medical seperation from the Navy

[kraeg]

I need some help with questions about my daughter’s medical separation from the Navy.  My daughter who is in "A" school at the Great Lakes Naval Base is totally clueless and doesn’t know how to advocate for herself. So I figured it couldn’t hurt to post my questions here with the hopes that someone would have the answers.

My daughter passed her physical in order to enlist in the Navy, survived boot camp then about 2 months ago she started to have pain in her upper abdomen/chest region.  The navy doctor has not been able to determine what is causing her pain so she is recommending separation from the Navy.

My questions start with why didn't the dr. recommend a 2nd opinion?  Of course my non-worldly 20 yr old didn't even think of asking for one.  My own doctor asks her colleagues for assistance when I have had tricky health issues.  Let alone...I am a veterinarian and I can't tell you how many times I have asked for second opinions on cases I am confused about and I have referred to specialist for problems out of my expertise.  According to my daughter this one doctor has the power to have her separated.  That is unbelievable….especially since this incompetent dr. is causing my daughter to lose her job.  Also isn’t there some responsibility of the Navy to figure what is wrong with her since she wasn’t broken when I sent her to them……you broke it you bought itJ.

Does she have any recourse to fight this?  To stop the separation process or contest it or if another doctor can determine the cause and treat it, can they stop the process. 

My daughter needs an advocate to help her get some of these questions answered and to help her determine what questions she should be asking?  She doesn’t know of any one.  What about the Fleet and Family Support Center….is it a good place to start?

Also does the Navy health insurance allow them to see private physicians?  Since my daughter doesn’t seem to be able to answer this question either

My daughter told me “mom don’t go all momma bear on the navy yet, let me try and figure things out”.  I am ready to call the Naval base….I am sure it won’t do any good and my daughter is afraid it will make things worse for her.

I am so angry and I feel helpless to do anything to help her…..since I am 2000 miles away and of course the Navy doesn’t care what her MOM thinks.  Thanks for letting me vent.

Deborah

[Anti M]

I found the Navy wasn't big on second opinions.  Fleet and Family won't be her best resource, but there is surely a patient advocate at the hospital.  They are all supposed to have them.  

She cannot go see a private physician without a referral.  Who refers her?  Her PCM, who is likely putting her in for separation.  She can and should ask, but results will vary.  A lot.  

[kraeg]

Thanks for your response. A little disconcerting but not surprising.  I have given my daughter the info you gave me and hopefully she will take advantage of it.

I know the Navy considers her an adult but she is still my baby. :-)

 

[BunkerQB]

This is just one mom talking to another. She went into the Navy w/o anything wrong physically. She survived bootcamp. Is she having some anxiety issues? Is she allergic to something in her quarters?  Did anything happened to her two months ago? Is there anything personal?  Did someone attacked or harassed her? Is she worried about something? 

I had upper abdomen pains - always thought it was bad food - sensitive tummy. I would take some "Asian" herbal tea and it would go away. It turned out I was having gallbladder issues. This went on for years.

Healthy young 20 year olds don't get upper abdomen pains. Chronic pain will prevent her from active duty in any branch of the service; but they could at least find out what the problem is (what the cause is).

My son broke his ankle - the Navy doctors performed the surgery - he has no complains about the competence of his doctors and the quality of his health care. We know a number of Navy men/women connected with the medical field. They are as good as any doctor in the civilian sector.

This statement is not going to help you or your daughter:

     "That is unbelievable….especially since this incompetent dr. is causing my daughter to lose her job"

The doctor didn't cause her pain. It's OK to vent but get the facts before you accuse. My experience is that often our sons/daughters don't tell us everything - fear of disappointing us, disappointing others, fear of losing job, a relationship.

Talk to her. Good luck.

[kraeg]

I feel I have an open and honest relationship with my daughter (as anyone can have with their 20 yr old).  I feel confident she would confide in me if she was attacked or harassed......thankfully.  I am sure she doesn't tell me everything and she is only telling me her side of things and her understanding of what is happening. I have talked to her repeatedly about this being stress related.  She doesn't think so but I think it is still a possibility.  I was suspicious of a gall bladder issue since it is in the family but they did an ultrasound which I am assuming ruled it out. She and I have had illnesses in the past that did not present the way the physicians would expect and required further evaluation to obtain an answer.....hence why I wish the dr. would proceed with further testing.

I am sorry if my comments about the Dr. were offensive.  I, too, know medical people in and out of the armed forces and some are excellent but like any other field some are incompetent.  Yes, I am basing my opinions of this doctor on my daughter's comments.......but I feel the decision to separate her from the navy without a diagnosis or requesting a second opinion is incompetent.

I did just get a message from my daughter that the dr.s office called to schedule another appt with the same dr. so I am hoping for the best.  I just want to know what is wrong with my daughter, whether or not she stays in the Navy is not my priority.

I posted here because I am hoping to get recommendations, or explanations for military protocol (out of my realm of knowledge or experience), or even how to properly navigate within the military  and learn from others experiences.  I am definitely not trying to offend anyone.

Thanks again for your comments and advice.

[BunkerQB]

Don't worry. I might have said a few choice comments myself (more colorful for sure). What about food allergies? I was not lactose intolerant until AFTER my gallbladder surgery. BTW, I still get bad tummy aches if I eat food that's too greasy or too spicy. I know it is very disconcerting. Please come back and let us know what you find out.

[kraeg]

Food allergy......possible.  It will be interested to see what happens after her wed dr. appt.  Thanks for your input.....I just needed to feel like I was doing something....I have been feeling so powerless to help her.  I need to remind myself that she is an adult...even thought she doesn't always act like one.

Thanks again

[BunkerQB]

Ya, they are adults and often you have to let them make a few mistakes to learn their lesson. It's frustrating that they have to re-invent the wheel when mom (and dad) have been thru it and can lay it out sooooo nicely. Ahhhhh sigh. Teaching them the "business" of living is the most frustrating part of parenting. Easier when they were young and believed that we knew everything.

[kraeg]

I agree it was easier in ways when they were younger.  Now all I hear is "mom I don't want to learn from your mistakes...I want to learn from my own mistakes."  What?  Why would you want to even make a mistake if you could avoid it.  The joy of being a parent.  I had always wanted more kids but I think the one I have is all I can handle. :-)

I may have a little bit more of the picture.  I spoke with my daughter last night and had here really pin point when this started.  Well about 2 1/2 months ago she had a day of vomiting and was prescribed anti-nausea meds which knocked her out for about 24hrs.  When she woke up the pain was there.  It doesn't give us all the answers but it is another piece of the puzzle.  Supposedly her dr. is aware of the correlation.  I am just crossing my fingers that at her dr. appt tomorrow the dr. will have changed her mind about working with her to find the answers.  Changing her mind about recommending separation would be just an extra bonus.

[Angie]

Just so you know, you calling the base will result in nothing happening..she is an adult and legally no one on the base or at the doctors office can talk about her or her medical issues.  Only thing that may happen is your daughter gets called into an office and get yelled at for her mom calling the base.

The military can and does separate people with less than 180 days in for any number of reasons.  If she has less than that many days in....when they start the separation process than she will just be an ELS separation out of the

military. http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/milpersman/1000/190...

when she sees the doctor she can ask for a second opinion, but they do not have to give her one.  

when she goes into medical on the wall are pictures of who the advocate is, she can ask for that person and talk to them, about what can be done..but if the separation process has started that person can not assist them..they are there to help if there is a problem with medical. 

[Angie]

What date did she leave for bootcamp on?

[kraeg]

Thanks for your helpful input.  She left for boot camp 6/24/13 so it has been over 180 days.

Do you know.....Does she have to have a referral to see just a private general physician?

[Anti M]

Yes, she absolutely must have a referral.