How to best prepare for Air Force MEB (ulcerative colitis)

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FullTilt

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Long story short. I have been facing digestive issues for many years now, but always been told I probably have hemerobiids due to rectal bleeding. Recently I had another colonoscopy with a new GI doctor, and she believe that I have IBD, either crohns or ulcerative colitis, but leaning towards the latter. (Which my PCM agrees with based on the biopsy.) Additionally, I am anemic due to blood loss because of my IBD issues which is also causing me to have bad restless legs at night. I still am due to receive an MRI and Capsule study to confirm the diagnosis. However, today my PCM informed me that he was going to start the process of sending my file up to the MEB. Which I was slightly surprised by since I do not have an official diagnosis yet besides that I do have a form of IBD.

I am currently over 10 years time in service. I have mixed feelings on what I want the outcome of this all to be (Medical retirement or Retention). My PCM seems optimistic that I will not be separated or discharged, and will just hold a C code and be limited on where I can PCS/Deploy to in the future. I am starting weekly Iron infusions to hopefully help my body stabilize its iron levels and fix the anemia issues.

Any advice or tips on what I do to best prepare myself for the best outcome?

I will keep this thread updated as I go about the process.

Thank you
 
I served for 12 years with a UC diagnosis. They ended up C-coding me when I was at the stage you're at. Towards the end they did MEB me out when my disease progressed and I was put on biologics and immune suppressants to control it. If you're just on topical/oral agents to control your disease, then I'd guess you would be retained. If you're on biologics/immune suppressants, then you will be medically retired or medically discharged with severance.
 
3 November 2022 - Diagnosed with Crohns Disease (K50.10) and Hematochezia.
 
FullTilt said:
3 November 2022 - Diagnosed with Crohns Disease (K50.10) and Hematochezia.
Click to expand...
4 November 2022 - My GI doc prescribed me Prednisone and I will start Entyvio infusions after one more round of blood work.
 
FullTilt said:
4 November 2022 - My GI doc prescribed me Prednisone and I will start Entyvio infusions after one more round of blood
Click to expand...
Good news is biologics like Entyvio work very well for your symptoms. I get infusions every 6 weeks and it changed my life. The med board process is long and complicated. Feel free to ask specific questions as they come up.
 
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@phaerix I am in a similar situation, I am very nervous about all these strong medicines everyone with UC talks about taking… isnt there harsh side effects and dont some of them led to different forms of cancer? Esp biologics? What happens if I dont want to do try these medications and I want to try a more natural approach..does anyone know what the navy doctors do with that?
 
DNic said:
@phaerix I am in a similar situation, I am very nervous about all these strong medicines everyone with UC talks about taking… isnt there harsh side effects and dont some of them led to different forms of cancer? Esp biologics? What happens if I dont want to do try these medications and I want to try a more natural approach..does anyone know what the navy doctors do with that?
Click to expand...
I can relate. I was extremely worried and nervous too. The idea is your disease puts you at more risk than the medicine, due to having chronic inflammation and ulceration. Everything in life poses some risk... that's what I told myself when I agreed to use biologics. I thought about risks we take everyday, such as driving to work being a huge risk considering how many people die in crashes every year. Eventually I rationalized that it was the safest option. In retrospect, my disease was severe enough that I never really had a choice. I was either going on biologics or getting my colon removed or suffering until this disease killed me. In the past I tried all the natural ways and all other lesser treatments and they were just not working. I don't have any side effects to the medicine and yes it does increase my risk for certain cancers and infections, but it's the safest play for the hand I was dealt in life. I like to offset the risk with a plant based diet and a healthy lifestyle. I suggest joining support groups on facebook to see others experiences.
 
3 November 2022 - Diagnosed with Crohns Disease (K50.10) and Hematochezia.
4 November 2022 - My GI doc prescribed me Prednisone and I will start Entyvio infusions after one more round of blood
22 December 2022 - First Round of Entyvio Infusions
18 January 2023 - Had a meeting with my PCM to discuss all my symptoms and established a timeline (I'm guessing). He also told me that my case is passed the AMRO and going to a MEB once he receives one last document from my GI specialist.
 
3 November 2022 - Diagnosed with Crohns Disease (K50.10) and Hematochezia.
4 November 2022 - My GI doc prescribed me Prednisone and I will start Entyvio infusions after one more round of blood
22 December 2022 - First Round of Entyvio Infusions
18 January 2023 - Had a meeting with my PCM to discuss all my symptoms and established a timeline (I'm guessing). He also told me that my case is passed the AMRO and going to a MEB once he receives one last document from my GI specialist.
15 February 2023 - First meeting with PEBLO, waiting on my Commanders Impact Statement.
 
3 November 2022 - Diagnosed with Crohns Disease (K50.10) and Hematochezia.
4 November 2022 - My GI doc prescribed me Prednisone and I will start Entyvio infusions after one more round of blood
22 December 2022 - First Round of Entyvio Infusions
18 January 2023 - Had a meeting with my PCM to discuss all my symptoms and established a timeline (I'm guessing). He also told me that my case is passed the AMRO and going to a MEB once he receives one last document from my GI specialist.
15 February 2023 - First meeting with PEBLO, waiting on my Commanders Impact Statement.
23 February 2023 - Received CC Impact Statement who recommended that I not be retained in the best interest of my health.
 
3 November 2022 - Diagnosed with Crohns Disease (K50.10) and Hematochezia.
4 November 2022 - My GI doc prescribed me Prednisone and I will start Entyvio infusions after one more round of blood
22 December 2022 - First Round of Entyvio Infusions
18 January 2023 - Had a meeting with my PCM to discuss all my symptoms and established a timeline (I'm guessing). He also told me that my case is passed the AMRO and going to a MEB once he receives one last document from my GI specialist.
15 February 2023 - First meeting with PEBLO, waiting on my Commanders Impact Statement.
23 February 2023 - Received CC Impact Statement who recommended that I not be retained in the best interest of my health.
28 February 2023 - Case sent to DPMNR (Medical Retention Standards) for disposition.
 
does anyone know if there's a place we can find documentation of AMRO and IRLIO decisions?
 
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