Allergy Shots DQ

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bettyWK

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Jan 30, 2009
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I am new to forums so please bear with me. I would like to ask someone about a medical DQ which my son received from DoDMERB for allergy shots.
He is applying to USMA and I am in a panic. Please advise. I am confused about the shots being an issue. He has never had any chronic allergy symptoms but just one incident last summer. We visited the doctor and he was tested for food allergies and pollen, molds, etc. No food allergies and just a few trees and grasses, some dust. He was prescribed some medication which he took for a day or two! He is incredibly healthy and the doctor was probably taking a conservative approach, but honestly, if it weren't for me making his appointments for the shots, he would never go. He doesn't show any signs or symptoms for even needing them. I've thought about discontinuing them altogether. But when we filled out the questionaire, of course, we were completely honest. Now he has been DQed for AITand he is a strong, vibrant picture of health. He is very athletic and in no way dependent of the shots in order to participate in a rigorous fitness program.
 
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I don't understand either.... my daughter was also DQ'ed for AIT shots.. which she stopped in September 2008.... Funny thing she was getting the shots from Army Doctors so she would no longer have the allergies and would be eventually able to STOP the medications she started taking...

She has applied to USCGA and USMMA, waiver requests will go into play if she is offered an appointment.. it is a waiting game.. You can send an email to Mr. Mullen:
Larry Mullen
Deputy Director, Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB)
8034 Edgerton Drive, Suite 132
USAFA, CO 80840-2200
PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT IS EMAIL 24/7/365 = Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil



He just told me the other day that even though she stopped the shots in September it wont change their minds.. it is up to the waiver people at the Academy.
 
Betty WK - Like J Collins said, cut and paste your posting; provide son's full name and Last 4 of SSN; to larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil and I'll be able to answer your questions:thumb: As a point of reference ONLY, say again, ONLY based on what was said below, physicians do NOT prescribe AIT for folks that: "... He has never had any chronic allergy symptoms but just one incident last summer. We visited the doctor and he was tested for food allergies and pollen, molds, etc. No food allergies and just a few trees and grasses, some dust. He was prescribed some medication which he took for a day or two!..."

JC actually understands too:):) Shots (AIT) within the previous year are disqualifying. It's not the shots, but the degree of allergies that require the shots. What this actually means is, the medical waiver authorities get the opportunity, by our disqualifying, to scrutinize those cases more closely to determine the risk to the applicant and the Academy/ROTC program.
 
But for the Record MR. Mullen ...

" physicians do NOT prescribe AIT for folks that: "... He has never had any chronic allergy symptoms but just one incident last summer. "

yes they DO..

my daughter's allergies we not cronic, serious, or life threatening, the doctors are trying to make lifes better, and allergy shots will STOP people from relying on medications to subdue or hide their allergy effects. AIT will make the allergies go away so a person doesnt have to take those pills that destroy their livers, kidneys, stomachs..etc....

Medicine has changed, sometimes medications (or shots in this case) is to easy, and I can tell you my son had 1 allergic reation this past fall, and after a dr appt. the consult to the allergy clinic was written up before I was even asked if I wanted it, but since he is 14 I refused to get him tested or start the shots... since we know that the shots take 5 years, I wont risk his options later down the road.

Although I understand what you are saying and the DODMERB policy, I also understand that allergy shots are not just for the chronic anymore, as doctors are trying to improve lives, and for 5 yrs of their youth getting shots will improve their adulthood but being allergy free sounds like a fair trade...

... well never mind... I didnt mean to go off on a tangent, but Mr Mullen no longer do allergies have to be "serious" for them to want to do the shots......

I guess I never understood that DODMERB thought that the allergic reactions had to be serious or cronic, as my daughter's allergys were never that.

:redface:

As Always ,Thanks Mr. Mullen!
 
To close out the issue:

1) The Department of Defense Standard for AIT is located at: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613004p.pdf para E.1.6.1.1., last sentence.

2) In my response to bettywk, "I" did not use the words chronic, serious, or allergic reaction. I was quoting the information she provided and there was more text to the quote. I am NOT a Doc...I say again, I am NOT a Doc. But given the description she provided, say again, given the description she provided, read it closely, if a Doc put someone on allergy shots, one would be wise to check his/her credentails.

3) The Department of Defense nor any military Service endorese this website. There is also no endorsement of Web MD. Therefore, casual observers that view these Forums may wish to review: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-shots-immunotherapy-for-allergic-rhinitis#hw118241

4) Finally, every single person involved in the medical accessions elements of applicants for Service Academies and ROTC programs are dedicated to trying to qualify folks that wish to serve their country. When a combination of a DoDMERB determination of does NOT meet medical standrads AND medical waiver denied, that's becasue that person has been deemed to be of harm to themselves, the folks they will be charged to lead, and/or will not be successful. Another website to review is: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf, para 3.3. This is NOT a black and white issue. It is every imaginable shade of grey and many shades that are unimaginable. But, DoDMERB, in spite of the fact this Forums is NOT endorsed by DoD or the Services, tirelessly tries to assit applicants and their understanding of the process and policies...in addition to the thousands of emails we receive. We're trying to do the best we can:thumb:
 
Mr. Mullen.. you are awesome as I stated.. I have heard and seen you help alot of people as well as my kid, I guess I just really didnt understand......

As always you clarify things well and get me to take a deep breath again.. :)
 
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