Nasal polyps

[Guest FlyChicaga]

Hi all,

Back when I was going through the motions for the AF Academy, during my physical I had to get a waiver for a polyp in my sinuses. I went to a specialist, and without any grief he said it wouldn't be a problem at all, unless I started smoking a few packs a day. I don't have any problems with it, and am in super health. Soon I am going to be taking a physical for a AF Reserve tanker pilot slot... will this come up again and be a problem?

[Guest Flight Doc]

Nasal polyps are DQ. If you still have the condition, it’ll need to be treated.

From 48-123:

A7.2.1.3. Nasal polyps.

[Guest uarisk]

I currently suspect I have nasal polyps due to congestion but little discharge and poor sense of smell. There is a surgery available to remove them but I am afraid to bring it up to the Flight Surgeon (FS). I have absolutely no problems with the valsalva.

I could live with this but would like to have it fixed if possible without being DNIFed forever.

Anybody ever had Nasal Polyps removed and what was the outcome with the FS's?

If there is a FS out there what is your suggestion about my congestion?

[Guest doctidy]

I've gotten many aircrew waivers for nasal polyps.

[Guest uarisk]

Rage_:P

Were those waivers granted after surgical removal off the polyps. If so what procedure was used for the polyp removal? Does it matter? Any pitfalls I have to worry about?

[Guest doctidy]

Have gotten aircrew waivers both before and after surgery. All were done w/ a scope...though it doesn't matter.

Have never seen a trained aircrew DQ for nasal polyps.

[Guest Rage_:P]

Once you get in UPT, we pretty much treat you as a trained aviator.

[Skitzo]

FWIW

I had sinus surgery in the 7th grade due to chronic sinus infections. I had no problems until I got to Abilene TX some 11 years later. Another bout of 6 sinus infections and chronic facial pain / headaches later they discovered scar tissue in the area between my nasal cavities and maxillary sinuses (from the previous sinus surgery) and a mucousal retention cyst in one of my maxillary sinuses. Long story short after a couple of months of doctors visits I had endoscopic sinus surgery (again) to remove the scar tissue and retention cyst and I was back on flying status two weeks afterwords. I'm sure nasal polyps are probably about the same you just need to give it time to help the swelling go down after surgery and be sure you can valsalva. Even though this is the second time I've had to have surgery I highly reccomend it, it sure beats the hell out of being on constant antibiotics, feeling miserable and chronic stuffiness.