Hello everyone I am new to this forum and just started my PEB for Type 1 Diabetes. I have been a Marine for 13 years and I am fighting to stay in. I hope that I am not fighting a losing battle and would like to know if anyone knows of any cases of someone being found fit for duty with Type 1 Diabetes. I am still trying to figure out how this whole process works and I look forward to any insight that anyone may have.
PEB for Type 1 Diabetes
- Thread starter BirdUSMC
- Start date
It is possible, but you have to get control of the disease. be absolutely meticulous about taking your medicine and get your blood sugar into a normal range. Get letter from your command that state you are a good soldier, that they want to retain you and tha you can do your job despite the disease.
Make sure you work hard with your Drs. to get the disease under control, this is the most important, not only to stay in, but to avoid the horrible consequences of uncontrolled diabetes.
Make sure you work hard with your Drs. to get the disease under control, this is the most important, not only to stay in, but to avoid the horrible consequences of uncontrolled diabetes.
I was originally diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes December of 2004, but was re-diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic January of last year because my doctors did not think that I fit the stereotype of a Type 2. So I have had a few years to figure out what works for me in controlling my condition. The transition to insulin was smooth and I have not had any issues or had to be hospitalized. My doctors have even complimented me on how I have taken control of my condition. My last 3 A1C checks over the last year have been 6.0, 5.3, and 5.5. There have been no problems with it affecting my job, I even have to remind them sometimes that I am a diabetic. Physically I am in great shape and can run the Physical Fitness Test with no problems, I just increase my carb intake prior to taking the PFT. Everyone in my command from the top down does not see any reason why I should not be allowed to stay in. I feel like I have come too far in my career to be cut short, I love being a Marine and could not imagine life outside of the Marine Corps. Obviously money is not a concern or a reason why I wish to continue service. The only risk that I can see with the Marine Corps allowing me to continue service is worldwide deployability. I do not see it as an issue considering my job. Our squadron always deploys with a flight sergeon and as long as there is some kind of refridgeration insulin storage should not be an issue. I feel like I have rambled on too much. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
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BirdUSMC,
It sounds like you have a good case for a fit finding. I recently had an Army case where the member was found fit due to diabetes which was well controlled and refrigeration was available (this was written in the PEB's findings). While supporting that a fit finding is possible, I would not overly rely on this as the PEB's will base their decision on the facts of your case and they are somewhat parochial (i.e, I think it is hard in many cases to draw inferences from what other boards will do). Still, it sounds to me like you are fit.
I hope you get to continue to serve and have a long career!
It sounds like you have a good case for a fit finding. I recently had an Army case where the member was found fit due to diabetes which was well controlled and refrigeration was available (this was written in the PEB's findings). While supporting that a fit finding is possible, I would not overly rely on this as the PEB's will base their decision on the facts of your case and they are somewhat parochial (i.e, I think it is hard in many cases to draw inferences from what other boards will do). Still, it sounds to me like you are fit.
I hope you get to continue to serve and have a long career!
Bird, check your visitor messages on your profile.
Here is my situation, I was diagnosed as a type 1 in Nov 08. My Doc said I am pretty much assured I will be found unfit. My endocrinologist is puttung me on an insulin pump this week since my glucose is so out of control. My A1C's have been 12.2 and 9.6 respectivley.
There is another AF member found fit, (see the thread link in your profile) but I think there are other circumstances in his case.
Are you taking any oral meds with your insulin? Type 1's are strictly insulin dependent, if you are, I would question the diagnosis since you were previously diagnosed as type 2 and went a long time before the type 1 incident. Remember Type 1's make up only 10% of all diabetics, so it is a rare condition. (not doubting you bud, just being objective for you)
Glad to see you can exercise, I have found it very hard to do a strenuous workout without massive carb intake (Which can most often at times make you puke). Sucks to be me until I figure this out.
Sorry to be so long, but it is alot of info. Each case is different and of course each branch is different with results. Please feel free to email me or post messages to my profile. I check it once a day.
Good luck to you and your outcome. And as always...Go Vols!
Here is my situation, I was diagnosed as a type 1 in Nov 08. My Doc said I am pretty much assured I will be found unfit. My endocrinologist is puttung me on an insulin pump this week since my glucose is so out of control. My A1C's have been 12.2 and 9.6 respectivley.
There is another AF member found fit, (see the thread link in your profile) but I think there are other circumstances in his case.
Are you taking any oral meds with your insulin? Type 1's are strictly insulin dependent, if you are, I would question the diagnosis since you were previously diagnosed as type 2 and went a long time before the type 1 incident. Remember Type 1's make up only 10% of all diabetics, so it is a rare condition. (not doubting you bud, just being objective for you)
Glad to see you can exercise, I have found it very hard to do a strenuous workout without massive carb intake (Which can most often at times make you puke). Sucks to be me until I figure this out.
Sorry to be so long, but it is alot of info. Each case is different and of course each branch is different with results. Please feel free to email me or post messages to my profile. I check it once a day.
Good luck to you and your outcome. And as always...Go Vols!
USAF_Vol,
I am not taking any oral meds only Insulin. I was taking oral meds when I was Type 2 because I was "insulin resistant", but over time the meds slowly stopped working. We changed doses and medications but my A1C checks were getting gradually higher and higher. I had about two weeks heads up before they officially diagnosed me as Type 1. I did research on the different methods of insulin injection (was not really looking forward to having to give myself injections). I finally decided on the Insulin Pens because of the convienance of not having to keep it refridgerated once it is used the first time. Also it allows me to control how much insulin I take depending on how many carbs I am going to intake. I have to check my blood sugars 6 times a day, before and after each meal. I also utilize a excel spreadsheet that I created to strictly monitor my blood sugars, if you have excel 2003 I can send you a copy. I have wondered if I might still be a Type 2 but my doctors have assured me I am not, they have even used the famous Type 1.5 to explain my case to me. I am sorry to hear that your blood sugars are being difficult. I guess that is were I was fortunate (or unfortunate) to be diagnosed as Type 2 first. The biggest difference that I have noticed between the two is the low blood sugars that come with Type 1. Well I hope that the pump works out for you as far as getting everything under control. That is the most important thing. Take care brother and I hope to hear from you.
I am not taking any oral meds only Insulin. I was taking oral meds when I was Type 2 because I was "insulin resistant", but over time the meds slowly stopped working. We changed doses and medications but my A1C checks were getting gradually higher and higher. I had about two weeks heads up before they officially diagnosed me as Type 1. I did research on the different methods of insulin injection (was not really looking forward to having to give myself injections). I finally decided on the Insulin Pens because of the convienance of not having to keep it refridgerated once it is used the first time. Also it allows me to control how much insulin I take depending on how many carbs I am going to intake. I have to check my blood sugars 6 times a day, before and after each meal. I also utilize a excel spreadsheet that I created to strictly monitor my blood sugars, if you have excel 2003 I can send you a copy. I have wondered if I might still be a Type 2 but my doctors have assured me I am not, they have even used the famous Type 1.5 to explain my case to me. I am sorry to hear that your blood sugars are being difficult. I guess that is were I was fortunate (or unfortunate) to be diagnosed as Type 2 first. The biggest difference that I have noticed between the two is the low blood sugars that come with Type 1. Well I hope that the pump works out for you as far as getting everything under control. That is the most important thing. Take care brother and I hope to hear from you.
Bird,
There is a test the endocrinologist can do to determine for sure type 1. Thats what they did with me right from the start. Sucks that your case progressed to type 1, it is definitely the worst of them.
I too am using the pens right now, novolog and lantus. I'm really looking forward to the pump, you need to look into it, I am doing the carb counting thing and the pump is supposed to work really well with carb counting.
What have you found as far as staying in? I have been given mostly "You are as good as gone" opinions and even had the docs arguing over my diagnosis cause its a "career ender".
When one door closes, another one will open. I keep faith that it will all work out.
Let me know how things work for you, I will do the same.
There is a test the endocrinologist can do to determine for sure type 1. Thats what they did with me right from the start. Sucks that your case progressed to type 1, it is definitely the worst of them.
I too am using the pens right now, novolog and lantus. I'm really looking forward to the pump, you need to look into it, I am doing the carb counting thing and the pump is supposed to work really well with carb counting.
What have you found as far as staying in? I have been given mostly "You are as good as gone" opinions and even had the docs arguing over my diagnosis cause its a "career ender".
When one door closes, another one will open. I keep faith that it will all work out.
Let me know how things work for you, I will do the same.
Scattered out thoughts here, from several posts.
Software:
Abbott Diabetes Care - Inspired Products - CoPilot Software
Data Cables
Mini Pharmacy Diabetic Supplies - Free Shipping on all diabetes supplies and products!
The pens are nice. I'm not too fond of the lantus, it burns half the time I inject myself. I use my belly fat for that injection, arms for the Novolog. I'm not able to get a pump due to being overseas, and there isn't an Endo on base. But since Diabetes is a service connected disability, wouldn't VA pay for it, or TRI-care XXX if someone is medically retired??
I'll pass on what I can find out.
Dio
This sounds like a misdiagnosis, but not completely their (the docs) fault depending on how you presented. The healthier you were, the more likely they were to diagnos you had type 2, and probably didn't feel the need to draw blood. At the time you (unknowingly) had the anti-bodies that would attack your pancreas, moving you into the type 1 diagnosis. I don't know how they test for insulin resistance, but it is possible that you're a mix of type 1 and 2.
Depending upon your meter, and if you're willing to spend about 35 dollars, you can buy a cord that will connect your meter to your computer and with (free) software, all you have to do is press two or three buttons to upload to your computer. The software comes complete with graphs and charts and all that good stuff. Note: I don't know how easy the software is to use, the cord is still in the mail, but initially it looks pretty straight forward.
Software:
Abbott Diabetes Care - Inspired Products - CoPilot Software
Data Cables
Mini Pharmacy Diabetic Supplies - Free Shipping on all diabetes supplies and products!
Yes, there are two cases on my base that are Active duty Type 1 and still serving. The first case a Doctor (don't know the rank at onset) comes down with type 1. Well, the air force needs doctors, and the air force paid for his school, so his IPEB came back with "you're not going anywhere". I know he didn't get to a formal board. The second case is another officer, 1st LT at the time, and he did fight to stay in. He appealed all the way to Sec of Air force, and they found him fit. Some things that helped. One, he had his diabetes pretty well under control by the time the formal board came around, so once he appealed the formal board, he went right to his doctor to update his status. Two, his job was in the hospital, not as a doc or any health care provider of any sort, just naturally working in the hospital. So if something did happen to him at work, he's already there, no need to call an ambulance. My MEB paperwork just went in today so I'll be getting a hold of him for any tips or tricks that he wish he would have done.
The pens are nice. I'm not too fond of the lantus, it burns half the time I inject myself. I use my belly fat for that injection, arms for the Novolog. I'm not able to get a pump due to being overseas, and there isn't an Endo on base. But since Diabetes is a service connected disability, wouldn't VA pay for it, or TRI-care XXX if someone is medically retired??
I'll pass on what I can find out.
Dio
GET ON THE PUMP ASAP if you are active duty. My endo did all the paperwork and dealt with tricare. Make those benefits work, even if you don't want it now, at least you will have one. No problems getting it and I love the pump.
Got my A1C today, it is 5.9, down from 11 before the pump.
He told me today that he will try to get me the continuous glucose monitor. I had a few lows and he was concerned. Said I had "hypoglycemia unawareness".
I hated lantus too, it burned like crazy, I had to inject in m y thighs.
My package was sent to the MEB on 9 April, I'll be sure to post updates.
Got my A1C today, it is 5.9, down from 11 before the pump.
He told me today that he will try to get me the continuous glucose monitor. I had a few lows and he was concerned. Said I had "hypoglycemia unawareness".
I hated lantus too, it burned like crazy, I had to inject in m y thighs.
My package was sent to the MEB on 9 April, I'll be sure to post updates.