Lower Back

So,my story is that I have lower back pain for 6 month now I had MRI and it did not show anything I went to all doctors but I still have a pain,my PCM ordered and MRI of thoratic spine now and he said he will keep looking to find whats wrong with me,my problem is I have a really bad pain and I dont have any medications and I feel like my PCM is just trying to avoid separation or MEB, do I have an option to ask him to initate one or not?
 
No you don't and you need evidence regardless or you will just be found fit and RTD, if you have the funds you can go get a second opinion from a civilian doctor but if the second MRI doesn't show anything might be time for some home remedies and therapy with either a Physical Therapist or my personal favorite a good Chiropractor.
 
I have been with Chirapractor ,Physical Therapy and Pain clinic what if the another MRI does not show anything PCM will just say I am good and I will have to deal with the pain or?
 
Your pain cannot be substantiated by any evidence I don't see anything your doctor is doing that is wrong he's running numerous tests to formulate a treatment plan if nothing is shown then yea your PCM will say you are good. Looks like he did all the referrals too figure out a way to manage the pain.
 
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But Chiropractor mentioned that I would get chaptered,so he was just trying to keep me away from going to PCM or I am confused,when is chaptering used and when is MEB used? my MRI showed I have disk disease in my upper back but my pain is in lower back.
 
I find 5-17 chapters are used when you just go to sick all the time but your medical problems are not severe enough to warrant a MEB even then the MEB can issue a fit finding and return to duty so you got nowhere. PCM's who are a**holes tend to threaten admin chapters as well as commands who think you are abusing medical. This is why your Chiropractor is warning you that if you keep it up they can admin separate. It's called 5-17 admin separation.
 
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I was also thinking about permanent profile,so I can stay in the military atleast to finish this current contract because I have 1 year and couple months left. How is the decision made if a soldier should get a permanent profile or meb/chapter.Thanks for all this answers it really helps me to understand my current situation.
 
I have close to the same issue, but I do have diagnosed degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis verified by MRI. The PCM is still not placing me on any profile. What hurdle do I have to jump to get a correct profile?
 
I have close to the same issue, but I do have diagnosed degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis verified by MRI. The PCM is still not placing me on any profile. What hurdle do I have to jump to get a correct profile?

Unfortunately, very little many PCM's believe it doesn't require a profile they will also lecture you on how Spinal Stenosis is a birth defect and is in no way connected to service. This is actually untrue each persons diagnosis can have different pain levels but if you are relatively young they just assume stretching and losing weight will make it all go away. The good thing is you got on record when its time to file for compensation from the VA. Try to get a referral to the pain clinic and a Chiropractor and be persistent about it.
 
Unfortunately, very little many PCM's believe it doesn't require a profile they will also lecture you on how Spinal Stenosis is a birth defect and is in no way connected to service. This is actually untrue each persons diagnosis can have different pain levels but if you are relatively young they just assume stretching and losing weight will make it all go away. The good thing is you got on record when its time to file for compensation from the VA. Try to get a referral to the pain clinic and a Chiropractor and be persistent about it.

Thank you. As pilots, we have this problem earlier than the general population.
 
@Max123

Pain can be compensated by the VA (a recent court decision). Apply when you get out.

Your doc is not giving up on finding a cause and that is a good thing. Not everything shows up on MRI. The medical community has become overly dependent on test and has lost interest in clinical skills.

I had great results form an interventional pain management doc. He used clinical skills to discern the issue and was on target. Hope you find some relief soon!
 
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