Lung issues /Random Asthma Diagnosis

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Milspec motrin

PEB Forum Regular Member
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Just starter here and tried to search for similar issues but haven't found any yet, so excuse me if I ask a repetitive question.

Background:
I have a restrictive/obstructive lung issue. I have been given the random asthma diagnosis by my Flight Med PCM. I have not passed a PFT in years and have been on profile for more than 24 months. My PCM seems to think it is allergy based asthma. We have tried Advair, Abuterol, and there was no improvement in lung function. Now he says I have air trapping and has moved me over to Spiriva thinking I have COPD (never smoked BTW). I am on a PT profile and have not completed a run test in 1.5 years.

Here is my issue. It seems like these Dr's have no clue what is going on. They tell me to take these meds then the test show there is no improvement at all and they say okay now lets look at COPD. There has been no improvement in the last 2+ years in my lung function and no dr has a clue what is it. I just keep getting placed on profile and shoved out the door until next time. My profile says cannot perform my daily duties as required by my AFSC. I have a duty limitation code and a PCS/Mobility code also.

Should I request a medboard? I am at 21 years but overseas with a ADSC so I cannot just retire.
 
Milspec motrin said:
Just starter here and tried to search for similar issues but haven't found any yet, so excuse me if I ask a repetitive question.

Background:
I have a restrictive/obstructive lung issue. I have been given the random asthma diagnosis by my Flight Med PCM. I have not passed a PFT in years and have been on profile for more than 24 months. My PCM seems to think it is allergy based asthma. We have tried Advair, Abuterol, and there was no improvement in lung function. Now he says I have air trapping and has moved me over to Spiriva thinking I have COPD (never smoked BTW). I am on a PT profile and have not completed a run test in 1.5 years.

Here is my issue. It seems like these Dr's have no clue what is going on. They tell me to take these meds then the test show there is no improvement at all and they say okay now lets look at COPD. There has been no improvement in the last 2+ years in my lung function and no dr has a clue what is it. I just keep getting placed on profile and shoved out the door until next time. My profile says cannot perform my daily duties as required by my AFSC. I have a duty limitation code and a PCS/Mobility code also.

Should I request a medboard? I am at 21 years but overseas with a ADSC so I cannot just retire.
Click to expand...
I am late to this post, but here are a couple of things to think about. 1) You can't request a med board, your provider must refer you. This doesn't mean you shouldn't have a very up front conversation about it with your provider. Ask the questions: Do you see me deploying with this? Do you see this getting better in a year or less? If the answers to these are NO, (at least for ARMY - sounds like you are AF) it should trigger a med board referral. It sounds like they know the answers to this, but no one has taken responsibility for the next step. You might see the hospital/clinic patient advocate, to see if they can assist. Have you actually seen a pulmonologist? Given what you have described, that seems like something also to push for. Best of luck.
 
I agree with the above poster - if you have not already seen a pulmonologist ask for a referral. Mixed airway disease should be treated by a specialist. Have you deployed? Did you have environmental exposures? There is some evidence of a correlation between environmental exposure in the AOR and and a difficult to diagnose lung disorder.
 
PsychOfficer said:
I am late to this post, but here are a couple of things to think about. 1) You can't request a med board, your provider must refer you. This doesn't mean you shouldn't have a very up front conversation about it with your provider. Ask the questions: Do you see me deploying with this? Do you see this getting better in a year or less? If the answers to these are NO, (at least for ARMY - sounds like you are AF) it should trigger a med board referral. It sounds like they know the answers to this, but no one has taken responsibility for the next step. You might see the hospital/clinic patient advocate, to see if they can assist. Have you actually seen a pulmonologist? Given what you have described, that seems like something also to push for. Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Yes I am active duty AF. I am in year 21 and I am currently overseas and have a ADSC. As far as deployments go, I have been given a code saying I will not be allowed to deploy unless the gaining commander excepts the risk. I also have an assignment limitation code saying the gaining medical unit must be able to treat my condition. I have also been placed on a PT profile (no run/walk/PT at own pace) the profile also disqualifies me from my job duties effectively placing me in a Admin position. I have seen a pulmonologist and they have tried different medications but nothing has worked so far. I have also seen an allergist and while I do have allergies that the Dr. thinks plays into my breathing issues, since the medications do not reverse or controll my issues he is hesitant to do immunotherapy since it could cause a serious reaction that I could not recover from.

I am going to schedule another visit and see if the dr will move forward with the MED board referral and I will see where it goes.
 
Has your profile been updated to the new system? Given what you have described, you should be non-deployable in terms of the new everyone-anywhere focus on deployments. The commander has less discretion after a certain point with the new profiles.
 
update, well I went to see my PCM and he told his tech he did not need to see me and refused to come see my face to face. Also said he would not renew my profile since I was coming due for a RILO in Dec. I has since filed an ICE complaint, left that clinic, got my PCM switch, have been referred to a regional medical center for further testing. My profile has been updated and it seems things are moving along more since the patient advocate got involved.
 
Sadly, that's what it takes sometimes. I am glad you followed through on the PCM switch and you issues are being assessed. Best of luck.
 
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