Asthma and the AAC

[AdamR]

Just curious if previous history of Asthma (although more than 4 years since symptoms presented themselves) bars entry to the AAC, I know for a fact that it stops you from serving as aircrew in the RAF (not sure about FAA) but I can't find anything suggesting that thats the case for the AAC.

[voodoo sprout]

For the FAA and AAC I believe the four year cut off period in in effect after which you're ok, but it has bveen quite some time since I asked so it may well have changed since then. I've a feeling this may be a case of only smarties have the answer. And perhaps the AFCO too .

[AdamR]

I was just curious thats all, I'm going for the Royal Engineers anyway. I was just asking because several years ago I was quite upset when I found that any history of asthma automatically meant you couldn't become a RAF pilot. Is there any reason why the RAF have such strict requirements for their aircrew?

[Jason The Argonaut]

Well after waiting about a month after sending my medical history to RSC Medical Wing I got them back yesterday.

I regret to inform you that, after considering your medical history, you are not eligible for military service at this time.

The reason for the deferral of your application on medical grounds is due to your history of asthma (hay fever with related wheezing) and the need for treatment for this up until March 2003.

Now when I read this I was very disappointed as you can imagine. The thing is I had a period in 2002 where I had trouble breathing, about a month or so. I had a test where you wear a mask and you breath in some kind os gas that help you breath better, I also had a pump. Now I have never had any problems with my breathing up till this point in my life. I just thought it came about dew to the fact I smoke some many drug's swimming stopped and fags. So after about month I stopped using the pump an was fine. But my Doc put I had a pump for six months, but I never used them that long. And then last year I had another pump for again a few weeks, then got rid of it.

I have been training for many months now and have had no problems with breathing. I have been running, jogging, swimming cycling and have been fine. I admit I'm not the best runner in the world but I'm getting better. And after putting my self through all these things not once have I had troubles with breathing.

So does this not prove that this asthma attack was a one off, a fluke ?

Now I no I have hay-fever, but for the last 4 years its been getting allot better, some summer's I have been fine. And in yesterdays Evening Standard there was a article from Dr Colvile say that the brought I live in which is Bexley is has the 3rd highest Dust Pollution in London.

Dr Colvile also claims millions of Londoners will suffer from minor problems caused by rising pollution levels
"Symptoms such as an itchy nose, or those suffering from asthma and hay-fever needing to take more medication, will increase.

Now when I'm away from London like on Holiday I have no problems with hay-fever. I've been to many countries and had no problems with it at all.

Now I know they say you have to be free from any treatment of asthma for 4 years. But On my letter it say's If you disagree with the decision because you believe that it may be inaccurate or incorrect, please see the attached Application for Review mechanism.

1. Application for Review of Medical Evidence.

2. Application for Review od decision under current entry medical standards.

Now reading what I have wrote above do you think it is worth me going to a specialist and testing me for asthma ?

Or even if I pass all the test's they give me and he confirms that I am not at increased risk due to my medical history. Will they still say NO ?

Your help would be most appreciated ?

[Grimey Vibes]

Gutted!!

RSC sent my doctors a letter asking for some medical notes about my background or something like that. I think it is due to me having asthma when i was younger, i hopefully we be all clear as it has been more than 4 years without treatment without a doubt.

[J J]

just a question:twisted my knee in 2001,put it down in the medical form.more info was wanted so i sent a report from my doc saying i had fully recovered.since then i have not heard from the army doc again...does that mean i should be ok???

[J J]

but i haven't recieved any letter saying that i'm "cleared" medically...that's what i'm worried about.i sent my docs report there about 6 months ago...well,my forms and documents are on their way from Germany to blackheath,guess i'll take it from there...

[Jason The Argonaut]

So if I go to a specialist and they prove that I do not have asthma, then there is a good chance they will accept my application. Apart from a short period in 2002 (i.e a month or 2) where I did have trouble breathing that's it. Last year when I had a new pump it was just pro-caution, I don't remember ever using it.

I mean when I appeal the fact that I live in Bexley which has the 3rd highest Dust Pollution in London, has got to count for something.

[I love beasting]

Mate, I don't want to come accross as harsh but its quite simple: You must have had NO symptoms or medication in 4 yrs previous. You have said you had an inhaler prescribed and symptoms, you have no chance im afraid. Just get on with your life.

[vespa]

life is a bitch.

i have been there, i tried to join the TA and was failed medically due my hearing being crap even tho i passed everything else to be fair to them they really did try to get me through even down to having a hearing test with my bad ear covered up and test my good one.
but to no avail, i was dissapointed of course but i got on with it (this was 14 years ago)
so im now in the ACF as a Sergeant instructor so its not the end of the world

[Jason The Argonaut]

Mate, I don't want to come accross as harsh but its quite simple: You must have had NO symptoms or medication in 4 yrs previous. You have said you had an inhaler prescribed and symptoms, you have no chance im afraid. Just get on with your life.

The fact is I don't have asmtha, I was prescribed a inhaler yes but did not use one after the incident in 2002. I still have them as proof. It was a isolated case, a one off, if I have asmtha I would be having trouble with running, cycling, swimming etc, I don't.

My Doc is some what of a idiot, he hands out prescription's like grandma's hand out sweets to there grandson's/daughters.

I went into my local AFCO, and had a chat with Sgt. Reene. Now he told me that there was a case where another lad had used a inhaler. But his reason for using it was due to the fact he was allergic to cat's. After his appeal they let him in, so explain that ?

He had used a inhaler, but he still was let in, and he must of used a inhaler plenty of times. In my case I had a isolated incident, and had used them for less then a week or 2. It can't be one rule for one, and one rule for others....

I was advised to have another chat with my Doc and see if we can resolve this.

[I love beasting]

Mate, you may not have asthma but you have had a one off incident...however minor...the rules are clear. I'm only saying this because I was in your situation.