Medically DQ'd

[FADECtoBLACK]

I have been going through the application process for OTS with hopes of having everything in for the early July deadline. I just found out today that I have been medically disqualified for a condition I do not have.

During my commissioning physical through MEPS, it came up that I visited a doctor just over a year ago because I had symptoms of this condition for which I have recently been DQ'd. (hemorrhoids if you must know - this is so embarrassing). After seeing the doctor it turns out it wasn't hemorrhoids, just another minor condition that required Metamucil for a couple of days and I was fine - no problems since.

While in with the doctor at MEPS for the commissioning physical, we discussed this past problem (he also made a brief check) and he said I was fine, but because this could be a disqualifying thing, just to have the records from the doctor who originally evaluated me faxed over. The records were very brief and mostly unreadable - but did not indicate any sort of problem.

Turns out they decided to DQ me anyways despite the fact that I do not currently have, or ever have had, hemorrhoids. After talking to my recruiter I have decided to see the original doctor again, have an examination (which I am not looking forward to), and have a thorough write-up completed indicating that I do not have this condition (which I am sure of).

I just want to know if anyone has dealt with a similar disqualification problem, what the process for this is like (time-wise), and what my chances are of becoming medically qualified.

If I miss the opportunity to fly in the Air Force because of this "condition" I will be destroyed... I mean seriously... of all things... BTW - ya'll can keep the "pain in the a$$" jokes to yourself!

 

[Eagleflip]

No, I haven't had the pleasure of this ailment, but I know the process.

If you want OTS enough, then do this:

Go to the original doctor and get a clean bill of health. If he is a Proctologist, even better. His opinion will carry a lot of weight.

This is important: if you indeed do not have the condition, make sure the report says so. If you have a slight case of it, then the approval process will be more difficult, but not impossible.

Then go to yet ANOTHER board certified Proctologist and get his written opinion of your health.

Assuming you do not have the problem, then take both documents to the Doc that DQ'd you and ask for him to review your case again in light of this new information. That should convince him.

If you do have the problem, then you may be able to have it fixed or simply hold it in check. Coming off DQ status in this case may be problematic--the answer will lie in your ability to prove that it is not debilitating and within the standards established for OTS candidates.

You do not want to tick the original Doc off; however, it is in your best interest to "go offensive" with such a problem and show him (with a positive attititude) that you will do whatever you can to become medically qualified. You will be amazed what a positive attitude--and some frantic work--can do.

Good luck!

 

[Bustamove]

DQ Dope

Fade:

Another data point similar to EagleFlip's:

I was DQ'd at MEPs with a faulty diagnosis as well - it was actually a mis-diagnosed back problem that resulted from a recently sprained ankle. The problem was I had had a minor back injury in HS and the MEPs doctor (straight from his women's prison day job no doubt) interpolated that and my weak ankle to mean a chronic condition. Here's what I did:

Went to the orginal specialist from high school, got a thorough examination and clean bill of health in writing and mailed (no faxes in the stone age) to MEPs and my recruiter. Then got another specialist's opinion and clean bill of health with the same distro list.

My recruiter and I then went back to the MEPs doc with coat hangars all over his wall and said hey, it's these two specialists' word against yours. We'll elevate this if we need to but wouldn't it be easier for you to just check again taking into account the additional info these other doctors are providing. He did a cursory face-saving check on me and signed the paper.

Moral of the story is have an inside advocate - your recruiter, spend some bucks to have a real specialist provide a second opinion, and give the MEPs doc a way out.

Also, as an aside, if you get into a jet with a shuck-em-out seat you'll end up with 'roids by the end of your career anyway so don't know why it would be such a big deal.

Best of luck and make 'em work to get rid of you!

 

[JCJ]

Although proctologist is a common term, the official name for the specialty commonly referred to as proctology is "Colon and Rectal Surgery" (Colon and Rectal Surgery is a subspecialty of General Surgery, requiring one or two years of specialized training following a five year surgery residency)

- so a physician board certified in "Colon and Rectal Surgery" probably is the most authoritative for this problem. a physician board certified in "General Surgery" is probably as good, as this is a common area of practice for general surgeons.

there are quite a few general surgeons who are also AME's. Although the AME certification doesn't apply to military physicals, a surgeon who is also an AME will probably have a better understanding of your specific problem and will likely be in a better position to help you


good luck

 

[mudkow60]

Might be kinda' different, but a buddie in my squdaron (Navy) just had a hemoroid removed. It may be different, as we are both winged avaiatiors, but the only thing that he had to do was to take himself of the flight schedule for a day (obvious reasons!). Not much help, but maybe it will give you some HOPE!

 

[FADECtoBLACK]

Thanks for all of the replies. I saw the original doctor again today and had things checked out. There's absolutely nothing wrong with me. Like I said, never had hemorrhoids - still don't! So he is writing up a letter stating that fact and I'm having it faxed to my recruiter and we'll see what he suggests from that point.

The doctor I have been seeing is a Doctor of Internal Medicine and does quite a bit of work in this "area." So I am going to hold off on getting a second opinion unless my recruiter or the MEPS people deem it necessary.

I'll post again when there is some sort of resolution to this. Hopefully the record of my ordeal will help out others in the future.

 

[Draginass]

If you don't have a case of the 'roids now, wait until you do a couple years of 7g's or a couple thousand hours sitting in a lowest-bidder heavy seat. Those babies will be big as water balloons.

I got a hard time believing that they'd disqualify someone for 'roids. Hell, I'll bet half the older pilots have 'em to some degree, even if they won't admit it.

Sounds like you're doing the right stuff in getting the record set straight. Don't give up and keep pushing.

Disqualified for 'roids? . . . . YGBSM.

 

[FADECtoBLACK]

I faxed the letter from my doctor on the first of July (coincidentally the same day I got the letter from MEPS saying I was disqualified) and I still haven't heard anything yet.

Does anyone know about how long this appeal process could take? My recruiter said that there are certain people he isn't allowed to call and I am guessing that means the people at MEPS. Does that mean I shouldn't call them to see what's going on?

It's only been two weeks, but I'm getting a little anxious. I'm hoping to make the September deadline once this is all worked out, but I don't want to piss anyone off.

Thoughts?

 

[Purduepete]

Give up

Matt, Just give up man. I know you really want to be a military pilot but you suck. Throw in the towel cause everyone knows you wouldn't be able to hack it anyway. Just wanted to give you some encouraging words of advice.

 

[FADECtoBLACK]

Braid! Go back to Chicago, ya puke!

So much for getting any sort of meaningful answer to my latest question....

 

[jkarl1]

I would call around and get an answer as to - what is going on. What is the worst they can do ......

Don’t call everyday, but if you haven’t heard anything in 2 Weeks, then I would follow up. A good piece of advice is, if you can find an e-mail address for the person you are trying to contact (Usually it is just there name @ what base they are located), then you should write them an e-mail. This way, if they do not want to talk to you, then they will not reply.

All email address's for the service are located in the World Wide Locator directory, there is a medical WWL also.

I am going through sort of the same thing you are, and I could not get an answer at first try, but when I got the E-Mail address for my flight Surgeon, he was pleased to reply.

Just remember to be professional and friendly in your requests.

You know what they say, " The greasy wheel gets the oil."