Posted on Jun 15, 2019
How do you actually get military doctors to help out?
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I’ve been going through military doctors for back pain for about two years. It’s progressively getting worse. I’m at the point where I can’t bend anymore without pain. Running causes pain. Sitting causes pain. Laying down causes pain. It is constant in the lower back. I’ve been given meds and several iterations of physical therapy, to include needle therapy and realignment sessions. Recently, I was told that they won’t recommend a MRI because of the cost and they will probably find something wrong and will have to fix it which can cause more problems. I also got a slideshow presentation of how it could be similar to phantom limb syndrome for the pain traveling down my leg. My last doctor visit he asked me what I wanted for a profile and I stated I can push through everything except sit ups. Gave me a 2p on my profile for no sit-ups on pt test and additional exercises. Mainly to avoid med board and because of the current board for SFC. Is there a way or someone I can contact IOT get a different look at my back and different opinions? What would be said advice from those with experience on how to handle this. Next reenlistment is for indef, and if it’s not fixed by then, I’ll gladly take my 214 and get civilian healthcare to hopefully take care of it.
Posted in these groups: 
Medical
Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO)
ProfilesPremier Pain Solution
Military Career
Medical Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) ProfilesPremier Pain Solution Military Career
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 28
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As a tricare recipient you are always authorized a second opinion. Most soldiers don't realize this because their PA is their primary care and you can't go outside of them. But you are entitled to demand a second opinion. If that doesn't work you can contact a patient advocate or the hospital ombudsman who can move things on your behalf.
Also, if you have crippling pain and you ETS, foregoing an MEB, you're making a long term decision based on short term circumstances. You can overcome the resistance of your provider with time. You can't go back and med board once you separate. Don't fall for that, "ETS and the VA will take care of it" line either. When you're walking away with a medical retirement and a disability check as opposed to ETSing with nothing but an award, you'll appreciate the advice.
Also, if you have crippling pain and you ETS, foregoing an MEB, you're making a long term decision based on short term circumstances. You can overcome the resistance of your provider with time. You can't go back and med board once you separate. Don't fall for that, "ETS and the VA will take care of it" line either. When you're walking away with a medical retirement and a disability check as opposed to ETSing with nothing but an award, you'll appreciate the advice.
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SSG (Join to see)
Oh I have no trust in VA. Wife already has to go through them at times and I had to go through their hospital in recruiting. But I’ll definitely keep that in mind. TY
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) it really comes down to which hospital you're at. Some have a great reputation and some are terrible. But I've seen providers routinely tell soldiers who are under a year from ETS that they won't push for a med board and the soldier should just ETS and get whatever surgery through the VA.
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SPC Jeff Stassin
It comes down to how honest your chain of command is and how much they think you suck up to them for how much they are willing to waste their time even helping you cause you can't perform a PT test and pass, because of your medical issue that gets frowned upon like your some kind of bailjumper or a pu$$y. When you actually need help. I get slackers are gonna try, but not everybody is a slacker looking to get out of work or duty at sick call, just like police shouldn't look at everybody like a criminal. I got tossed some ibuprofen and some pencil whipped paper work that didn't reflect anything I told them. Like the originals were thrown away and they mass whipped up the paperwork. I don't remember how many classes we signed off on 3-4 & 5 times, On the same classes over and over.....where's this real help because my doctor just listens to what I say, translates it to what she thinks or alters my perceptions of what going on with my spine....
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"Recently, I was told that they won’t recommend a MRI because of the cost and they will probably find something wrong and will have to fix it which can cause more problems" Is completely the wrong answer and deserves a by name call out through open-door policy, ICE complaint, etc. I would also even recommend a letter to your Congressman, because them avoiding the real problem could very well be making it much worse.
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SSG (Join to see)
After this next appointment if they don’t recommend something more helpful, that’ll be the first step I take. TY
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Suspended Profile
The V.A even goes by you Medical record, it's would be hard to prove unless it's in your Service Medical record, Get that MRI, while in service, be careful what you sign!!
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You can go to a civilian doctor, he might find something the military doctors missed but you will have to pay.
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SSG (Join to see)
I did that when I was on leave in the states. They stated something with the muscles on the front end of my spine may be damaged and I should request an MRI. I’m in Korea right now so it’s not really possible from where I’m at to go to a civilian unfortunately.
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CW5 Jack Cardwell
SSG (Join to see) Get everything documented. If you are in pain let the doctors know.
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CW4 Craig Urban
Military doctors are great. I do not like PA's. My retirement physical showed I had a p2 for hearing and a clorestual of 260. This in 1992. That was before good hdl and ldl. Come to find out my chorestural is perfect. Plus the same guy could said I did not have gout. I went to ktown say a retired col who pulled up my file and looked at my feet and said you have gout. He gave me some pills and said he would call the pa.
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