Need MEB for fibro/depression

2

24August

New Member
Registered Member
I’m an Air Force active duty master sergeant with almost 15 years TOS. My career was on the fast track until 2015, when some symptoms that I’d been experiencing got worse. After 3 years of being told I was fine, I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I also suffer from anxiety and depression.

I’m a single mom with three kids, and I just PCSed to a new duty station. I was fired from the job at my previous base for being absent too much, and I’m constantly getting into trouble for being late and forgetting things. After I PCSed things have gotten so much worse, and I can barely get out of bed most days. I’ve barely been to work, and my poor 2LT has no clue what to do with me. The stress of being a bad SNCO and getting into trouble makes everything worse. I’ve been to my PCM and mental health and told them I can’t function and I’m crumbling, but I haven’t been recommended for an MEB yet.

How do I fast track the process of getting recommended? I’m really struggling and not being able to do anything about it is incredibly depressing.
 
Your best bet is to sit down with you PCM/Mental health and make it clear that things are not getting better and that you wish to be placed on a MedBoard. There are a few posts around the forum from members who have went through the process that I would recommend looking at.

Fibromyalgia MEB <--- That post has some good information.

Best of luck.
 
Flat out asking for a MEB might actually backfire given your position the PCM will most likely want to try treatment first are you seeing any specialists? Have you exhausted your treatment, medication, and therapy options? It seems senior leaders get far more hassle with a MEB than junior leaders especially if they are under 20 years TIS.
 
First off I am terribly sorry that you are going through this and being a single parent means limited support, so this makes it extra difficult if you don't have someone to help with the burden of this tremendous stress. If it's fibro and you are suffering the military has a duty to treat you and your condition. I would sit down with your PCM and ask to be referred to the best fibro clinic/specialist in your local area or even the country. If there's a treatment out there to help get your life back it benefits you and the military.
 
24August said:
I’m an Air Force active duty master sergeant with almost 15 years TOS. My career was on the fast track until 2015, when some symptoms that I’d been experiencing got worse. After 3 years of being told I was fine, I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I also suffer from anxiety and depression.

I’m a single mom with three kids, and I just PCSed to a new duty station. I was fired from the job at my previous base for being absent too much, and I’m constantly getting into trouble for being late and forgetting things. After I PCSed things have gotten so much worse, and I can barely get out of bed most days. I’ve barely been to work, and my poor 2LT has no clue what to do with me. The stress of being a bad SNCO and getting into trouble makes everything worse. I’ve been to my PCM and mental health and told them I can’t function and I’m crumbling, but I haven’t been recommended for an MEB yet.

How do I fast track the process of getting recommended? I’m really struggling and not being able to do anything about it is incredibly depressing.
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Did a rheumatologist diagnose you with fibro or your PCM? If it was your PCM, you need to be referred to a rheumatologist for evaluation and treatment. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. I woke up this morning unable to move, I know how hard it is, especially with all the "skeptics" and stigma surrounding fibromyalgia.
 
24August said:
I’m an Air Force active duty master sergeant with almost 15 years TOS. My career was on the fast track until 2015, when some symptoms that I’d been experiencing got worse. After 3 years of being told I was fine, I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I also suffer from anxiety and depression.

I’m a single mom with three kids, and I just PCSed to a new duty station. I was fired from the job at my previous base for being absent too much, and I’m constantly getting into trouble for being late and forgetting things. After I PCSed things have gotten so much worse, and I can barely get out of bed most days. I’ve barely been to work, and my poor 2LT has no clue what to do with me. The stress of being a bad SNCO and getting into trouble makes everything worse. I’ve been to my PCM and mental health and told them I can’t function and I’m crumbling, but I haven’t been recommended for an MEB yet.

How do I fast track the process of getting recommended? I’m really struggling and not being able to do anything about it is incredibly depressing.
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Hello:
I'm sorry to hear about your medical conditions. I'm Navy so I don't know if you have been placed on LIMDU? If you have not been deployable for 12 months with the new instruction that came out, you should be sent to a PEB. Also if your condition is not improving after all reasonable treatments ( i.e. after 6 months), that is also reason to go to a PEB. I had to let my provider know it was time for me to go to a PEB since I had about a year of treatment with no improvements. Best of luck.
 
Hello Everyone:
Thank you for replying! I have been dealing with this since 2012, and was sent to numerous rheumatologists/neurologists over the years. My last rheumatologist officially diagnosed me with fibro about 18 months ago. I've tried to convey the extent of my condition to my leadership, but, as we all know, this condition is not one that is easily understood by people that are unfamiliar with it. My Lieutenant even told me he's not sure if he believes me. I also have depression because of the work/home problems that have stemmed from fibro (marriage failed/otherwise great career destroyed). The thought of dealing with this for the next few years is overwhelming.

Has anyone been given duty limiting profiles due to fibro symptom? I don't even feel safe driving to work most mornings because of fatigue/confusion.
 
Every medical groups is authorized a patient squadron. You can ask you provider to put you in the patient squadron, if daily duties exceed your physical limits. You can also get treatment for your MH conditions.
 
24August said:
I’m an Air Force active duty master sergeant with almost 15 years TOS. My career was on the fast track until 2015, when some symptoms that I’d been experiencing got worse. After 3 years of being told I was fine, I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I also suffer from anxiety and depression.

I’m a single mom with three kids, and I just PCSed to a new duty station. I was fired from the job at my previous base for being absent too much, and I’m constantly getting into trouble for being late and forgetting things. After I PCSed things have gotten so much worse, and I can barely get out of bed most days. I’ve barely been to work, and my poor 2LT has no clue what to do with me. The stress of being a bad SNCO and getting into trouble makes everything worse. I’ve been to my PCM and mental health and told them I can’t function and I’m crumbling, but I haven’t been recommended for an MEB yet.

How do I fast track the process of getting recommended? I’m really struggling and not being able to do anything about it is incredibly depressing.
Click to expand...
I joined the forum when I read your post just so I can respond to you :)
As I read your post I felt as if I wrote it. I am a single mother of 3 as well and suffer from Fibromyalgia. I never heard of the condition until I was diagnosed with it. I am truly sorry you are struggling thru this. I have served in the Marines and currently AF and I am going thru a MEB which is bittersweet. I have always scored 100s and excellents on my pt test and have done everything the military has asked of me......deployments, MTI, etc. We sacrifice without hesitation then when we no longer work as well we are thrown to the side like washed up goods. Listen to your body!!! Talk to your leadership and let them know what you are going thru and what it takes for you to be productive without pain. I did this (which was not easy). Pride has to be pushed to the side. It got so bad I could not work a full day of work or I was calling in daily and getting shots then placed on quarters from my PCM. Now, I work from home because this is the only thing I can do right now. This allows me to sleep when needed, do bath soaks, etc. My pain and fatigue is debilitating and I asked my PCM to put telework when needed in my profile. I am not very knowledgeable on MEBs other than what I am going thru with my process. I truly wish there was a faster track for severe cases like this and I know you are struggling. You have to tell your PCM what you need. Maybe your Rheumatologist can put something in writing for you. Your Commander can also get involved and let them know how it is impacting your job and your quality of life. They may be trying to help you get to retirement but I could not imagine (and I know you don't) doing another 5 years. That is a lot with just Fibro.....and I'm sure you have a lot of other issues (especially MH) that goes along with this. Hang in there.....easier said than done. But do what is best for you and your babies. I'm here if you have questions.
 
24August: First and foremost, ensure that ALL of you civilian treatment records are in your service medical record (AHLTA/HAIMS). Then, your 2LT working in conjunction with your Squadron Commander and First Sergeant can contact the Medical Group PEBLO and recommend that your medical record be reviewed at the Deployment Availability Working Group (DAWG). If your condition is as debilitating and un-stable as you describe, you'll definitely be referred by the DAWG for an Initial Review In-Lieu-Of (I-RILO). Your medical records and narrative summary will go to AFPC for a duty determination; either return to duty with possible limitations or full MEB. The I-RILO is a fairly quick procedure if everyone does their part correctly. Your PCM's input on the Narrative Summary and the statements on your Commander's Letter will be key. If you want to stay in, tell your commander and help him/her craft the letter to support you. If you're finished with the USAF and cannot possibly go on, tell that story as well. Your Commander can help steer that ship. Fibro that does not get better with treatment is reated at 40% in the eCFR (eCFR — Code of Federal Regulations) Be sure you work with the PEBLO and the Office of Airman's Counsel to fully undertand what a full MEB would entail as far as monetary benefits for the long haul.
 
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