Asthma & the CF (merged thread)

[Infanteer]

Ohh busted.

Tuff little girl, you better explain your profile quick, or else you qualify as a poser and I am going to blast you off to loserland.

 

[NavyGrunt]

>

Here come the bullshit detectives of Army.ca.....run little girl run....... :mg:                = :rocket:

 

[Eowyn]

Tuff_little_girl, lets to a little math.

Do be an Officer Cadet, you need to be in university. Let's say, optimistically, 18 years old.

While I agree with the fact that the math doesn't add, to be an OCdt as CIC, you don't need to be in university.

 

[fleeingjam]

ok this is an asthma conversation not lets point fingers and laugh, you guys should be ashamed of yourselves one mistake and everyone goes replying as if all they have to do all day is single these people look at the fkin calculators and do math, GROW THE HELL UP. Any ways yes I have Reactive Airway Disease (Asthma). On the letter it said "Your case could be considered once you have been free of ashtma prescription for 12 consectutive months and healed from you orthaganic surgery. Has anyone got in after the 12 months and stuff and how?

 

[Jarnhamar]

This is a military web site.  Lots of people come here asking questions, most are directed at soldiers. IF someone answers those questions under the guise of a soldier and they are NOT a soldier or not as qualified as they say - the  person asking the question (YOU for example) could get very wrong information which may or may not lead to you hurting yourself or wasting your time which may lead you to failing to join the army. We need all the people we can get. Screwing up someones joining process is a sure way to counter that. 

You asked a question and it was answered. Feel free to try and get more information.  Some of us are a little curious about the credentials of a soldier who answered your question  so we are inquiring about it.

It was asked if any "soldier" has asthma. If you don't care who answers then say "Can anyone take a guess if infantry soldiers have asthma"

 

[BDTyre]

I am in the process of joining the infantry...I have been officially free of any medication for my asthma since March of this year (i.e., my doctor has told me not to bother with any medication) and unofficially free of medication since about January (i.e. I stopped taking my medication to see what would happen).

I am in the process of disputing a claim by Borden that I have exercise induced asthma...I run around 5 km three times a week without any ill affect.  I volunteer at a job that involves various activites in various conditions, many of which would pose problems for those exhibiting asthmatic symptoms.

My point is this: if you can perform cardio exercise and various physical activity without needing medication or showing signs of asthmatic reactionh, fight any claim made about your asthma.  I image it will be several weeks before I hear back from Borden, but I rest assured that between me and my doctor I no longer have asthma and probably haven't for some time.

(As a side note, the physician I contacted at Borden asked me first and foremost "Are you currently on any medication?"  I answred yes at the time as my physician had not approved my prior discontiuation of medication, and the result was a speech about how I needed to prove how I was no longer medicated.  No minimum was given for how long I needed to be treatment free - in any case, fight until the bitter end.  I know I will.  And most people here say soldiering is 90% mental, 10% physical.)

 

[fleeingjam]

First of all thank for the advice 031 Hopeful.

Second of all since you pushed me to this ghost

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I to will have no life and join these people.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I to will have no life and join these people.

Well i have no idea what the hell you mean by this so I can't answer.

As for "pushing" you ?
What?
Yes it's not a DND site. I don't think that has to do with anything. It's still a military website moderated by soldiers.
If you want someone who is a civilian answering questions for you about the army then good for you, just don't expect to get in the army in time soon.

 

[BDTyre]

Ghost, if you're referring to me, I wasn't asnwering his question really as opposed to explaining my own situation and offering some advice.

But, it should be pointed out that am not yet military and while I can offer advice, I can't offer answers.

Usman_Syed, as Ghost pointed I am a civilian, and so far what I have done has worked for me.  Your situation may be different; all I can say is that this is one course you may want to try.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Sorry BDTyre i wasn't refering to you at all.  I was refering to a post made by someone who's profile had a few things it it that didn't add up.

Usman_Syed seemed upset that a few of us were questioning this girl and i was attempting to explain that we're just trying to make sure when a soldier answers a question, they are actually a soldier. No big deal at all if you answer - your not telling people your a soldier.

I think Usman_Syed is an alien from pluto.

 

[BDTyre]

My mistake, I misinterpreted your post. 

 

[fleeingjam]

Maybe i am a alien from pluto. I was a bit grumpy with all the stupid letters from borden med staff, anyhow have you guys everseen some one suceed with having an asthma case and making it into the INF.

 

[BDTyre]

I have just done my fitness test and an update interview.  I was told to expect a call within a month if all is well.  My medical was apparently sent off at the end of May; I'll let you know if I get in or not.

 

[Donut]

Yes Usman Sayed, I have seen Infantry with asthma.   I've also seen Engineers, truckers, gunners, crewmen, sailors etc with asthma.

Most of the time I see them through the fog of the ventolin nebulizer as they try to tell me, between gasps of air, how long it's been since they last had an asthma attack, and while I try to figure out if I've got enough oxygen and bronchodilators on board to get them to the local ED.

Almost all of them told CFRC they didn't have any problems and fought like the dickens to get into the forces, only to become a massive liability to their unit.

For &*(^%(*&^ sake people, it's not the bloody boy scouts.   Soldiers who aren't fit DIE.   :skull:


DF

RQL6A Med Tech, PCP, P1

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Yes Usman Sayed, I have seen Infantry with asthma.  I've also seen Engineers, truckers, gunners, crewmen, sailors etc with asthma.

Most of the time I see them through the fog of the ventolin nebulizer as they try to tell me, between gasps of air, how long it's been since they last had an asthma attack, and while I try to figure out if I've got enough oxygen and bronchodilators on board to get them to the local ED.

RQL6A Med Tech, PCP, P1

I am sure you have treated soldiers with massive head colds or flu symptoms who have said the same thing about their last cold.

To Usman - there are many success stories of athletes, and soldiers, with asthma.  Check out the book BLACKHAWK DOWN for one - there is even a scene in the movie of the same name that hints at it.

 

[fleeingjam]

Have any infantry got medical rejection from borden for asthma and made it in after the so called " One year free of asthma precriptions...and a detailed report from doctor through out the 12 months?

I was applyin for the reserves and this is what i got..I would just like to know if anyone have ever done the year and made it in to the Infantry

I know there was a similar post prior to this but no one really awnsered. Ive already got an appoinment with a chest specialist and had a lung x-ray done.

Please post.

-Still R031 hopeful

 

[BDTyre]

My medical was sent off to Borden  at the end of May and I should be hearing back from the CF any day now.  My doctor cleared me of asthma, but the letter he wrote to Borden was not exactly the same thing he had told me.

I have high hopes that Borden will reverse there decision, but I have the feeling they won't as I have heard many stories about appeals not working.  However, I am fully prepared to fight them all the way.  My doctor has cleared me of asthma, and I have not even touched my medication in over six months.

I will PM when Borden reaches a decision either way and let you know what's happened and what's worked so far.  Just keep at it.  If tests say you don't have asthma, Borden can choose to ignore that all they want.  At least you'll know you don't have it, and you can always re-apply later.

 

[Fusaki]

Well, I've never had asthma. I don't know what its like and I'm not a doctor. But here's my opnion anyways which is worth about .02.

Spirit counts. If the recruiter tells you to wait 12 months, call back in 6 just to let him know you're still interested and to keep your file open. Whether or not he would ever close your file is irrelivant, the point is that you've told him he should expect your call when the doctor says you're good to go. Then 11 months into your waiting time, try schedule your aptitude test ( or whatever your first appointment would be) for the day after the full year is up. Just look for excuses spread throughout the year to give your recruiter a call so he knows that you're still interested. As soon as you can possibly call your recruiter without looking annoying, do so. And make sure he knows the significance of the fact that your calling at the first opportunity. Don't harass him, be when you call and say your name, he should remember the guy he's talking to.

You have a better chance with the recruiter if you have a "go-get'em attitdue" and the phone calls to back it up. I know the waiting game sucks, but I've been there too. I'll bet $20 my recruiter would still remember me if I called him today. Just remember that the success rate of those who don't try is ALWAYS 0%.

 

[mclipper]

I have seen several posts on this topic and I have one question.  Did it ever occur to you WHY the military has a problem with asthma?  For that matter, why there are medical standards?  There are reasons behind the medical standards that are in place.  Think about it for a minute.  I know that you really want this, but this isn't a job at McDonalds.  If you should have an exercise induced attack and there is no one there to assist you.......either way, you are a liability.  Sorry, but it's a fact.

 

[hooch]

If you should have an exercise induced attack and there is no one there to assist you.......either way, you are a liability.   Sorry, but it's a fact.

There varying degrees of severity of asthma and unless he was a severe case i doubt he`ll drop dead...besides you can have relatively poor vision and join the army, and aren`t broken glasses a liability too?

And to answer the original question posed, yes I too was initially rejected on the basis that I had used an inhaler while playing hockey many years ago...however, a letter from my doctor to the folks in Borden cleared the matter up...PM me if you want the gruesome details