Good afternoon everyone.
I am active duty Culinary Specialist, US Navy with 14 years of service. Just recenly submitted for MEDBOARD to evaluate my Ankylosing Spondolytis.
~History
Prior to 2002, had NO issues or problems with any medical conditions. In 2002, slowly began to experience reoccuring pain in the lower back and hip areas that would last for a week or so then fade away only to reoccur a few weeks or a month later. The pain and length of symptoms steadily increased. Was seen on multiple occasions to treat the pain with no extensive testing to determine the cause and was just told "typical wear and tear on lower back" Dealt with the conditions and moved on. Symptoms spread further up the spine with pain in the neck and between the shoulders. Fast Forward to 2008, had difficulty getting approval for reenlistment until being seen by specialist. Finally given MRI and found Degenerative disc Disease, couple bluge discs and one with annular tear. Luckily was cleared to reenlist. Tried to minimize visits to the hospital as to not complicate career.
2011 was medevac'd off deployment due to severe neck pain. Placed on first 6 month LIMDU period with diagnosis of herniated cervical disc with non-surgical fusion of 2 cervical vertebre. Treated with trigger injections with great results. Returned to full duty and transfered to Yokosuka Japan. During the screening, there was incorrect information documented by my PCM that stated "mbr has no history or chornic or reoccuring neck or back pain" PCM also reassured me that the need of continuing trigger injections would be needed yearly to maintain and he said Yokosuka has the capabilities. Moved to Japan only to find out those procedures were not available locally, but rather in Okinawa via MEDEVAC. Hosptial stated that Medevacs would not be offered in support of continuing maintenance treatment. (Even though many other military members with similar conditions were receiving routine medevacs). At this time, still on full duty on a ship. Having frequent episodes of lower back back in addition to SEVERE abdominal pain that put me in the ER on many occasions. During one visit to the ER, a CT scan revealed a large blood clot. Immediately placed on blood thinners and sent to Tokyo for an Angiogram exactly one week later. Angiogram came back negative. Navy then conducted another CT scan which that as well came back negative for no blood clot. PCM then placed me on LIMDU for 3 months to treat with blood thinners.
During blood thinner treatments, pain still remained with no relief. Was scheduled for a MEDEVAC to Okinawa to receive spinal injections, with ultimate plan to return me CONUS since I was not suppose to have come to Japan in the first place. An inquirey was conducted with an overseas screen deficency report was finalized stating that service member filled all documents correctly but PCM did not follow through with confirming Yokosuka hospital capabilites. While on blood thinners and 1 day away from spinal injection treatment, I found warning information on blood thinner website that clearly stated : DO NOT undergo spinal puncture or epidural injections while on this medication as it can result in a blood clot of the spine resulting in permanant paralaysis. The following day I canceled my medevac and requested meeting with all doctors. Primary care doctor was smug in saying it would be unlikely anything would go wrong. Orthopedic doctor, (in the same room), said it was a good idea to cancel the procedure and he was unaware I was on blood thinners. After comming off blood thinners, I was sent to Tokyo for injections as they just opened a line of care for that procedure and I was the first Navy patient sent for that procedure. Injected in 4 locations lower back with the 3rd and 4th injection causing severe pain and immediate spasms of the right side of body. Immediate onset of severe headaches and naeseua. Couple days later was found to have a punctured dural sac and treated with 2 separate blood patches that unfortunately did not take. Had to wait 1 month for headaches to subside.
Fast forward- (Aug 2013) Transfered back to US, stationed on the STENNIS which was dry-docked. I was still in and out of hosptial for back and stomach pain which the Yoko hospital at one point diagnosed me with diverticulitis which PCM later said was incorrect. During a hosptial visit to the Bremerton Naval hospital, lab results raised concern and was kept 2 nights for further testing. Results came back showing positive for HLA-B27 blood gene with supporting imagery of sacrol joint inflamation and arthritis.
Over time, placed on many different meds with minimal success. Later placed on Humira with no success, in fact had adverse reactions and remained ill the entire time while testing Huimra. Later placed on sulfasalazine and other muscle relaxers and a narcotic and found enough relief to maintain without need of ER assistance. With the ship getting ready to leave dry-dock, it was the actions of the Senior Medical Officer in communications with my PCM at the hospital to initiate a MEDBOARD as they did not want to take a risk with me which brings me to present day.
I am at the beginning stages of the process. With my current medication, I'm under control and have been under control for the past 5 months where I can do my "physically demanding job" effectively.
I prefer nothing more than to be given the opportunity to fulfill my dream to proudly serve 20 years of service and retire. I am unsure if that will be an option. Any insight would be greatly apprecaited. If found unfit and given MEDSEP or MEDRET, how difficult would it be to contest the verdict in order to be given the opportunity to finish the remainder of my career?
There is so much more detail to the story that depicts the mistakes and negligence of medical treatment and processing that I even requested CO mast while in Japan to bring to the attention what I was going through and how other sailors were being given a treatment that I was denied and told they don't offer for that reason.
Sorry for making such a long introduction but wanted to give as much detail as possible as I'm wondering if it could weigh in my favor when going to contest the final verdict.
Thank you for taking the time to read and hope to provide any information I learn during this process to help others that are beginning theirs. I wish everyone the best in thier situations.
~Salute
CS1(sw) Timothy M. Lalli
US Navy
14 years active duty
I am active duty Culinary Specialist, US Navy with 14 years of service. Just recenly submitted for MEDBOARD to evaluate my Ankylosing Spondolytis.
~History
Prior to 2002, had NO issues or problems with any medical conditions. In 2002, slowly began to experience reoccuring pain in the lower back and hip areas that would last for a week or so then fade away only to reoccur a few weeks or a month later. The pain and length of symptoms steadily increased. Was seen on multiple occasions to treat the pain with no extensive testing to determine the cause and was just told "typical wear and tear on lower back" Dealt with the conditions and moved on. Symptoms spread further up the spine with pain in the neck and between the shoulders. Fast Forward to 2008, had difficulty getting approval for reenlistment until being seen by specialist. Finally given MRI and found Degenerative disc Disease, couple bluge discs and one with annular tear. Luckily was cleared to reenlist. Tried to minimize visits to the hospital as to not complicate career.
2011 was medevac'd off deployment due to severe neck pain. Placed on first 6 month LIMDU period with diagnosis of herniated cervical disc with non-surgical fusion of 2 cervical vertebre. Treated with trigger injections with great results. Returned to full duty and transfered to Yokosuka Japan. During the screening, there was incorrect information documented by my PCM that stated "mbr has no history or chornic or reoccuring neck or back pain" PCM also reassured me that the need of continuing trigger injections would be needed yearly to maintain and he said Yokosuka has the capabilities. Moved to Japan only to find out those procedures were not available locally, but rather in Okinawa via MEDEVAC. Hosptial stated that Medevacs would not be offered in support of continuing maintenance treatment. (Even though many other military members with similar conditions were receiving routine medevacs). At this time, still on full duty on a ship. Having frequent episodes of lower back back in addition to SEVERE abdominal pain that put me in the ER on many occasions. During one visit to the ER, a CT scan revealed a large blood clot. Immediately placed on blood thinners and sent to Tokyo for an Angiogram exactly one week later. Angiogram came back negative. Navy then conducted another CT scan which that as well came back negative for no blood clot. PCM then placed me on LIMDU for 3 months to treat with blood thinners.
During blood thinner treatments, pain still remained with no relief. Was scheduled for a MEDEVAC to Okinawa to receive spinal injections, with ultimate plan to return me CONUS since I was not suppose to have come to Japan in the first place. An inquirey was conducted with an overseas screen deficency report was finalized stating that service member filled all documents correctly but PCM did not follow through with confirming Yokosuka hospital capabilites. While on blood thinners and 1 day away from spinal injection treatment, I found warning information on blood thinner website that clearly stated : DO NOT undergo spinal puncture or epidural injections while on this medication as it can result in a blood clot of the spine resulting in permanant paralaysis. The following day I canceled my medevac and requested meeting with all doctors. Primary care doctor was smug in saying it would be unlikely anything would go wrong. Orthopedic doctor, (in the same room), said it was a good idea to cancel the procedure and he was unaware I was on blood thinners. After comming off blood thinners, I was sent to Tokyo for injections as they just opened a line of care for that procedure and I was the first Navy patient sent for that procedure. Injected in 4 locations lower back with the 3rd and 4th injection causing severe pain and immediate spasms of the right side of body. Immediate onset of severe headaches and naeseua. Couple days later was found to have a punctured dural sac and treated with 2 separate blood patches that unfortunately did not take. Had to wait 1 month for headaches to subside.
Fast forward- (Aug 2013) Transfered back to US, stationed on the STENNIS which was dry-docked. I was still in and out of hosptial for back and stomach pain which the Yoko hospital at one point diagnosed me with diverticulitis which PCM later said was incorrect. During a hosptial visit to the Bremerton Naval hospital, lab results raised concern and was kept 2 nights for further testing. Results came back showing positive for HLA-B27 blood gene with supporting imagery of sacrol joint inflamation and arthritis.
Over time, placed on many different meds with minimal success. Later placed on Humira with no success, in fact had adverse reactions and remained ill the entire time while testing Huimra. Later placed on sulfasalazine and other muscle relaxers and a narcotic and found enough relief to maintain without need of ER assistance. With the ship getting ready to leave dry-dock, it was the actions of the Senior Medical Officer in communications with my PCM at the hospital to initiate a MEDBOARD as they did not want to take a risk with me which brings me to present day.
I am at the beginning stages of the process. With my current medication, I'm under control and have been under control for the past 5 months where I can do my "physically demanding job" effectively.
I prefer nothing more than to be given the opportunity to fulfill my dream to proudly serve 20 years of service and retire. I am unsure if that will be an option. Any insight would be greatly apprecaited. If found unfit and given MEDSEP or MEDRET, how difficult would it be to contest the verdict in order to be given the opportunity to finish the remainder of my career?
There is so much more detail to the story that depicts the mistakes and negligence of medical treatment and processing that I even requested CO mast while in Japan to bring to the attention what I was going through and how other sailors were being given a treatment that I was denied and told they don't offer for that reason.
Sorry for making such a long introduction but wanted to give as much detail as possible as I'm wondering if it could weigh in my favor when going to contest the final verdict.
Thank you for taking the time to read and hope to provide any information I learn during this process to help others that are beginning theirs. I wish everyone the best in thier situations.
~Salute
CS1(sw) Timothy M. Lalli
US Navy
14 years active duty