My doctor suggested that I start medication a few weeks ago. I talked about this with all my cadre and they gave me a list of repercussions that made me reconsider and decide not to take medicine. This weekend though I ended up in the ER for a day… they asked me questions and then released me because everything was “fine”. Do I need to report this immediately or can I talk to my PMS about it when I see him in person this week? Do I even need to report an ER incident if everything was ok and it wasn’t inpatient/overnight?
Swayed to Reconsider Medication - Went to ER
GWU PNS (emeritus)
George Washington University Capital Battalion
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First off, you had posted on a similar theme in a different post along the lines of whether or not you might have to repay any scholarship benefits if you dropped from the ROTC program due to a medical condition. Several long time members here posted what I thought was very helpful advice.
A small portion from my answer on that previous post is here......
"One option you should consider discussing with your PMS is the potential for a medical leave of absence. It would be time away from the unit so you can focus on your condition and getting better.
If you are enjoying your time at the unit then communicate that to your PMS to avoid any confusion that you just want to leave. Ultimately, the decision to keep you in the program will fall to the medical authorities for the (Army I think in your case?) Don't let that determine when you seek help or whether you seek help. If you need help, then have the courage to get that help and then you can move out from there."
So you had some situation which prompted you to visit the emergency room. Despite that specific incident resulting in no required medication, you already have some form of a diagnosis where a different doctor recommended you take medication.
Different posters here will give recommendations on when you should discuss your issue with yoir chain of command. Here is what I will try to convey one last time. You are a bit of a ticking time bomb. Please stop shopping around for various medical advice when you are struggling right now. I again recommend whomever you consider a trusted friend or mentor or your parents......but I think the doctor's advice for medication is looking pretty prudent given your ER visit.
Is your ROTC scholarship important? Not as important as your mental health.
A small portion from my answer on that previous post is here......
"One option you should consider discussing with your PMS is the potential for a medical leave of absence. It would be time away from the unit so you can focus on your condition and getting better.
If you are enjoying your time at the unit then communicate that to your PMS to avoid any confusion that you just want to leave. Ultimately, the decision to keep you in the program will fall to the medical authorities for the (Army I think in your case?) Don't let that determine when you seek help or whether you seek help. If you need help, then have the courage to get that help and then you can move out from there."
So you had some situation which prompted you to visit the emergency room. Despite that specific incident resulting in no required medication, you already have some form of a diagnosis where a different doctor recommended you take medication.
Different posters here will give recommendations on when you should discuss your issue with yoir chain of command. Here is what I will try to convey one last time. You are a bit of a ticking time bomb. Please stop shopping around for various medical advice when you are struggling right now. I again recommend whomever you consider a trusted friend or mentor or your parents......but I think the doctor's advice for medication is looking pretty prudent given your ER visit.
Is your ROTC scholarship important? Not as important as your mental health.
Thank you so much. I’m just having a hard time coming to terms that I may lose what I worked so hard for. I know the right answer. I’m going to try to take the step of accepting medication this week… I just feel so ashamed and like I’m giving up - because ultimately it is MY decision to start the medication. And that means I failed in self-coping mechanisms
I’m trying to convince myself that I am still a human with value even if i do take this step, but idk I can’t help but see it as weakness and failure/giving up if I start the medication route. my cadre told me I should try to hold out until after commissioning because they’re more accepting of medication use then - and my ego says I can push through these next 2 years - just keep setting mini timeline goals And before I know it hopefully these 2 years will be over.Thank you so much. I’m just having a hard time coming to terms that I may lose what I worked so hard for. I know the right answer. I’m going to try to take the step of accepting medication this week… I just feel so ashamed and like I’m giving up - because ultimately it is MY decision to start the medication. And that means I failed in self-coping mechanisms
A1Janitor
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GWU PNS (emeritus)
George Washington University Capital Battalion
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Whomever is telling you to just hold out.......1) they are not a health care professional. 2) they cannot possibly understand your personal struggle.
Accepting the help you have been offered by the doctor in terms of the medication is in fact an act of courage. You should call that doctor or your parents and let them know your situation. I am not sure the forums here can offer much more than encouragement for you that the right thing to do is to follow professional medical advice.
unkown1961
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"My doctor suggested that I start medication a few weeks ago. I talked about this with all my cadre and they gave me a list of repercussions that made me reconsider and decide not to take medicine." - talk to your doctor about the repercussions (which he/she should have gone over with you), don't talk to your cadre about health decisions like this. And include your parents in what's happening.
GoCubbies
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I’m going to be frank here.
Your PMS doesn’t have your health as a priority. The priority of your PMS when it comes to you is to meet his/her commissioning mission. That’s it.
At this point, you technically don’t meet the accessions standards anyway. There’s a reason why your doctor recommended you take the medication. It’s because you have anxiety, depression, or whatever it is. The fact you decided not to take the medication doesn’t mean you suddenly don’t have depression, anxiety, etc… What it means is now you have depression, anxiety, etc that isn’t treated. That’s not good.
You need to inform the PMS ASAP about going to the ER.
Remember, there’s repercussions regardless of medication use. You’ve got some condition that needs to get treated.
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Someone once told me so thing that was kind of an ‘ah-haa’ kind of thing: if your vision was bad and you needed glasses, you wouldn’t think twice about seeing a professional, and wearing glasses. If your arm was broken and you needed a cast, you wouldn’t hesitate to see a doctor, and cast your arm in order to heal.
Mental health is the same. And should be treated, if broken. Or if an adjustment or assistance is needed. Just like any other health issue.
A buddy cannot diagnose a broken arm, or vision, and they cannot diagnose your mental health. Perhaps getting a 2nd professional opinion could help you, but leave the diagnosis and treatment to the professionals. And don’t feel ashamed. Just as seeking treatment for an injured arm, or vision issue isn’t shameful.
Mental health is the same. And should be treated, if broken. Or if an adjustment or assistance is needed. Just like any other health issue.
A buddy cannot diagnose a broken arm, or vision, and they cannot diagnose your mental health. Perhaps getting a 2nd professional opinion could help you, but leave the diagnosis and treatment to the professionals. And don’t feel ashamed. Just as seeking treatment for an injured arm, or vision issue isn’t shameful.
OMG. This is what they told me at the ER (the glasses for vision metaphor) and that made me see it in a different perspective. Thank you for your support
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You will get through this. And it’s only a point in time for you. Someday this will only be a story, on your life radar, of where you ultimately end up.
TBVADAD
Dad to 3 great kids.
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Yes, please take care of yourself.
Personal story:
I didn't seek medical treatment for PTSD for almost 8 years. This almost caused me my marriage, kids, and job.
I was a wreck (will spare the details). The whole time the only thing I was worried about was as soon as I seek treatment my clearance will be pulled. This is how I pay the bills I thought.
I did seek treatment. It really changed my life. After all that worrying I did. My career is actually is a much better place now.
Personal story:
I didn't seek medical treatment for PTSD for almost 8 years. This almost caused me my marriage, kids, and job.
I was a wreck (will spare the details). The whole time the only thing I was worried about was as soon as I seek treatment my clearance will be pulled. This is how I pay the bills I thought.
I did seek treatment. It really changed my life. After all that worrying I did. My career is actually is a much better place now.
Thank you for giving us your personal experience
Much smaller scale, but I recently lost my long-term boyfriend due to my emotional irregulation, lost my friends, and am distancing family. It has large effects 
and I want to repair the relationships with not only myself but others too. Just got prescription today!
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2017
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- 811
It sounds like you are being prescribed medication for anxiety or depression. This condition you had caused you to go to the ER. It most likely will lead to the ER again if untreated. A medical condition is not a failure on your part. A failure would be not treating your condition. You can have self value without military service. 99% of the rest of the population does.
First and foremost your health is #1. Find a provider in this space immediately that you can routinely see. Develop a care plan with them. Work towards this. Let him or her know your goals, health and future wise. They can help work with you and ensure you are taken care of in the best way possible. Good luck.