Medication DQs

P

punchperfect

New Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2016
Messages
2
This is my first post, but I have many questions. I am a junior in high school right now, and my goal is to go to a service academy, preferably West Point, and here's my story.
Academically, I do quite well, and I attend a very competitive college prep school. I scored very well on my standardized tests, so I'm comfortable there.
Physically, I am on 3 varsity sports teams, hockey, soccer, and lacrosse. I have been working out 5/6 times a week with a trainer and can complete the CFA with ease.
Mentally, here is where the questions come up. I took Zoloft for mild anxiety for about 4 months, and recently stopped taking it because it was no longer needed. I am setting up an apt. for meeting with my doctor who prescribed it to me to let them know that I no longer need it and don't take it anymore, which she said might happen and is okay when it does. I am worried that I will get DQ'ed for having been on the prescription for a little while. Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
You will probably need a waiver stating that the issue is cleared now, but don't worry about that yet. Focus on what you can actually do! Stay in shape, take difficult classes, and become a leader. All the rest is out of your hands.
 
http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r40_501.pdf

Paragraph 2-27 k.

Any history of anxiety disorder is a disqualification. You might as well work with the doctor to have it well documented what caused it, how it was treated and prognosis for future anxiety issues because at a minimum, IF the academy requests a waiver, the surgeon is going to be looking for that information (and probably more) to make their recommendation. Don't expect the waiver process to be easy; the Army isn't known for recruiting those that don't deal well with pressure, stress, and ambiguous situations.
 
1. Just know that you will be disqualified. ( this is not a maybe)
and then…. they will ask for all your records. and then….
2. You wait to see if the SA's ask for a waiver. and then…
3. you wait to see if they grant you that waiver.
4. Meanwhile, have your doctor document that you are off meds and the condition is completely resolved. Do this ASAP! you want to put as much time between that problem and your application.

GOOD LUCK. Get started on DODMERB the minute you get the packet because it's a long process with lots of waiting.
 
Have everything documented and be prepared for a medical DQ but WP can grant a waiver. If so - you may be required to visit a physician chosen by WP for a follow up appointment. The process can be timely and agree with 845 - it can be difficult (especially the waiting) however - it is not insurmountable by any means...just be patient and follow all the directions in a timely manner! Best of luck
 
Thanks for all of the replies. I've contacted a Dodmerb consultant. During the application process, do I bring my full medical history/records to the exam?

The reason for the medication was because of a bullying problem I had at my old school. I terminated the friendship because it was causing me stress and anxiety, and since then I have never been better. Does this change anything? I haven't had other anxiety problems me entire life except for this one friendship that is now over.
 
punchperfect said:
Thanks for all of the replies. I've contacted a Dodmerb consultant. During the application process, do I bring my full medical history/records to the exam?

The reason for the medication was because of a bullying problem I had at my old school. I terminated the friendship because it was causing me stress and anxiety, and since then I have never been better. Does this change anything? I haven't had other anxiety problems me entire life except for this one friendship that is now over.
Click to expand...
DoDMERB consultant will discuss options and most appropriate approach to this.
 
Bullying and bullies suck!

Your story sounds kinda like mine. I'm sorry that you're in this situation. Keep your head up, study hard, be the best you can be in school and be the best you can be physically. Who knows what the DODMERB people will say?

I don't know if you or I will get DQ'd, but I promise you that I am putting in tons and tons of extra effort proving to myself that I want and can handle an academy. I'm not sure if anyone will notice, but working my butt off in school and while training and on the sports fields can't do anything but help and increase my chances for appointment. I'm hoping that if I am on the bubble, someone will take notice of my hard work and tenacity.

Good luck and keep us posted. :)
 
Just food for thought. No one here is a physician and no one here is a physician associated with DoDMerb. The feed back you are getting is worth about as much as what you're paying. I would take this discussion up with DoDMerb and your RC.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Has anyone heard from DoDMERB Consultants recently? I sent them a request about 10 days ago and I haven't heard back from them. I couldn't find a phone number to call them.
 
He's very busy...send him another email. It usually takes him a solid week to get back to me and I'm a client...
 
ForGod&Country said:
He's very busy...send him another email. It usually takes him a solid week to get back to me and I'm a client...
Click to expand...
Hi ForGod&Country. You say you are a client of DoDMERB consultants, I am as well and have become very frustrated that Glenn Merchant is blowing me off. I feel like I've been scammed. Would you mind sharing your experience with me?
 
tug_boat said:
Just food for thought. No one here is a physician and no one here is a physician associated with DoDMerb. The feed back you are getting is worth about as much as what you're paying. I would take this discussion up with DoDMerb and your RC.

Push Hard, Press Forward
Click to expand...
Except that 845something weighed in on this and HIS comments are actually worth something, having been in admissions at West Point.

Think of this as a wall...the walls are not there to keep YOU out...they're there to see how badly you want this and to give you an opportunity to show you can scale a wall. The walls are there to keep out the people who don't want this as badly as you do. Start climbing.
 
Just an observation for others who may need a longer period of time to work through medical qualifications. The DODMERB isn't scheduled until you have met a certain level of completion on your application. So one of the steps you can take is to make sure that you work through the application earlier in the cycle rather than procrastinating.

I think the trigger for USNA is around the half way point.
 
thegrippos said:
Hi ForGod&Country. You say you are a client of DoDMERB consultants, I am as well and have become very frustrated that Glenn Merchant is blowing me off. I feel like I've been scammed. Would you mind sharing your experience with me?
Click to expand...
I'll send you a private message to take this offline.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top