SFC hit_it a question about seizures

91W · Post by **91W** » March 21st, 2006, 8:24 pm

SFC hit_it,

There is a new member that posted on another site that he was med disqual because of seizures. If I read AR 40-501 correctly there is a time limit of Epileptic activity free from meds for five years with a normal EEG at the time of exam. Is this corect or am I fucking up the info? I searched and there is no info in the forum. Thank you.

hit_it · Post by **hit_it** » March 22nd, 2006, 8:52 pm

That may be ( I haven't checked) but the medical history must be reviewed by MEPS to see if this person may even take the physical.

If they are allowed to process, they will (almost always) immediately draw a medical consultation with a specialist in that category. Paperwork (from the previous history) will be compiled and this specialist's findings will be sent forward to MEPS and through them on until it's in the hands of the Army Surgeon (medical approval authority) who will review the findings and all other supporting documents and then give a yay or nay.

I never saw (on my entire tour as a recruiter and station commander) a medical waiver of this kind come back approved.

Usually MEPS declines them the opportunity to physical in the first place and a DQ flag is place in the MEPS system for that SSN. No matter what town he may try to join at it will come up when he's projected to hit the "floor" (process at MEPS). It will also carry over to every service.

91W · Post by **91W** » March 22nd, 2006, 8:56 pm

RGR SFC hit_it....

I'll pass the info on thank you.

QuietResolve · Post by **QuietResolve** » January 17th, 2007, 11:28 am

SFC hit_it, I apologize for bumping such an old thread, but I felt it pertinent to my goal of becoming a Ranger and I've been searching everywhere for this kind of information. Here is a little background information for you.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy at a very very young age, when I was about 3 months old. Even then, when I was diagnosed, the doctor told my mother that I would most likely grow out of it, which I eventually did. I haven't had a siezure since I was 5 years old, I believe, and haven't taken medication since I was 6 years old. I am now 22. I can pass an EEG and any other test related to epilepsy.

My recruiter flat out told me not to mention it at all, telling me that I'd be automatically disqualified. I don't like that. I do not want to start out my journey to becoming a Ranger under a false pretense, especially one that can come back and bite me in the ass, regardless if I am disqualified otherwise.

You mentioned that you never saw this type of medical waiver come back approved, but that doesn't mean that approval is out of the realm of hope, does it? Especially since epilepsy hasn't been a part of my life in close to 18 years now?

I'm keeping my head held high, but I must say I'm worried of being disqualified. I'd hate for something that I thought I conquered long ago keep me from my dream.

Let me thank you in advance, SFC hit_it, for any information you might have to share.

-QR

Jim · Post by **Jim** » January 17th, 2007, 1:54 pm

QR,

SFC Hit_it is deployed. I don't know the answer, but I will check on it. It may take me a couple days.

No need to apologize, you found your question had been addressed, just as you were promised. The important thing is that you used the search button.

QuietResolve · Post by **QuietResolve** » January 17th, 2007, 4:04 pm

Ranger Jim,

Thank you for taking the time to find some answers for me. I will be much obliged.

It took me a goodly bit of searching to find this thread, but all the ones I read through getting to this one were excellent. I am very glad to have come across this forum.

-QR

Jim · Post by **Jim** » January 18th, 2007, 2:03 pm

The regulation says no episodes past age of 6; and/or no episodes for the past five years without medications. Must have a normal EEG. This is for enlistment. PM me with specific questions or a copy of the regulation.

Technical Sadist · November 10th, 2008, 2:39 pm

Ranger Jim, does this mean that a waiver is only possible after 5 years, and do you even need a waiver if it's for something uncommon such as an allergy to octopus? I was unsure because I checked multiple regulations and determined that epilepsy is defined as two or more seizures, which I only had one, and allergies are only dq's when they are for common occurences such as grass, so I was unsure if I will even need a waiver if the seizure was strictly allergy caused. Sorry for bringing up this old thread.

hit_it · Post by **hit_it** » November 11th, 2008, 4:32 am

Epilepsy is such only through diagnosis from all the symptoms, not just the seiizures.

I would think you would be okay if you had an allergic reaction to a food, but you will still require a medical waiver/ documents review if you disclose this information.

Technical Sadist · November 11th, 2008, 8:08 am

Hit_It would octopus be considered a common allergy though, because otherwise I wouldn't even need a waiver, the way I read the regulations. Thanks for everyone's replies.

hit_it · Post by **hit_it** » November 11th, 2008, 10:10 am

Technical Sadist wrote:SFC Hit_It would octopus be considered a common allergy though, because otherwise I wouldn't even need a waiver, the way I read the regulations. Thanks for everyone's replies.

Pay attention to the site rules, stud.

That is up to the particular branch of service. I would be obliged to agree with you, but unfortunately I don't have the final word.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Sleepy Doc · Post by **Sleepy Doc** » November 11th, 2008, 10:18 am

You have a fucking allergy to octopus? :?

How, pray tell, did you find out that it was only octopus that you were allergic to?

Never mind. I don't want to know.

Read the AR. Your answer is in there. Just remember, there is a medical difference between a allergic reaction and a sensitivity to food.