West Point application - allergies/cough

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I am excited to be applying for West Point. My biggest worry is the Dodmerb Report of Medical History. I have been getting allergy shots for environmental sensitivities for about 4 years and should be able to stop those in the upcoming year. I rarely need any over the counter meds or anything else for any symptoms now. 1. Is there an automatic denial for an "immunotherapy" history? And also, with the seasonal issues, I used to have a lingering cough and was prescribed an inhaler for that. I haven't used the "rescue inhaler" to knock down the cough in at least 2 years and I have never had an "asthma attack". I have always had normal FEV1 studies so it wasn't asthma in the traditional sense but my allergist said that in recent years, physicians have considered it to be "presumptive asthma" when there is a lingering cough after a viral illness or seasonal allergy symptoms. I know that honesty is paramount and do not want to hold back anything in a way that would appear that I am not being transparent. I also know that applicants are needlessly denied because they include particular words that may create misunderstanding. 2. What in the world should I be prepared to say when asked about allergies or asthma?
 
Q = 1. Is there an automatic denial for an "immunotherapy" history? And also, with the seasonal issues, I used to have a lingering cough and was prescribed an inhaler for that. I haven't used the "rescue inhaler" to knock down the cough in at least 2 years and I have never had an "asthma attack". I have always had normal FEV1 studies so it wasn't asthma in the traditional sense but my allergist said that in recent years, physicians have considered it to be "presumptive asthma" when there is a lingering cough after a viral illness or seasonal allergy symptoms. I know that honesty is paramount and do not want to hold back anything in a way that would appear that I am not being transparent. I also know that applicants are needlessly denied because they include particular words that may create misunderstanding. 2. What in the world should I be prepared to say when asked about allergies or asthma?

A = NO = 1. Is there an automatic denial for an "immunotherapy" history?

A = Totally Different question. We will need to see all your "allergy" medical records since the age of 13. = And also, with the seasonal issues, I used to have a lingering cough and was prescribed an inhaler for that. I haven't used the "rescue inhaler" to knock down the cough in at least 2 years and I have never had an "asthma attack". I have always had normal FEV1 studies so it wasn't asthma in the traditional sense but my allergist said that in recent years, physicians have considered it to be "presumptive asthma" when there is a lingering cough after a viral illness or seasonal allergy symptoms. I know that honesty is paramount and do not want to hold back anything in a way that would appear that I am not being transparent. I also know that applicants are needlessly denied because they include particular words that may create misunderstanding.

A= The whole truth and nothing but the truth, regarding anything about your medical history. Answer the questions asked. :wiggle: = 2. What in the world should I be prepared to say when asked about allergies or asthma?
 
Thank you for your response. More specifically: 1. Given my history, is the right answer to "asthma" on the form "no"? That is what I believe is the right answer but I am afraid that someone will think that I am being dishonest if there is medical documentation that says that I do or shows that an inhaler was prescribed to me. 2. On the form it asks if you have or have ever had allergies yes or no. I assume that includes my history of environmental allergies. Do I understand that correctly? I'm sorry to be really asking the same question again - it is just that this is what makes me the most nervous about my application and I want to do it right.
 
I'll answer #2 first:

Q = 2. On the form it asks if you have or have ever had allergies yes or no. I assume that includes my history of environmental allergies. Do I understand that correctly? I'm sorry to be really asking the same question again - it is just that this is what makes me the most nervous about my application and I want to do it right.
A = This is not hard. You first implied the answer to that is YES (hence, you're undergoing allergy shots). Then you said " I have been getting allergy shots for environmental sensitivities for about 4 years and should be able to stop those in the upcoming year. I rarely need any over the counter meds or anything else for any symptoms now. " -------- So the answer to the Questions is YES. And your explanation will be " I have been getting allergy shots for environmental sensitivities for about 4 years and should be able to stop those in the upcoming year. I rarely need any over the counter meds or anything else for any symptoms now. "

Q= 1. Given my history, is the right answer to "asthma" on the form "no"? That is what I believe is the right answer but I am afraid that someone will think that I am being dishonest if there is medical documentation that says that I do or shows that an inhaler was prescribed to me.

A = You should answer YES and then provide whatever explanation you want in detail. People that do NOT have asthma...don't get prescribed "Rescue Inhalers." "If in fact it was "presumptive asthma,' that will appear in the records you'll be required to provide.:wiggle:
 
Ok. Thank you.

Also I like your dancing smiley face emoji. It punctuates your email in a way that makes me feel less stupid asking these questions.
 
Asking stupid questions??? Young person (he/she), you are in the minor leagues. When it comes to stupid questions, I'm the World Series MVP:groupwave:.!!!! I have been having major computer problems for the entire month of June! Not because I'm stupid, but because I don't know the secret security hand-shakes or the apps are not intuitive. Case in point, I have a sprinkler system. I have no mechanical abilities at all. I typed in the make and model; got a YouTube video; and it showed me exactly how to program it - what every button was for and did - and now I'm a Master of the Sprinklers!! It's only stupid, when you DON'T know how to do something or what something is....AND....DON'T ASK:bang: You asked, I answered, and NOW, you know:zip:
 
Heh. I hope that your computer issues have been smoothed out. On the bright side, your office now has a resident expert on sprinklers apparently...

As I look at the form now I have another question. It asks about specific allergies (to latex, to food) and I do not have those and that was it for the allergy questions. It asked about medications and I do not take any medications. I am still getting the shots for seasonal allergies - but that isn't a medication so I marked "no" to medications. Now I am wondering if I should have found a way to work the fact that I am getting shots into the form somehow. Am I ok to go to the appointment with the doc and tell him there? Should I be worried that it isn't on my physical form that I submitted?
 
send me an email: Lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil; provide complete name and last 4 SSN; and then paste your posting above to your email.

I am still getting the shots for seasonal allergies - but that isn't a medication==Wrong. It's medication, injected into your body :wiggle:
 
oh no! It sounds like I messed up. Screen shot emailed with name and 4 soc digits.
 
oh no! It sounds like I messed up. Screen shot emailed with name and 4 soc digits.
You are getting help from the Deputy Director of DoDMERB himself. Don’t beat yourself up.

Going forward, when a healthcare provider asks you to create/update a medical history, medications can be taken orally in pill/mist/liquid, they can be injected, they can be topical, or have other delivery methods into or onto the body.

This is a great lesson for applicants. The medical history is the one part of the process I advocate for a parent to be the quality control partner. Every year, we see missteps on the medical history because of assumptions (“I was getting shots, but that’s not medication”) or “over-answering.” The latter is someone self-diagnosing something, because “Grandma Ellie said your Uncle Bobby had the same thing when he was your age, so that’s what it is.” Just read all forms carefully, contact your DoDMERB person to resolve questions, answer questions fully, don’t enter something unless you are sure that’s what you mean to enter, don’t rush through, don’t do it when tired or distracted, get a parent to be your reviewer. They may know something about your young childhood you don’t, and they have no doubt filled out a health history form a time or two.
 
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