Med Board for Asthma symptoms

[Mystic]

My diagnosis was bronchialspasms. I got 10% for that, 10% because I have a deep tumor (non cancerous) in my leg and 10% for my back. I never fell enough on the PFT or the methocoline challenge to get diagnosed with asthma. I have a small airway obstruction they said. No idea as to why, but they (the docs) think its because of the dust I inhaled while deployed in afgh. With my job, there was no way they could keep me on active duty my narrative on the final papers said. Can't depoy, arm, use OC spray or do defensive tactics. I'm happy with the diagnosis. I think I will get better care with the VA anyways than what I experienced with the med group. (I had bacterial pneumonia for 4 months because the pulmonary doc forgot to call me and put in anti biotics if that gives you any idea of what I've been through.)

Mystic

[Mystic]

CALIFORNIASURFBOY,

I am on most of the same meds as you are. Advair 500/50, claritan, singulair, numerous nasal sprays (which I don't use, too wierd) I've had all the tests you did as well but I never dropped to the level of 20% for definitive diagnosis. I only went to 17%. I have the vocal chord disfunction test as well, and that wasn't the most pleasant. I'm fine in the summer and bad in the winter. I get excessive mucus if I run and cough alot. Do you get those same symptoms as well? I passed my PT test but barely, I dropped 10% from last year and the year prior.

Do you have VCD as well as asthma? How did you get your asthma if you don't mind me asking? Mine is under control, but I was still medically discharged with severance. 30% VA disability.

I'm sorry to hear you are having such an issue with medical treatment. I went through 2 1/2 years of being poked and prodded. Did they give you steroid shots? I got them to clear out my sinus's. My ear drum ended up getting inverted due to all the pressure. Its fine now, but its like someone stands beside me with a megaphone.

Just curious if you are having the same issues...

[SSBN_Trident]

I was diagnosed with Severe Persistent Asthma and am on Flonase, Abuteral, Advair 500/50, Singular, and Nexium. I received 30% TDRL, and the VA is doing a work up currently.

If you are happy with the severance congratulations, and the best of luck. I just wanted to pass on that if you are taking a bronchial dialator and inhaled steroid (Advair) then you are entitled to 30% if you are found to be "UNFIT".....

[californiasurfboy]

Originally Posted by Mystic

CALIFORNIASURFBOY,

I am on most of the same meds as you are. Advair 500/50, claritan, singulair, numerous nasal sprays (which I don't use, too wierd) I've had all the tests you did as well but I never dropped to the level of 20% for definitive diagnosis. I only went to 17%. I have the vocal chord disfunction test as well, and that wasn't the most pleasant. I'm fine in the summer and bad in the winter. I get excessive mucus if I run and cough alot. Do you get those same symptoms as well? I passed my PT test but barely, I dropped 10% from last year and the year prior.

Do you have VCD as well as asthma? How did you get your asthma if you don't mind me asking? Mine is under control, but I was still medically discharged with severance. 30% VA disability.

I'm sorry to hear you are having such an issue with medical treatment. I went through 2 1/2 years of being poked and prodded. Did they give you steroid shots? I got them to clear out my sinus's. My ear drum ended up getting inverted due to all the pressure. Its fine now, but its like someone stands beside me with a megaphone.

Just curious if you are having the same issues...

Mystic,

Sorry for the delayed response. To make a long story short, I had a relapse due to my PTSD/Anxiety and was in the ER for a day followed by 3 day evaluation by psych due to bad panic attacks.

To answer your questions:

I have asthma, sever rhinitis with polyps, and VCD amongst a bunch of other issues. On the CT scans it shows signs of scar tissue built up in my lungs and thickening/scaring of my sinuses from untreated funal /bacterial infections. With all of that I have chronic asthmatic bronchitis, pneumonia, sinuitis, otitis media, and conjunctivitis. I am on basically the same medications with a few others in the mix. I have had to have surgeries done to fix a deviated septum, tonsillectomy, rhinoplasty, turbines fixed, some type of sinus lancing and scraping, and anything else that could clear up my airways or drain my ears.

I have pretty good PFTs most of the time on average about 15%. Its a question of catching me when I am around a stressor i.e. dust then I drop to 25%. My MCT shows significant drop of 40% at low dosages.

I am pretty good from April to October. The rest of the time I am hurting. I have problems in the cold and when plants are in bloom. I am ok at the start of a run but I develop problems after the first mile and fall out right about then or collapse, depending on what shape or time of year it is. The cold air causes spasms and the pollen causes itching allergic asthma or my lungs fill with fluid from the drainage. The VCD was hard to diagnose at first. The first being they complained I must not be taking medications right when I stated I still had breathing difficulties but after a few exams realized I had that underlying issue as well.

If I am able to complete a run, my lungs feel extremely bruised and are sore and it is painful to take more then a shallow breath in and that is after lying in the fetal position for an hour because it is so exhausting trying to breath. That is where the VCD problems come into play where my medications due all they can but I still have problems.

I have had to start steroid shots because, even with histamines in my system, I still tested positive for 38 of 44 items on the prickle test with moderate to sever reaction for each prick. I constantly have stuffed sinuses or drainage that ends up in my chest and ears compounding the problem. A lot of my injuries or diseases affect each other. I have head trauma and have associated migraines which are triggered by Stress (PTSD) Allergies or sinus pressure due to infections. It is a constant battle to fix one to cure them all or trying to figure out what problem is causing what issues since they tend to mask one another. I am going on about five years now of bouncing from one specialty clinic to another or suffering those moments where the doctor exclaims "EUREKA! I KNOW WHAT IT IS NOW!!!..."

How I got asthma and problems? Flash back five years ago. Fine powder dust in Kuwait for the ramp up for Iraq plus the dusts in Iraq itself. I did many weeks of latrine burning detail. Six hours or more a day burning JP fuel and human feces and urine. All the smoke, fuel, and ash blowing in my face caused problems. Also, I was housed in a grain silo that was filled with molds, mildews, and this yellow dust. I kept on ending up sick with bronchitis and pneumonia over 15 months in Iraq. When I came back stateside, I was hospitalized several times due to unknown illnesses. I kept on getting strep throat, unknown temps of 103, etc. Looking back now, the pulmonologist states I had fungal/bacterial infections that were not treated properly in my lungs and sinuses and so now the tissues are thickened / scarred. The VCD is due to stress, the sexual trauma I suffered from a fellow soldier in Iraq, or being intubated by interns in the ER room during asthma attacks. =)

If you have any other questions feel free to ask away!

Question though, were you satisfied with the severance by the service? Did you fight it? I just spoke with the Chief of the Department because of the fact the doctor was trying to state I met retention based on one PT test passed out of about a dozen and only one in two years. =/ Crazy army....