Problems with medical care

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 20:18:59 -0500

Before the military I did not have many issues health wise. Now it seems that my body is starting to break down even quicker now. I am currently having issues with my knees, and no one can find the cause. I have been told three different things by three different doctors, none of them have helped. From shin splints to weak ankles to tendinitis and finally a weak ti band. I've been to physical therapy yet no progress. I understand an mri or bone scan Is expensive but I was told they would think of medically discharging me before all options were exhausted! Are they allowed to do this? And if I go off post to get the help I need will I be charged? What have you done in instances where you weren't getting the help you need?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2014 8:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 20:43:43 -0500

I was frustrated for my first year with the Army medical system. I was having issues with lower back, shins, ankles, and feet; profile for 6 months no run, just new to the unit. I was considered a dirt bag. My PA was some old guy who didn't take time to listen, sent me for x-rays and bone scans on all parts of my body. It wasn't until I got a second opinion from a Doctor who listened, happed to be a specialist for sports medicine, that I was correctly diagnosed with a common foot problem. I was issued orthotics for both feet and ran the next day and haven't stopped since. That was 8 years ago.

Just remember, a military PA is just an assistant, a Doctor in training. All of them. You can request a second opinion from your primary care provider or just ask for a referral to sports medicine or some kind of specialist. Bone scans and MRI's don't cost that much in the Army, we own the equipment and most of the time the technicians are military. Don't take the cost as an excuse for not getting the medical attention need.

While you are working on getting the help you need, you may also want to talk to a running coach, sports doctor, or someone who is well versed in those areas. You describe common issues with running with wrong shoes, bad stride, or over use injuries. It is no shock in the Army that someone would have those symptoms. From personal experience with some of those issues, lots of ice. Take an ice bath, I know it is cold, but well worth it.

Unfortunately, getting medically removed from service doesn't take a whole lot. When the documents are sent to the medical board, it is up to them to decide. While I was a Drill Sergeant, PVT's were getting out for the smallest of issues. Just ask, request, and follow up constantly with your PA, it shows you care and will keep them working. If they are dragging their feet on the issue, talk to your 1SG, they seem to have the magical phone number to getting things done when you hit a brick wall.

Response by A1C Patrick Sullivan made Sep 3 at 2014 3:00 PM

A1C Patrick Sullivan — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 15:00:00 -0400

Not many military medical professionals want to spend the time diagnosing every patient, which sucks. Both my wife and I had terrible experiences with military medical to the point that even while we had tricare we never went to anything short of a specialty clinic on base.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 26 at 2014 5:53 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 05:53:25 -0400

How are you doing SSG Private RallyPoint Member ? I hope you have gotten some good news and at least a proper diagnosis.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 26 at 2014 6:04 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 06:04:08 -0400

Don't even get me started. Multiple operations while deployed on AD for abdominal pain which were pretty much unnecessary IF the issue had been diagnosed correctly from the start. Since I'm NG, I went to see my own doctors who got me well again. And of course the initial issue was non-service related.

Response by Capt Andrew Pratt made Dec 7 at 2016 2:22 PM

Capt Andrew Pratt — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 14:22:32 -0500

Response by Amn Dan Richards made Nov 18 at 2017 4:30 AM

Amn Dan Richards — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 04:30:47 -0500

The problem faced here, by me, and other Veterans, is IF you can get an appointment, you can't get a ride. If you CAN get a ride, there are no appointments available on those days. Also, staff members at VAMCs are looking at private practice, ALL the time. On my psych-team, members are forever changing. Example: When having cataract surgery on both eyes, the surgeon for the first one corrected my right eye to 20/30, which isn't bad, considering nobody could see through that cataract. A different surgeon did my left eye. She remembered the myopia, but forgot the astigmatism. So, I'll be wearing glasses for the rest of my life.
My psych-team doesn't really listen. They'll up my meds, or give generic advice. Nothing specific. I'm a Veteran with CPTSD and other mental and physical problems. I've been getting steadily worse since the latest psychiatrist took over. He's the latest, in a very long line of them.