childhood asthma

[mojaveman12]

Well I was talking to my parents about all the stuff they ask you at the flight physical and it was brought to my attention that when I was 3 years old I had asthma. I never had an inhaler growing up or breathing problems for as long as I can remember. I had never gone to the hospital or doctor again for asthma after the age of 3 they said. I didn't realize that I even had asthma when I was real young so I put no at MEPS. Now that I know, should I try and get a waiver before going to OCS which starts in one month for me or wait until I'm up at Newport to inform the doc? Not sure how far back they go for medical records, so hopefully it won't delay me more for them to locate records that are that old. I'm guessing if I did the waiver process now, my OCS date will be pushed back for who knows how long or if I do it up there, then I will be put in holding. I would think that getting a waiver while in holding would be quicker but I have no idea. Thoughts on which option would make the process quicker?

 

[dirtydog]

In my experience, it never hurts to lay it all out on the table. It may make things slow down, but the point isn't to get out to the fleet as fast as possible. There will be a lot of "hurry up and wait" there anyway.

I was misdiagnosed with childhood asthma, brought it up, got the methyl-choline challenge test (pulmonary lung function test) and passed with a waiver.

If it isn't a problem today, and especially if you never needed or had to use an inhaler, then you should be good to go.

 

[feddoc]

http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/search.php?searchid=4920318

If you use the search function, you can see that your type of question has been asked/answered in the past.

 

[ratherbflyin]

Positive MCT

So, what is the chance of getting a waiver for pilot when scoring a 28% on the Methacholine Challenge? I'm pretty sure the acceptable cutoff is 20% so in-other-words, the test was positive. However, my PFT was passing, so was my G6PD blood work and sickle cell test. I also have outstanding PRT scores and have for the past three years. I haven't been perscribed an inhaler or had any symptoms of asthma since the age of 13. Are there any more tests, re-tests or second opinions I should get?

 

[yakboyslim]

mojaveman- If your parents took you to a doctor and they said you had asthma, then you should bring it up. You should be able to pass the MCT and show you are fine now.

If your parents thought you had asthma because you were a weezy toddler, but no doctor said anything, then it is probably a parental story; not a medical condition. I would not bring it up in that case.

Unless your parents are doctors, in which case my plan implodes on itself.

 

[eddie]

So, what is the chance of getting a waiver for pilot when scoring a 28% on the Methacholine Challenge? I'm pretty sure the acceptable cutoff is 20% so in-other-words, the test was positive. However, my PFT was passing, so was my G6PD blood work and sickle cell test. I also have outstanding PRT scores and have for the past three years. I haven't been perscribed an inhaler or had any symptoms of asthma since the age of 13. Are there any more tests, re-tests or second opinions I should get?

Was that a MCT from when you were 3 or recently? Does that number refer to with or without a bronchiodialator?

 

[Stearmann4]

Keep in mind; I've seen several cases of "astmas" diagnosed in young kids and toddlers, which years later never materialized as such. At that age, any breathing difficulties are too easy to write off as the low-hanging fruit that is asthma. In fact, many doctors will tell you that they're hesitant to diagnose asthma from bronchitis, a temporary infection, etc. because it's difficult to tell in small kids and very often, the child grows out of whatever it was.

My own son had some breathing diffitulties when he was two and the Dr. immediately wanted to enter "asthmatic" in his records to which I wouldn't allow. The kids 6 now, runs around like he's on meth and has no problems.

That said, I was a victim of the quick-to-diagnose-asthma Dr. and spent alot of extra time and money when I was 18 trying to convince BUMED that I didn't have it. I was eventually successful, but I could've saved a lot of anguish had I just kept my mouth shut and let the MEPs screening decide on it'own whether I had asthma. That was 21 years and many physical trials ago, so I guess my childhood Dr. was a quack.

My parents always told me I was allergic to pennicillin(sp?), but never said why. At every physical I always tell them and the medical folks always ask "How do you know you're allergic?" I have to respond "Cuz' my Mommy told me I was". Other than that, it may have been maternal B.S. on her part.

If you can honestly smoke a Navy PT test, and swimming, just go to MEPs and let them do their thing. Just my opinion.

MR-

 

[FlyMikeFly]

Don't even mention it...use some common sense here. Do you want to get into the program or do you want to make it easy for them to physical disqual you?