Almost a year ago I began that perilous adventure that enlisting in the United States Coast Guard. I had a bunch of question and issues I needed to get taken care of, and captkyguy helped me as much as he could. I've taken time to decide if this is the life for me and have come to the conclusion that it is. I restarted the process at the beginning of the month and brought in all my papers. These included my records from my appointments with my theraphist, as well as a letter from my pulmonologist as to my status if I have or do not have asthma. As my pulmonologist had looked over my records and given me medical tests, he concluded that I was misdiagnosed and no inhaler should have been issued to me. Upon learning this, my recruiter advised me not to list it or submit my letter as it is a medical non-issue. My ASVAB has already been taken, and my recruiter has told me I have done very well with my 90 and my individual scores. Unfortunatly, my psychologist years back had written down "asthma" as an issue and now MEPS wants paperwork, including a list of the inhalers prescribed.

My question to all is this: Having had my "asthma" checked by a Pulmonologist (a specialist); and thus having a letter stating that I do NOT have asthma, and should NOT have been prescribed an inhaler; what would further should/would I need to do to be able to pass MEPS on that basis (explaining inhaler prescriptions). There are other issues that need to be addressed, however this is the biggest, most menacing of them. I would greatly appreciate it if any current recruiters or any knowledgable people would assit me.

Thank you,

Luis Gonzalez

What test did this doctor give you give you to say you do not have asthma? All medical records will be needed before the recruiter can proceed. Multiple issues could be an issue. What other med issues do you have?

I sadly can not remember the exact name of the test. The other issues were ADD as a child and a Gastroentorologist placing me on a GERD medication as a test to see if I had it. I did not have GERD, however I'm having difficulty finding the paper work about that. As for the ADD, I have both been off meds and have shown no symptoms for at least seven years. Again, the main problem is my inability to procure the medical files. The psychiatrist does not have the records anymore as he only has to keep them for seven years.

If there is any other information you might need then I'd be happy to give it.

Thank you very much for responding. This is truly what I want to do with my life and any help I can get in fulfilling that dream is welcome. I greatly appreciate it.

The GERD and ADD are both major battles. Gather pre- ADD Medication grades, transcripts etc and Post medication of the same. If the doctor no longer has the records A statement on the Doctors letterhead will help. As a recruiter, I cannot make suggestions as far as medical goes, but current documentation of not having it may help. You are facing a major hurdle, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Please set your expectations clearly and have a good plan B in place.

I apologize, I'm not entirely understanding what your advice means. I was diagnosed with ADD around the age of five and taken off the medication around age ten. I eventually had a follow up appointment to check how I was reacting long term around age 12-13. Since then, I have neither been to the psychiatrist, been on the medication, or had difficulties in school related to ADD. Thus I was diagnosed fifteen years ago, taken off medication ten years ago and had my follow up appointment seven-eight years ago. I suppose I could go back to the psychiatrist for a reevaluation of my current mental health vs. past mental health.

As for the GERD, this incident occured about six years ago while looking for an explanation for why I was vomiting. The doctor, as a specialist in the field of gastrointestinal illnesses, felt it could be GERD and put me on a medication to lower stomach acid. As GERD was not the actual problem (I was just stressed from adjusting to highschool) the medication did not have the wanted effect. I'll be contacting my pediatrician, my pcp at the time, and see if possibly he can help.

The only thing I can remember about the test was I was to run for a set amount of time, and then I was to breath in and out into a machine. I aced it.

I apologize if my expectations have come off as unreasonable. I'm aware that if you're an actual recruiter, then you're unable to suggust any medical tests for liability reasons. I'm understandably worried by the battles and hurdles I'll have to go through to realize my dream. Militray service is not a right, it's a privilige, and I hope to prove worthy of such a privilige.

Your expectations do not come off as unreasonable. As you were diagnosed with ADD you will need a wriitten statement to the facts as you have spoken. Your best bet is to speak with a recruiter in your area, as it is difficult to determine the proper answers over the net. I do wish you the very best in your endeavors!

Luis,

I like your respect and the way you ask your questions and state your case. I hope you can achieve your dreams. The world should have more people as respectful and well spoken as yourself. I think you would be excellent representative in whatever career path you end up in in life. Best of luck.

Macie

I have spoken with my recruiter, and those were the issues that MEPS had needed addressed. He had told me that he had sent in my medical questionaire and they had responded with "We need the paperwork/files as follows: 1. All psychiatric medical records 2. Explanation and medical records of GERD 3. Explanation and record of inhaler prescriptions."

I called around and this is what I was able to gather
1. The only psych records not yet given to my recruiter are the records for my appointments pretaining to my childhood ADD. The doctor was called and these records have either been destroyed or sent to storage.

2. I have the letter from my pulmonologist in my safe, and I will be both requesting an appointment with a second pulmonologist to take a methicholine challange and spriometry as well as calling my previous PCP for records of my inhaler prescriptions. My recruiter has also advised me to have my parents, employers, myself etc write statements stating my previous and current "asthma" related health and my non use of the inhalers.

3. When I call my previous PCP I will be asking for the name of the gastroentorologist. as we believe it would be in my records.

In the end, the reason I have posted this question is to seek from recruiters on this site what my odds of successful enlistment are with the leg work I have already done as well as will be doing. From those individuals who are not recruiters, I'm asking any advice as to what, if any tests could help me. If they are also not allowed to make any medical suggestions then that's just how it'll have to be. I want to become a Guardian, and a Guardian must be strong and keep a positive attitude. By chance is there anyone else on this site that you could reccomend that might be able to provide some advice/insight as to what I will/should do?

Thank you so very much. No one has to help me on this, and the fact that anyone has is greatly appreciated in ways one can only imagine.

Damn... That almost warmed my heart....

You're doing everything you can. Get the records, and any statements pertaining to your case then give them to your recruiter. The DRs at MEPS have a demanding job. They have to be sure when they sign off on you you are absolutely, with out a doubt, 100% medically able to serve. In the highly unlikely event something happened to you in the fleet, if it was traced back to your medical history the DRs at MEPS could be held accountable. Hence, the giant pain in the ass they are about your medical history.

Once you clear that hurdle let us know. Then we can get down to the business of giving you the important advice.

Tomorrow I will be contacting my PCP for inhaler prescription records, my psychiatrist for either shipping me my records or an evaluation, and calling pulmonologists to obtain medical testing.

Thank you all for your advice, knowledge and support. Hopefully, together, we can make my dream a reality, but no matter what happens I know I can be proud of myself for wanting to serve my country.

Talk to yall tomorrow.

Luis

Luis,

Good to see you back on the forum and pursuit of becoming a Coastie...Awesome to hear your Asthma was a mis-diagnose my friend.

As Chuck and Gears have stated sounds like you are doing the required leg work for your best chances...While getting the written statements about you past inhalers and asthma...I would ask those same people if they could give you a written statement about your quality of work and being able to complete your assignments with minimal to no follow up in addition to your high school and (if applicable) college transcripts to help verify your ADD situation as well. Since you were so young you really will not be able to show the before and after meds grades very well.

Other then that it sounds like you are covering your bases well...you know my feelings on MEPS.

Keep us posted.

Kyle

Sorry for the delay ladies and gentlemen, I've been rather busy calling doctors and scheduling appointments. So here's the update.
1. "Asthma": Called my Pediatrician and requested a record of my inhaler prescriptions. Those should ready to be picked up within a few days. Also scheduled another appointment with a pulmonologist to eventually take a Methicoline Challange.
2. "GERD": Obtained the name and number for the gastroentrologist, however she appears to be unreachable. Can not find her in a list of the doctors in town, nor is the number I was given working.
3. Psych records: Called my psychiatrist to request my records, however due to the fact that it has been more than seven years since my last visit, the files are unable to be found. They have either been sent to storage (as he sees tremendous amounts of patients) or destroyed.

Furthermore, I have recieved a call from my recruiter earlier this morning and have been told that if my records cannot be found, then the best course of action would be to write a statement to that effect and sign it. I have also been told that any using of an inhaler past age eleven is disqualifying, which may make this endeavor that much more difficult, as I have not used an inhaler past age eleven, however it would not surprise me if I've been prescribed one past eleven. To be fair, I only used one the year I was "diagnosed". Now I'll have to prove it, if that's even possible. Thus, I'll be writing and signing a letter for each medical issue, as will my parents and employer. For added good measure (I suppose it can't hurt) a few people have volunteered to write me letters of recomendation. At this stage I can only hope I can,if it's even possible, prove I'm acceptable for military service and be given my MEPS date.

Thanks to everyone that has been helping me and giving me advice.
Luis

Also, I'm applying for the Auxillary, so I can get some qualifications while I wait.

Sounds like a plan Luis...stay focused and positive!

Colin had surgery when he was 9 at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. I needed to get the transcripts for that surgery. I called WR, they said anythign over 5 years is sent to the archives in St. Louis. I called St. Louis. They emailed me a form to fill out. I filled it out... surgeon's name, date of surgery, Colin's name, Jim's SSN, I even still have the hospital bracelet from his stay, I put down the case number... Do you think anyone could find any record of his surgery? Nope! The only thing I didn't have was video or photographic evidence of them in the operating room. I wrote a letter detailing the surgery & recovery, it was accepted just fine by the docs at MEPS. There are times records just cannot be found!!! So do as detailed as possible and then just keep your fingers crossed!