Referred for DAWG, no diagnosis.

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cosmocheetah13

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Registered Member
Hey everyone!
I've been in the Air Force for a little over a year and a half. I've had back/hip problems since I got out of BMT but in the last 6 months it's gotten to the point where I've been unable to my primary AFSC. I have been on a profile(with all restrictions) since July 2015. I found out two weeks ago that my first shirt referred me to start going through the DAWG process. Now, I have yet to receive a diagnosis on what exactly is wrong with me. Nothing has showed up on an MRI and my X-Ray came back fairly normal but my problem persists and has gotten worse. What can I expect to come from the DAWG? my primary AFSC is on the flightline as a maintainer and my First Shirt told me that MEB is definitely a possibility. She put on my paperwork that I didn't want to go back out to flightline due to be scared of injuring myself further. Is it possible that I will get med boarded? Thank you everyone!
 
The DAWG is a mandatory referral after a period of time of profile. My guess is they will recommend an MEB which only means your medical condition will be looked at with more scrutiny. Have you asked for a second opinion? A referral to neurology, ortho, or pain management? If the AF is going to up the scrutiny you may want to work on finding out what is wrong.

Best wishes
Mike
 
A diagnosis is often must less satisfying than we hope.

We want someone to tie things up in a neat little package. Cause and effect and all that. A simple diagnosis of "back strain" is deeply unsatisfying and feels like the doctor just gave up on finding you a real diagnosis. Sometimes that is all we get though. Its still a diagnosis though, and can move the process forward.

And sometimes the treatments are deeply unsatisfying too. Some PT to strengthen the muscles and some pills to manage the pain, which mostly amount to introducing you to the new you.

Not at all to disagree with the chaplain. Self advocacy and a hunt for alternatives is hugely important. Just be aware that sometimes we do run up against the limits of what medicine can realistically do.
 
Oh I have tried to get referrals for every place that I can think of. No luck. I'm currently in physical therapy and they have me on a bunch of different medications. I'm still having the same problems that I've had since day one. Maybe even worse.
I'm having a difficult time with coming to terms with the fact that I may never know what's wrong with me. I'm just wanting to move forward with what I have. It's tough knowing that I've come this far and will probably end up getting kicked out through no fault of my own.
I appreciate you guys
chaplaincharlie said:
The DAWG is a mandatory referral after a period of time of profile. My guess is they will recommend an MEB which only means your medical condition will be looked at with more scrutiny. Have you asked for a second opinion? A referral to neurology, ortho, or pain management? If the AF is going to up the scrutiny you may want to work on finding out what is wrong.

Best wishes
Mike
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cosmocheetah13 said:
Oh I have tried to get referrals for every place that I can think of. No luck. I'm currently in physical therapy and they have me on a bunch of different medications. I'm still having the same problems that I've had since day one. Maybe even worse.
I'm having a difficult time with coming to terms with the fact that I may never know what's wrong with me. I'm just wanting to move forward with what I have. It's tough knowing that I've come this far and will probably end up getting kicked out through no fault of my own.
I appreciate you guys
Click to expand...

If you desire a second opinion from a qualified specialist, you can not be denied. I suggest you talk to a patient advocate, obtain a cop of the patient's bill of rights and execute the options that are compatible with your desire outcome. Best wishes. Mike
 
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