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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> CH and the Military
        
(Message started by: jchestnut on Oct 28^th, 2007, 11:02am)

Title: CH and the Military
Post by jchestnut on Oct 28^th, 2007, 11:02am

Just wanted to know if there are any CH sufferers on the board that are in the military. I've been in the Army for 14 years now. CH sufferer for the past 7 but only diagnosed last year. Was told they were sinus infections before that. Going to see a Nuerologist next week at Walter Reed in DC. Should be interesting. I did read that the Army medically discharges CH sufferers if not controlled within 3 months. Not looking forward to that.

Title: Re: CH and the Military
Post by Bob_Johnson on Oct 28^th, 2007, 2:38pm

It must be 1 or 2-years ago that we had a long run of messages with someone in the USAF. I believe they found good care once getting to the right doctor--true whether you are in the service or civilian world!

I do hope that you are wrong about quick separation if not quickly controlled. It's not unusual to take many months to find a treatment plan which works consistently and so rushing folks out is a loss to everyone. Clearly, you need clear understanding at your first meeting at Walter Reed.

Why don't you go loaded and ready to talk hard at this first meeting. Print this article out and use it as tool to discuss your options--especially since our experience is that just being a neurologist does not assure getting knowledge!

http://www.plainboard.com/ch/chtherapy.pdf

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)

Title: Re: CH and the Military
Post by NovellRed on Oct 28^th, 2007, 11:15pm

I have had clusters since 1977 but wasn't correctly diagnosed until 1985. The Navy medically retired me me in 1990, after over 17 years of active service. 18 months after that I was discharged with severence pay revoking my retirement and all benifits.
Hope you fare better that I did.

Title: Re: CH and the Military
Post by jchestnut on Oct 29^th, 2007, 6:47am

Unfortunantly I believe that CH makes me non-deployable. A big deal in our current environment. Can't risk the beast hitting when I have a weapon in my hand. :o

Title: Re: CH and the Military
Post by Mrs Deej on Oct 30^th, 2007, 7:50am

DJ has been in the military for 20 years.

Title: Re: CH and the Military
Post by kcopelin on Oct 30^th, 2007, 1:08pm

I'm retired AF. Took a long time to get a diagnosis, and even then the treatment was limited. I was offered a medical retirement and refused.

Different times, different branch of the service. I never lost world-wide status, but can't imagine being on the ground in combat with a full-on CH.

I did get hit during war games in Germany-had full battledress and gas mask and helmet on. I ripped that sucker off so fast. Would have been really bad if that purple smoke was the real stuff.

But I probably wouldn't have CH any more. :-/

PFDAN y'all,
kathy

Title: Re: CH and the Military
Post by Katherinecm on Nov 10^th, 2007, 1:47pm

My mom works for the VA and says she is NOT certain of this, so CHECK before you quote her on it, but if you can put it off a bit, you want to get another year in before you take that appointment. If you've been in 15 years you can get full retirement and medical disability payments IF they choose to medically discharge you, if you get booted before the 15 years then you just get the disability without the retirement. Again, verify that but if it's true it's worth waiting it out.

In the meantime, Redbull is your friend. Generic sugar-free varieties are availible- I buy mine at Aldi's. Take it at the first sign of a shadow.

Three benadryl should get you 5 or 6 hours of sleep, not ideal but it should be enough to function until you do take that appointment.

Title: Re: CH and the Military
Post by catlind on Nov 27^th, 2007, 9:51am

My husband is the active duty member, and I'm the one with CH. We are USAF, but we were stationed at Ft. Drum and I was sent to Walter Reed for my headaches. It was a Dr. Reicher there that diagnosed the clusters. The doctors change, just like any other active duty pcs, but I found them to fairly be well informed about CH and they are pretty good about making sure that O2 is at the top of your list for treatment.

It put us on EFMP but wasn't cause for us to be moved to a location that had a headache specialist (upstate did not have one within 50 miles).

There are several members here that are military, either active or were active. You may get a medical review out of this, but I don't know if you will be seperated, I think it would depend a great deal on what your specific career field is.

Good luck at WRAMC.

Cat