Possible Disqualifications?

[APGINX]

Wondering about possible disqualifications from DODMERB for USMA. Answers to these situations would be appreciated.


1. I went through a period in middle school where I pulled out my eyelashes, and my doctor recommended me to see a therapist, so my mom scheduled an appointment with one. After thinking about it, I never actually went to see them/do the appointment. I don’t think we sent in any personal information about me to them, besides names and such. Would I have to answer that I saw a therapist on the form? Would this DQ me?

2. I had mild asthma as a kid, and took an inhaler and used a nebulizer at around 5 years old. Sometimes I’ve used an inhaler when I have a sickness like bronchitis. I don’t have asthma, and haven’t had symptoms since maybe 7 years old?

3. I was hospitalized for ITP - Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, with a platelet count of 1, at 8 years old. I read the Dodmerb disqualification form about how it would be disqualifying if it’s recurring (which it’s not) so I’d assume this wouldn’t DQ me?

 

[Pima]

1. You never saw the therapist.
~ Don't self diagnose.
2. They ask for diagnosis's after 13.
3. I would be pro-active in this scenario. Go to your family doc to make sure you do not have ITP.
~ A because it is now part of your current medical records proving it is not recurring
~ B because it is important to make sure you doctor looks into this issue from a health safety issue.

 

[kinnem]

+1 to Pima on all counts, especially #1. Never self diagnose.

 

[AROTC-dad]

+1 Pima.
When completing the DoDMERB questionnaire, answer every question specifically and truthfully.....no more and no less.

If the answer is no, then the answer is no. Not, "no, but I almost went to the therapist because I was...."

 

[APGINX]

Understood, thanks for the information.

 

[Tbpxece]

Sometimes I’ve used an inhaler when I have a sickness like bronchitis.

I read that as a post-13 year-old activity.

Stop doing that. Don't do it again.

If you actually need an inhaler when you have bronchitis, then you likely have asthma. Healthy people don't need inhalers for bronchitis.

 

[Pima]

Tbpxece, I kind of disagree with your statement, but I think I know where you are coming from.

APGINX, when you have bronchitis, did the doc state you need to use the inhaler? Are you self diagnosing, and not going to the doc, just deciding that the doc said it in the past and it worked so you will do it again. If the doc says you need it, that you need to continue with the inhaler anytime they say so.
~ Easy way to get around this is, when the doc prescribes the inhaler make sure it is not a refillable prescription. Make sure your doc also places in your file it is bronchitis, new asthma notations, unless it is asthma related.

My concern is how often are you having bronchitis?

 

[APGINX]

I’ve gotten it like twice in the past few years, and it usually follows after I have a cold that I don’t take care of soon enough, which results in post-nasal drip that causes coughing and sometimes even bronchitis. As stated previously, I’ve only had it ~2 times in the past few years, I don’t think that’s worrying? Or is it...


I don’t think it’s ever been prescribed by my doctor to use the inhaler, just my mom telling me to use it to lessen the cough. My doctor sometimes prescribes me antiobiotics for the sickness, pretty normal. Just refrain from using it from now on?

 

[kinnem]

I’ve gotten it like twice in the past few years, and it usually follows after I have a cold that I don’t take care of soon enough, which results in post-nasal drip that causes coughing and sometimes even bronchitis. As stated previously, I’ve only had it ~2 times in the past few years, I don’t think that’s worrying? Or is it...


I don’t think it’s ever been prescribed by my doctor to use the inhaler, just my mom telling me to use it to lessen the cough. My doctor sometimes prescribes me antiobiotics for the sickness, pretty normal. Just refrain from using it from now on?

No one here knows you or your medical conditions. Be guided by your doctor. You may want the doctor to be mindful of what using an inhaler might mean for your future dreams.

 

[Pima]

As Tbpxece stated, STOP. if you are now self diagnosing a condition which you do not know for sure you have. I get trust your parents, but an inhaler is a prescription and the doc should be the one to make that decision.

Has the doc stated in fact you had bronchitis 2x in the past few years in your records? Few yrs = what? 2 or 3 yrs. In essence, every yr. Or are you self diagnosing?

 

[Tbpxece]

Tbpxece, I kind of disagree with your statement, but I think I know where you are coming from.a related.

Where I'm coming from/getting at is in the DODI, para 5.10.e (emphasis mine):

"History of prescription or use of medication (including but not limited to inhaled or oral corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or any beta agonists) for airway hyper responsiveness after the 13th birthday."

Airway Hyper-responsiveness defined as: "History of airway hyper responsiveness including asthma, reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm or asthmatic bronchitis, after the 13th birthday."

"Symptoms suggestive of airway hyper responsiveness include but are not limited to cough, wheeze, chest tightness, dyspnea or functional exercise limitations after the 13th birthday."

Continued use of an inhaler coupled with a history of asthma will make any provider very suspicious that the asthma may have lessened, but not actually resolved.

Also, it is (at best) a grey area to use prescription medications without a current prescription. At worse, it's a crime.

Hence, my strong direction to stop doing that and don't do it again.

 

[Tbpxece]

The definition of asthma has grown in the past decade to include many symptoms other than the classic presentation of difficulty breathing. Best to avoid even a whiff of it (pun intended) at this stage.

 

[Pima]

Continued use of an inhaler coupled with a history of asthma will make any provider very suspicious that the asthma may have lessened, but not actually resolved.

Yes, but they have no history of asthma after 13.

xposted. Again, I do agree it opens the OP up, but a doctor needs to be the final decision. It appears that APGINX is self medicating when it comes to his post, but being a parent, maybe his Mom knows more and that is why she says use it.

My best advice is simple and the same from the beginning. It appears the OP is no older than a junior in HS (too late to be a USMA 2023 candidate) If the folks have health insurance than go to your family doc and ask for a physical. Talk to the doc and explain that you have concerns about the inhaler. If they feel you do not need it at all, have it annotated in your medical file.
~ You don't necessarily jump to DQ, sometimes it is a remedial. Remedials can vary from additional testing or just send in your medical records.

Yearly bronchitis might be an issue. Key word MIGHT.

 

[Tbpxece]

Continued use of an inhaler coupled with a history of asthma will make any provider very suspicious that the asthma may have lessened, but not actually resolved.

Yes, but they have no history of asthma after 13.

Perhaps, but I'm not the one to convince.

To my layman's eyes, a childhood history of asthma coupled with continued use of an inhaler well after the age of 13 would warrant further investigation.

Atypical asthma has many presentations.

 

[Tbpxece]

I don’t think it’s ever been prescribed by my doctor to use the inhaler, just my mom telling me to use it to lessen the cough.

Understandable, and hopefully it was never prescribed.

Just refrain from using it from now on?

​

Yes, if you have never been instructed to use it by a provider. You should never use medications not prescribed to you. Especially once you are in the military.

 

[APGINX]

I play tennis, a pretty intensive sport - at the level I am at, that can be constant physical activity for upwards of two hours (or more). I’ve never had a problem with coughing/wheezing or any other symptoms related to asthma.

Could I take an asthma test at the doctor’s to essentially prove I don’t have respiratory problems? I’ll take Pima’s advice as well about the physical. Thanks. I’ll refrain from using the inhaler.

 

[ProudDad17]

Getting a bit away from the inhaler use issue, I'd say be prepared to provide documentation of the diagnosis from your doctor. My DS had some wheezing when he had a cold at 2 or 3 years old. When filling out DODMERB questionnaire, DW seemed to remember the doctor calling it asthma and using an inhaler once or twice until he got over the cold. Never an issue with it again. We verified this old diagnosis with his pediatrician and that there was never another issue before checking yes on the questionnaire. Even though he was 2 or 3 years old at the time and never had any recurrence, he still had to fill out and additional asthma questionnaire and provide some medical records before being cleared. He did not need a waiver; they just asked for more information.

 

[justdoit19]

I’ve gotten it like twice in the past few years, and it usually follows after I have a cold that I don’t take care of soon enough, which results in post-nasal drip that causes coughing and sometimes even bronchitis. As stated previously, I’ve only had it ~2 times in the past few years, I don’t think that’s worrying? Or is it...


I don’t think it’s ever been prescribed by my doctor to use the inhaler, just my mom telling me to use it to lessen the cough. My doctor sometimes prescribes me antiobiotics for the sickness, pretty normal. Just refrain from using it from now on?

Have you by chance seen the questionnaire that you will fill out for DODMRB? Doing what you are doing with you inhaler is a can of worms...and that is evident by the debate here on this thread as you can see. It’s not only using it, but the interpretation of ‘history of, etc’ in reporting stuff. From now on, it would be highly beneficial to have everything documented (and therefore also diagnosed and prescribed) by a medical doctor. You are going to have to attest to certain medical issues when applying. And it’s best and easiest to have everything adequately documented. DODMRB can be challenging, and muddying up those waters with self diagnosis (even if it makes sense, which I’m not debating) makes the process even more difficult. IMO.

 

[Tbpxece]

I play tennis, a pretty intensive sport - at the level I am at, that can be constant physical activity for upwards of two hours (or more). I’ve never had a problem with coughing/wheezing or any other symptoms related to asthma.

Fair enough, but that's not really conclusive. Justine Henin has asthma. So does Dennis Rodman.

Could I take an asthma test at the doctor’s to essentially prove I don’t have respiratory problems?

No, it's hard to prove a negative, and you would be calling attention to the whole thing. Press on as if you'd never posted here, report honestly on your DODMERB, and wait for them to ask for a remedial or additional information. Perhaps they won't.

I’ll refrain from using the inhaler.

Given that you say you do not have a prescription or medical instruction to do so, good. Glad to hear it.​

 

[DSM]

+1 to Pima on all counts, especially #1. Never self diagnose.

Wondering about possible disqualifications from DODMERB for USMA. Answers to these situations would be appreciated.


1. I went through a period in middle school where I pulled out my eyelashes, and my doctor recommended me to see a therapist, so my mom scheduled an appointment with one. After thinking about it, I never actually went to see them/do the appointment. I don’t think we sent in any personal information about me to them, besides names and such. Would I have to answer that I saw a therapist on the form? Would this DQ me?

2. I had mild asthma as a kid, and took an inhaler and used a nebulizer at around 5 years old. Sometimes I’ve used an inhaler when I have a sickness like bronchitis. I don’t have asthma, and haven’t had symptoms since maybe 7 years old?

3. I was hospitalized for ITP - Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, with a platelet count of 1, at 8 years old. I read the Dodmerb disqualification form about how it would be disqualifying if it’s recurring (which it’s not) so I’d assume this wouldn’t DQ me?

I play tennis, a pretty intensive sport - at the level I am at, that can be constant physical activity for upwards of two hours (or more). I’ve never had a problem with coughing/wheezing or any other symptoms related to asthma.

Fair enough, but that's not really conclusive. Justine Henin has asthma. So does Dennis Rodman.

Could I take an asthma test at the doctor’s to essentially prove I don’t have respiratory problems?

No, it's hard to prove a negative, and you would be calling attention to the whole thing. Press on as if you'd never posted here, report honestly on your DODMERB, and wait for them to ask for a remedial or additional information. Perhaps they won't.

I’ll refrain from using the inhaler.

Given that you say you do not have a prescription or medical instruction to do so, good. Glad to hear it.​

How do I post a question in here, instead of replying?