asthma

[Turnermat87]

I've been in the marine corps for a little over a year and a half now. Im 0341 infantry mortarman stationed at san mateo camp pendleton. When i arrived at SOI in january 07, during the 5k hike, i experienced a blockage of airway, like it was being constricted, which caused wheezing. I didn't think much of it at the time, and my combat instructor got me under control and i was able to finish the hike with little problem. I continued throught SOI having this problem on the hikes and the occasional run, broke my foot, and went through again with the same problems. The second time in training i was told it might be asthma, and i could go get it checked out, but i would get delayed there longer and possibly be discharged. I came to the fleet in july ready to get some, and was continueing to have this problem, only it seemed to be getting worse. The doc's threw all kinds of what they thought it could be from dehydration to some heat thing i don't remember what was. Don't get me wrong, they're great docs. My platoon commander decided one week while i was training on a range and it got so bad i passed out that i should go to BAS. They gave me an albuterol inhaler and said to come back if it wasn't getting better. I came back, and they kept telling me all sorts of different things which weren't helping me get any better and kept telling me they were going to get me a PFT, but kept beating around the bush about it. I finally passed out on an uncontrollable attack on a 12 mile hike and it took, (im not totally sure about the time, but) probably almost an hour to get my breathing under control and my vitals close to normal again. They finally got me in to get a pft in November and when i went to get my results which the data was sent to Balboa for, they had appearantly lost it. I am currently still suffering from this problem and want to know a few things. I will say this first. I am in no way looking for a way out of the marine corps other than EAS when the time comes. What can i do to help myself acclimate to this problem? Should i attempt to get tested again? If i do, and it is confirmed i do have asthma, what will they do with me? Thanks for your time docs.

Semper Fi

[hermogenesm]

:sick: hi...turnermate87
Asthma is in the group of Chronic long term lung diseases, often the combination Bronchitis and Emphysema, that make it difficult to breathe.
Asthma, however, is an airway obstruction caused by even slight allergens
and environmental triggers that cause the airway to tighten and the bronhchial tubes to inflame.

WebMD, Chronic Pulmonary Disease, available at
www.webmd.com (http://www.webmd.com) Asthma basice, available at. www.webmd.com/hw/lung_disease/hw32561.asp (http://www.webmd.com/hw/lung_disease/hw32561.asp)

The following are examples of symptoms of an undiagnoesd illness... fatigue,skin disorders, headache, muscle pain, joint pain,neurological symptoms, neuropsychological symptoms,symptoms involving the repiratory system, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular symtoms, abnomal weight loss and menstrual disorders.These medical condition may be service connected if the veteran served in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations anytime during the Gulf War.

If you need more info contact;

sgt hermogenesm@Marine Corps Community for USMC Verterans
:usmc:
Field Service Representatives
For Veterans Claims Benefits

Thank you for your service to your Country.:thumbup:

[ecfree]

HEY Turnermat87,what branch of service are you in ?
Here in this country we capitolize Marine Corp son.:evilgrin:

[SlingerDun]

Obvious respiratory problems, and if you have asthma? and or allergies? Appropriate medications will make your life more comfortable. A trip to a pulmonary specialist should clear up much of the speculation and produce a diagnosis. It's amazing what can happen when you locate the right professional and a relief to know what ails you even if it changes your life. It takes effort though they don't go looking for you, they are busy people. The best ones are not necessarily more expensive but harder to get an appointment with.

Good Luck,

--->Dave