I was diagnosed with asthma as a kid. I have had problems with it in the past but it has not been an issue for years. I am wondering if there is anyway to get in w/ a diagnoses of asthma w/o taking a methacholine test? i.e. Would my Dr be able to write something up saying I am fit for duty?
(I have read other post on this but was not able to find an answer.)
No. If you were in fact diagnosed with asthma you are not medically qualified for enlistment into the armed forced. The nature of the illness is such that it can return at any moment. Chemical vapors, dust, smoke, and stress can all be exacerbators for asthma, all of which are common to a military enviornment.
d. Asthma (493), including reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm or asthmatic bronchitis, reliably diagnosed and symptomatic after the 13th birthday, is disqualifying. Reliable diagnostic criteria may include any of the following elements: substantiated history of cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and/or dyspnea that persists or recurs over a prolonged period of time, generally more than 12 months.
Only AFTER the age of 12 (after 13th birthday) is asthma an automatic disqualifier.
Provide your FULL medical records to your recruiter as he just might send a "Medical Prescreen" to MEPS to see if they will authorize a trip to MEPS.
BoatsBM1
This message has been edited. Last edited by: BoatsBM1,
Originally posted by Mrsjvb: again.. not necessarily. you may still require a waiver..and waivers can be hard to get right now.
all you can do is see if the recruiter is willing to send up the request. if they approve the test, then you have a shot.
I would be willing to pay for the test out of my own pocket... I was simply wondering if; as the recuirter said; if I were to past the methacholine test it would mean I dont have asthma.... atleast in the military's eyes
Originally posted by KRiss08: so good news... the respitory lady said that she couldn't find anything in my chart ever stating that I had asthma.
Unfortunatey this is VERY common. Lots of people are told as children that they have asthma, but without understanding what the disease is they check 'yes' to the question, 'have you ever had asthma?' After some serious reflection they realize that they did not see a pulmonologist, or an immunologist every month and have a series of steroids and broncodialators throughout their childhood. They dubious authority on the applicant's asthma is all to often some well meaning second cousin's aunt who saw a TV news clip abou asthma thirty years ago and convinced the parents that little Billy has asthma, and he shouldn't run around in the back yard until he is out of breath like that.
Of course, I don't know if this was exactly the case with you, but either way I'm glad you don't have asthma, and that you can join.
Thank you for your support! I dont know how or when the confussion on my having asthma occured. I am very excited to join I start pt tues morning and take my asvab on thurs morning. I am hopuing to stay out of bootcamp until after Dec, but if need be I would be more than willing to go sooner!
