Qualified with Severe Peanut Allergy

ab24

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2019
Messages
67
Since I've been seeing a lot of questions regarding peanut allergies and DODMERB I thought it would be a good idea to post my story here.


I was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy in 2006 (11.2/100 IgE with an upward trend) which was confirmed over several blood tests spanning from 2006 to 2012. I was not issued an epi-pen somehow, and just avoided peanuts for most of my life.

During my senior year of high school I started my application process for AROTC and NROTC, but given that I had a severe peanut allergy, I knew it would be an uphill battle for medical qualification given the military's strict policy against people with peanut allergies. Given this, I started oral immunotherapy where I would eat a designated amount of peanut cereal under the direction of my family allergist. She was initially hesitant to let me do this despite my severity but she knew why I was there and why I wanted to kick this allergy. (please note, some allergies are severe enough so that oral immunotherapy is not an option in the first place)

After this, I finished my immunotherapy three months later to the point where my allergist was comfortable with me doing a peanut challenge. I completed the said challenge and had it documented by my allergist and my physician. One important thing to note with this was that it was before my dodmerb exam. Being proactive is key in the military and the dodmerb process is no different.

I disclosed my peanut allergy to dodmerb and took the exam with fingers crossed. After a few weeks my status went to remedial at the request of a few clarifying documents and statements from my allergist showing my progression and history of reactions over the course of my immunotherapy. After these documents were sent, I was fully qualified and my remedial status went away.


I know DODMERB is a case by case basis, but taking the time to being proactive about an allergy like this is extremely important. However, you have to understand not all allergies are alike. For some candidates, their peanut allergies will be too high and there is very little hope of improvement or waiver acceptance. This is a part of the process and you must prepare for that outcome regardless. This is especially true for candidates who have been issued epi-pens and have consistent history with anaphylactic reactions.

Probably the most important aspect of this process, aside from the oral challenge is honesty. ROTC and the academies are built on a code of conduct. In my case, it is "A Midshipman never lies, cheats or steals, and does not tolerate those who do." Carry that mentality going into this process and your prospective military career. If you are willing to lie on a medical exam, you're going to be willing to lie on more things in the future. To be honest, my medical process, despite being tedious, was one of the easiest things I have done for ROTC so far. If you are starting by lying on something like that, then being an honest mid, cadet, etc is going to be an uphill battle, because it doesn't get any easier. If you do lie on this exam, and it is discovered later (it most likely will be, these things tend to come to the surface) the consequences will be so much more severe than if you disclose and are DQ'ed.

For me, my plan B was law enforcement, so I got a job that would help me in that field if I was DQ. Now, that option, regardless of my time in ROTC, is starting to seem like more of the path I want to take with my life instead (I am doing ROTC and law enforcement concurrently as of right now).

This part of the process is all learning and you will get through it. Just make sure to have a backup plan.


Edit: This was last year, not this year.
 
Last edited:
Excellent, excellent, excellent.
 
Is there a DoDMERB specific question above? If so, send to me at dodmerb_safoums@yahoo.com.

State: " ab24-complete name and last 4- peanut" I will answer tonight
 
Understand now, after reading your previous posting. Thx :)
 
Since I've been seeing a lot of questions regarding peanut allergies and DODMERB I thought it would be a good idea to post my story here.


I was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy in 2006 (11.2/100 IgE with an upward trend) which was confirmed over several blood tests spanning from 2006 to 2012. I was not issued an epi-pen somehow, and just avoided peanuts for most of my life.

During my senior year of high school I started my application process for AROTC and NROTC, but given that I had a severe peanut allergy, I knew it would be an uphill battle for medical qualification given the military's strict policy against people with peanut allergies. Given this, I started oral immunotherapy where I would eat a designated amount of peanut cereal under the direction of my family allergist. She was initially hesitant to let me do this despite my severity but she knew why I was there and why I wanted to kick this allergy. (please note, some allergies are severe enough so that oral immunotherapy is not an option in the first place)

After this, I finished my immunotherapy three months later to the point where my allergist was comfortable with me doing a peanut challenge. I completed the said challenge and had it documented by my allergist and my physician. One important thing to note with this was that it was before my dodmerb exam. Being proactive is key in the military and the dodmerb process is no different.

I disclosed my peanut allergy to dodmerb and took the exam with fingers crossed. After a few weeks my status went to remedial at the request of a few clarifying documents and statements from my allergist showing my progression and history of reactions over the course of my immunotherapy. After these documents were sent, I was fully qualified and my remedial status went away.


I know DODMERB is a case by case basis, but taking the time to being proactive about an allergy like this is extremely important. However, you have to understand not all allergies are alike. For some candidates, their peanut allergies will be too high and there is very little hope of improvement or waiver acceptance. This is a part of the process and you must prepare for that outcome regardless. This is especially true for candidates who have been issued epi-pens and have consistent history with anaphylactic reactions.

Probably the most important aspect of this process, aside from the oral challenge is honesty. ROTC and the academies are built on a code of conduct. In my case, it is "A Midshipman never lies, cheats or steals, and does not tolerate those who do." Carry that mentality going into this process and your prospective military career. If you are willing to lie on a medical exam, you're going to be willing to lie on more things in the future. To be honest, my medical process, despite being tedious, was one of the easiest things I have done for ROTC so far. If you are starting by lying on something like that, then being an honest mid, cadet, etc is going to be an uphill battle, because it doesn't get any easier. If you do lie on this exam, and it is discovered later (it most likely will be, these things tend to come to the surface) the consequences will be so much more severe than if you disclose and are DQ'ed.

For me, my plan B was law enforcement, so I got a job that would help me in that field if I was DQ. Now, that option, regardless of my time in ROTC, is starting to seem like more of the path I want to take with my life instead (I am doing ROTC and law enforcement concurrently as of right now).

This part of the process is all learning and you will get through it. Just make sure to have a backup plan.


Edit: This was last year, not this year.
Thanks for sharing this post...very informative. Does your allergist require you to carry an epipen now that you have completed the immunotherapy?
 
Nope. I am fully cleared to eat peanuts. The Reese's Take Five bars are my go-to sweet now. ROTC aside, it is awesome to not police my food for allergens anymore.

One thing with this is immunotherapy does not work for everyone. I just happened to respond well but it won't be the case for everyone.
 
Nope. I am fully cleared to eat peanuts. The Reese's Take Five bars are my go-to sweet now. ROTC aside, it is awesome to not police my food for allergens anymore.

One thing with this is immunotherapy does not work for everyone. I just happened to respond well but it won't be the case for everyone.
My son is being recruited for a sport. He is almost half way through and has not had any reaction to this point. Did you ever have any reactions going through the immunotherapy? Should we wait to apply or at least start the application process? Not sure how long the application process takes and if it will sync up with him completing OIT. Hoping he will have completed his therapy in the next 4-5 mths.
 
The DQ will be applied and it will be evaluated by the SA for medical waiver.
 
The DQ will be applied and it will be evaluated by the SA for medical waiver.
Should he start his application now before he completes the OIT or when would you suggest applying? Just trying to understand the timeframe and how long would it take once he applies to be DQ'd and then go through the waiver process?
 
All applications should be submitted as early as possible 😁
 
To expand on Mr. Mullen’s response, especially when facing a known DQ as there are only so many waivers granted each year and so you want to be in the front of the line with your application.
 
My daughter tests positive with serum and skin testing for peanuts as well as many other foods. She can eat peanuts without difficulty. She avoided them for years only because the testing was positive but the allergist told her she could eat them again so she has. She actually has Food Pollen Allergy Syndrome so many things show up positive. She developed eosinophilic esophagitis. We’ve been proactive with testing and sent in reports and test results. I have never heard of anyone getting a waiver for this but she’s trying. Has anyone heard of someone getting a waiver for this? I know it’s a case by case basis but it’s be nice to know if it has been done before.
 
I don’t know of any that have been approved for EoE...
 
My son is being recruited for a sport. He is almost half way through and has not had any reaction to this point. Did you ever have any reactions going through the immunotherapy? Should we wait to apply or at least start the application process? Not sure how long the application process takes and if it will sync up with him completing OIT. Hoping he will have completed his therapy in the next 4-5 mths.

I did not have any reactions throughout the OIT process. However, when I did get initially skin tested, I got a sizable hive (before OIT). I had my OIT and challenge completed before my exam, so my status went to remedial and then qualified, so I was never really DQ'ed to begin with. I would recommend applying as early as possible but I would not recommend applying if you are not 100% confident that your son will be able to pass a peanut challenge.

I am not qualified to speak definitely on this, but I would imagine it's better to go in with a passed peanut test and hoping for a remedial then
 
In life, there’s always a “chance.” But, now you know the gravity of the situation
 
I did not have any reactions throughout the OIT process. However, when I did get initially skin tested, I got a sizable hive (before OIT). I had my OIT and challenge completed before my exam, so my status went to remedial and then qualified, so I was never really DQ'ed to begin with. I would recommend applying as early as possible but I would not recommend applying if you are not 100% confident that your son will be able to pass a peanut challenge.

I am not qualified to speak definitely on this, but I would imagine it's better to go in with a passed peanut test and hoping for a remedial then
Sorry I know this has been awhile but working through the process and wondering if your Dr had to write a letter or just provide test results? The SA is my son's top choice. His recruiter mentioned getting a letter to him from his dr to see if he would even have a chance to be waiverable. We are concerned about him turning down scholarship offers from other colleges if really has no chance for a waiver. His dr has never had to write a note for a service academy before and is wondering what verbiage is generally included in a letter?
 
You need a letter and test results. A letter without test results does not mean much because the doctor does not specialize in what makes someone fit for military service. If you only have the opinion of a doctor on your side and the biology of your son's allergy says another thing, you're fighting an uphill battle.
 
Let me bring it back to the basics:

1. No one will be medically qualified for military accession with a “history of” a severe allergy to peanuts.

2. “If” someone successfully completes a therapeutic regime of immunotherapy, they “may” be considered for a medical waiver by the SAs/ROTC programs/Enlistment
 
You need a letter and test results. A letter without test results does not mean much because the doctor does not specialize in what makes someone fit for military service. If you only have the opinion of a doctor on your side and the biology of your son's allergy says another thing, you're fighting an uphill battle.
Thank you
 
Back
Top