Sorry for the misunderstanding, the only reason it got taken off of my record is because it was a misdiagnosis and she didn't want me to have to go through the trouble with having it on there. I just had chest pains from some swelling from Costochondritis, she thinks because I was sick at the time. I never had trouble breathing and I never found any kind of relief the couple times the doctor had me take medication. I know now though that I will have to explain it anyway so the whole process was a little pointless!
ASTHMA
- Thread starter DCHillin
- Start date
Sorry for the misunderstanding, the only reason it got taken off of my record is because it was a misdiagnosis and she didn't want me to have to go through the trouble with having it on there. I just had chest pains from some swelling from Costochondritis, she thinks because I was sick at the time. I never had trouble breathing and I never found any kind of relief the couple times the doctor had me take medication. I know now though that I will have to explain it anyway so the whole process was a little pointless!
Ex.BT.USN
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Same Boat
My DS is in the same boat... As it would appear in his records (8 years old) the initial was asthma but the follow-up visits were more retracting from the original. My DS even passed the two asthma tests and his records note "no wheezing". All that being said he has been truthful in all the questions asked. He fully understands that the asthma will cause a DQ; however, he also understands there is the ever growing chance of a waiver.The Honor Concept and mission of the Academy says it all.
My DS is in the same boat... As it would appear in his records (8 years old) the initial was asthma but the follow-up visits were more retracting from the original. My DS even passed the two asthma tests and his records note "no wheezing". All that being said he has been truthful in all the questions asked. He fully understands that the asthma will cause a DQ; however, he also understands there is the ever growing chance of a waiver.The Honor Concept and mission of the Academy says it all.
Try going to your doctor ASAP and see if he/she will take you off the inhaler. Seeing as you haven't had any symptoms since you were 8 which is before the 13 year old deadline and assuming you only used the inhaler as needed, you might be able to get around it as they only ask when you last had an attack and when you last took medicine for the asthma. I was in a similar boat during the DoDMERB process but I had gone to my doctor about a year before the DoDMERB exam and he decided I no longer needed any medicine as I hadn't had a reaction or used the inhaler since I was about 5. When I got my exam results back I hadn't been disqualified for the asthma.
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Ex.BT.USN
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All Set...Thank You
PupNSuds,
All Set on my DS... The meds were gone long ago, prior to starting HS as near as I can tell. He is now a Jr. in HS but the history is history, it will remain a DQ. A waiver will need to be issued. Although the medical shows no medication needed, no attacks, and only suggests to have on hand it remains his history. That being said the DQ is going to happen but he / we will be ready for that.
PupNSuds,
All Set on my DS... The meds were gone long ago, prior to starting HS as near as I can tell. He is now a Jr. in HS but the history is history, it will remain a DQ. A waiver will need to be issued. Although the medical shows no medication needed, no attacks, and only suggests to have on hand it remains his history. That being said the DQ is going to happen but he / we will be ready for that.
rkrosnar
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If there is a medical condition on any ones medical record and I mean anyone. And you go to your doctor, to remove something anything at all. It is a crime a felony, if I remember correctly. I requested about three years ago that something be removed. My doctor told that it is a crime as noted above and they were not about to jeopardize their license, as well. Nor, put me in jeopardy. And with electronic medical records now, it even more important. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. One of the doc's on here, should comment further.
RGK
usna1985
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Folks . . .
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS.
First, if you have a medical condition, and need medication for it (whether an inhaler or anything else), do consider whether it's in your best interest to stop that medication. Have a SERIOUS talk with your doctor. The last thing you want to do, in the interests of attending a SA or ROTC, is to create a serious medical condition for yourself.
Second, to the best of my knowledge, you cannot ask a doctor to change your medical records. The one exception might be if, upon reading them, you discover an error. The doctor could add a note explaining the error; that's different than removing something.
Third, DODMERB asks about your medical history. Lying is definitely not how you want to start your military career. You need to be honest about conditions you have. Thus, regardless of what your medical records say, if you've had a medical issue that DODMERB asks about, you need to disclose it.
Fourth, DODMERB disqualifies (and SAs/ROTC choose not to waive) for good reason. As has been detailed in the past, if you are stupid enough to get by with an undisclosed medical condition, you present a huge potential liability to yourself and your comrades. IOW, you could get yourself killed and them killed trying to help you.
This is especially true with asthma. An asthma attack in the desert, on a mission, etc. could create horrid repercussions for everyone.
I'm NOT a medical expert, but there are various tests, etc. that will help determine whether you do have asthma. If you do, your chances of getting a wavier are very small. If you don't -- you SHOULD be okay even if you were prescribed an inhaler after age 13.
Fifth, getting rid of your inhaler now won't make much difference as I believe the question is whether or now you have had symptoms or been prescribed medication for asthma after age 13. If you've carried one around for the past 4 yrs and used/never used it, it won't matter whether you still carry one around today -- process will be the same.
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS.
First, if you have a medical condition, and need medication for it (whether an inhaler or anything else), do consider whether it's in your best interest to stop that medication. Have a SERIOUS talk with your doctor. The last thing you want to do, in the interests of attending a SA or ROTC, is to create a serious medical condition for yourself.
Second, to the best of my knowledge, you cannot ask a doctor to change your medical records. The one exception might be if, upon reading them, you discover an error. The doctor could add a note explaining the error; that's different than removing something.
Third, DODMERB asks about your medical history. Lying is definitely not how you want to start your military career. You need to be honest about conditions you have. Thus, regardless of what your medical records say, if you've had a medical issue that DODMERB asks about, you need to disclose it.
Fourth, DODMERB disqualifies (and SAs/ROTC choose not to waive) for good reason. As has been detailed in the past, if you are stupid enough to get by with an undisclosed medical condition, you present a huge potential liability to yourself and your comrades. IOW, you could get yourself killed and them killed trying to help you.
This is especially true with asthma. An asthma attack in the desert, on a mission, etc. could create horrid repercussions for everyone.
I'm NOT a medical expert, but there are various tests, etc. that will help determine whether you do have asthma. If you do, your chances of getting a wavier are very small. If you don't -- you SHOULD be okay even if you were prescribed an inhaler after age 13.
Fifth, getting rid of your inhaler now won't make much difference as I believe the question is whether or now you have had symptoms or been prescribed medication for asthma after age 13. If you've carried one around for the past 4 yrs and used/never used it, it won't matter whether you still carry one around today -- process will be the same.
Pima
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Listen to usna1985.
Be honest. Yes, it may mean your honesty will equate to a DQ, but fast forward your life 8 yrs. You are now in the next conflict, and the freshly minted O1 reporting to you has an asthma attack, how does that impact your mission or the others in your unit?
I mean this with kindness as a wife of a guy who served 21 yrs., and a Mom of a newly minted O1, Their lives were/are in your hands.
Shade the truth for your personal desires, means my love ones are at risk for you. You can impact the mission. It is selfish to shade anything, you are not the only one in the picture.
I am not saying that anyone feels that they are number 1. I am saying that they tend to forget as candidates they will be part of a unit where they depend on each and everyone to complete the mission.
Let the chips fall where they may, Be honest!
Sorry I didn't mean get it removed, mine was a misdiagnosis so I got that put on my record to show that asthma never really was the problem. Sorry for all the confusion, I definitely worded that wrong.
usna1985
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My comments were not directed at any individual or post. There is a somewhat common (and disturbing) theme in a lot of posts regarding whether to fess up to medical conditions that are likely to result in a DQ and/or denial of a waiver . . . as well as related discussions about not taking needed medications, and all sorts of other things.
Unfortunately, some people will not be able to serve in the military (or one or more branches) due to medical issues. It's sad . . . even devastating. However, the military is not an equal opportunity employer when it comes to medical issues that are no problem at all in the civilian sector.
The military does not want to commission (or enlist) someone who can become a danger to himself or others by virtue of his medical condition. And, for less serious conditions, the various services do not want to bring in a lot of people who, on day 1, are already limited in where they can serve because, if something else goes wrong, they may have to be discharged altogether.
So, there is good reason for the questions and good reason to answer truthfully and to get the medicine/treatment you need (see the sticky posted above regarding this issue). I'm not suggesting that anyone on this thread has done or would do otherwise. Just making a point for those who might be considering some bad decisions.
Unfortunately, some people will not be able to serve in the military (or one or more branches) due to medical issues. It's sad . . . even devastating. However, the military is not an equal opportunity employer when it comes to medical issues that are no problem at all in the civilian sector.
The military does not want to commission (or enlist) someone who can become a danger to himself or others by virtue of his medical condition. And, for less serious conditions, the various services do not want to bring in a lot of people who, on day 1, are already limited in where they can serve because, if something else goes wrong, they may have to be discharged altogether.
So, there is good reason for the questions and good reason to answer truthfully and to get the medicine/treatment you need (see the sticky posted above regarding this issue). I'm not suggesting that anyone on this thread has done or would do otherwise. Just making a point for those who might be considering some bad decisions.
"Is there any way you can go to the doctor and get it taken off your record? That's what I did. I just went in , told her I wanted to do ROTC and had no asthma symptoms, and she got it off of my record so I wouldn't have to deal with it later on"
Here is some info that I learned about Asthma - Doctors very often write comments about asthma or "asthma like symptoms" without a true medical diagnosis of asthma. There is no real definitive quick test for asthma, it is not like a positive culture for strep throat or an x-ray for a broken arm. If a doctor thinks someone is "weezing" they may note in the chart that the patient has asthma. If the doctor wants the patient to try a certain type of inhaler he needs to tell the insurance company the patient has asthma. Accordingly, doctors make notes about asthma all the time without thinking about the future consequences and not really being sure about the diagnosis.
If someone had one weezing episode at 10 years old, used an inhaler briefly and then never had a problem again that person clearly does not have asthma but his medical chart may include a referance to asthmatic breathing or something along those lines.
It is perfectly reasonable to ask your doctor to review your medical records and determine, with the benefit of hindsight, if a specific diagnosis given 8 years ago may have been incorrect. Someone who truly had asthma doesn't just get cured of it, so if you haven't had symptons in 8 years the original diagnosis was probably incorrect and it is permissable for a doctor to note that in the chart. Once the doctor says the diagnosis was incorrect I think it is permissable to answer honestly that you have no history of asthma.
Here is some info that I learned about Asthma - Doctors very often write comments about asthma or "asthma like symptoms" without a true medical diagnosis of asthma. There is no real definitive quick test for asthma, it is not like a positive culture for strep throat or an x-ray for a broken arm. If a doctor thinks someone is "weezing" they may note in the chart that the patient has asthma. If the doctor wants the patient to try a certain type of inhaler he needs to tell the insurance company the patient has asthma. Accordingly, doctors make notes about asthma all the time without thinking about the future consequences and not really being sure about the diagnosis.
If someone had one weezing episode at 10 years old, used an inhaler briefly and then never had a problem again that person clearly does not have asthma but his medical chart may include a referance to asthmatic breathing or something along those lines.
It is perfectly reasonable to ask your doctor to review your medical records and determine, with the benefit of hindsight, if a specific diagnosis given 8 years ago may have been incorrect. Someone who truly had asthma doesn't just get cured of it, so if you haven't had symptons in 8 years the original diagnosis was probably incorrect and it is permissable for a doctor to note that in the chart. Once the doctor says the diagnosis was incorrect I think it is permissable to answer honestly that you have no history of asthma.
usna1985
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^^^^^
I'm not sure what difference this will make. The first step is the DODMERB question. It will ask whether you have or have ever had asthma or wheezing or shortness or breath. If you were (even incorrectly) diagnosed with asthma, you probably had some symptoms. So, regardless of what your medical records say with respect to asthma, the record of your symptoms will still be there. If you were wheezing or short of breath, even if for some reason other than asthma, the facts are still there and you would still need to answer the question with a "yes." Thus, I don't see the point in having your records changed -- assuming it's allowed.
They also ask about "chemical inhalants," which -- though I'm not a doctor -- presumably would include inhalers prescribed for asthma. So, if you used one, even if it you didn't actually have asthma, you would have to mark "yes."
The next step is to provide details. From what USNA has told BGOs (and this may not apply to all SAs and ROTC), if the incident(s)/symptoms occurred prior to age 13, have not recurred since that age, and you have not been prescribed meds for asthma (e.g., an inhaler) since age 13, you'll be fine for USNA.
If you have had symptoms or meds after age 13, you will probably need to have special testing to evaluate whether you have asthma. If you don't, it won't matter what your records say because -- regardless of whether you had it before, you don't now which is what counts. Conversely, if you do have asthma, it won't matter what your records say because you have the condition.
Bottom line . . . if you do not have asthma or similar condition, you won't be medically DQ'ed for it. If you do have asthma, you will be DQ'ed and it's extremely unlikely to be waived. In the end, your medical condition -- not a prior diagnosis -- is what matters. So I personally would not "waste" my time trying to get medical records changed; it won't make any difference and could risk annoying your MD.
I'm not sure what difference this will make. The first step is the DODMERB question. It will ask whether you have or have ever had asthma or wheezing or shortness or breath. If you were (even incorrectly) diagnosed with asthma, you probably had some symptoms. So, regardless of what your medical records say with respect to asthma, the record of your symptoms will still be there. If you were wheezing or short of breath, even if for some reason other than asthma, the facts are still there and you would still need to answer the question with a "yes." Thus, I don't see the point in having your records changed -- assuming it's allowed.
They also ask about "chemical inhalants," which -- though I'm not a doctor -- presumably would include inhalers prescribed for asthma. So, if you used one, even if it you didn't actually have asthma, you would have to mark "yes."
The next step is to provide details. From what USNA has told BGOs (and this may not apply to all SAs and ROTC), if the incident(s)/symptoms occurred prior to age 13, have not recurred since that age, and you have not been prescribed meds for asthma (e.g., an inhaler) since age 13, you'll be fine for USNA.
If you have had symptoms or meds after age 13, you will probably need to have special testing to evaluate whether you have asthma. If you don't, it won't matter what your records say because -- regardless of whether you had it before, you don't now which is what counts. Conversely, if you do have asthma, it won't matter what your records say because you have the condition.
Bottom line . . . if you do not have asthma or similar condition, you won't be medically DQ'ed for it. If you do have asthma, you will be DQ'ed and it's extremely unlikely to be waived. In the end, your medical condition -- not a prior diagnosis -- is what matters. So I personally would not "waste" my time trying to get medical records changed; it won't make any difference and could risk annoying your MD.
jiller59
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DS had similar situation. He was concerned that asthma had ever been mentioned by the doctor and inhaler prescribed. He decided he wanted to get tested and have a definitive answer. Early in the NROTC scholarship application process he decided to contact his doctor and talk with him about it. The doctor was certain that my son did not have asthma and agreed to do the test in order to be proactive. Doctor administered test, DS passed with flying colors, doctor wrote report and DS submitted it to DODMERB. It never came up as an issue.