Will I have a problem joining if I used an inhaler one time after my doctor thought I had asthma, but ended up being seasonal allergies?

2019-02-17T17:19:29-05:00

I used a inhaler one time after my doctor thought I had asthma ended up being seasonal allergies will this be a problem ?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 17 at 2019 5:33 PM

2019-02-17T17:33:50-05:00

I don't know, Charles. But I sure don't think you should.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 17 at 2019 5:34 PM

2019-02-17T17:34:17-05:00

Ask your Recruiter, Charles.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2019 5:55 PM

2019-02-17T17:55:22-05:00

Depends on the age at the time. The Army doesn’t care about anything that happened before you were 13 with regards to asthma. After that you will probably have a bunch of hoops to jump through if you aren’t excluded at all. I concur, ask your recruiter, but also remember that regardless of what he or she might advise you to say, your statements and denials are your own.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2019 6:08 PM

2019-02-17T18:08:14-05:00

Depends on your age and whether or not you had a diagnosis of asthma. If you don’t have medical records on it, then I wouldn’t bring it up

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 17 at 2019 7:24 PM

2019-02-17T19:24:28-05:00

It is all based on the diagnosis itself, and when it was that the doctor changed their opinion. Soon after would bode well, later on and prior to enlistment would be looked upon less favorably. Thank you for your service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2019 8:45 PM

2019-02-17T20:45:18-05:00

It doesn’t matter if you’ve used it or not. What matters is if it was prescribed and when. Like the others said before 13 doesn’t matter. If you don’t actually have asthma then you just declare you don’t but you’ve been prescribed an inhaler before. They’ll question you and decide from there.

You’ll most likely have to get a letter from your doctor stating that you don’t have asthma, your parents as wel.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2019 12:36 PM

2019-02-18T12:36:51-05:00

Sounds like a non-issue to me, unless you still require shots or other meds. Save the effort of a second trip to MEPS by taking the doctor's letter with you. That may suffice or not, but your chances are better by taking it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2019 7:40 AM

2019-02-19T07:40:45-05:00

I was a center leader and recruiter so allow me it shed some light.

You'll need a methacholine challenge to start. Essentially this will tell MEPS if you have asthma (which is a dq IAW current DODI and AR 40-501 Medical Fitness Standards).

If you were never given an official diagnosis of Asthma, then mentioning it might only make it more difficult.

Either way the challenge test will give you the definitive answer 100%.