A1Janitor
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GoCubbies
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For expectation management, you should assume your DS will not get a waiver. If you do get a waiver, then you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Seems like the GI docs aren't sure what your DS has at this point. Correct me if I'm wrong, but your post said he was diagnosed with UC, then severe Crohn's, then not severe, then maybe not Crohn's?
So regardless, your DS has some type of inflammatory bowel condition. If it's Crohn's, know that pathologies can occur outside the GI system. The military is considered about all the different ways the Crohn's can manifest itself. One of them is reactive arthritis or eye issues (specifically, uveitis). In Afghanistan, there was no GI specialist in country a few years ago. I think there may have been 2 eye surgeons in country and they were busy dealing with eye trauma from explosives, etc...
Because inflammatory bowel disease have a negative effect on nutrient absorption, those who have it are at risk for anemia and vitamin deficiencies.
Recurrence of symptoms is common. Maybe 10-20%? As for long term effects, the concern with UC is colorectal cancer which requires periodic colonoscopies MUCH sooner than the normal screening recommendations. With Crohn's the concern is small bowel adenocarcinoma.
So my point is there are a lot of associated conditions and increased risk with inflammatory bowel disease. The military recognizes these sequalae and are therefore very careful with giving waivers.
Crohns is considered non-commisonable. I dated a Mid who developed Crohns while we were there. He was 1 of 5 from my class who was not commissioned. He wasn’t given the choice. Not sure about UC, but guessing a waiver is a very long shot, if not impossible to get. I would ensure to have a strong plan b outside the military if pursuing this path.
It's not said enough, probably, but you don't have to be in uniform to serve. In many career fields there are just as many, if not more, civilian DoD positions than there are commissioned military. Other than direct command in the field, there is often little difference in the actual job descriptions and responsibilities. Same opportunities for deployment, advancement, and service.
There even a number of civilian positions which feature direct supervision of military members.
Options exist.
There even a number of civilian positions which feature direct supervision of military members.
Options exist.
so son ended up having mold exposure, all the specialists (GI, dermatologist and pediatrician missed it). Was cured of the mold in about 90 days, everything is gone, acne, sinus and no gi disorder. Had original doc do follow up colonoscopy and he was stunned by results. (simple problem was that with mold in his system the antibiotics they gave him blew up his GI tract). So at first domerba removed the dignosis (provided diagnosis from mold specialist (wh is a doctor) and Gp who concurred with the mold exposure) but they are now asking for a waiver. DOes waiver usually incur more information or are we waiting for a determination based upon what is sent so far.
Baseballkid
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- Dec 14, 2020
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- 15
How did your son make out? I was medically DQ'd this October and I am in the process of trying to prove my one time episode of colitis was due to the Accutane medication I was taking...I originally was diagnosed with a possiblilty of UC...but no chronic meds, no flare ups EVER before or after...stopped Accutane immediately and no other problems and most current MRI ( that I did on my own to help solidify that I dont have it) shows no evidence of any chronic intestinal issues. I have 2 other Peds GI specialist, and even the original doc who diagnosed it as saying is could have been the Accutane medication.