Listing Previous Medications?

S

sock78

New Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2024
Messages
3
I just got my sign in to work for Dodmets and can now take the medical history survey. The first question asks about current or any previous medications I have ever taken. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to find the name of every medication I’ve taken since birth. I’ve taken prescriptions for acne/poison oak years in the past, and I’m not sure if these are the types of medications they are referring to. I’ve also broken my arm and wrist when I was very young and likely had pain medications but obviously do not remember. Are they asking about medications that I have taken for serious disorders or diseases or something along the lines (which I haven’t), or any medication I’ve ever taken in general?
 
If you had long term prescriptions for ADHD or really anything, that's probably something worth putting on there. I think I've only ever had allergy medicine and tylenol, and so I put like, those two things on there. I'm sure someone with more experience could give a better answer.
 
I suggest to my students that they work with their parents to complete the list. Just do your best. I agree with @sock78 that they are looking for indications of medium to serious medical conditions that would impact your future as a military officer. Good luck with your 'paperwork.'
 
Academician said:
I suggest to my students that they work with their parents to complete the list. Just do your best. I agree with @sock78 that they are looking for indications of medium to serious medical conditions that would impact your future as a military officer. Good luck with your 'paperwork.'
Click to expand...
Yeah I’ll try to find anything I can that I’ve had in the past but I doubt it’s that big of a deal if I miss something that wasn’t more than a ‘life or death’ medication. At least I hope that’s the case. If anyone has any insight on this tho, please let me know.
 
I can tell you that I sat with both of my sons for this part of the application. We listed everything we could remember. Neither had significant health histories as babies/youth. But if someone did, there would be records for that.

More current elements (mostly sports related) were easy. And reported. Obviously no one recalls each date of each Tylenol, but do your best. With your parents help. DR, pharmacy and hospital records should be accessible for your last 10 yrs or so. Also your insurance company can be a source for this, if needed.

Good luck!
 
I think you can safely put something like "over the counter pain relief periodically as needed" for basic pain medication.
If you had a prescription for anything on a consistent basis (acne, allergies, adhd, etc...) then I would list those with your best guess on dates.
Use your medical history online if you can.
As mentioned, the medical history is something I would suggest you step through with a parent because they probably know your medical history better than you do. Unless it has changed, once you click "yes" to something, you can't change it. Make sure you understand the questions.

Also make sure that you don't self-diagnosis for anything. If a doctor did not diagnose you for something, then don't include it. You could easily get stuck in a situation where DODMERB wants you to submit medical records and you don't actually have any because you weren't diagnosed by a doctor. For example, if you have dry, itchy skin and your mom said, "that might be eczema" but you never went to the doctor for it, don't put it down.
 
We went to our pharmacy and they pulled a record of all the medication our DS was prescribed. We sent this record to the DODMERB case manager and was accepted with no issues.
 
ProudMom7 said:
I think you can safely put something like "over the counter pain relief periodically as needed" for basic pain medication.
If you had a prescription for anything on a consistent basis (acne, allergies, adhd, etc...) then I would list those with your best guess on dates.
Use your medical history online if you can.
As mentioned, the medical history is something I would suggest you step through with a parent because they probably know your medical history better than you do. Unless it has changed, once you click "yes" to something, you can't change it. Make sure you understand the questions.

Also make sure that you don't self-diagnosis for anything. If a doctor did not diagnose you for something, then don't include it. You could easily get stuck in a situation where DODMERB wants you to submit medical records and you don't actually have any because you weren't diagnosed by a doctor. For example, if you have dry, itchy skin and your mom said, "that might be eczema" but you never went to the doctor for it, don't put it down.
Click to expand...
Yes this is what I am thinking I'll do. I have never had any meds on a constant or recurring basis so nothing to worry about for that part. I will try to access records to find some dates and names of anything more than a pain reliever.
 
FWIW - We tried to be as specific as possible & even forgot to write one Rx down so DS brought it w/ him to exam (on a sticky note). The DR said he didn’t care about it since he didn’t take it on a regular basis (it was a one time Rx). He only wanted to know about a recurring Rx. I think it’s important to be as prepared as possible but maybe not overthink it. We did use the blanket statement about Tylenol, cold meds, Advil, etc - “as needed”. They were more concerned about the scars from a pretty bad bike accident (no broken bones but road rash was severe). That triggered an AIM request.
 
My advice is to request your entire prescription history from your pharmacy provider(s), then reconcile it with your entire electronic health record from every provider you've ever seen.

I'm told that the MHS Genesis health record system is being used by MEPS on the enlisted accessions side of the house to verify what applicants tell their recruiters versus what their civilian electronic health records reveal, even if the records are from when they are minors (as most ROTC & SA applicants are when they begin the process).

Non-disclosure of prescription medications has been a contributing factor to the enlisted recruiting crisis - MEPS and DoD are essentially "catching" applicants trying to get away with non-disclosure during enlistment processing. Bad for the applicant and recruiter!

Provide all prescriptions, get your entire electronic health record, then reconcile both and answer truthfully.

I can't speak to the legality of the process, but I'm sure applicants somehow authorize the DoD to access their civilian medical records as part of the paperwork necessary to enlist. I wouldn't be surprised if the same process carries over to DoDMERB and officer accessions programs like ROTC and SA.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top