• Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?

    Go here:

    Edit Account Details and Profile

"Dyspepsia"

GlassBanger

IntelO
Contributor
Hello everyone,


I completed MEPS on 06 OCT and I was forthcoming about the current medications in my system that included an omeprazole tablet from Taco Tuesday. When questioned further, I stated that I only need to take an antacid/acid reducer when I eat spicy food. Still, the doctor referred to her little binder and found that even "intermittent" usage (that was the wording she told me), considers it dyspepsia and requires a waiver. I thought it was pretty normal for people to chew Tums and such after Indian and other spicy foods, but the need for a waiver is still there. Has anyone had to obtain a waiver for the same or a similar reason? Were you successful? I'm just nervous about this and wonder how long it will take, ballpark. I used the search function and could only find something from 2008 about GERD but I don't have an esophageal disease of any kind.


Thanks!
 

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
Hello everyone,


I completed MEPS on 06 OCT and I was forthcoming about the current medications in my system that included an omeprazole tablet from Taco Tuesday. When questioned further, I stated that I only need to take an antacid/acid reducer when I eat spicy food. Still, the doctor referred to her little binder and found that even "intermittent" usage (that was the wording she told me), considers it dyspepsia and requires a waiver. I thought it was pretty normal for people to chew Tums and such after Indian and other spicy foods, but the need for a waiver is still there. Has anyone had to obtain a waiver for the same or a similar reason? Were you successful? I'm just nervous about this and wonder how long it will take, ballpark. I used the search function and could only find something from 2008 about GERD but I don't have an esophageal disease of any kind.


Thanks!

Pretty much you shot yourself in the foot by disclosing something to MEPS that probably didn't need to be disclosed. As a result you or in this case the MEPS doc diagnosed you with something that you probably don't have.

Also, on the medical prescreen form where it says "are you currently taking medication to include over the counter" why did you not list that or at least bring it up with your recruiter.
 

GlassBanger

IntelO
Contributor
Pretty much you shot yourself in the foot by disclosing something to MEPS that probably didn't need to be disclosed. As a result you or in this case the MEPS doc diagnosed you with something that you probably don't have.

Also, on the medical prescreen form where it says "are you currently taking medication to include over the counter" why did you not list that or at least bring it up with your recruiter.

You assume, incorrectly, that I didn't list that/disclose that on my prescreen form. I did (I filled out my prescreen form that Tuesday) and my recruiter didn't say anything about it being a problem at all. When I phoned him after I finally finished at MEPS, he wasn't worried. I am only posting here to ask if anyone experienced something similar or had an idea how quickly a waiver is granted.
 
Last edited:

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
Hello everyone,


I completed MEPS on 06 OCT and I was forthcoming about the current medications in my system that included an omeprazole tablet from Taco Tuesday. When questioned further, I stated that I only need to take an antacid/acid reducer when I eat spicy food. Still, the doctor referred to her little binder and found that even "intermittent" usage (that was the wording she told me), considers it dyspepsia and requires a waiver. I thought it was pretty normal for people to chew Tums and such after Indian and other spicy foods, but the need for a waiver is still there. Has anyone had to obtain a waiver for the same or a similar reason? Were you successful? I'm just nervous about this and wonder how long it will take, ballpark. I used the search function and could only find something from 2008 about GERD but I don't have an esophageal disease of any kind.


Thanks!

I had a guy perm DQ'd for this, N3M at the time said any acid reflux that requires either prescription of OTC treatment is disqualifying.
 

GlassBanger

IntelO
Contributor
I had a guy perm DQ'd for this, N3M at the time said any acid reflux that requires either prescription of OTC treatment is disqualifying.

I unfortunately was disqualified for wrongfully diagnosed dyspepsia. My recruiter has informed me I have the option of appealing it. Time to save since I'm old and uninsured and the appeal needs a doctor to say I don't have it. Yet another setback.
 

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
I unfortunately was disqualified for wrongfully diagnosed dyspepsia. My recruiter has informed me I have the option of appealing it. Time to save since I'm old and uninsured and the appeal needs a doctor to say I don't have it. Yet another setback.

not sure of the process to get a doc to say you never had it, and that is the problem, most items are "current or history of" so you probably could find a doc to say you don't have it now, but to find one that would say the doc back then was wrong might be hard.
 

GlassBanger

IntelO
Contributor
not sure of the process to get a doc to say you never had it, and that is the problem, most items are "current or history of" so you probably could find a doc to say you don't have it now, but to find one that would say the doc back then was wrong might be hard.
That's just it NavyOffRec, I've NEVER been diagnosed with it or anything like it. So I'm frustrated and pissed off that I was honest about needing a tums after spicy tacos. Like really? THAT of all things, without a history of, DQ me? That's seriously mind blowing to me.
 

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
That's just it NavyOffRec, I've NEVER been diagnosed with it or anything like it. So I'm frustrated and pissed off that I was honest about needing a tums after spicy tacos. Like really? THAT of all things, without a history of, DQ me? That's seriously mind blowing to me.

yeah you should have been told that you put yes only if diagnosed by a doc since you don't know what really could have caused it, given what I have seen you might be able to get it overturned but it could take time, seen some take up to 2 years.
 

GlassBanger

IntelO
Contributor
yeah you should have been told that you put yes only if diagnosed by a doc since you don't know what really could have caused it, given what I have seen you might be able to get it overturned but it could take time, seen some take up to 2 years.

That is what is doubly frustrating. I put it on my pre-screen form, since I'd filled that out that Tuesday, and my recruiter didn't say a word. Then in the "amnesty" room they've got everyone filling out copious amounts of paperwork with a giant copy of the form printed on white board, filled in with examples for us civilians to know how to write military time for example, and example medications and answers.. Omeprazole was on there. And to quote the Army gentlemen running that particular part, "just disclose those OTC, be it protein powder, preworkout, antacid, we just want to make sure what we find in your urine lines up with what you say." I guess being lulled into a false sense of security over something so harmless was on purpose, but it still bothers me. I'm 26 so I don't have insurance, so I've got to hunt around for an affordable doctor to see for my appeal. If I didn't want the navy so bad, I'd throw my hands up and go elsewhere. But damn, I want it.
 

GlassBanger

IntelO
Contributor
Update everyone! I'm ecstatic and have excellent news!!! After waiting until 31JAN for a specialist appointment (small town, very few gastroenterologists) and getting a letter that stated me and my Tums usage was completely normal and normal physical, N3M granted me my waiver!!! I missed the MAR board deadline, but I'm submitting for the JUN board for Intel and the next board for SWO. When my recruiter called me, I just cried with joy. Finally the numerous obstacles to at least COMPLETE my packet for application is DONE. After many long years of being tossed from one recruiter to the other and starting the process over again twice, I'm relieved. At first my recruiter told me they said no, because of the wording saying something about finding me unfit, but they hadn't finished reading it where it essentially mentioned my waiver was being granted for my "health issue" :rolleyes: . He called me back and told me the good news. I'm SO PUMPED!! :D
 

GlassBanger

IntelO
Contributor
Requested an actual copy of my waiver letter from N3M from my recruiter because the circumstances in which I learned of my approval didn't sit 100% with me. I got the physical letter! My actual approval! *happy dance* It's really real now for me, the go-ahead. I am itching for a board convene date now! I am just glad to post in the thread on this that it IS possible to get a waiver for this. All they needed was an actual gastro to write a letter saying you're normal. Interesting tip, while the Navy may define "dyspepsia" as chronic heartburn or a medical issue etc., my gastro was actually thoroughly annoyed by that because she said dyspepsia is actually just an upset stomach, with no real defined condition/cause. It peeved her so much that the letter she wrote to N3M was lengthy and thorough for me.
 
Top