Kind of new to this and in the Army

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hatetheunknown

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New on here but have browsed before in the past. I am 26 and been in the Army now for almost 9 years, being deployed multiple times. About two years ago I began having nocturnal seizures. It seems to only happen when I am severely sleep deprived, such as pulling a 24 hour shift. It began happening when I was in Flight School, I believe due to my extremely late nights studying.

Today was a tough day. I told my boss about me having a seizure the other night. This was hard because I finally reached my childhood dream of flying in the military, something I'm almost for sure going to lose even though I've only been out of school for like 8 months. I also have 9 years in and do not want to be discharged, was looking forward to retirement at 35 in 11 years.

I am married and decided I need to stop being in denial for her and myself. I got tired of waking up in the middle of the night not knowing what day it was and what time I have to be at work. I need to be checked out and find out what's wrong, no matter what the outcome will be. What is the general outcome for this? Just be discharged with a disability rating? Become a desk guy? If I'm discharged from the Army, could I apply for a waiver for another branch and join right out of the Army and keep working towards retirement? I appreciate any input!
 
Welcome to CWE. I do not know what the rules are now, but back when I was in the NoGo's you could not be in with epilepsy, instant medical discharge.

As far as an outcome for this, you will first need a diagnosis and then treatment can start. Only the Army can tell you whether you will remain or be discharged.
 
Frink said:
Welcome to CWE. I do not know what the rules are now, but back when I was in the NoGo's you could not be in with epilepsy, instant medical discharge.

As far as an outcome for this, you will first need a diagnosis and then treatment can start. Only the Army can tell you whether you will remain or be discharged.
Click to expand...

I will probably go see my first doctor tomorrow about it. Just hate not knowing the future now. I've read throughout the internet where people have joined with a waiver and one guy was allowed to stay in with a desk job. I know there are probably several factors that go into the decision process, but didn't know if anyone on here recently have gone through this.
 
Welcome toe CWE,
I am proud of you for serving our country and I want to thank you! Just like you I have always wanted to make a career in the military but after I graduated from high school back in 1981 I tried each branch of the military and they told me I couldn't go in because but it wasn't because of my E it was getting the meds to me. Things have changed a lot you may be able to stay in and work a desk job or in communications. Since I couldn't go in I got into ham radio and I like to work MARS to help out the troops.
Ask the Dr. to do a sleep study on you if you have a sleep disorder that could be triggering the seizures. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue
 
:hello: Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. We have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Thank you for the services you haven given for our country. :clap:

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene
 
Welcome.....I so respect people like you...When I was a nurse and like you pulling 4or 5 nights in a row 3am many nurses including myself had something we called night nurse syndrome you just can't move your body paralized for few seconds maybe it just something like that.
I would thought Air Force give you full medical work up it in their intrest get you back flying.My first husband in they army British army.He had accident nothing to do with work servere back injury requiring big surgery he remained in army he had take sideward step and they gave him 4yr training to be radiographer.Kept his rank and army wages until ready go back.Is it possible they can do that for you and keep you well monitored for 2years I know maybe grabbing straws but US forces treat their men and women bit better than other counties including Uk.I hope it just one of those blips and if American forces goverment got one shred of humanity they should give you and family every chance and help there is.I not American so have no knowledge how it works this is just my opinion
 
Hi and welcome!

I don't think you will necessarily be discharged, but you may well be grounded/desk-jobbed. We've had a few CWE members in the military, hopefully they will chime in.

Below are some CWe threads on the topic, perhaps they will help:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/being-military-being-diagnosed-epilepsy-4051/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/just-finding-out-8942/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/update-navy-son-4060/

You may find this link helpful as well:
http://www.epilepsy.com/get-help/ma...oyment/safety-sensitive-jobs/military-service
 
Defiantly don't give up. Talk to a doctor....like everyone else said.

Thank you for your service to our country. I'm from the Nam days.

Joey :tup:
 
I appreciate all your nice thoughts and comments. Just a quick update. I talked to my Army doctor last Thursday for a quick word. He showed me the Army Regulation. Since I am already in they are going to do the required tests. A Neurological consultation, EEG (routine and sleep deprived) and an MRI. If it's able to be controlled then it appears I will be able to remain in the Army. If I'm able to remain seizure free for one year then I will only have the restriction of staying only at military bases where medical treatment is available, so basically anywhere but deployed. After 36 months of being seizure free I can then go back to being a normal Army guy. I'd hate not being able to deploy, but if that's what it takes to be able to remain in the service then so be it. Once again I appreciate all your comments and thoughts
 
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As of right now I am waiting for an appointment for an MRI and EEG, routine and sleep deprived. Does anyone know how long these will generally take? I will be attending a military school during the duration of these appointments. The school only allows you to miss 6 hours total of class before you will be dropped, unless the individual instructor is willing to work with you. Do you think I would be able to complete a Neurological consultation, MRI scan and EEG (routine and sleep deprived) within a total of 6 hours? Once again that is total time, not just one day. Also would most hospitals be able to do these on a Saturday or Sunday as well? Thanks
 
Hi There,
To have an MRI and a sleep deprived e.e.g. along with seeing a Dr. shouldn't take any longer than 4 hrs. unless you have to wait a long time to see the neuro. I'm sure you will have a lot of paper work to fill out regarding any meds, family history etc. MRI's don't take that long but be sure to ask the Dr. if they are going to give you a shot of the dye for the MRI the dye shows much more detail than without it. What takes the longest for me is an e.e.g. because they have to put the electrodes all over your head and then they start the test. In all the yrs. I've had epilepsy I don't ever remember them doing any of this testing on a Saturday or Sunday unless it was an emergency but each state is different and if you have this done on the military base they may do it anytime. I wish you only the best of luck and May God Bless You! Thank you again for serving our country.

Sue
 
My last EEG and MRI were done the same day, took about 2-2.5 hours total.
20 minutes to put on the EEG electrodes
30 minutes of EEG
10 minutes to remove electrodes and glue
1 hour or so to get in and out of the MRI
Some time talking to Dr.

If scheduled properly it should not take very long.
 
bud i use to drag race and race around a track......with cars.

I havnent had a DL in 3.5yrs.

So my dreams are gone too, you just need to keep your head up.
 
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