What do I need to report? Medical records or reality?

[bananafish]

I recently checked my medical records online and saw a diagnosis for kyphosis. I'm not going to get into it, but when I was 12 a specialist said I might've had slight kyphosis (although x-rays showed a healthy spine shape). I almost certainly do not have kyphosis (if I do, it must be extremely slight). My doctor has stated that I don't have it. Despite this, it's on my record. Does this mean I have to say that I have a spine abnormality? If I do report it like so, will I be automatically DQ'ed, or will it show up after the medical exam that I don't actually have a spine issue?

 

[A1Janitor]

Your medical report is reality.

Report properly. During medical exam explain it to the doctor. Bring records to support your position.

Not reporting based on self diagnosis is worse imo. It will show up and then you will have to overcome a second hurdle.

Others more knowledgeable than me can correct me if I am wrong.

 

[bananafish]

Your medical report is reality.

Report properly. During medical exam explain it to the doctor. Bring records to support your position.

Not reporting based on self diagnosis is worse imo. It will show up and then you will have to overcome a second hurdle.

Others more knowledgeable than me can correct me if I am wrong.

Thank you for the reply. I would normally definitely not want to self diagnose, but it feels a little different since I was not even aware that it was an official thing for me until just recently, and my doctor has contradicted what's on paper. I understand it's probably best to report what's written down anyway

 

[justdoit19]

Thank you for the reply. I would normally definitely not want to self diagnose, but it feels a little different since I was not even aware that it was an official thing for me until just recently, and my doctor has contradicted what's on paper. I understand it's probably best to report what's written down anyway

Can you get the specialist to follow through with their findings, that you don’t have it?? Bc as it stands, you state that a specialist says you do. So that is in your medical history.

It’s not uncommon to have things in your history. You will be able to address it through your DODMERB process. Including the specialist stating you don’t have it, if you dont.

 

[bananafish]

Can you get the specialist to follow through with their findings, that you don’t have it?? Bc as it stands, you state that a specialist says you do. So that is in your medical history.

It’s not uncommon to have things in your history. You will be able to address it through your DODMERB process. Including the specialist stating you don’t have it, if you dont.

To clarify, my primary care doctor has said that I don't have it. I only saw the specialist the one time, and although I recall him going back on his first-impression judgement based on the x-rays, I guess he still wrote it in my records. If someone had asked me if the specialist had diagnosed me with anything I would have honestly said no. But I guess I'd be wrong. I doubt I'll be able to see the same specialist again. I could try to talk to my primary care doctor or find another specialist to state that I don't have it/no longer significantly have it

 

[justdoit19]

To clarify, my primary care doctor has said that I don't have it. I only saw the specialist the one time, and although I recall him going back on his first-impression judgement based on the x-rays, I guess he still wrote it in my records. If someone had asked me if the specialist had diagnosed me with anything I would have honestly said no. But I guess I'd be wrong. I doubt I'll be able to see the same specialist again. I could try to talk to my primary care doctor or find another specialist to state that I don't have it/no longer significantly have it

That’s my point, beyond whether or not you actually have the condition, is that it’s in your medical records.

You will need things all buttoned up, nice and neat. No open items. It sounds like you have open items? Imo, my focus at this point would be to get things all closed and resolved. It’s your medical records that will tell your story to DODMERB. They will want official medical records, not stories from the candidate (if this is something that requires AMI, etc). I’m not a medical person at all. But my experience in life and from what I’ve seen here, is that your records should be complete. If that means your DR/Specialist says they misdiagnosed? That’s so be it. No clue. But you do have this in your records. You won’t be able to say ‘they aren’t correct’ and have that be the final word. If that makes sense?

Maybe talk to your parents about how to get your situation resolved? Maybe get you medical records to reflect reality? Attacking it from that angle would be how I would handle this. To your question.

 

[TIME2GO]

I want to clarify to begin - I am new to this forum - I have 0 experience with DODMERB. I have worked for over 30 years in radiology. I would suggest document/document/document. Speak to your physicians, get full spine AP/PA and lat images if necessary to prove you do not have kyphosis. Years ago, before the era of electronic records, digital imaging and insurance companies dictating how they will cover medical expenses, a diagnosis of kyphosis would be easy to reverse once ruled out. In today's world, insurance will not pay for imaging with a diagnosis of "rule out kyphosis" or "check for kyphosis" because that could mean everyone with insurance could get an x-ray just to "rule something out". No. They need a symptom or diagnosis to justify ionizing radiation and insurance payment. They need a diagnosis code and an electronic "footprint" in the system that is nearly impossible to remove once it's there. Scoliosis is a common curvature often diagnosed in young people. It is seen best on an AP or PA image and can change in degree over time. Kyphosis, seen on a lateral image is often seen in older adults as their spines begin to round and hunch over. It is less likely that a young person has a kyphosis. I hope you can get this all figured out and if it truly was a misdiagnosis or misunderstanding, you can get it all figured out and it won't hold you back. Best of luck!

 

[Herman_Snerd]

I’ll just echo some sage comments above – if it’s in your medical record, it exists. And if it isn’t it doesn’t. And if as you stated your record states you have this spinal curvature, then get an expert to say No, he/she/they does not and here’s an image that shoes they don’t.

Overall guidance here if you can is to have a medical expert document you do not have this diagnosis in your medical records. Directly state it’s a non-issue, in your chart, with proof.

Additional general guidance is to not self-diagnose – have seen candidates trigger DODMERB additional medical info required reviews/ pauses and even self-eliminate by providing diagnosis that no medical professional diagnosed/ documented. Examples: “I think I’m _____ depressed, I think I have migraines, I think my arm was broken because I never went to a doctor but it hurts when it rains etc., I think I have arthritis, etc. - Don’t do it – let the evaluation and prior medical records speak for themselves.

Good luck to you.