Allergies in the CAF 2003 - 2015 [Merged]

[Michael OLeary]

You may be turned away.  Only the medical review as part of the recruiting process can determine that.

 

[Roy Harding]

Well here's my sorry story about allergies.
I went in for my interview and physical yesterday. Interviewer told me that I was a good candidate for the reserve postion that I am looking for. Great. Then the dreaded medical interview. All was well but when I declared on the form that I have an allergy to nuts I was hit like a Mac truck when the medical interviewer said that my allergy to nuts is a big problem and unless I could prove through an allergist report that my reaction is not life threatening and that I do not need to carry an epi pen around, that I would likely be deemed medically unfit to serve! Well I was super shocked. I manage just fine with a nut allergy. By simply avoiding almost all pasteries and keeping an epi pen in my truck, I have never had a serious problem. I am really hoping that the allergist report shows that I am not that allergic to nuts as I think I am.

I can't believe that this simple thing (which I self-manage) can keep me out of the army. Its enough to make me scream!!!!!!!!! ARGHH!!!!!!!!!!!! More delays!!!

Does anybody know if immunotherapy (ie allergy shots) are effecitive in reducing a food allergy and if so is this provabale enough get me in??

:crybaby:

Read the 103 posts above yours again - some of them make it abundantly clear why allergies can be a show stopper.

After you've done that, ask your question at the CFRC - nobody here can give you the definitive answer (which is ALSO made abundantly clear in the previous 103 posts).


Roy

 

[russianfrontphotos]

I did read all of the 103 posts above mine a couple of times over. I understand the army's point but its not like I only have this problem if I join the army. Its with me period. So I manage it. I don't just eat anything handed to me. I look at it and analyze the risk. Pasteries are a definate no-no. Never touch them. In the army it would be be same. When I get spaghetti and meat sauce or a hot dog I assume there is no nuts in there so I eat it. Who puts nuts in foods other than baked good anyways!!!!!!! Have you ever heard of a cook sprinking nuts in mashed potatoes for god sakes!!
And why would the army cook with nuts anyways knowing that a small percentage of people can have a dangerous reaction to them!!!!!!!!

 

[russianfrontphotos]

Found this on the web, its from the British Army:

Do You Have a Medical Condition?
Unfortunately and understandably, there are many medical conditions that are not compatible with Army service.

So before you apply it's important that you reveal your complete medical history. Please see below for a list of some of the conditions that may make you unsuitable for Army enlistment.


Chest Disorders

Asthma, wheeze or Asthma symptoms (and treatment) during the previous 4 years.
Chronic lung diseases (e.g. Emphysema, Bronchiectasis and Cystic fibrosis.)
Active Tuberculosis (TB).
Back Problems

Spinal surgery (including internal fixation or fusion). Recurrent lower back pain. Spina bifida.
Bone or Joint Problems

Meniscectomy (knee cartilage operation) within the last year. Surgical repair of a knee cruciate ligament. Lower limb fractures with internal fixation (metalwork) still in place. Loss of a limb.
Complete loss of a thumb. Total loss of either great toe. Any degree of clubfoot (including past surgery). Chronic joint diseases (e.g. Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and Gout). Reiter's disease in last 5 years. Osteochondritis dissecans.
Eye Disorders

Chronic eyes diseases (e.g. Glaucoma, Keratoconus and Retinitis pigmentosa or colour blindness). Squint surgery in last 6 months. Corneal problems (e.g. corneal graft and recurrent corneal ulcers). Loss or dislocation of eye lens. Cataract or cataract surgery. Detached retina.
Ear Disorders

Presence of eardrum ventilation tubes or Grommets. Current perforation of ear drum. Chronic ear diseases (e.g. Cholesteatoma).
Abdominal Problems

Chronic abdominal diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis). Kidney disorders (e.g. Horseshoe kidney, Polycystic kidney disease and Kidney stones). Donation of a kidney in last 2 years. Kidney disease in last 2 years.
Neurological Disorders

Epilepsy or more than one seizure/fit after the age of 5
Single seizure/fit in the last 4 years.
Multiple Sclerosis.
Skin Problems

Malignant melanoma or skin cancer within 2 years. Active skin disease (e.g. eczema and widespread psoriasis).
Pregnancy

Current pregnancy or childbirth in the last 6 months.
Chronic Blood Disease

Sickle Cell disease. Congenital spherocytosis. Thalassaemia. HIV seropositivity / AIDS. Carriers of Hepatitis B or C. Past history of leukaemia or malignant lymphoma.
Psychiatric Problems

Schizophrenia. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alcohol or drug dependence. Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Other Conditions

Loss of spleen (Splenectomy).
Transplanted organs.
Severe allergic reactions and or anaphylaxis requiring adrenaline injection precautions.
Nut allergy. Circulation problems (e.g. Raynaud's phenomenon or disease).
Diabetes.
Diseases (e.g. glandular or hormonal) requiring long term medication or replacement therapy.



Looks like having a nut allergy is a problem if you want to join the British Army as well.

The funny things is that during wartime (and probably WWII) they couldn't care less about such things...

 

[Roy Harding]

I did read all of the 103 posts above mine a couple of times over. I understand the army's point but its not like I only have this problem if I join the army. Its with me period. So I manage it. I don't just eat anything handed to me. I look at it and analyze the risk. Pasteries are a definate no-no. Never touch them. In the army it would be be same. When I get spaghetti and meat sauce or a hot dog I assume there is no nuts in there so I eat it. Who puts nuts in foods other than baked good anyways!!!!!!! Have you eer heard of a cook sprinking nuts in mashed potatoes for god sakes!!
And why would the army cook with nuts anyways knowing that a small percentage of people can have a dangerous reaction to them!!!!!!!!

I'm going to make this extremely, and possibly painfully clear to you.  It's NOT ABOUT YOU.  What YOU do to "manage" your allergy is YOUR business.  What happens to YOU because your fire team partner is eating an Oh Henry bar just as a firefight starts matters to the CF - while you're busy doing the funky chicken, YOU are NOT saving your fire team partners life by engaging the enemy.  Is that fairly clear now?

NOW - once again, let me make this crystal clear.  Your allergy may indeed be minor, and nothing to worry about.  I don't know.  Nobody here can tell you (even the Medics on the board can't tell you because they can't do the required tests through cyberspace).  ONLY the CFRC can answer your concern.  Stop hyperventilating in cyberspace and ASK YOUR CFRC.  A post here after you get your answer MIGHT be of some support to others with the same question - but it WON'T answer their questions definitively either, they TOO will have to find out from their CFRC - just like thousands before them.

Ranting and arguing on the internet might make you feel better, but it doesn't answer your question - it just makes you look like an out of control fool.


Roy

 

[russianfrontphotos]

I don't know why this board has so many uptight people on it?

I read this just now and its bang-on in my opinion:

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:17 pm    Post subject: Re: Can’t stand curry? Sorry, you can’t join the Army   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have served for 10yrs and am currently been kicked out for a nut allergy and left with nothing and offered no support or help and after all the service I given it counts for nothing. I have travelled so much and my allergies have never caused me an issue until now. The more I look around the more I realise that allergy suffers are really having a bad time. Today Tescos have baned a clown from blowing up ballons in case a kids has an allergy to latex.
I worry one day kids will have to go to special schools as schools will refuse them meals and there is a percieved risk of other parents packing peanuts in other kids lunch box. In the future we will be turned away from resturants as they too scared to give us meals. I already get fed up of seeing "may contain nut traces" on everything from a bunch of carrots to a packets of salted peanuts and even rabbit food (thankfully I decided to feed my rabbit instead of snacking on it!)....... Living with the condition is not a problem and really easy to manage if you are sensible. I find the problem is non-allergy suffers who have no idea what it is like to live with the condition and therefore think the worse and give us no credit for being able to look after ourselves. I am a globetotter and lived/travelled in remote parts of the world on my own, I've been shot at as a civilian four times, nearly killed in other accidents, bitten by dogs had rabies injections, nearly died of an illness but never a nut allergy!

I really hope in the future the "sue me culture" and views on non-allergy suffers will not stop kids/people from participating in ACF, VSO, expeditions, challenges and living a full life and unrestricted life. Fair enough the Army has it rules, but 10yrs hey! 

 

[old medic]

Since you have already applied, there isn't much to do except wait.

Wanting to debate it on a web site won't change anything.

 

[Michael OLeary]

russianfrontphotos,

I suggest you read Roy's response above carefully.  No-one here can tell you what you want to hear.

Your desire to live "a full life and unrestricted life" DOES NOT include increasing risk to those around you, or requiring any organization to accept increased risk to you.

As much as you may WANT to join the Army, the Army gets to decide if you meets ITS requirements.

 

[russianfrontphotos]

"As far as your 'management' of things, what happens when you get tasked to operate with another country's forces and live and eat in their facilities, whose kitchens put peanut sauce on or in many dishes?"

Just to be clear here, I am not allergic to peanuts (peanuts are not nuts). I eat them all the time. I love a PB&J sandwhich as much as the next guy. I am allergic to pecans, cashews, walnuts, etc.

I'll stop my ranting and get my allergy test done. If its bad news and I'm medically inadmissable because of it, so be it. I'll be bummed out and pissed at my parents and god for giving me allergies but then I'll move on, at least knowing that I gave it a real shot.

Sorry to upset you guys, I guess I just don't understand what its all about.

 

[Roy Harding]

...

Sorry to upset you guys, I guess I just don't understand what its all about.

You haven't "upset" me - just made me thump my head against the wall.

You're on the wrong board - you need to go here:  http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/?gclid=CKj6nuHi6o4CFQgZhgodqx5tIw  There's all kinds of support for you there.


Roy

 

[Sub_Guy]

I wouldn't sweat about it much, I had a female on my BSERE course who was allergic to pretty much everything.

For example

Vegetables
Mosquito repellent (she could use some natural thing, but she forgot it or something)
Mosquito Bites (she looked awful after day 01)
Some Airborne allergies (you could hear her sneeze around the lake)
There were many many more. She carried around one of those needle pen things that and she briefed all those around her how to use it in the event she suffered a bad allergy attack.

She got through everything just fine, even though she appeared to be going through hell.  But as everyone said before, the only answer that matters is the one from CFRC, just thought I would let you know that there are those serving with a list of allergies a mile long.

Good Luck

 

[StrideHudson]

Can i decline vaccination?  Or will they just say too bad, take it or leave.

 

[George Wallace]

Can i decline vaccination?  Or will they just say too bad, take it or leave.

You can, but it will be documented, and it should be for a very good reason.  Disciplinary Action can be taken against you if you have no grounds to refuse a vaccination intended to 'protect' you.

 

[StrideHudson]

I would only like to decline on certain vaccinations, like the flu and tetanus and some others.  is there a list of all known cf vaccinations?  or should i take this up with my recruiter? 

 

[Fishbone Jones]

I would only like to decline on certain vaccinations, like the flu and tetanus and some others.  is there a list of all known cf vaccinations?  or should i take this up with my recruiter?  

We're not doctors here, nor do we make policy. Anything you get here would be a guess, educated in some cases, but a guess. Talk to the recruiters.

 

[George Wallace]

I would only like to decline on certain vaccinations, like the flu and tetanus and some others.  is there a list of all known cf vaccinations?  or should i take this up with my recruiter?  

This is a matter that you must take up with your "Medical" Staff.  If you have a Medic Alert Card/Bracelet/whatever then that would also be a recognizable item in an emergency.  Your Recruiter has nothing to do with medical issues, other than processing the paperwork.  It is the Medical Staff who deal with these things.

Is there a list of all known CF vaccinations?  Yes.  Again, that is a matter for the CF Medical Staff, not the Recruiter. 

See the Recruiter.  See the CF Medical Staff during you medical and then you will know.  They will compile the documents necessary for your enlistment and the decisions will be made then.......not here on this site.

 

[StrideHudson]

Thank you very much.

 

[FutureQYR]

I'm currently waitng until March when I will begin my application process for the CF Reserves. I know alot of people on this thread have discussed certain allergies such as peanuts, seasonal allergies, and fish, but I have a bit of a strange one for ya. Though, the only reaction that I have supposidly ever had was when I was a baby, I am according to my parents allergic to eggs. I can eat eggs IN ANYTHING, I just cant eat plain fried eggs, deviled eggs, or stuff that hasn't been cooked into something. Again, I'm not sure if this allergy is still even existant, but I just wanna know what the CF views on strange avoidable allergies such as this are. It has been my life llong dream to serve in the CF, specificly Infantry. I excell at every physical portion of the application process  ushup: (2.4 in 9:00 mins), but i'm afraid that they may find it to be a problem, and I'll wait 6-9 months only to find out that they think i'm some sorta sicky. Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide on this.

 

[kincanucks]

I'm currently waitng until March when I will begin my application process for the CF Reserves. I know alot of people on this thread have discussed certain allergies such as peanuts, seasonal allergies, and fish, but I have a bit of a strange one for ya. Though, the only reaction that I have supposidly ever had was when I was a baby, I am according to my parents allergic to eggs. I can eat eggs IN ANYTHING, I just cant eat plain fried eggs, deviled eggs, or stuff that hasn't been cooked into something. Again, I'm not sure if this allergy is still even existant, but I just wanna know what the CF views on strange avoidable allergies such as this are. It has been my life llong dream to serve in the CF, specificly Infantry. I excell at every physical portion of the application process  ushup: (2.4 in 9:00 mins), but i'm afraid that they may find it to be a problem, and I'll wait 6-9 months only to find out that they think i'm some sorta sicky. Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide on this.

Wait for the medical and then they will tell you.  Remember this is not WebMD.

 

[Zombie]

I have an "oral sensitivity" (apparently not an allergy) to apples, pears, peaches, etc and had to see an allergy specialist who signed documents given to me by recruiters saying it would not affect me in doing my job. Every situation is different though, this is what happened in my case. If you don't want it to slow anything down after you apply, you may want to consider seeing an allergy specialist before applying, since you have a while.