I am at wits end

D

dc79

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
I have had cervical DDD for a long time. I have been on 3 profiles in a row. I honestly think I have only had two or three tests where I did all components. It has become so bad that I cannot even walk or stand for long periods of time. I am seing an offbase doc who has me on pain management (again) and has done everything they can do. I was on pain management before for 2 years of pills and shots. Now I am finally going to a surgeon.
My question is regardless if I get surgery or not am I looking at an MEB? I have more damn problems than I know what to do with. Which in turn has kicked my Anxitey into high gear. I am sick of living in pain, and then getting all worked up about it. Should I ask for an MEB? I cannot focus at work, I miss days, I cannot do any sort of excersise. Now I am in a job were I sit at a computer all day.

If you want to see the list of stuff I have diagnosed Ill post them...What should I do!!!???
 
Keep your head up. Youe not the only one feeling like you are right now. Demand nothing less than to be fixed. Draw the line there. I guarantee you will be in the peb pipeline quickly. Cause military docs rarely can fix anything.

Nobody loves you more than you. ..or your mom
Take care of yourself
 
Thanks,

I never go to an onbase Doc. all have been offbase. But because of the degenerative disk and even if they fix the worst part of it. I assume Ill still see the MEB/PEB again. Apparently DDD is a dischargable condition. Anxiety cant help things either.
 
I'm thinking the profiles and budget cuts will catch up to you real soon, not trying to worry you. Make sure you are getting all of your issues documented so they are current when the MEB is started. If you are wanting out which it seems like that is what you are considering, talk to your PMC.
 
When you say talk to your PCM, what do you mean? Actually tell him I want an MEB or what? My PCM is kinda of a moron. I actually see a neurosurgeon tomorrow and then see my PCM on the 19th. I honestly stopped caring if I remain in the military any more. I want to fix me and live a normal life. Where I can have an active lifestyle and maybe play with my kids. You know, the little things
 
Have an honest talk with the neurosurgeon tomorrow and let him know regardless of what happens, whether it be surgery, or continued pain management, you can't see yourself being able to serve anymore. Any good Dr., a neurosurgeon particular knows that DDD will not get better under continued stress. He should base his recommendations to your Primary Care Manager (PCM). Your PCM then should recommend a perm profile based on that. The key to this whole process is being a "medical determination point". What that means is you are not seen as seen as improving enough via surgery, or continued treatment to continue service.

If you let the doctors know you don't see yourself as being well enough to get back to full strength, they should support you. From the amount of pain you describe and the amount of treatment you have had, I would say you are at that point.
 
That is great advice. I really do appreciate everyone's feedback. Many things I just do not think of. I'm very prepared to just get going. It's very overwhelming, I have had so many things go wrong with me it get pretty crappy at times. I know many if you feel the same way so I feel a little more comfortable discussing this stuff with you all
 
dc79, I am at the end of my MEB/PEB. My referred conditions are DDD w/herniation at L5-S1 and Radiculopathy(hip to foot.) My disc herniation pushes out right on the nerve which is painful and causes spams in my back and numbness and tingling down my leg and foot. The outside of my right foot stays tingly most of the time. That is the Radiculopathy and it is a separate condition with its own diagnosis and rating. These are what the PEB has found me unfit for. I have been getting the epidural steroid injections for about a year. I have not had surgery. The VA rated my conditions at 20% DDD and 20% Radiculopathy for a combined 40%, Permanent Disability Retirement. My other claimed conditions brought the total to 80% through the VA. I was in the same boat. There are some days where it flares up and even laying down there is no comfortable position or relief from the pain. I finally talked to my doc about MEB after coming down on orders to be an AIT platoon sergeant. I knew there was no way I would be able to keep up. My symptoms started while assigned working at a hospital and PT was mostly done on our own because of various shift work. Doing PT on my own, I could avoid doing exercises that irritated my back. It is a hard decision to make, but like I was told, you have to do what is best for you at some point. If you run yourself into the ground you could end up not being able to walk without a cane or in a wheelchair. The Army won't care, they have lots of people waiting to step into your shoes.
 
Air Force rather, I am Army but the same applies.
 
biohazard,

The VA rated my conditions at 20% DDD and 20% Radiculopathy for a combined 40%
Click to expand...

So I understand correctly. Will this be your DoD combined rating or will it be less using the formula? I just thought it drops when combining them or maybe not.

Ben
 
Their funny math comes out to 36% which rounded up to 40.
 
So, I saw the surgeon today. Needless to say I felt tlike that was a waist of time. He confirmed everything I already knew. However he stated that my c5-c6 vertebrae were smaller than a normal one. So, he was reluctant to say or comit to anything. Looks like I am going for a second opinion...cause that sjust weird
 
Damn Bio, my MEB just about mirrors yours, only add Asthma and PTSD to the Air Force portion of the MEB. The pain sucks, but I think I can deal with it as long as I do not have the military constantly harrassing me about PT tests and deployments.
 
Well because of the long wait, I was put on a dead mans waiver. did my PT test and failed. Waist measurement was one inch to much. I was told because I am all components waivered I go up against the DAWG. Will this initaite the MEB or will they just wait until after I see the surgeon on the 12th? I really dont want to be pushed out with out being fixed. Or is it more benificial to be fixed aferwards? I am in new territory here.
 
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