Metabolic myopathy; malignant hyperthermia; recurrent Rhabdomyolysis

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Hello all,

I am just trying to get some information about some medical issues I'm having.

So for the last few months I’ve been seeing the doctors for recurrent rhabdo, they basically told me I have a metabolic myopathy disease, and I did a genetic panel and that came back as potentially having malignant hyperthermia. I am an e5 soon to be e6 in the marine corps, with over 8 years TIS.

Right now I am stuck between doing a muscle biopsy or just starting the medboard process. The neurologist told me that we have enough data right now (CK levels, muscle fatigue and tightness/cramping) to start the medboard, and that he would state I cannot deploy nor carry a person. Along with other exercise intolerances. Being in the USMC, that is likely enough to be found unfit, is what he said.

My two questions are:
1. Should I do the muscle biopsy, even though the results are only a 50/50 chance of having any other amplifying information and we already have enough to start the process? (I am currently set to eas in October 2020 and would like to start the process ASAP as to not stay in much longer than my EAS if I even have to.)
2. I have been searching far and wide and can’t get a clear picture on dod ratings for metabolic myopathy. I’ve seen some rated at 0% but unfit. I’ve seen some have 30%. I saw one forum post that referred to an analogous disease being myasthenia gravis which was minimum 30%. If anyone has any info about what kind of rating I could expect from that it would be greatly appreciated. I’d like to just get the 30% so I could get the retirement, if I am found unfit.

I guess a follow on question would be, if I’m given 0%, but unfit, would I still get a severance check? And if so, it would be recouped right?

Thanks everyone in advance for any replies.
 
Recurrent Rhadbomylosis is a difficult condition to rate, often they use analogus code 7700 (hyperthyroidism). The rating will most likely be centered around each of the muscle groups affected and what the residuals are.

Often Recurrent Rhadbomylosis is rated 0% because of the difficulty in narrowing down the symptoms. If you complain of pain, you can be assigned a 10% rating, however you are better off with 0% then 10% since your severance will not be recouped.

Severance will be around $50,000 based upon E5 and 8 years
 
@gsfowler

thanks for that info. I did not know a 0% is not recouped.

I think what the doctor is going to put is the metabolic myopathy. Not so much the rhabdo. Any insights on that? Is there any difference?
 
Metabolic Myopathy is going to require genetic confirmation. Have you seen a Geneticist? It’s tough to get a definitive out of a Geneticist.

Rhadbomyosis is actually a condition that arises from a metabolic myopathy so this may become a chicken vs the egg thing.

In the end, the VA will use whatever medical opinion is put in front of them.

With a genetic condition, EPTS can come into play, however in your case, since you have 8 years time in service it is off the table. I read you’re aware of this, just adding for the record in case anyone come across this thread looking for answers.
 
With you being still young, there are some serious health issues that may arise later in life with the potential for chronic kidney disease being the greatest.

Please ensure that you continue get your chemistry labs drawn per your Internist’s orders and follow whatever exercise regime that is recommended. Unfortunately the USMC is no longer a fit for your physical condition.
 
@gsfowler

thanks again for your replies.

I guess I should have tried to be more specific. It was hard to think of what information to put down.
The neurologist has told me that I have a metabolic myopathy disease. I got a prevention genetics panel done that showed malignant hyperthermia. Which is a genetic disease. Which I can definitely say in my opinion was service agitated because I was fine up until this year.
The neurologist sent my results to some geneticists specialists and they said the results are good enough for a diagnosis of MH and metabolic myopathy. However they are giving me the option to get a muscle biopsy done. I’m still not sure if I want to get the biopsy. We could start the medboard process now (which id really like to do) or we can do the biopsy which I’m not even sure would yield any positive results in any situation.

with that info from the geneticists, do you think that’s enough for at least 30%? Unfortunately for me I’ve always been a weight lifter and it’s really hard to tell if I’ve lost any strength because of this disease, or if I have any muscle weakness, because I’m already relatively strong.

I am actually only 26, I’m not sure where 38 came from, but it’s really kind of messing with my head. I’ve always been an athlete, and was in the middle of trying to step on stage as a bodybuilder when this whole thing started in January. I’m really torn because a part of me wants to still work out just as hard, and not accept any limits that may have been placed on me.

Any more opinions are welcomed. Especially about a possible percentage, analogous disease for the rating, and opinions on doing a muscle biopsy.

thanks again
 
Sorry man.. I was in SOF and this happened to me as well. Medboarded.. Fight it if they try go give you 0%. I lucked out and got 40.. There's only a few cases about reoccuring rhabdo and metabolic myopathy.. It's still an unknown condition. They did a biopsy and many other tests like EMGs and blood test almost every other day..
 
@siderealprex

thanks for your response! That’s promising. What were you diagnosed with? Yeah I’m doing my biopsy the 29th and then starting the medboard process. Did you have anything besides the rhabdo/met myo for the DoD to give you 40% or just that one thing?

do you know what they compared it to? Or the analogous condition? Thanks.
 
Sorry man.. I was in SOF and this happened to me as well. Medboarded.. Fight it if they try go give you 0%. I lucked out and got 40.. There's only a few cases about reoccuring rhabdo and metabolic myopathy.. It's still an unknown condition. They did a biopsy and many other tests like EMGs and blood test almost every other day..
Yeah they have done all those tests for me as well. Funny to see how they go through the same checklists. I appreciate your response. Gives me hope.
 
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