NEED SOME SOUND ADVICE!!!

Hello all,

I am currenlty AD ARMY with 16+ years. 6 years ago i was diagnosed with DDD bulged/ herniated disks and mild/ moderate arthritis. I was placed on a P2 and have struggled through APFTs and HT/ WTs to stay within standards. My back problems have not improved and the DDD over time have worsened. I am currenlty in physical therapy to improve my ROM and "relieve" my pain sypmtoms. I have developed OSD (sleep apnea) and am always fatigued at work. I fall asleep driving, sitting too long, yet only sleep 4-5 hrs a night. I never get rested sleep and is affecting my abilities to perform as an E-7.

I was recently fitted for the C-PAP machine but still waiting to recieve the actual machine. One year ago, I was seen for stress/ anxiety and placed on medication for it. (side effect: unexplained weight gain) and gained 20+ pounds. I have recently been removed from position and am on the overweight program.

My delimma: chronic pain and fatigue from the DDD and OSD making it difficult to conduct physical fitness/ perform my duties. Medication for Stress/ anxiety not helping my cause with weight loss. I am suffering from memory loss, concentration issues, chronic fatigue and pain.

I have requested to see a military doctor for a fit for duty before the Army tries to separate me for a Chapter 18. Any suggestions? I feel like this last year has ruined my last 16 years in the army and I dont want the pink slip for something I feel may be beyond my control.
 
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You are in a difficult situation right now, the conservative treatment of your DDD as well as the medications are causing weight gain, which in turn makes unable to meet the weight standards for the Army. To top it off you have OSA which has side effects of memory loss, fatigue and additional weight gain. Comorbid to those two conditions are anxiety/depression and chronic stress.

I think a comprehensive fitness evaluation would be the correct decision, what may prove to be hard, is how much weight you primary care is going to give to this triad of medical problems you face.

OSA is generally not an unfitting condition, since it is treated with a CPAP machine, it takes a P3 profile to initiate a MEB for both your DDD as well as your depression/anxiety.

AR 40-501 is the regulation which covers the standards for retention, based upon what you have described you would more than likely be found unfit under Chapter 3-39 h

Nonradicular pain involving the cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral, or coccygeal spine, whether idiopathic or secondary to degenerative disc or joint disease, that fails to respond to adequate conservative treatment and necessitates significant limitation of physical activity.

16 years is quite an investment and achieving the rank of SFC in the Army places you in the upper echelon of non-commissioned officers.

Do you think with adequate medical rehabilitation and treatment that you could be brought back within the standards of fitness per AR 40-501 and AR 600-9?

Here are my recommendations:

1.) If you are not currently, go to behavioral health for treatment of your anxiety/depression and stress, they may help you get back on track, or even identify an illness that you are unaware that is present.

2.) Talk to your PCM about the possibility of a MEB, you have been getting conservative treatment for DDD, you have not responded to it and you current pain level is interfering with your ability to perform your MOS duties, as well as basic soldiering tasks.

3.) Talk to the weight control officer, notify them of you current plans to seek out treatment to rehabilitate, draw up a plan that includes the master fitness trainer and dietary consultation, make a commitment to yourself to move towards meeting the weight standards, this will benefit you and your health much more than it will benefit the Army.

4.) Make sure you get your CPAP as soon as possible and use it as prescribed, it will help you greatly with many of your medical issues and at the minimum qualify you for a 50% VA disability rating if you are unable to continue your military career.
 
Thank you for your reply. I am seeking Behavioral health and currently working with a dietitian. both have concurred that my lack of sleep and current chronic pain/ anxiety meds are preventing me from losing the neccessary weight to meet retention. All have agreed that the root of my issues are sleep deprivation/ pain.

I spoke with legal services today and they stated similar statements about MEB and stressed to me to seek out the Fit for duty. I am tricare prime remote and have been using civilian PCMs for my issues. I am on recruiting duty and only have an AFB close to my location, but because of the prime remote, thay cannot "treat" me. ( exception: Mental Health/ Dietitian)

I have a scheduled FFD for Ft Irwin last week of this month, fingers crossed they can set me on a good path for rehibilitation. After 16 1/2 years I hope that will account for something and give me an adaquate recovery time... i feel getting well rested sleep will help me turn this around.

side bar question: Does anyone know if I can request early retirement in lieu of the PEB or chapter? i was told the magic number for early retirement is 17y 9m (18y) but i did read that the Army is offering a 15y TERA- would medical apply to this?
 
Were you able to get blood tests
Done on your hormones or a saliva test for cortisol?
Pain,fatigue, weight gain, memory issues and so many others are related to insufficient hormones or high cortisol (multiple causes--one being chronic stress leading to adrenal fatigue).
 
I think you got great advice above (asking for a comprehensive fitness evaluation). I see where you have it scheduled already. Best wishes. Mike
 
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