I have been being seen for back pain, migraines, and sleep issues all for over a year now — all recurrent. However, the back pain is the most prevalent and most pressing issue.
I have several bulging discs, cartilage degradation, spinal canal narrowing, and nerve compression which causes pain down both legs. I have had two steroid epidurals so far, and am getting a third very soon.
Since the start of being seen, the pain has gotten worse. I see physical therapy, chiro, and an off base clinic for pain management and these epidurals. Again, this has been going on over a year and only getting worse. My PCM knows, and just wants me to “try it (the epidural) again,” “and then we’ll see if we can do more if that doesn’t help.”
The two times I got an epidural, and same
for the next time, I have to be out that entire day of work. There have been many instances where I have to stop working and lie down because the pain gets so bad. I’ve also had to leave work early or stop working more than several times as well because of migraines. The poor sleep affects my quality of work. All of this has started negatively affecting mental health, and I’ve started being seen for that as well.
From the AFI in the MEB 101:
5.3.11.8. Migraine. Manifested by disabling attacks requiring frequent absences from duty and are unrelieved by treatment
5.3.12.2.1. Conditions that are expected to have persistent duty impairment (more than 1 year despite treatment)
5.3.14.1. Congenital anomalies presenting functional impairment of a degree to preclude the satisfactory performance of duty.
I have several bulging discs, cartilage degradation, spinal canal narrowing, and nerve compression which causes pain down both legs. I have had two steroid epidurals so far, and am getting a third very soon.
Since the start of being seen, the pain has gotten worse. I see physical therapy, chiro, and an off base clinic for pain management and these epidurals. Again, this has been going on over a year and only getting worse. My PCM knows, and just wants me to “try it (the epidural) again,” “and then we’ll see if we can do more if that doesn’t help.”
The two times I got an epidural, and same
for the next time, I have to be out that entire day of work. There have been many instances where I have to stop working and lie down because the pain gets so bad. I’ve also had to leave work early or stop working more than several times as well because of migraines. The poor sleep affects my quality of work. All of this has started negatively affecting mental health, and I’ve started being seen for that as well.
From the AFI in the MEB 101:
5.3.11.8. Migraine. Manifested by disabling attacks requiring frequent absences from duty and are unrelieved by treatment
5.3.12.2.1. Conditions that are expected to have persistent duty impairment (more than 1 year despite treatment)
5.3.14.1. Congenital anomalies presenting functional impairment of a degree to preclude the satisfactory performance of duty.