How screwed am I

J

Justcause2027

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Apr 8, 2023
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Currently on a 4 year NROTC scholarship. I have been dealing with DODMERBS for close to a year due to a peanut allergy. I have only ever had a one reaction when I was 3 and have not had one since. DODMERB requested I do a IGE blood test which came back low but did show evidence of an allergy. They requested I consult with an allergist and do a skin test which came back positive as well. I submitted to DODMERBS and they again told me to consult with a allergist do another skin test and get the allergist opinion on if I can be around peanuts in a cafeteria environment and if I needed a epi pen. The allergist was ok with saying that I could be around peanuts since the reaction to the test wasn’t severe. But the allergist said they would not write a letter saying that I did not need a epi pen.

I was really counting on this scholarship to help me pay for school. How screwed am I do I still have a chance at getting a waiver. I love the Navy and the NROTC. But I don’t have the financial luxury of being in NROTC with out any financial benefit.
 
Justcause2027 said:
Currently on a 4 year NROTC scholarship. I have been dealing with DODMERBS for close to a year due to a peanut allergy. I have only ever had a one reaction when I was 3 and have not had one since. DODMERB requested I do a IGE blood test which came back low but did show evidence of an allergy. They requested I consult with an allergist and do a skin test which came back positive as well. I submitted to DODMERBS and they again told me to consult with a allergist do another skin test and get the allergist opinion on if I can be around peanuts in a cafeteria environment and if I needed a epi pen. The allergist was ok with saying that I could be around peanuts since the reaction to the test wasn’t severe. But the allergist said they would not write a letter saying that I did not need a epi pen.

I was really counting on this scholarship to help me pay for school. How screwed am I do I still have a chance at getting a waiver. I love the Navy and the NROTC. But I don’t have the financial luxury of being in NROTC with out any financial benefit.
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As long as you are allergic to peanuts -- your doctor will always prescribe epi-pen because " The severity of an allergic reaction is unpredictable". You may never use it but you will have to carry it all the time.

The only way to have your allergist to write "no need to carry epi pen" is to pass the food challenge on peanuts
 
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gniyji said:
As long as you are allergic to peanuts -- your doctor will always prescribe epi-pen because " The severity of an allergic reaction is unpredictable". You may never use it but you will have to carry it all the time.

The only way to have your allergist to write "no need to carry epi pen" is to pass the food challenge on peanuts
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I asked the allergist to do an oral challenge but she told no because “you will run the risk of death” Is it likely then that I won’t be granted a waiver then?
 
Justcause2027 said:
I asked the allergist to do an oral challenge but she told no because “you will run the risk of death” Is it likely then that I won’t be granted a waiver then ?
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It is likely that your IgE and SPT results were not low enough -- often food challenge is conducted to patients who may have outgrown food allergies --- such as milk and egg (80% outgrow) but peanut outgrow is low (20%).

You had only one peanut allergic reaction when you were 3 --- have you been avoiding peanuts ever since ?
 
First things first, work the medical. If necessary, there are lots of ways to get financial help for college. Grants, loans, academic scholarships, scholarships from your school for low income. Work all of the anngles. Also, tons of scholarship $ go unused each year. Many obscure scholarships are out there, waiting for applicants. Being in ROTC, think of things like VFW, DAR / SAR, American Legion (local, state, national). Contact your HS guidance office for information.
 
I don’t have the links handy but each year @Capt MJ posts ways for a servant heart to find a way to support military and front line personnel by serving in different capacities.

If you want to serve and medically cannot qualify, there are ways forward to help those in uniform. And those are critical positions.
 
Heatherg21 said:
I don’t have the links handy but each year @Capt MJ posts ways for a servant heart to find a way to support military and front line personnel by serving in different capacities.

If you want to serve and medically cannot qualify, there are ways forward to help those in uniform. And those are critical positions.
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I feel like it’s not fair. I understand the military has rules. But the logic behind me not being allowed to serve over something as small as a peanut allergy is ridiculous. I can be around peanuts no problem and I know to avoid them. I don’t understand how someone with a criminal history can join the Navy. But I can’t because of peanuts.
gniyji said:
It is likely that your IgE and SPT results were not low enough -- often food challenge is conducted to patients who may have outgrown food allergies --- such as milk and egg (80% outgrow) but peanut outgrow is low (20%).

You had only one peanut allergic reaction when you were 3 --- have you been avoiding peanuts ever since ?
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I have done my best to avoid them but I have never carried an epi pen. The only reason the doctor prescribed me one, was because my elementary school required me to have one for safety reasons. I have eaten peanuts in small amounts by accident every once in a while. I have gone 16 years with out a reaction.

I’m open to doing a food challenge because I genuinely do not believe I have a peanut allergy that would cause me to go into anaphylaxis. However, being told by the allergist that I could die doing the test makes me nervous to do it.
 
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Justcause2027 said:
I have eaten peanuts in small amounts by accident every once in a while. I have gone 16 years with out a reaction.

I’m open to doing a food challenge because I genuinely do not believe I have a peanut allergy that would cause me to go into anaphylaxis. However, being told by the allergist that I could die doing the test makes me nervous to do it.
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That is a good argument for food challenge. Did you tell your allergist of that ? The process of food challenge is incremental (begin with very tiny amount) --- it won't stop until you have an reaction. So if you can take a small amount peanuts without reaction, that is really good sign. Tell your doctor (or even bring a snack bar with peanuts to the office -- show the doctor that you have no problem of eating.

Even if you end up failure (start to have reaction after consumption certain amount of peanuts), that will record the amount peanuts you can tolerate. That record itself may be useful for a waiver.
 
GWU PNS (emeritus) said:
While the probability is low, have you considered a second opinion from a different allergist? Even if they continue to say you need an epic pen, they may be willing to start with a small exposure to peanuts and then increase to gage your reaction.
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Some doctors are more "aggressive" on conduct food challenge, in particular those who are doing research on allergy and in the facility that can deal with anaphylaxis
 
I would also recommend getting a second or third opinion.

Unfortunately, if your allergist isn’t able to testify that you DONT need a pen, you cannot really fault ‘the military’ for not reacting to that requirement.

To me, the way through this is through your allergist. ‘The military’ has provided a path forward for you. They cannot simply ‘take your word for it’. They are willing to take your medical experts word for it.

I’m so sorry you are going through this. Work with you medical professionals to come to your outcome. Highly recommend a 2nd/3rd opinion. Perhaps there are allergists that have military experience? Or ask your regular physician for help on finding an allergist with a military background?? Tho outside the box.
 
A1Janitor said:
Wouldn’t many doctors not want to say you don’t need a pen for liability/insurance purposes?
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I would think so. Don’t know though. I’ve had pediatric doctors that are more conservative and ‘sensible’ than others. And some that have wanted to diagnose and throw every medical procedure available at my kids….both ends of the spectrum. That’s why I was thinking that *perhaps* someone from an understanding of the military might be beneficial. If the op truly has been exposed, blah blah blah, etc. It’s kind of a Hail Mary. And can’t hurt!!
 
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