All medical chat and queries in here. Please don't start a new one for every single medical question.

[Footers17683]

4 weeks since selection and still no sign of the sickle cell blood test booking, anyone waiting/had any luck with a booking? Fairly certain judging by a few posts that I’m in for a long delay...

 

[Samdomkyron]

Hello,

During the past month. i applied to join the British Army "Again", During 2016 i was successful during the interview,
although i wasn't ready and i needed more time to build up my communication skills and confidence skills, although i had
Asthma when i was around 2 years of age, and since then i hadn't had it.I also have Mild Autism, and in the message i got back from them was;
" Unfortunately, your answers show that you are not able to join the Army on medical grounds. You have told us that you have - or have had in the past
- one or more of the medical conditions that are not compatible with serving in the Army. " i wanted to appeal, but i never received the letter.
Can someone let me know why i got rejected? when i told them about my medical history in the past as i went through the application w/ my mum at that time and i didn't know i had autism.

Going through this with my recently diagnosed asd son, his application has been put on hold because when they requested medical notes his diagnosis wasn't in there, it stated on the letter to appeal this and send info, which I have done. After looking up the medical info they state he can not join. I will fight this all they way, he is mentally fit and the army will be perfect for his asd needs. He is 15 and noticed his asd traits himself, school have never picked up on this .
How did you get on?

 

[neutralavatar]

4 weeks since selection and still no sign of the sickle cell blood test booking, anyone waiting/had any luck with a booking? Fairly certain judging by a few posts that I’m in for a long delay...

I went to selection in Litchfield on 12th August. I was told I'd get booked in for the sickle cell test in a few weeks and to expect the call. After calls to the recruitment team every other week and just being told I'm on the wait list, I finally got a call back 14th October to book me in for 27th (today).
On the email it said to expect results within a week but based on other people I'm expecting 1 to 3 weeks.Then I'll be booked in to do the fitness tests which will be for about 2 hours back at Litchfield.
I'm not going for a priority role btw

 

[Reservist_lancs]

I finished basic in September and some of the lads were getting calls for sickle cell even then. The army is really chasing its tail on the issue.

 

[Footers17683]

I went to selection in Litchfield on 12th August. I was told I'd get booked in for the sickle cell test in a few weeks and to expect the call. After calls to the recruitment team every other week and just being told I'm on the wait list, I finally got a call back 14th October to book me in for 27th (today).
On the email it said to expect results within a week but based on other people I'm expecting 1 to 3 weeks.Then I'll be booked in to do the fitness tests which will be for about 2 hours back at Litchfield.
I'm not going for a priority role btw

I feel your pain. I was told I’d get the call within a couple of weeks and back within the month for fitness tests.
called my CSM and she said she doesn’t arrange the bookings and can’t give me an estimate wait time as it’s sent to a different department to book - I’m not going for a priority role either. You would think they would get this out the way at triage phone call stage or pick it up during online questions so when you go selection your good to go

 

[neutralavatar]

I feel your pain. I was told I’d get the call within a couple of weeks and back within the month for fitness tests.
called my CSM and she said she doesn’t arrange the bookings and can’t give me an estimate wait time as it’s sent to a different department to book - I’m not going for a priority role either. You would think they would get this out the way at triage phone call stage or pick it up during online questions so when you go selection your good to go

Exactly the same here, I even got more than one call from my csm asking ME if I'd been booked in yet... Felt like a kick in the teeth knowing that I hadn't heard a thing. Yep it is something that could've been sorted a long time ago, so frustrating. Especially as it's such a rare disease anyway and if you had it you'd probably already know about it
But anyway, if it's already been a month I reckon you'll probs actually get the call within the next couple weeks, try calling the main recruitment hotline too they seem to know a bit more than the local teams. Good luck

 

[112333Ryan]

I had a medical examination recently and was deferred for a period of less than 6 months on grounds of mental health. This was the decision made by the examining MO who was quite confident (I think) that I would be allowed in because effectively all I had to do was avoid self-harming until my deferral was lifted. Easy enough because there were clear life-stressors, that was all just some context and I wont go into it. After receiving the medical package and currently awaiting my medical records from my Gp (and I've asked to be on call while he looks through some sections on the RG8 form) I am still quite nervous about being rejected. So my question is, who has the last say? is the form and so on reviewed by the same medical officer who examined me or is it by another doctor just comparing what my MO and Gp wrote down? Sorry in advance if it's a stupid question.

 

[Meta15]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has been in a similiar situation and can give me a bit of guidance.

My army application has been put on hold due to a 'Caridology appointment'- this is related to me seeing the GP about palpitations 15 years ago, they went away on their own that same day and I haven't been back about that issue since.

They would also like more information about being diagnosed with scheuermann's disease which is a back condition I was diagnosed with 10 years ago, I never saw a specialist about this, just the hospital and I am now completley fine.

The senior nurse at my GP practice has typed a letter explaning all of this and how I am completley fit and well now. I was just wondering if this is sufficient enough for an appeal to be succcessful?

Do I need to do anything else? I was thinking I could try and see a back or cardiology specialist but I'm not sure how I'd go about that/how long that would take or if it would even help?

Also if anyone has any tips on the best way to write the letter of appeal that would be so appreciated, I'm feeling a bit lost with all of this at the moment and just really want to do everything I can to get in.

Thank you

 

[DocSavage]

If you are on hold rather than deferred/rejected then it is usually to get more info either from your gp or from a service specialist. Some of these get a paper review by the specialist who may be able to say you can proceed without further problems but others will be turned down or called for an assessment. At the moment it is probably best to sit tight and see what comes back (depending on exactly what was said about your application).
As regards Schuermann's syndrome it is usually a self limiting condition in adolescent males who get some back pain or posture difficulty. Usually there is no significant deformity and you should be ok if no history of back troubles since teenage years
Good luck

 

[Meta15]

If you are on hold rather than deferred/rejected then it is usually to get more info either from your gp or from a service specialist. Some of these get a paper review by the specialist who may be able to say you can proceed without further problems but others will be turned down or called for an assessment. At the moment it is probably best to sit tight and see what comes back (depending on exactly what was said about your application).
As regards Schuermann's syndrome it is usually a self limiting condition in adolescent males who get some back pain or posture difficulty. Usually there is no significant deformity and you should be ok if no history of back troubles since teenage years
Good luck

Thanks so much for this info it has been really helpful!

My only issue is I don't know whether I am supposed to be appealing or not as I am really unsure about my next steps. The letter states:

This decision was made with all the information that was available to us and in accordance with Army policy. The reason for this decision is due to

- Your clearly documented history of referral to Cardiology as noted your medical records in October 2020.

The earliest date you may reapply, if when you symptom and treatment free and discharged from specialist care.

For your information the relevant extract from the Joint Service Publication (JSP) is below:

JSP 950 Part 1 Lft 6-7-7
4.2
General requirements.
New entrants to the Armed Forces must be medically fit to meet the various challenges of Service roles in which they will be expected to deploy; potentially anywhere in the world, at short notice, in locations remote from established medical care.

When you have reached this date, you should contact your Recruiter to let them know you are ready to proceed with your application. You will also need to provide evidence, such as an up to date copy of your medical records or a letter from your GP to confirm that you have remained symptom and treatment free.

However, if you believe that our decision has been made based on incorrect or inadequate medical information, then you are able to submit an appeal. Your appeal will be reviewed by the Medical Progression Team. Details on how to submit your appeal can be found at the bottom of this letter."

I spoke to my recruitment advisor who doesn't even seem sure of the process herself and just told me to go ahead with the appeal, but I am not sure if I am appealing the decision or just letting them know what I am symptom and treatment free if this makes sense?

Any help would be appreciated as I really dont want to get this wrong!

 

[JohnDoeToRescue]

Alright, I know this a sour topic so I'll keep this short and sweet.

When I was a dumb kid, around 13/14 years old I cut myself on my arm facing outwards (so theyre visible) to get attention and prove how hard I was (I know, ******* ridiculous) not because I was depressed or suicidal or anything like that. Now I'm 20 and have realized for many years how absolutely mental that was but hey; we all **** up when we're kids.

Thing is I have my Assessment Centre is 2 weeks and I'm completely bricking it because of that medical. I want to join more than anything and dont want to get deffered or binned entirely over something stupid done 7 years ago and seal my fate as working dead-end jobs.

Any advice, reassurance or past experiences. Anything?
Feel free to mention how insanly idiotic I was because I will be the first to admit that aha!

Ive tried to keep this as short as possible but some extra info: the scars are white and old but visible if looked upon and on the medical phone call triage; I mustve said No to every question except the self harm one, I wasnt going to because It wasnt really self harm but Im not about to lie and let it bite me in the arse.

Cheers.

 

[bestri10]

Alright, I know this a sour topic so I'll keep this short and sweet.

When I was a dumb kid, around 13/14 years old I cut myself on my arm facing outwards (so theyre visible) to get attention and prove how hard I was (I know, ******* ridiculous) not because I was depressed or suicidal or anything like that. Now I'm 20 and have realized for many years how absolutely mental that was but hey; we all **** up when we're kids.

Thing is I have my Assessment Centre is 2 weeks and I'm completely bricking it because of that medical. I want to join more than anything and dont want to get deffered or binned entirely over something stupid done 7 years ago and seal my fate as working dead-end jobs.

Any advice, reassurance or past experiences. Anything?
Feel free to mention how insanly idiotic I was because I will be the first to admit that aha!

Ive tried to keep this as short as possible but some extra info: the scars are white and old but visible if looked upon and on the medical phone call triage; I mustve said No to every question except the self harm one, I wasnt going to because It wasnt really self harm but Im not about to lie and let it bite me in the arse.

Cheers.

if you had more then one episode of self harm its a rejection and if you had to receive any therapy and stuff like that i believe its a rejection too.

 

[RS1988]

Good evening guys - I attended the assessment centre last Saturday and passed with a medical defferal.

My urine sample i provided had blood traces in and was asked to see my GP to get it investigated.

I went to see a private uroligist 3 days after I returned, and the sample I gave at the appointment had no traces of blood found. After questioning me on my lifestyle and looking at my history he said it was probably down to over training and caused a burst blood vessel inside. I havent felt any internal pains and wasn't even aware until they took the sample. He has wrote me a letter to say there is no underlining health issues and suspects it was down to overtraining causing a burst blood vessel through too much running. He has sent it to the doctors at the selection centre.

I run 5 times a week and normally cover 50km. - 70km. On the build up to attending the selection centre I was doing a lot of hard interval work to give me the best chance of passing the bleep test which was actully fairly easy!

Has anyone been in this position or had a defferal for the same reason? If so what was your outcome? Did you overcome it? Did they let you proceed with your application? Can anyone advice me or recommend any ideas?

I've really got my heart set on joining and am very worried that it might all be over before it started!

Thanks in advance

 

[bestri10]

Good evening guys - I attended the assessment centre last Saturday and passed with a medical defferal.

My urine sample i provided had blood traces in and was asked to see my GP to get it investigated.

I went to see a private uroligist 3 days after I returned, and the sample I gave at the appointment had no traces of blood found. After questioning me on my lifestyle and looking at my history he said it was probably down to over training and caused a burst blood vessel inside. I havent felt any internal pains and wasn't even aware until they took the sample. He has wrote me a letter to say there is no underlining health issues and suspects it was down to overtraining causing a burst blood vessel through too much running. He has sent it to the doctors at the selection centre.

I run 5 times a week and normally cover 50km. - 70km. On the build up to attending the selection centre I was doing a lot of hard interval work to give me the best chance of passing the bleep test which was actully fairly easy!

Has anyone been in this position or had a defferal for the same reason? If so what was your outcome? Did you overcome it? Did they let you proceed with your application? Can anyone advice me or recommend any ideas?

I've really got my heart set on joining and am very worried that it might all be over before it started!

Thanks in advance

i have microscopic haematuria so non-visible blood in the urine, i done all the required tests and nothing was found to be wrong with me as with some people its just something they may have and was passed medically fit but because i passed selection with a deferral like you it had to go through a specialist who 10 months after i was passed medically fit rejected me anyway, i appealed 10 months ago almost 11 and am still waiting for a reply. i done all the tests required and was told nothing was wrong with me and its nothing to worry about,

 

[The_Duke]

MOD comment - a reminder, yet again, of the recruiting board rules.

If your comment isn't accurate, up to date, relevant and helpful to the potential applicant, it doesn't belong in here. Gobbing off goes in the NAAFI, tall tales from old sweats about how much tougher it was in their day go into old and bold.

Points and time off awarded for repeated breaches of these very clear and simple rules.

 

[Fang_Farrier]

Good evening guys - I attended the assessment centre last Saturday and passed with a medical defferal.

My urine sample i provided had blood traces in and was asked to see my GP to get it investigated.

I went to see a private uroligist 3 days after I returned, and the sample I gave at the appointment had no traces of blood found. After questioning me on my lifestyle and looking at my history he said it was probably down to over training and caused a burst blood vessel inside. I havent felt any internal pains and wasn't even aware until they took the sample. He has wrote me a letter to say there is no underlining health issues and suspects it was down to overtraining causing a burst blood vessel through too much running. He has sent it to the doctors at the selection centre.

I run 5 times a week and normally cover 50km. - 70km. On the build up to attending the selection centre I was doing a lot of hard interval work to give me the best chance of passing the bleep test which was actully fairly easy!
t
Has anyone been in this position or had a defferal for the same reason? If so what was your outcome? Did you overcome it? Did they let you proceed with your application? Can anyone advice me or recommend any ideas?

I've really got my heart set on joining and am very worried that it might all be over before it started!

Thanks in advance

Can't comment on deferral but am aware that the burst blood cells can originate on underside of feet either in heel area or soles. |Don't even need to burst the vessels, it's simply a matter of the vessels being crushed against bone with subsequent damage to blood cells.

Might want to look at state of your shoes to ensure sufficient support and padding.

 

[Gbp2020]

Hiya just looking for a bit of advice.
I've had shin pain in both legs for couple months, I've taken time off from 7 days to 21 days.. and I seem to keep getting the pain come back.

I've got my accessment centre the start of December and I'm just hitting level 9 on my beep test so I cant afford to take much time off now.

Has anyone else experience any shin pains before and if so is there any advice anyone has such as specific stretches or recovery methods or strengthening exercises etc. Any help would be very much appreciated as I've changed my whole life around to join the army and I would hate for the shin pain to ruin my opportunity.

I'm confident I can pass the AC run test with this problem however I'm afraid that I will pass the ac then get kicked out of basic training due to this..



Sent from my SM-A202F using Tapatalk

 

[theoriginalphantom]

Hiya just looking for a bit of advice.
I've had shin pain in both legs for couple months, I've taken time off from 7 days to 21 days.. and I seem to keep getting the pain come back.

I've got my accessment centre the start of December and I'm just hitting level 9 on my beep test so I cant afford to take much time off now.

Has anyone else experience any shin pains before and if so is there any advice anyone has such as specific stretches or recovery methods or strengthening exercises etc. Any help would be very much appreciated as I've changed my whole life around to join the army and I would hate for the shin pain to ruin my opportunity.

I'm confident I can pass the AC run test with this problem however I'm afraid that I will pass the ac then get kicked out of basic training due to this..



Sent from my SM-A202F using Tapatalk

what kind of footwear are you wearing for the beep test? are you often in boots for other activities?

I used to get a lot of people with shin pain, sometimes alleviated with decent impact absorbing insoles ( they don't last long with heavy use - maybe only 6 months) sometimes boots were tied too tightly, other times it was off to the MO/Physio because it was something else.
If rest isn't sorting it, it could be time to visit your GP

 

[Gbp2020]

what kind of footwear are you wearing for the beep test? are you often in boots for other activities?

I used to get a lot of people with shin pain, sometimes alleviated with decent impact absorbing insoles ( they don't last long with heavy use - maybe only 6 months) sometimes boots were tied too tightly, other times it was off to the MO/Physio because it was something else.
If rest isn't sorting it, it could be time to visit your GP

So I've changed to soft ground training on a field and it's very slippery so I've been wearing my rugby boots. However, this all started from running around a field in my Asics back in the summer.. I'm thinking about trying out the hoka one ones as I've heard they're good for shin pain.

I've spoke to my gp and they referred me to a physio but the physio was useless she just told me I have to rest for as long as it takes but then I've started light running again and they've came back..



Sent from my SM-A202F using Tapatalk

 

[Fang_Farrier]

what kind of footwear are you wearing for the beep test? are you often in boots for other activities?

I used to get a lot of people with shin pain, sometimes alleviated with decent impact absorbing insoles ( they don't last long with heavy use - maybe only 6 months) sometimes boots were tied too tightly, other times it was off to the MO/Physio because it was something else.
If rest isn't sorting it, it could be time to visit your GP

Do you think I should get some new sorbothane ones then?
They were new when procured from Med Centre in 1992!