Joining the military with a hernia?!
Question: Joining the military with a hernia!?
I just got home from the Boston MEPS after being told that I might have a hernia!. I passed all the examinations and tests as well as the ASVAB except for this!. When the doctor asked me to drop my trousers, he felt high on my inner right thigh a bit above my testicles and found a lump!. He said it is either a hernia or a "varicocele" (I dont know what that is but I had him write it down for me)!. They told me I was temporarily disqualified from joining the Air Force and they'd need to schedule a "consort" appointment for me with their urologist!. I told the doctor that its been there all my life and that its never caused any pain or discomfort!. He said "You'll still need to see the urologist"!.
I have a feeling it is a hernia since admittedly it has caused me excruciating pain in the past!. It is true however that its been there for at least 5 years and often just 'disappears'!. I noticed that when it does hurt, it helps a lot to lay down on my back with my knees up!. Most of the time it is fine though!. Most days (28/30!?) it IS fine though and even when it is uncomfortable, it rarely gets to be so painful as it used to!. I have never seen a doctor about it before!.!.
My question is, is this going to permanently disqualify me from joining the Air Force!? Can I get a waiver for a hernia!? My recruiter told me "Dont worry, I see medical waivers go through for things like this all the time" but I'm just very worried about being able to join asap!.!. Like I said its rarely painful anymore and even when it is it is mild (sometimes very painful, maybe 2 or 3 times a year if that)!. Anyone else had a hernia/tried to join the military!?
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to this! I appreciate any help, answers or adviceWww@Answer-Health@Com
I have a feeling it is a hernia since admittedly it has caused me excruciating pain in the past!. It is true however that its been there for at least 5 years and often just 'disappears'!. I noticed that when it does hurt, it helps a lot to lay down on my back with my knees up!. Most of the time it is fine though!. Most days (28/30!?) it IS fine though and even when it is uncomfortable, it rarely gets to be so painful as it used to!. I have never seen a doctor about it before!.!.
My question is, is this going to permanently disqualify me from joining the Air Force!? Can I get a waiver for a hernia!? My recruiter told me "Dont worry, I see medical waivers go through for things like this all the time" but I'm just very worried about being able to join asap!.!. Like I said its rarely painful anymore and even when it is it is mild (sometimes very painful, maybe 2 or 3 times a year if that)!. Anyone else had a hernia/tried to join the military!?
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to this! I appreciate any help, answers or adviceWww@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I'm surprised the doctor didn't explain what these things are to you!. Oh well, I guess they're just hack overworked medicos!.
A varicocele is a condition in which valves in the veins leading away from the scrotum are defective, and so the blood backs up and pools in the veinous structure in the scrotum, forming something like a wad of vericose veins!. A vericocele will often disappear when you lie down, since the blood doesn't have to fight gravity anymore and drains away!. A vericocele can be nothing to worry about (like the one I have), or it can form in a place where it presses on other structures in the scrotum and causes pain or interferes with normal function!. This is why you need to see the urologist: to see if your varicocele is a health concern!. There are treatments to keep a problem varicocele from damaging other structures!.
A hernia is a more serious condition in which a flaw in the abdominal wall allows a loop of the small intestine to fall through!. Sometimes this loop of intestine falls into the scrotum!.
You can get a waiver if they decide your problem is minor enough that you can do your job in the army without needing extraordinary accommodation!. The only way to find out is to go see the specialist, as they told you to!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
A varicocele is a condition in which valves in the veins leading away from the scrotum are defective, and so the blood backs up and pools in the veinous structure in the scrotum, forming something like a wad of vericose veins!. A vericocele will often disappear when you lie down, since the blood doesn't have to fight gravity anymore and drains away!. A vericocele can be nothing to worry about (like the one I have), or it can form in a place where it presses on other structures in the scrotum and causes pain or interferes with normal function!. This is why you need to see the urologist: to see if your varicocele is a health concern!. There are treatments to keep a problem varicocele from damaging other structures!.
A hernia is a more serious condition in which a flaw in the abdominal wall allows a loop of the small intestine to fall through!. Sometimes this loop of intestine falls into the scrotum!.
You can get a waiver if they decide your problem is minor enough that you can do your job in the army without needing extraordinary accommodation!. The only way to find out is to go see the specialist, as they told you to!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
my husband is in the USmC and he said probable will disqualify you because his friend got one and was put into medical and couldnt go on with his training!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Until you have it repaired or removed, you will be disqualified (unfit) for active duty, no matter which branch of service you choose!. I was fortunate, while on active duty, to have mine removed!. Apparently, the armed services want people 'fit' to perform and don't want to spend time having their troops insides surgically altered!.Www@Answer-Health@Com