Should we Test for Asthma or Wait ?

Dsmcse

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Sep 7, 2016
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My son has started the process of applying to the academies. He has worked very hard to achieve a high percentage of the required skills/scores etc. We recently took him to the Dr. for a simple toe injury (not the reason for this post) and were shocked when the Dr. (new Dr. never seen before) asked him, “how is your asthma”? My wife responded he does not have asthma. After reviewing the chart it appears when he was 7 years old his Dr. diagnosed a sinus infection (or so we think) as asthma. She (his Dr. at age 7) prescribed an inhaler (which we recently realized we filled at that time).

So my question is:

If my son has “Asthma” on his medical history should we attempt to contact the Dr and ask for a letter stating it was misdiagnosed (we believe it was not reliably diagnosed)? Or should we have him tested (as a preemptive measure) for asthma prior to his military medical exam (the logic being if he passes the test it negates the misdiagnosis listed in his chart). Or should we wait for the military to perform the exam and hope they do not disqualify him?
 
You say this was when he was seven...has he had any attacks, or used an inhaler since?

If the answer is "no" then let DODMERB do their process. This is taken from DODI 6130.03 "Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the military services"
Page 17, 11D.
d. Airway hyper responsiveness including asthma (493.xx), reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm (519.11) or asthmatic bronchitis (493.90), reliably diagnosed and symptomatic after the 13th birthday.
(1) Reliable diagnostic criteria may include any of the following elements: substantiated history of cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and/or dyspnea which persists or recurs over a prolonged period of time, generally more than 12 months. (2) Individuals DO MEET the standard if within the past 3 years they meet ALL of the criteria in subparagraphs 11.d.
(2)(a)-(d). (a) No use of controller or rescue medications (including, but not limited to inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or short-acting beta agonists).
(b) No exacerbations requiring acute medical treatment. (c) No use of oral steroids. (d) A current normal spirometry (within the past 90 days), performed in accordance with American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines and as defined by current National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) standards.

So, if this is the standard, and he's had nothing since age seven, I "think" (I AM NOT A DODMERB PHYSICIAN or EVALUATOR) he'll probably be okay. BUT only DODMERB can determine.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I believe that as long as the prescription and the asthma were prior to age 13, it should be okay. Check out the DoDMERB DQ codes on their website.
 
@Dsmcse
As long as it was at age 7 and you have not filled any more inhalers after the age of 13 you WILL be fine. When you fill the DODMERB questionnaire answer accurately. If it asks if you were "ever" diagnosed with asthma then the answer is yes. But they ask if you had asthma "after" 13 years old, so the answer will be no. They may disqualify initially and ask for remedial in the form of medical records from your pediatrician. As long as the medical records do not have the diagnosis of asthma you will be fine. Even if it does have asthma [left over from age 7] ask your pediatrician to write a letter explaining that it is an old diagnosis and she has not had any issues after age 7, and they will pass her and clear her medically.

That was an easy one. Good luck.
 
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My son had an inhaler at 8 but has not used one since. He answered truthfully on DODMERB and they ordered a remedial spirometry study. Waiting to hear back but Dr told him he did very well. He is waiting to hear back and checking his status daily.
 
My son had an inhaler at 8 but has not used one since. He answered truthfully on DODMERB and they ordered a remedial spirometry study. Waiting to hear back but Dr told him he did very well. He is waiting to hear back and checking his status daily.
This is interesting to me Love4monsters, that a spirometry was ordered. My son didn't have any asthma symptoms after age 11, and all he had to do was fill out the asthma questionnaire, no further questions asked. He was DQ'd for two other issues, which took 4 agonizing months to be medically qualified.
 
This is interesting to me Love4monsters, that a spirometry was ordered. My son didn't have any asthma symptoms after age 11, and all he had to do was fill out the asthma questionnaire, no further questions asked. He was DQ'd for two other issues, which took 4 agonizing months to be medically qualified.

Lucky him! Son has a shoulder issue - has surgery 8/3/16 - so this was a blip on his radar. Hopefully, it's over with and he can work on the shoulder waiver.

Was accepted to a civilian college with a 4 year tuition ride and partial living expenses so he finally got some good news this week. It's been a rough couple months. USMA is his #1.
 
Lucky him! Son has a shoulder issue - has surgery 8/3/16 - so this was a blip on his radar. Hopefully, it's over with and he can work on the shoulder waiver.

Was accepted to a civilian college with a 4 year tuition ride and partial living expenses so he finally got some good news this week. It's been a rough couple months. USMA is his #1.
Congratulations! My son is a first year at the amazing University of North Georgia. First round, four year scholarship winner.
 
Thanks!

His scholarship was academics only. He is still working on his ROTC app. He is excited anyway! :)

Son retook the ACT this morning in order to increase his writing score per recommendation of his RC. He took it in the shoulder sling but felt good about his essay. He is anxious for the scores to return.
 
Dsmcse,

My DS went through this so I have some thoughts to share.

My son was diagnosed asthma. I found a lung / breathing specialist one who worked with Navy divers. I collected every bit of medical information I could and shared it with the specialist. He ran a standard spirometry test. He reviewed the results and concluded that my DS was clear and free of the asthma. He wrote a letter showing his findings and everything was submitted to DODMERB. My son passed his medical.

Place Holders:
1. The Dr. was a lung / breathing specialist.
2. The Dr. worked with the Navy so I believe he was seen or viewed as even more credible.
3. All of my DS medical asthma history occurred prior to the age of 13.

Not sure if this will be helpful; however, I thought I would pass along the information.

All the best.
 
DS had asthma under 10. Put it on his application--was never brought up. He is a 2C.
 
@Dsmcse

My son had the diagnosis of Asthma in his medical records [incorrect diagnosis]. He also had used inhalers one time during a severe upper respiratory infection after the age of 13. Mom had filled inhalers as a precaution once a year but they were never used apart from the one episode at age 14 I think.

Be truthful in all your answers at the end of the day, it is for your son's safety, which is more important that getting the scholarship.

We went through DQ, then Spirometry and he passed. He is now a 4C.

Yes there is hope for history of asthma when it really is not asthma. I am posting this because last year we were in the same situation and could not find others who successfully got the waiver. I am sure your son will be just fine.

Good luck.
 
@Dsmcse

My son had the diagnosis of Asthma in his medical records [incorrect diagnosis]. He also had used inhalers one time during a severe upper respiratory infection after the age of 13. Mom had filled inhalers as a precaution once a year but they were never used apart from the one episode at age 14 I think.

Be truthful in all your answers at the end of the day, it is for your son's safety, which is more important that getting the scholarship.

We went through DQ, then Spirometry and he passed. He is now a 4C.

Yes there is hope for history of asthma when it really is not asthma. I am posting this because last year we were in the same situation and could not find others who successfully got the waiver. I am sure your son will be just fine.

Good luck.

My son had some mild asthmatic symptoms brought on by allergies when he was young. He has been off all meds since 2011; A spirometry exam was ordered by DoDMERB. He rescheduled last week because of a cold, then took it yesterday. The result was 76%, so probably not where it needs to be for qualification. Immediately went to see his doctor afterward. All peak flow and other exams at doctor were completely normal. His doctor thinks the poor test result is from the lingering cold. How long do we wait to hear from DoDMERB? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to proceed from here? We want to be proactive.
 
@MissouriFam
There is nothing much you can do here. The results will go to DoDMERB and then it waits for the physician to review it. It could be a few weeks or it could be a few months.
 
Dsmcse,

My DS went through this so I have some thoughts to share.

My son was diagnosed asthma. I found a lung / breathing specialist one who worked with Navy divers. I collected every bit of medical information I could and shared it with the specialist. He ran a standard spirometry test. He reviewed the results and concluded that my DS was clear and free of the asthma. He wrote a letter showing his findings and everything was submitted to DODMERB. My son passed his medical.

Place Holders:
1. The Dr. was a lung / breathing specialist.
2. The Dr. worked with the Navy so I believe he was seen or viewed as even more credible.
3. All of my DS medical asthma history occurred prior to the age of 13.

Not sure if this will be helpful; however, I thought I would pass along the information.

All the best.

Ex.BT.USN,

My DS has a very similar history, and we submitted a similar letter from a local board-certified pulmonologist. DS has LOAs from USNA & USMA, multiple nominations to each, and 4-year scholarships with NROTC and AROTC, so he just needs to clear the medical qualification. I just joined the forum, so I cannot PM you, but if you would please PM me I would really appreciate the opportunity to briefly trade some notes.

Thanks!
 
My son had some mild asthmatic symptoms brought on by allergies when he was young. He has been off all meds since 2011; A spirometry exam was ordered by DoDMERB. He rescheduled last week because of a cold, then took it yesterday. The result was 76%, so probably not where it needs to be for qualification. Immediately went to see his doctor afterward. All peak flow and other exams at doctor were completely normal. His doctor thinks the poor test result is from the lingering cold. How long do we wait to hear from DoDMERB? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to proceed from here? We want to be proactive.

MissouriFam,

With no history since 2011 and what sounds like a normal spirometry, was your son found to be medically qualified by DODMERB? The 76% that you refer to, do you know which value on the spirometry that is from? (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, etc.?).
 
We just received the letter last week stating that he does not meet DoD medical standards and that his file will require a review by the medical Waiver Authority. He also just received a nomination to West Point. The 76% was FEV1. So I suppose that West Point will now start the Waiver process, if they deem the rest of his application worthy of continuing?
 
Sorry but I disagree. If you kid had something once at age 7 that never required follow up for ten years--then that is not asthma. I am the first to recommend caution where caution is due but once in a lifetime does not make asthma.
 
If there's no history before age 8 then say no. No need to complicate your situation. and it's also legit recruiter advice, there's a real article about it. Sounds like he doesn't have asthma
 
FairPlay, the system will not allow me to send you a private conversation. Post a few more items and we can start something.
 
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