Yesterday was a challenging day, my apologies for the long winded post…
I’m a Career approved AGR in the Air Force reserves that is being involuntary separated due to funding for my position. I received my official notification 13 November 2014, with a modified DOS of 20 January 2015. I work in a geographically separated unit in Kentucky, my unit is based out of Hill AFB in Utah. Right now, I’m sitting at 17 years of active duty.
I’ve been having ongoing treatment for chronic migraines, and other embarrassing issues since about 2003. I’m on Tricare prime remote and as such I’ve been seeing civilian doctors the whole time. I’m a one man operation in my position as my “appointed” supervisor and Commander are stationed at Hill AFB. I say “appointed” because I’ve never seen or talked to anyone in regards to being my mentor. My Commander has at least came TDY to my location once to meet myself and the reserve team I manage.
I have severe migraines and take two different abortive medication and for the last three years I’ve been prescribed several preventative prescriptions trying to find one that lowers the frequency. Currently I’m getting 2-4 debilitating migraines a week. The abortive meds do work although I have a limited amount I can get each month for Treximet and Zomig, any migraines beyond that leave me dealing with them without fast relief. I’ve been on several preventatives prescribed by two different neurologists and my PCM, Topamax, Depakote, Propranolol, Nortriptyline, and currently on Amitriptyline. I’m prescribed Naproxen & Prochlorper for nausea when I run out of the abortives.
Because I manage a reserve unit, I have my own building with 8 separate offices. I work 95% of the time by myself with no other human interaction besides phones calls and email. My current position is perfect for someone with chronic migraines as I can lock my doors and turn off the lights anytime I feel a migraine coming on. I’m a 2W071 by trade although my position is mainly administrative in my current role. The short version is I sucked up the pain and did my job without complaints. I have perfect EPR’s (appraisals) and pass all my PT tests.
Upon termination notice, I scheduled a visit to the family health care clinic at WPAFB. About a week later they called and canceled that appointment because I was supposed to have an out-processing physical with the Occupational Health clinic. I contacted them and told the scheduler/assistant everything that is going on and made the appointment. He contacted me back shorty and had me fill out the DD Form 2807-1. He said fill this out completely and include any current and past issues. I took my time and wrote every issue in block 29 with medical terms used in my civilian records to include dates and doctors of everything. I emailed that back the next day, as he said he needed that back ASAP.
Yesterday I drive 3 hours to WPAFB for my 8am appointment. It starts off great with awesome customer support and ends with the doctor completely unsupportive towards anything.
The retired Col. enters the room and explains who he is and what positions he’s held over the years. He starts looking over the 2807 and shaking his head back and forth like he’s saying “no”. He looks at me and asks “what are we here for today?” I replied that I’m having issues that I feel need elevated and I’m running out of time because of the involuntary separation in a month. He replies back” no, that’s not why we’re here, I’m here to do a out-processing physical” At that point I was completely distraught and couldn’t gather my thoughts correctly. After a few more words back and forth about me not doing a PHA annually and I’m trying to explain that I have done them but the forms get sent to Hill AFB. I mention that all my medical is done with civilians, and he replies that that I could have seen a military doctor anytime.
He did’nt look at any of my medical records that I was told to bring. I was told that I need to take those records to the DAV for help in starting a disability claim.
He proceeded to conduct a very brief physical grabbed the 2807 off the desk and said “God bless” as he walked out. I sat in that room for about 10 mins after getting dressed waiting for someone else to get me or at least say you’re done or anything at that point. Nothing… I got up, found my way to the exit and left.
That was the longest 3 hour drive back to my house, so many thoughts and emotions ran through my head. I understand the big picture that I’m just a number with a dollar value assigned to it. It’s another that I have absolutely no support and completely lost in what do due, mainly because I work on a civilian ran Army Depot with no MTF or other military members able to offer guidance. I would of never thought that the medical institution would completely ignore my issues and not even take a copy of my records to include with my military info.
I contacted Patient Advocacy yesterday and explained what happened. I hope they can shed some light on this.
Regards
Kevin
I’m a Career approved AGR in the Air Force reserves that is being involuntary separated due to funding for my position. I received my official notification 13 November 2014, with a modified DOS of 20 January 2015. I work in a geographically separated unit in Kentucky, my unit is based out of Hill AFB in Utah. Right now, I’m sitting at 17 years of active duty.
I’ve been having ongoing treatment for chronic migraines, and other embarrassing issues since about 2003. I’m on Tricare prime remote and as such I’ve been seeing civilian doctors the whole time. I’m a one man operation in my position as my “appointed” supervisor and Commander are stationed at Hill AFB. I say “appointed” because I’ve never seen or talked to anyone in regards to being my mentor. My Commander has at least came TDY to my location once to meet myself and the reserve team I manage.
I have severe migraines and take two different abortive medication and for the last three years I’ve been prescribed several preventative prescriptions trying to find one that lowers the frequency. Currently I’m getting 2-4 debilitating migraines a week. The abortive meds do work although I have a limited amount I can get each month for Treximet and Zomig, any migraines beyond that leave me dealing with them without fast relief. I’ve been on several preventatives prescribed by two different neurologists and my PCM, Topamax, Depakote, Propranolol, Nortriptyline, and currently on Amitriptyline. I’m prescribed Naproxen & Prochlorper for nausea when I run out of the abortives.
Because I manage a reserve unit, I have my own building with 8 separate offices. I work 95% of the time by myself with no other human interaction besides phones calls and email. My current position is perfect for someone with chronic migraines as I can lock my doors and turn off the lights anytime I feel a migraine coming on. I’m a 2W071 by trade although my position is mainly administrative in my current role. The short version is I sucked up the pain and did my job without complaints. I have perfect EPR’s (appraisals) and pass all my PT tests.
Upon termination notice, I scheduled a visit to the family health care clinic at WPAFB. About a week later they called and canceled that appointment because I was supposed to have an out-processing physical with the Occupational Health clinic. I contacted them and told the scheduler/assistant everything that is going on and made the appointment. He contacted me back shorty and had me fill out the DD Form 2807-1. He said fill this out completely and include any current and past issues. I took my time and wrote every issue in block 29 with medical terms used in my civilian records to include dates and doctors of everything. I emailed that back the next day, as he said he needed that back ASAP.
Yesterday I drive 3 hours to WPAFB for my 8am appointment. It starts off great with awesome customer support and ends with the doctor completely unsupportive towards anything.
The retired Col. enters the room and explains who he is and what positions he’s held over the years. He starts looking over the 2807 and shaking his head back and forth like he’s saying “no”. He looks at me and asks “what are we here for today?” I replied that I’m having issues that I feel need elevated and I’m running out of time because of the involuntary separation in a month. He replies back” no, that’s not why we’re here, I’m here to do a out-processing physical” At that point I was completely distraught and couldn’t gather my thoughts correctly. After a few more words back and forth about me not doing a PHA annually and I’m trying to explain that I have done them but the forms get sent to Hill AFB. I mention that all my medical is done with civilians, and he replies that that I could have seen a military doctor anytime.
He did’nt look at any of my medical records that I was told to bring. I was told that I need to take those records to the DAV for help in starting a disability claim.
He proceeded to conduct a very brief physical grabbed the 2807 off the desk and said “God bless” as he walked out. I sat in that room for about 10 mins after getting dressed waiting for someone else to get me or at least say you’re done or anything at that point. Nothing… I got up, found my way to the exit and left.
That was the longest 3 hour drive back to my house, so many thoughts and emotions ran through my head. I understand the big picture that I’m just a number with a dollar value assigned to it. It’s another that I have absolutely no support and completely lost in what do due, mainly because I work on a civilian ran Army Depot with no MTF or other military members able to offer guidance. I would of never thought that the medical institution would completely ignore my issues and not even take a copy of my records to include with my military info.
I contacted Patient Advocacy yesterday and explained what happened. I hope they can shed some light on this.
Regards
Kevin
