Peanut Allergy Waiver Granted Through Peanut Immunotherapy

jeremy_v

New Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2018
Messages
5
Hey everyone, I'm new to this website, but I wanted to share some amazing news. Last year, I was an applicant to 3 of the 5 Service Academies and was also, I was awarded an Air Force ROTC Commander's Scholarship out of high school. Last year, I received crushing news that I was medically disqualified from all of the academies as well as my Air Force ROTC Scholarship for a Peanut Allergy. Although I was medically disqualified from AFROTC, I thought I was able to continue the program, just not on scholarship. I went through 6 weeks of AFROTC and was unfortunately released from the program because of my medical situation. Once, I found out the news I was devastated because I worked so hard and received a scholarship. I found an avenue, peanut immunotherapy, that would potentially help me overcome my peanut allergy. I underwent months of immunotherapy from the end of my senior year into my freshman year of college and it was 100% successful. After all this, I submitted all my paperwork to DODMERB but was yet again medically disqualified for a history of a food allergy (Can I catch a break?). I kept persistent through the process and gave them all medical records asked for by waiver authorities. Tonight, at 2230 in my dorm room, I received word from DODMERB that my medical waiver was GRANTED. I cannot find the words to explain my joy because I done everything in my power to get to this point to be a Commissioned Officer in the Worlds Greatest Air Force.

Thank you for reading. If you have a peanut allergy, look into any and all potential avenues to gain medical qualification. There is always a way, you just have to be willing to find it!
 
What immunotherapy did you use? Dermal patch, or oral? Or was it something else?

Was this an adult-onset allergy, or childhood?

And congrats!
 
My 3 year old niece was diagnosed with allergy an allergy to pistachios last year. They assume she is allergic to all of the tree nuts. I dont remember if the Doctors told my brother in law not to feed her peanuts or it was something he came up with, but they havent given her any nuts since then. The Dr recently told him to feed her peanuts so that she doesnt develop sensitivety to it. Luckily, she seems to be fine with peanuts. Her intial allergy to the pitachios was actually very tame but he was told that that is typical with the first reaction. The problem is you never know how you will react the second time
 
Peanuts are a legume, hence the reason you won't necessarily also be allergic to tree nuts (and vice versa).

Interestingly, UNC-Chapel Hill is apparently at the forefront of some really cutting-edge treatment when they take a break from getting spanked at football. A few might wind up being near to a cure, especially for kids.

See here, here, and here.

Cool stuff.
 
Quick question for @jeremy_v - did you take the oral immunotherapy during clinical trials or later on? OIT are under FDA approval right now. Any information will be helpful. thanks
 
Jeremy, reading your message made me cry. Congratulations!!! My son is experiencing the same. He got an LOA back in November to USMAPS and then got DQ’d for peanut allergy hx as a child. We are jumping through hoops for testing but it seems if it still exists they are not going to approve his waiver. He is devastated. You’ve given us hope with the OIT. We asked about it last week and not all allergists are recommending it since it’s not yet FFA approved. However my son is willing to do anything .... he already knows he wants to reapply next year if they deny his waiver. Any words of advice for us?
 
Jeremy, reading your message made me cry. Congratulations!!! My son is experiencing the same. He got an LOA back in November to USMAPS and then got DQ’d for peanut allergy hx as a child. We are jumping through hoops for testing but it seems if it still exists they are not going to approve his waiver. He is devastated. You’ve given us hope with the OIT. We asked about it last week and not all allergists are recommending it since it’s not yet FFA approved. However my son is willing to do anything .... he already knows he wants to reapply next year if they deny his waiver. Any words of advice for us?
I wish your son the best! I was a little nervous to start the program because it isn’t FDA approved but I knew this was the only way to get medically qualified. Just try and find a good allergist. All will work out in the end.
 
Hey everyone, I'm new to this website, but I wanted to share some amazing news. Last year, I was an applicant to 3 of the 5 Service Academies and was also, I was awarded an Air Force ROTC Commander's Scholarship out of high school. Last year, I received crushing news that I was medically disqualified from all of the academies as well as my Air Force ROTC Scholarship for a Peanut Allergy. Although I was medically disqualified from AFROTC, I thought I was able to continue the program, just not on scholarship. I went through 6 weeks of AFROTC and was unfortunately released from the program because of my medical situation. Once, I found out the news I was devastated because I worked so hard and received a scholarship. I found an avenue, peanut immunotherapy, that would potentially help me overcome my peanut allergy. I underwent months of immunotherapy from the end of my senior year into my freshman year of college and it was 100% successful. After all this, I submitted all my paperwork to DODMERB but was yet again medically disqualified for a history of a food allergy (Can I catch a break?). I kept persistent through the process and gave them all medical records asked for by waiver authorities. Tonight, at 2230 in my dorm room, I received word from DODMERB that my medical waiver was GRANTED. I cannot find the words to explain my joy because I done everything in my power to get to this point to be a Commissioned Officer in the Worlds Greatest Air Force.

Thank you for reading. If you have a peanut allergy, look into any and all potential avenues to gain medical qualification. There is always a way, you just have to be willing to find it!
Hi Jeremy congratulations!! Where did you go to get the immunotherapy and how long didi it take? I read that all immunotherapy needs to be stopped within one year of applying. Sounds like they did not care that you did not wait one year before applying if I'm correct?
 
@jeremy_v
Hey everyone, I'm new to this website, but I wanted to share some amazing news. Last year, I was an applicant to 3 of the 5 Service Academies and was also, I was awarded an Air Force ROTC Commander's Scholarship out of high school. Last year, I received crushing news that I was medically disqualified from all of the academies as well as my Air Force ROTC Scholarship for a Peanut Allergy. Although I was medically disqualified from AFROTC, I thought I was able to continue the program, just not on scholarship. I went through 6 weeks of AFROTC and was unfortunately released from the program because of my medical situation. Once, I found out the news I was devastated because I worked so hard and received a scholarship. I found an avenue, peanut immunotherapy, that would potentially help me overcome my peanut allergy. I underwent months of immunotherapy from the end of my senior year into my freshman year of college and it was 100% successful. After all this, I submitted all my paperwork to DODMERB but was yet again medically disqualified for a history of a food allergy (Can I catch a break?). I kept persistent through the process and gave them all medical records asked for by waiver authorities. Tonight, at 2230 in my dorm room, I received word from DODMERB that my medical waiver was GRANTED. I cannot find the words to explain my joy because I done everything in my power to get to this point to be a Commissioned Officer in the Worlds Greatest Air Force.

Thank you for reading. If you have a peanut allergy, look into any and all potential avenues to gain medical qualification. There is always a way, you just have to be willing to find it!
That is fantastic!!! Good for you! My son is also allergic and underwent immunotherapy successfully. He is now able to freely eat all allergens...just hoping and praying for a waiver!!! Congratulations and best of luck!!!
 
@jeremy_v

That is fantastic!!! Good for you! My son is also allergic and underwent immunotherapy successfully. He is now able to freely eat all allergens...just hoping and praying for a waiver!!! Congratulations and best of luck!!!
Happy to report DS received waiver today for his allergy DQ! NROTC plan B firmly in place! Now just hoping USNA will grant a waiver.
 
Hey everyone, I'm new to this website, but I wanted to share some amazing news. Last year, I was an applicant to 3 of the 5 Service Academies and was also, I was awarded an Air Force ROTC Commander's Scholarship out of high school. Last year, I received crushing news that I was medically disqualified from all of the academies as well as my Air Force ROTC Scholarship for a Peanut Allergy. Although I was medically disqualified from AFROTC, I thought I was able to continue the program, just not on scholarship. I went through 6 weeks of AFROTC and was unfortunately released from the program because of my medical situation. Once, I found out the news I was devastated because I worked so hard and received a scholarship. I found an avenue, peanut immunotherapy, that would potentially help me overcome my peanut allergy. I underwent months of immunotherapy from the end of my senior year into my freshman year of college and it was 100% successful. After all this, I submitted all my paperwork to DODMERB but was yet again medically disqualified for a history of a food allergy (Can I catch a break?). I kept persistent through the process and gave them all medical records asked for by waiver authorities. Tonight, at 2230 in my dorm room, I received word from DODMERB that my medical waiver was GRANTED. I cannot find the words to explain my joy because I done everything in my power to get to this point to be a Commissioned Officer in the Worlds Greatest Air Force.

Thank you for reading. If you have a peanut allergy, look into any and all potential avenues to gain medical qualification. There is always a way, you just have to be willing to find it!

Can I ask what type of medical records did you provide that finally allowed them to grant you your waiver?

Thank you!
 
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