I hate being the squeaky wheel, but chronic pain sucks

I

Imnotokay

New Member
Registered Member
Like the title says, I hate being the squeaky wheel, but I injured my back during a TDY late 2020 and have been dealing with chronic pain since. It was of no fault of my own, and I could tell right away that something happened to my back. Took me months to be seen since COVID was at a its peak, during which I was just taking ibuprofen and dealing with it. I am a female in a male dominated field so it's tough enough, but even more so if you complain and are on the sideline. My career field is very physically demanding and Ive never been one to shy away from work, but I did fuck up and work through pain. I was on and off a profile for my back, and eventually I ended up seeing mental health since I have been feeling more and more like I am damaged beyond repair. MRI showed damage to my back and they recommend and RFA which I have tried to postpone since I am not a fan of medical procedures. Had the steroid shots which did not help at all btw. Now I have also been dealing with severe neck pain for about a year, I am taking anti depressants and just overall feel expired and broken. I have finally come to terms that if it comes to a MEB, I am ok with it and my health and happiness are more important than me proving myself within my career field and among my peers. Just some insight, I am an NCO, mid 30s, with 2 kiddos and a spouse.
What exactly triggers a MEB? Is that something that will sneak up on me? Will medical let me know if they will recommend me for one? Also, I know I have tinnitus, I can hear the same repetitive sounds in my ears at night when Im trying to sleep, but the audio tech never seems to document it. How do I go about having that on my record? Its surreal that they wouldn't annotate it, when I have specifically mentioned it. Plus I work in a very loud environment, around planes, and running engines etc.I am worried that the USAF will finally give me the boot and I'll end up with the short stick.
Thank you
 
Many times they recommend it after any surgery, but not necessarily, it all depends on how serious the condition is and if it limits you from doing your job. About tinnitus, don't tell them the diagnosis, just tell them that you have a noise in your ears. For the MEB you can mention it to your PCM, and explain how your conditions limit your work. It is not something that you can really request, that is in the decision of your PCM. Hope that's help!
 
Imnotokay said:
Like the title says, I hate being the squeaky wheel, but I injured my back during a TDY late 2020 and have been dealing with chronic pain since. It was of no fault of my own, and I could tell right away that something happened to my back. Took me months to be seen since COVID was at a its peak, during which I was just taking ibuprofen and dealing with it. I am a female in a male dominated field so it's tough enough, but even more so if you complain and are on the sideline. My career field is very physically demanding and Ive never been one to shy away from work, but I did fuck up and work through pain. I was on and off a profile for my back, and eventually I ended up seeing mental health since I have been feeling more and more like I am damaged beyond repair. MRI showed damage to my back and they recommend and RFA which I have tried to postpone since I am not a fan of medical procedures. Had the steroid shots which did not help at all btw. Now I have also been dealing with severe neck pain for about a year, I am taking anti depressants and just overall feel expired and broken. I have finally come to terms that if it comes to a MEB, I am ok with it and my health and happiness are more important than me proving myself within my career field and among my peers. Just some insight, I am an NCO, mid 30s, with 2 kiddos and a spouse.
What exactly triggers a MEB? Is that something that will sneak up on me? Will medical let me know if they will recommend me for one? Also, I know I have tinnitus, I can hear the same repetitive sounds in my ears at night when Im trying to sleep, but the audio tech never seems to document it. How do I go about having that on my record? Its surreal that they wouldn't annotate it, when I have specifically mentioned it. Plus I work in a very loud environment, around planes, and running engines etc.I am worried that the USAF will finally give me the boot and I'll end up with the short stick.
Thank you
Click to expand...

I have had chronic back pain, hip pain, and depression because of the pain for 5 years. Tried dozens of medications and had 6 steroid injections in 4 months. Nothing helped until my PCM put me on CYMBALTA. Not sure if its coincidence, but its brought me out of a low place. Less pain, actual sleep now, and a much better mood. I would usually never recommend meds, but its been lifechanging.... Do what you will with that info.
 
Imnotokay said:
Like the title says, I hate being the squeaky wheel, but I injured my back during a TDY late 2020 and have been dealing with chronic pain since. It was of no fault of my own, and I could tell right away that something happened to my back. Took me months to be seen since COVID was at a its peak, during which I was just taking ibuprofen and dealing with it. I am a female in a male dominated field so it's tough enough, but even more so if you complain and are on the sideline. My career field is very physically demanding and Ive never been one to shy away from work, but I did fuck up and work through pain. I was on and off a profile for my back, and eventually I ended up seeing mental health since I have been feeling more and more like I am damaged beyond repair. MRI showed damage to my back and they recommend and RFA which I have tried to postpone since I am not a fan of medical procedures. Had the steroid shots which did not help at all btw. Now I have also been dealing with severe neck pain for about a year, I am taking anti depressants and just overall feel expired and broken. I have finally come to terms that if it comes to a MEB, I am ok with it and my health and happiness are more important than me proving myself within my career field and among my peers. Just some insight, I am an NCO, mid 30s, with 2 kiddos and a spouse.
What exactly triggers a MEB? Is that something that will sneak up on me? Will medical let me know if they will recommend me for one? Also, I know I have tinnitus, I can hear the same repetitive sounds in my ears at night when Im trying to sleep, but the audio tech never seems to document it. How do I go about having that on my record? Its surreal that they wouldn't annotate it, when I have specifically mentioned it. Plus I work in a very loud environment, around planes, and running engines etc.I am worried that the USAF will finally give me the boot and I'll end up with the short stick.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Talk to your primary doc. Or find one that connects all the dots together. If you hurt it on duty get every single piece of paper since the incident and forward.

Your Permanent profile that is a category 3 or 4 (should) trip a med board proceeding and at least get someone looking at you. Your profile form should say something about "Injury will last over a year" That should trigger that 3 or 4 code on PUHLES. I was pushing through my back pain in a combat arms unit. It was terrible. Don't hurt yourself more if you can help it. Find someone who knows anyone who got out recently and talk to them about their experience as its fresh in their mind.

Talk to the soldiers council and ask advice. Scour this website for spine injuries or different MEB stories.
Google "VA CITATION Spine. See in the feedback is similar to yours.
Check out this site too. I think they charge now which is unfortunate.....but it is still helpful. Military Disability Made Easy Home • Military Disability Made Easy. It is pretty accurate and the same guy owns VACLAIMS INSIDER. (Dont use them though, there is better FREE help out there.).

I am not sure what kind of diagnosis you have with you provider. But the diagnosis is important just as it is with the doctor saying "this injury occured during working with the military.

  • A current, diagnosed disability;
  • An in-service event, injury, or illness; and.
  • A medical nexus between the current disability and the in-service event, injury, or illness.

You should be solid with all these. But do them now with your doc. Start this obsession now and protect yourself. It is gonna suck and you will get stressed. But if you dont prepare now you will regret it in the long run.

I hope this helps.
 
Imnotokay said:
Like the title says, I hate being the squeaky wheel, but I injured my back during a TDY late 2020 and have been dealing with chronic pain since. It was of no fault of my own, and I could tell right away that something happened to my back. Took me months to be seen since COVID was at a its peak, during which I was just taking ibuprofen and dealing with it. I am a female in a male dominated field so it's tough enough, but even more so if you complain and are on the sideline. My career field is very physically demanding and Ive never been one to shy away from work, but I did fuck up and work through pain. I was on and off a profile for my back, and eventually I ended up seeing mental health since I have been feeling more and more like I am damaged beyond repair. MRI showed damage to my back and they recommend and RFA which I have tried to postpone since I am not a fan of medical procedures. Had the steroid shots which did not help at all btw. Now I have also been dealing with severe neck pain for about a year, I am taking anti depressants and just overall feel expired and broken. I have finally come to terms that if it comes to a MEB, I am ok with it and my health and happiness are more important than me proving myself within my career field and among my peers. Just some insight, I am an NCO, mid 30s, with 2 kiddos and a spouse.
What exactly triggers a MEB? Is that something that will sneak up on me? Will medical let me know if they will recommend me for one? Also, I know I have tinnitus, I can hear the same repetitive sounds in my ears at night when Im trying to sleep, but the audio tech never seems to document it. How do I go about having that on my record? Its surreal that they wouldn't annotate it, when I have specifically mentioned it. Plus I work in a very loud environment, around planes, and running engines etc.I am worried that the USAF will finally give me the boot and I'll end up with the short stick.
Thank you
Click to expand...
most of the time, the last treatment option is surgery and they will likely want you to try surgery before initiating an MEB. If you choose to not have the surgery, they can still start the MEB, but your ratings will be lower because the perception is that its not bothering you enough to warrant you taking every action to help alleviate the issue. I had 2 back surgeries and then they initiated the MEB
 
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