Hey all, so I have crazy high inflammation caused by some disease. My doctor finally tried out Humira and it is a life changer making me feel like I'm 25 again with no inflammation at all anymore. I saw a lot of posts about Humira on here but not for exactly what I have. I'm just wondering what may come of this if a MEB is started. Without the Humira I feel bad but able to work, with it I am WAY more fit for duty. Since the drug makes me even fitter for duty is this something that can allow me to stay in if a MED is started? Or are there drugs like this one that just automatically discharge you?
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Humira to trigger MEB, maybe?
- Thread starter DeRoach
- Start date
I'm on hunira and it works really well for me too. I have been told by my medical officer that it is a service disqualifier. Nothing really came of it since I'm going through the MEB process already.Hey all, so I have crazy high inflammation caused by some disease. My doctor finally tried out Humira and it is a life changer making me feel like I'm 25 again with no inflammation at all anymore. I saw a lot of posts about Humira on here but not for exactly what I have. I'm just wondering what may come of this if a MEB is started. Without the Humira I feel bad but able to work, with it I am WAY more fit for duty. Since the drug makes me even fitter for duty is this something that can allow me to stay in if a MED is started? Or are there drugs like this one that just automatically discharge you?
Can they reference something that says taking this drug is an automatic discharge? Is it the cost? The cooling of the drug? Just seems odd they offer the treatment and then send you packing...I'm on hunira and it works really well for me too. I have been told by my medical officer that it is a service disqualifier. Nothing really came of it since I'm going through the MEB process already.
I'm not sure which reference but he did elaborate. Humira is an immunosuppressant, meaning you are not deployable due to the possibility that you may get sick with something your immune system cannot properly fight.Can they reference something that says taking this drug is an automatic discharge? Is it the cost? The cooling of the drug? Just seems odd they offer the treatment and then send you packing...
Is the disease Crohn’s or UC? Nonetheless, if the condition is autoimmune related and/or you’re on an immunosuppressant for an medical condition then “yes” you’ll undergo an MEB. I was just Medically Retired due to Crohn’s and being on an immunosuppressant.
No. I have high levels of inflammation in my body, 5 times the normal levels I was told. Nothing works to lower it, physical therapy, pills, teas, electric therapy, acupuncture, etc. Finally a doc that listened to me saying nothing helps said he wanted to try Humira even though it wasn't used for SAPHO disease before. Well after the first injection I was a new person and after about the 3rd injection I have zero inflammation. My main concern is that a Med Board just looks at me like, Oh this guy is on Humira so he's done even though he's completely fit for duty. As far as I am aware Humira just makes you about 30% more prone to getting sick but I mean I am above average health and already get sick rarely.Is the disease Crohn’s or UC? Nonetheless, if the condition is autoimmune related and/or you’re on an immunosuppressant for an medical condition then “yes” you’ll undergo an MEB. I was just Medically Retired due to Crohn’s and being on an immunosuppressant.
Immunosuppressants means you can’t deploy, which is a disqualifier. You will more than likely go through a MEB, if you continue with humira. You do have options and it will all be explained to you when the time comes. I’m sensing that you want to stay in and not go through the MEB, so I’ll advise you to continue with treatment and talk with your doctor who prescribed you humira and see if you have any other options other than immunosuppressants. But being honest, health comes first and humira healed you so I would stick with it unless there is an alternative but not an immunosuppressant.No. I have high levels of inflammation in my body, 5 times the normal levels I was told. Nothing works to lower it, physical therapy, pills, teas, electric therapy, acupuncture, etc. Finally a doc that listened to me saying nothing helps said he wanted to try Humira even though it wasn't used for SAPHO disease before. Well after the first injection I was a new person and after about the 3rd injection I have zero inflammation. My main concern is that a Med Board just looks at me like, Oh this guy is on Humira so he's done even though he's completely fit for duty. As far as I am aware Humira just makes you about 30% more prone to getting sick but I mean I am above average health and already get sick rarely.
Hi I was diagnosed with an aggressive phenotype of Crohn’s disease last March and undergoing the MEDBOARD process currently. Could you tell me what your DOD and VA ratings were? I’m trying to get a ball park of what I could expect if found unfitIs the disease Crohn’s or UC? Nonetheless, if the condition is autoimmune related and/or you’re on an immunosuppressant for an medical condition then “yes” you’ll undergo an MEB. I was just Medically Retired due to Crohn’s and being on an immunosuppressant.
It depends what your command writes on your non medical assessment (NMA) and what your gastroenterologist says in their letter to the board. The NMA will tell the board if your command thinks or doesn’t think your condition hinders your job performance and able to do your regular duties. If your doctor says you could be in remission for X amount of years, that may sway the decision. Just because you can’t deploy does not mean you can’t be placed in permanent shore duty. I have an admin rate so I could stay in if I fight for it but that’s not the route I want to go.Hey all, so I have crazy high inflammation caused by some disease. My doctor finally tried out Humira and it is a life changer making me feel like I'm 25 again with no inflammation at all anymore. I saw a lot of posts about Humira on here but not for exactly what I have. I'm just wondering what may come of this if a MEB is started. Without the Humira I feel bad but able to work, with it I am WAY more fit for duty. Since the drug makes me even fitter for duty is this something that can allow me to stay in if a MED is started? Or are there drugs like this one that just automatically discharge you?
Hi, I was rated 60% for my Crohn’s. Altogether, I was rated 90% DoD and 100% P&T.Hi I was diagnosed with an aggressive phenotype of Crohn’s disease last March and undergoing the MEDBOARD process currently. Could you tell me what your DOD and VA ratings were? I’m trying to get a ball park of what I could expect if found unfit
I went through a meb back in 2020 for my UC for which i am on remicade infusions for, I got TDRl 30% DOD, 100% VA T&P. I did my tdrl re eval back in august 2021 and received my results a few days ago, They are trying to bump my 30% down to 10%. I appealed and am going though an over the phone formal board soon. My re eval doc even stated my condition is unlikely to improve and that I am recommended to be permanently retired.Is the disease Crohn’s or UC? Nonetheless, if the condition is autoimmune related and/or you’re on an immunosuppressant for an medical condition then “yes” you’ll undergo an MEB. I was just Medically Retired due to Crohn’s and being on an immunosuppressant.
That’s insane. UC and Crohn’s should be PDRL since they are lifelong chronic conditions that requires continuous medication, infusions and routine lab-work. For the over the phone board call, just let them know about your treatment (infusions, medications, hospitalizations, diet, flare ups, joint pain, mental state and etc.), any other of the symptoms that you’ve experienced and how it affects your everyday life. You did right with appealing their decision. Hopefully it works out in your favor. Also, this process won’t have anything to do with your VA rating, so you’re good on that end.I went through a meb back in 2020 for my UC for which i am on remicade infusions for, I got TDRl 30% DOD, 100% VA T&P. I did my tdrl re eval back in august 2021 and received my results a few days ago, They are trying to bump my 30% down to 10%. I appealed and am going though an over the phone formal board soon. My re eval doc even stated my condition is unlikely to improve and that I am recommended to be permanently retired.
Thanks so much for the advice ! And yes I agree I was surprised they thought I would be ok with 10%. I have been through the ringer with UC and I've had continuous treatment this whole time since I was diagnosed in the Marines. What baffled me was that my re evaluation went great and the doc recommended I be retired and that I have no chance of improving. I've heard they overlook a lot of stuff and they happened to overlook the fact that I have a chronic illness that's lifelong and requires lifelong treatment and the fact that the doctors recomendation was brushed off also. Its ok tho I'm going to push back.That’s insane. UC and Crohn’s should be PDRL since they are lifelong chronic conditions that requires continuous medication, infusions and routine lab-work. For the over the phone board call, just let them know about your treatment (infusions, medications, hospitalizations, diet, flare ups, joint pain, mental state and etc.), any other of the symptoms that you’ve experienced and how it affects your everyday life. You did right with appealing their decision. Hopefully it works out in your favor. Also, this process won’t have anything to do with your VA rating, so you’re good on that end.
That’s wild they overlooked the re-evaluation notes from the doctor and your treatment records. Just mention everything at the formal board and hopefully they overturn their decision. I’ve heard at times they’ll propose a new rating before the formal board takes place because of known errors on their end. Hopefully it all works out. Keep me posted.Thanks so much for the advice ! And yes I agree I was surprised they thought I would be ok with 10%. I have been through the ringer with UC and I've had continuous treatment this whole time since I was diagnosed in the Marines. What baffled me was that my re evaluation went great and the doc recommended I be retired and that I have no chance of improving. I've heard they overlook a lot of stuff and they happened to overlook the fact that I have a chronic illness that's lifelong and requires lifelong treatment and the fact that the doctors recomendation was brushed off also. Its ok tho I'm going to push back.