my hopes on going in, but it would be good to know what my chances are so I can make future plans. Thank you!

[Guest goducks]

This is my first post, so hopefully I'm in the right place.

I've had non-progressive IgA Nephropathy for the past eight years that I know of. The IgA Nephropathy has caused asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria in my urine and my protein/creatnine ratio was initially at 0.9 and it has fallen since, partly due to the ACE inhibitor I take once daily. From what I've read, the symptoms produced by my condition deem me disqualified for military service, however, a waiver can be obtainable. I've been weighing the decision of going into the Air Force for the past ten years or so. I'm 26, college grad, and I've earned my Private Pilot's License and Instrument rating since. To those in the know, what are my chances of obtaining a waiver so that I can hopefully get selected for flight training and enter OTS? Ideally that's what I would like to do if I can get in but I know that it depends on the needs of the service. As far as I know the kidney condition is the only thing holding me back. I know with the current budget and billet cuts, it may hurt things. I'm not pinning all my hopes on going in, but it would be good to know what my chances are so I can make future plans. Thank you!

The waiver guide reports that ANY form of chronic kidney disease is DQing and not waiverable for FCI/FCIA. I'm not a nephrologist, but I would assume that your condition would be considered chronic.

Don't know if it would interest you, but you may be eligible for an FCIII waiver assuming the kidney function is relatively normal.

GD

[Guest Randy170]

The waiver guide reports that ANY form of chronic kidney disease is DQing and not waiverable for FCI/FCIA. I'm not a nephrologist, but I would assume that your condition would be considered chronic.

Don't know if it would interest you, but you may be eligible for an FCIII waiver assuming the kidney function is relatively normal.

GD

The kidney function is normal, but the condition is just there and its chronic. Improving, but chronic.

Randy

Edited September 7, 2010 by Randy170

[Guest goducks]

The waiver guide reports that ANY form of chronic kidney disease is DQing and not waiverable for FCI/FCIA. I'm not a nephrologist, but I would assume that your condition would be considered chronic.

Don't know if it would interest you, but you may be eligible for an FCIII waiver assuming the kidney function is relatively normal.

GD

The kidney function is normal, but the condition is just there and its chronic. Improving, but chronic.

Randy

Randy,

I may have jumped the gun on my initial input. The waiver guide defines chronic kidney disease as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 of body surface area for > 3 months. An alternate disease definition is the presence of kidney damage or decreased level of kidney function for three months or more, irrespective of diagnosis.

Based on these definitions it sounds like you wouldn't be considered as having kidney disease. But, the waiver guide is not clear on how a non-progressive nephropathy would be handled. All FCI waivers consider long term medical status. Since you're stable (or improving) that would certainly be a plus for you. It may not even be disqualifying, but I really don't know.

Also, I don't know if an ACE-inhibitor is waiverable for an FCI slot. I found online that Lisinopril (a common ACE-inhibitor) is approved for FCII, but requires a centrifuge ride prior to returning to the cockpit (unless flying a tanker, cargo, etc). I would assume the concern is with GLOC due to the potentially reduced blood pressure. Based on this level of concern for FCII, I would GUESS that they don't allow it for FCI. Does anyone else know otherwise?

GD

[Guest Randy170]

I may have jumped the gun on my initial input. The waiver guide defines chronic kidney disease as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 of body surface area for > 3 months. An alternate disease definition is the presence of kidney damage or decreased level of kidney function for three months or more, irrespective of diagnosis.

Based on these definitions it sounds like you wouldn't be considered as having kidney disease. But, the waiver guide is not clear on how a non-progressive nephropathy would be handled. All FCI waivers consider long term medical status. Since you're stable (or improving) that would certainly be a plus for you. It may not even be disqualifying, but I really don't know.

Also, I don't know if an ACE-inhibitor is waiverable for an FCI slot. I found online that Lisinopril (a common ACE-inhibitor) is approved for FCII, but requires a centrifuge ride prior to returning to the cockpit (unless flying a tanker, cargo, etc). I would assume the concern is with GLOC due to the potentially reduced blood pressure. Based on this level of concern for FCII, I would GUESS that they don't allow it for FCI. Does anyone else know otherwise?

GD

GD

I received some extra insight into the matter. From what I was told a waiver is issued on a case-by-case individual basis. It depends on the condition of course and other abnormalities, but the likelihood of whether its issued or not depends on the individual and whether that individual is motivated and is willing to commit to serving in the AF. As far as fighter/bomber/airlift/helo tracks go, I'm wide open on my preference because there are aircraft in each track that I like. Because of the budget cuts, that may end up being the deciding factor as to what's available. The answer I got was a "fuzzy" one and there is no way to tell if I get selected until after I have gone through the process. Success or none, I'll have no regrets. Thanks for your help.

Randy

[Guest goducks]

I may have jumped the gun on my initial input. The waiver guide defines chronic kidney disease as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 of body surface area for > 3 months. An alternate disease definition is the presence of kidney damage or decreased level of kidney function for three months or more, irrespective of diagnosis.

Based on these definitions it sounds like you wouldn't be considered as having kidney disease. But, the waiver guide is not clear on how a non-progressive nephropathy would be handled. All FCI waivers consider long term medical status. Since you're stable (or improving) that would certainly be a plus for you. It may not even be disqualifying, but I really don't know.

Also, I don't know if an ACE-inhibitor is waiverable for an FCI slot. I found online that Lisinopril (a common ACE-inhibitor) is approved for FCII, but requires a centrifuge ride prior to returning to the cockpit (unless flying a tanker, cargo, etc). I would assume the concern is with GLOC due to the potentially reduced blood pressure. Based on this level of concern for FCII, I would GUESS that they don't allow it for FCI. Does anyone else know otherwise?

GD

GD

I received some extra insight into the matter. From what I was told a waiver is issued on a case-by-case individual basis. It depends on the condition of course and other abnormalities, but the likelihood of whether its issued or not depends on the individual and whether that individual is motivated and is willing to commit to serving in the AF. As far as fighter/bomber/airlift/helo tracks go, I'm wide open on my preference because there are aircraft in each track that I like. Because of the budget cuts, that may end up being the deciding factor as to what's available. The answer I got was a "fuzzy" one and there is no way to tell if I get selected until after I have gone through the process. Success or none, I'll have no regrets. Thanks for your help.

Randy

I agree with the case by case regarding the nephropathy, but medications approved for aviation are pretty cut and dried, and that's true for trained aircrew as well as applicants. I'll see if I can track down the approved meds list and get back with it.

GD

[Guest Randy170]

GD

The ACE inhibitor I'm taking is Altace(ramipril).

Thanks!