Methacholine Test

K

KuriAndre

Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2021
Messages
47
Good morning!

Anyone who has taken the Methacholine Challenge test, what was it like? Was it hard or easy? How did you prepare?

My whole appointment rides on this and I’m mad stressed about it so I just want to talk about it to ease my mind...

Thank you!
 
My plebe had to get this last year. It is not "hard" or "easy". In fact, the worst thing you can do is get stressed out about it and there is no preparing for it (other than what the doctors instruct you to do, such as not using your inhalers or certain other medications within a certain amount of time before the test).

Basically the doctor administers methacholine, which causes your airways to narrow. The doses are spread apart and gradually increased. They measure your reaction to each dose. They are measuring to see how much your lung function drops from your baseline and determining the degree of your asthma.

Like I said, just relax as stressing out will only make it worse. Even the healthiest non-asthmatic person will have a reaction to the methacholine; the key is how much of a reaction you have and how much your airways narrow (impacting your breathing and ability to function properly). My plebe "passed" the test and is now a member of the Class of 2024. You've got this!
 
2020USNAMom said:
My plebe had to get this last year. It is not "hard" or "easy". In fact, the worst thing you can do is get stressed out about it and there is no preparing for it (other than what the doctors instruct you to do, such as not using your inhalers or certain other medications within a certain amount of time before the test).

Basically the doctor administers methacholine, which causes your airways to narrow. The doses are spread apart and gradually increased. They measure your reaction to each dose. They are measuring to see how much your lung function drops from your baseline and determining the degree of your asthma.

Like I said, just relax as stressing out will only make it worse. Even the healthiest non-asthmatic person will have a reaction to the methacholine; the key is how much of a reaction you have and how much your airways narrow (impacting your breathing and ability to function properly). My plebe "passed" the test and is now a member of the Class of 2024. You've got this!
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Thank you!

I don’t want to be too personal so please don’t feel obligated to answer, but was your plebe also diagnosed with asthma in the past? And if so, did they over come it or did they still have symptoms of asthma before doing the test? I’ve seen some candidates on here say they were never diagnosed with asthma but had to take the test for their waiver for other reasons.

I was diagnosed at a young age and it was a lot worse back then but it has never stopped me from participating in activities or sports and has never caused me any medical issues. It’s gotten a lot better over the years so I’m hoping that will improve my chances of passing!
 
KuriAndre said:
Thank you!

I don’t want to be too personal so please don’t feel obligated to answer, but was your plebe also diagnosed with asthma in the past? And if so, did they over come it or did they still have symptoms of asthma before doing the test? I’ve seen some candidates on here say they were never diagnosed with asthma but had to take the test for their waiver for other reasons.

I was diagnosed at a young age and it was a lot worse back then but it has never stopped me from participating in activities or sports and has never caused me any medical issues. It’s gotten a lot better over the years so I’m hoping that will improve my chances of passing!
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its not supposed to be an issue if it happened prior to being 12. However, If you have symptoms after 12 or i guess being diagnosed as asthmatic after 12, then that's where the issues happen. My guess is that if you state you had asthma prior to 12, they will still ask for documentation. Dont go by me, this is what i have read on the forum
 
Humey said:
its not supposed to be an issue if it happened prior to being 12. However, If you have symptoms after 12 or i guess being diagnosed as asthmatic after 12, then that's where the issues happen. My guess is that if you state you had asthma prior to 12, they will still ask for documentation. Dont go by me, this is what i have read on the forum
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This is incorrect. The cutoff is prior to the age of 13. You still need to answer whether you have a history of asthma. This means at any age. Depending on whether that existed prior to age 13 or after you may then be asked to provide additional medical records and prescription records. Depending on what that shows you will either be cleared or DQ'd. If DQ'd and deemed competitive for appointment they may issue a waiver request which can include additional medical or stress testing. Depending on the outcome of additional testing you will either be denied or granted a waiver. The key thing to remember is to answer all medical questions honestly. If it discovered that you were not forthcoming and your medical records show that you have a history of asthma that you did not disclose, you cannot be considered for a waiver if one would have been deemed necessary. In any case, an email to Larry Mullen under the DODmerb section of this forum will point you in the right direction. He IS the authority on all things DODmerb related and is an invaluable resource.
 
The asthma diagnosis came after the 13th birthday and was disclosed on all the initial medical forms. In order to get the waiver, we had to provide additional medical records related to the asthma, as well as two separate letters from the physician answering specific questions as to the intensity, severity, and frequency of any asthma issues. Asthma never interfered with sports or other activities, but did have to use an inhaler in certain circumstances. However, the inhaler and any other medications hadn't been used for several years prior to the USNA medical. I believe that it was the asthma diagnosis after the age of 13 and the use of an inhaler that is what influenced the need for the methacholine challenge test. I know that this is stressful for you and that there is a lot on the line, but the best thing that you can do is not stress out about this test. I know this is easier said than done, but there is no way to prepare ahead of time so that you can "pass". You will have a good idea right there and then how you did. If you don't have any issues with your asthma right now and it doesn't impact your activities, then you will be fine.

Good Luck! Please report back with an update, so I know how things turned out. You got this!
 
2020USNAMom said:
The asthma diagnosis came after the 13th birthday and was disclosed on all the initial medical forms. In order to get the waiver, we had to provide additional medical records related to the asthma, as well as two separate letters from the physician answering specific questions as to the intensity, severity, and frequency of any asthma issues. Asthma never interfered with sports or other activities, but did have to use an inhaler in certain circumstances. However, the inhaler and any other medications hadn't been used for several years prior to the USNA medical. I believe that it was the asthma diagnosis after the age of 13 and the use of an inhaler that is what influenced the need for the methacholine challenge test. I know that this is stressful for you and that there is a lot on the line, but the best thing that you can do is not stress out about this test. I know this is easier said than done, but there is no way to prepare ahead of time so that you can "pass". You will have a good idea right there and then how you did. If you don't have any issues with your asthma right now and it doesn't impact your activities, then you will be fine.

Good Luck! Please report back with an update, so I know how things turned out. You got this!
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Thank you so much! You’re such a help! I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.
 
eaab08 said:
You didn't say when yours was, but mine is a couple weeks from now. So, looking forward to seeing how it went!
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Technically, I haven’t actually received my requested AMI’s yet!

I emailed the medical waiver team at the Academy to check on the status of my waiver and a representative told me that they had just reviewed my file and sent the AMI’s to DoDMERB and it would take a few days to show up on my portal. She also told me exactly what the physicians had requested; 3 years of medical records involving asthma and the dreaded Methacholine Challenge Test. So I haven’t scheduled my appointment yet, I’m just waiting to hear exactly what to do from DoDMERB.

I’ll be sure to let y’all know how it goes when I eventually do get it! Good luck mate!
 
Pro Tip - we were in the exact same boat as you and knew that a methacholine challenge test was being requested, so we tried to be proactive. When going through the doctors recommended by DoDMERB, there was a 3-week wait before getting an appointment. You are allowed to go through your own doctor (needs to be a specialist who has access to the testing equipment). We got an appointment with our own immunologist the next week. You may want to see if you can make that appointment now, as you don't want wait any longer than necessary to get tested. Same thing with the medical records. Our immunologist was awesome and got the records to us the next day (he also had to write a separate letter outlining everything). Some doctors however, take much longer on the turnaround time for medical records.
 
KuriAndre said:
Technically, I haven’t actually received my requested AMI’s yet!

I emailed the medical waiver team at the Academy to check on the status of my waiver and a representative told me that they had just reviewed my file and sent the AMI’s to DoDMERB and it would take a few days to show up on my portal. She also told me exactly what the physicians had requested; 3 years of medical records involving asthma and the dreaded Methacholine Challenge Test. So I haven’t scheduled my appointment yet, I’m just waiting to hear exactly what to do from DoDMERB.

I’ll be sure to let y’all know how it goes when I eventually do get it! Good luck mate!
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2020USNAMom said:
Pro Tip - we were in the exact same boat as you and knew that a methacholine challenge test was being requested, so we tried to be proactive. When going through the doctors recommended by DoDMERB, there was a 3-week wait before getting an appointment. You are allowed to go through your own doctor (needs to be a specialist who has access to the testing equipment). We got an appointment with our own immunologist the next week. You may want to see if you can make that appointment now, as you don't want wait any longer than necessary to get tested. Same thing with the medical records. Our immunologist was awesome and got the records to us the next day (he also had to write a separate letter outlining everything). Some doctors however, take much longer on the turnaround time for medical records.
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I agree with 2020USNAMom. If you haven't been able to schedule an appointment yet there will probably be a long wait for the test. If you're able to schedule one on your own too it might help. Something else to consider is that since there's a decent chance you'll be going so to go ahead and start scheduling appointments for USNA appointee stuff.
 
2020USNAMom said:
Pro Tip - we were in the exact same boat as you and knew that a methacholine challenge test was being requested, so we tried to be proactive. When going through the doctors recommended by DoDMERB, there was a 3-week wait before getting an appointment. You are allowed to go through your own doctor (needs to be a specialist who has access to the testing equipment). We got an appointment with our own immunologist the next week. You may want to see if you can make that appointment now, as you don't want wait any longer than necessary to get tested. Same thing with the medical records. Our immunologist was awesome and got the records to us the next day (he also had to write a separate letter outlining everything). Some doctors however, take much longer on the turnaround time for medical records.
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Thank you for the tip, I’ll get on that right away. I requested the medical records yesterday so I should be getting those from my doctor soon. I actually just received an email from admissions about the remedials a couple minutes ago informing me that they should show up in the portal within the next couple days so I’ll be able to submit them right away.
eaab08 said:
I agree with 2020USNAMom. If you haven't been able to schedule an appointment yet there will probably be a long wait for the test. If you're able to schedule one on your own too it might help. Something else to consider is that since there's a decent chance you'll be going so to go ahead and start scheduling appointments for USNA appointee stuff.
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Thanks for the advice. Where do I find out about this appointee stuff?
 
KuriAndre said:
Thank you for the tip, I’ll get on that right away. I requested the medical records yesterday so I should be getting those from my doctor soon. I actually just received an email from admissions about the remedials a couple minutes ago informing me that they should show up in the portal within the next couple days so I’ll be able to submit them right away.

Thanks for the advice. Where do I find out about this appointee stuff?
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www.usna.edu

Permit to Report

Permit to Report page for Plebe Summer at USNA.edu. Updated Fri Jun 16 11:08:38 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu
I don't think we should submit it yet, but it'll certainly help to have the documents in a holster if the MCT goes well.
 
@KuriAndre I am so happy for you! Enjoy the next 6+ weeks with your family and friends because the time is going to fly. Before you know it, I-Day will be here and this will all be a distant memory. Best of luck in the Class of 2025.
 
KuriAndre said:
@eaab08 @2020USNAMom

Well today was the day! I just got back from the test and, ladies and gentlemen, I passed! Thank you both for helping me out! Please let me know how both of your waiver processes are coming along as well.
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Congratulations! I thought I was supposed to have mine today, but apparently, this appointment was a preliminary test and I have to schedule the MCT separately. Did this happen to you? Based on the DoDMETs portal I was led to believe it would be today.
 
eaab08 said:
Congratulations! I thought I was supposed to have mine today, but apparently, this appointment was a preliminary test and I have to schedule the MCT separately. Did this happen to you? Based on the DoDMETs portal I was led to believe it would be today.
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No, I was just told where to schedule on DoDMETs and everything was taken care of. Just one appointment and no preliminary test. One thing that's stressed by Mr. Mullen from DoDMERB is that every case is unique so my experience will vary from yours, don't stress about it :). Good luck my friend, I'm rooting for you!
 
KuriAndre said:
No, I was just told where to schedule on DoDMETs and everything was taken care of. Just one appointment and no preliminary test. One thing that's stressed by Mr. Mullen from DoDMERB is that every case is unique so my experience will vary from yours, don't stress about it :). Good luck my friend, I'm rooting for you!
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Thanks dude, hoping all goes well!
 
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