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Colitis and U.S. Marines

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/25/2012 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
My son was at the end of his 5th week (after the gas chamber exercise) and got really sick. He was taken to a dr outside the base and was told by that dr. that he has an infection that was later diagnosed at Colitis. My son never, ever had any gastro problems. He said that he didn't feel anything; no vomiting, no fever, no dizziness; only the blood in his stool. He said that he felt fine, otherwise. The dr. put him on some kind of enemas. Of course they won't tell me anything cause of privacy laws ..I only know what my son told me. Also I harrassed the dr. outside the base that treated him. He said that it was only an infection first; nothing to worried about; then he said Colitis.


So, now my son is being sent home. My son is devastated! he fought hard to stay there and continue his training. Even his SDI was fighting for my son to stay.
I have also spoken with a couple of Captain and was told that there is a chance for my son to return;6 month to 2 year waiting period. In addition, his recruiting sarge will be helping my son with the medical waiver.

My question is; does anyone know of someone who has had developed this medical condition that has successfully returned and completed Marine training?
My son, like I said, is devasted and the only thing he wants to be is a Marine.
Not because it is my son, but he has never been in trouble with the law, never done anything for me to worry about him. He is an Eagle Scout and wants nothing more than to be a Marine.

Kindly give me your thoughts on this.....
Thanks!!

Posted 10/25/2012 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
I cut and paste this from this board from an old post:

"about 5 years ago I talked to a navy recruiter that wouldn't stop calling me. I told him about my UC and he said I would have to go symptom and medication free for a year before they would be able to enlist me. I asked him if he thought the air force would take me and he said they were the most unlikely branch to take me. He told me the Army would be my best option but couldn't guarantee they would even take me. One things for sure, you can get a navy recruiter to quit calling you by telling him you have UC. "


So your son has to be symptom free and medication free. ***....unlikely.

The only 2 ways you might be symptom free med free is if your colitis responds to diet changes and all sudden it goes in remission. The second is surgery.

Here is the thread:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2290789
Posted 10/25/2012 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with what has been said above. However, I would be getting a second opinion. He could have colitis that is an infection that can be cleared up with proper medication. How exactly was he diagnosed? Was he given a colonoscopy? What part of his colon is inflamed? He wasn't given any other meds besides the enemas?
Posted 10/25/2012 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
More info here:

www.military.com/join-armed-forces/disqualifiers-medical-conditions.html


After reading most of the disqualifiers, I don't even think they would let anyone with a J pouch in. This will consider this as a flaw or a potential handicap.

For the marine, you have to be top of top in health. Although, it never hurts to keep trying. If I was your son, and want to be a marine...I would keep trying to get in...F..their rules.

Your son should try to get better and make an impassioned plea to the recruiter as how it's his life long dream and anything else won't do. etc etc....maybe he'll get in.
Posted 10/25/2012 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Man...they have so many health requirements I should go check myself at their recruiting centers. Forget about regular doctors.


Just go and pretend you want to join the forces, they will check EVERYTHING ON YOU....lol
Posted 10/25/2012 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
This is hilarious..listen to this.

"Splenectomy, except when accomplished for trauma, or conditions unrelated to the spleen, or for hereditary spherocytosis. "

Basically it says. If you fall from the sky and hurt your spleen on the ground and you have a splenectomy..THEN THAT'S NO PROBLEM!!! You are qualifed.

HOWEVER, if you have a PROBLEM with your spleen and have to have a splenectomy....OH WELL, THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE. lololololololol

Who cares, the spleen is gone either way.
Posted 10/26/2012 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
I would get an exact diagnosis. There are many kinds of colitis. He may have a C-Diff infection which can cause colitis. It is difficult to treat but in the end you can usually lick it. This is the ulcerative colitis forum. If he actually has UC it doesn't look good for him. This is usually a chronic life long thing which can often be controlled with drugs but the treatments would probably preclude him from being in the service. Best of luck to you.
Posted 10/26/2012 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Nose, sinuses, and larynx

The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are:

a. Allergic manifestations.

...Man are these people stupid or what. If you are allergic to something small which most likely won't cause a problem...well you could get disqualified.

Half or more of American population is allergic to something.

So, if you are a exemplary healthy specimen, they have no problem sending you to die for your country.

If you have the slightest allergy to something....THAT WON'T DO.

ooooookkkk....... that's logical.
Posted 10/26/2012 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
I agree the colitis may not be idiopathic UC. The two are very different with very different prognosis. More information/diagnosis is needed.
Posted 10/27/2012 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear this. I was diagnosed with UC while in the AirForce. At first it had no bearing on my career but later I was sent before a medical board and was almost forced to early retire with a medical retirement which I did not want. From what you said I would definitely get a second opinion just to make sure of the correct diagnosis. Tell your son thanks for wanting to serve his country.
Posted 10/29/2012 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone!
An update: he is still at Parris Island at RSP. He is bummed out and so heartbroken! it breaks my heart!
He is getting better! not a lot of bleeding anymore! His dr outside the base, said that he changed is medication to see if something else will work better. Still don't know what he was treated with before nor now. My son says that he feels fine still and feels very strong! no dizziness, nor vomiting, nor fever. Nothing!! just a bit of blood in his poop.
He is still fighting to stay! I sent him a letter asking him to get a JAG or to talk with someone that can help him do an appeal. He is not going down without a fight, that's for sure!
I still don't think that he has Colitis! I think that maybe a bug went up his..a@## and is giving him an infection. There is not history of colitis in my or his father's family...so I doubt that is..but without having OUR dr do a test; I go by what I'm being told by my son that someone told him..which is frustating..!!
My son is getting better tho, which is good...
Now let's hope he gets to stay and become a Marine!
Posted 10/29/2012 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry to hear that your son is going thru this. He needs to have a colonoscopy done to determine if he has UC or just an infection. I'm surprised the DR. hasn't scheduled one. Also, know that UC is not something that needs to run in the family, anyone can get it. Again he needs a colonoscopy without one you wont know what it is.
Posted 10/29/2012 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
For sure doesn't "have" to run in your family. I am the only one in my family that has it. Stinks really. Hope they get to the bottom of what is going on with your son.
Posted 10/30/2012 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
The only way to know for sure if he has ulcerative colitis or a colitis infection is to have a colonoscopy. Can he ask for one? Did he a stool test for c diff? Have they done blood work (CBC, sed rate, c-reactive protein)?

If it is ulcerative colitis, he won't be able to stay in the Marines. I was looking into the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps--which is noncombatant and domestic--and UC disqualifies you for that too.
Posted 10/30/2012 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Honestly, it's for the better do you really want him in Iraq or Afghanistan
Posted 10/30/2012 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone!
Yes; the dr outside the base did a colonoscopy which he did say that it was nothing but an infection; he was very dismissive...said nothing to worry about.
Then the drs from the base said it is UC....
so; if the colonoscopy said (like the dr said) indicated it was nothing but an infection, why they at the base are quickly labeling UC???
I just spoke with my son, cause he was gonna head home tonight but because of the storm, now he can't; he said that the meds that the outside of base dr gave him are working 100%!!! almost no blood anymore!! still no fevers, stomach ache nor headaches!!
So; I guess until I get him to our dr, I won't know for sure!! I will let you all know cause I think that this might have been misdiagnosed!! (at least I'm hoping)
onceolitis1; I don't want him in Iraq or Afghanistan; but at this point it is not what I want...it is what HE wants! He wants nothing but to serve his country as a Marine...!! I told him already that he doesn't need to do anything else to make me proud!! I'm the proudest mom because of him..!!
Thanks ya'll...
Posted 10/30/2012 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
He needs to get a copy of the colonoscopy report, complete with info from any biopsies that were taken. I'm also unclear if he's had two c-scopes, or just one.

Has anyone actually said "Ulcerative Colitis" or are all the docs just saying "Colitis"? Those are two VERY DIFFERENT diagnoses.
Posted 10/31/2012 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
It has been called UC so far..
We are trying to get all the reports faxes to our dr!
Somethings doesn't make sense to me!

What's the difference between UC and Colitis?
Posted 10/31/2012 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Colitis just means inflammation of the colon ("itis" is what's used medically for inflammation -- so rhinitis means you have an inflamed nose). There are many, many things which can cause you to have "colitis," some of which are chronic, some of which are not.

Ulcerative colitis is an actual disease.
Posted 10/31/2012 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
So if colitis is just an inflammation/infection maybe that is why my son doesn't have any other symptoms that's usually associated with UC... But they are labeling as such to get rid of him and not go thru the trouble!!
I asked my son again last nite about vomitin, dizziness, stomach aches, fever? He said he never had any of those. Just the bleeding which now is gone due to the medication that the outside dr gave him!!
Can't wait to have him home and take him to our dr!!!
Thank you sooo much!!!
Posted 10/31/2012 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Did both the base doctor and the civillian doctor say "ulcerative colits," or just the base doctor?
Posted 10/31/2012 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Outside dr said infection: nothing to worry about.
Base drs UC..
Went back to outside dr and this dr changed his tune and called it colitis only.
Posted 12/5/2012 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Leslie... how is your son doing?

I have a story for you. My son joined the USMC a healthy strong kid. He enlisted at age 17 & went off to boot camp as soon as he turned 18.

He was half way through training, when he wrote me and said he was very sick. They told him he had bronchitis. They gave him some type of medication and was put on bed rest. I thought he'd be ok. Graduation day came... I finally got to see my boy. He was sooo skinny and pale. I could not believe my eyes. I thought he had lost weight due to the vigorous training.... as it is, he's a skinny kid.

So, I take him home for 10 day family leave. He seems fine. He goes away for another month for more training. He comes back home even more pale and thinner than he did the first time. I notice him going to the bathroom frequently.. I mean FREQUENTLY.. then I discover bloody toilet paper. I wondered if it was my other son's girlfriends monthly. It was not. My son finally confessed to me that he had been vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and then blood in his stool. He thought this was due to the "wrong medication" they gave him at boot camp. He said he fought to go to the doctor. They did nothing for him there but change medication. At one point I had his medical records in my hand. I should have taken copies. Loooong story short. He was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis this year in May. He's still has frequent visits to the bathroom, bloody diarrhea, awful stomach cramps. He's lost so much weight.

Bottom line.. the USMC did nothing for my son. He went in a healthy strong, full of life, young man... you should see him now. My poor kid. Good luck to YOUR son.

Post Edited (UChurtsOne) : 12/4/2012 10:53:09 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/13/2012 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hello UChurtsOne,

My baby is home and is not bleeding as bad as he was there. He never had any other symptoms but blood in his stool. No diarrhea, no stomach cramps, no vomiting..nothing..just very bad bleeding. The doctor outside the base said it was just an infection "nothing to worry about" but the base drs said ulcerative colitis and sent him home...

we are seeing a doctor on the 20th and take it from there. The thing that gets me is that he has not coverage. And as yours, went in extremely healthy kid that used to go to the gym and eat lots of spicy foods (I'm Spanish so I cook with lots of spices) and never, NEVER had any gastro problems..its like one day was healthy and next day woke up with this disease! I just don't get it..

I went to the Life Extension Institute in Fort Lauderdale, FL and I spoke with someone there. They have a pretty good program and work with top notch doctors from all over and got a few meds for my son. Probiotics, fiber and some other stuff to see if it helps..

In the meantime, no help from the USMC at all..! If I can't get him medicaid or some type of emergency coverage from the welfare office, I have to find a way to pay for his medical care cause he is not covered..

I don't get it...

Is your son still there? or did they discharged with the COG (convinience of government)?

My son said that PI is a dirty place and with so many kids there its no wonder...

Also I wonder how many kids end up being diagnosed with this? I was told by the outside base doctor's nurse that they get a lot of kids there with gastro problems...so who knows what is going on there...

Please let me know about your son and thank you sooo much for asking about mine...

Lesli

Posted 12/13/2012 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
If your son is less than 26 then you can add him on to your policy.
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