Allergies in the CAF 2003 - 2015 [Merged]

[the 48th regulator]

Then listen to those of us that have or are serving.  Do it truthfully and legally, and be patient, and trust me, if all goes well medically, you will get your chance to serve.

Good luck, And by the way, the MSN speak bugs me, so please stop it.

dileas

tess

 

[tang72]

So, i finally got everything cleared up from June, when i got rejected because i carried an epi-pen for my nut allergy. My allergy doctor wrote me a letter, but it was more of a progress reoprt to my family doctor. In the letter, it does not state that i needed an epi-pen, but at the same time it doesnt say i dont need one either, so i dont know if Borden is going to accept this. However, it only states that "allergen imunnotherapy is not needed at this time" and all these fancy medical terms i do not understand. What do you guys think?

 

[kincanucks]

Good luck.

 

[Thaern]

Not sure if this was already covered but I’m lactose intolerant.  Its not an allergic response to milk it just that my stomach can not digest the sugar found in milk which results in some unpleasant side affects.  My question is will this be a problem? And Is there a soy/rice replacement available during basic? 

Thanks

 

[Strike]

Not sure how this will go over during basic.  However, I have worked with more than a few people (aircrew no less) who are lactose intolerant.  So, it shouldn't affect your career much.  Just give the other guys a heads up if you indulged in the yogurt or anything like that.  ;D

 

[DeepThaut]

Hey guys, just wanted to tell you that a few years ago, I applied for the reserves and everything went perfectly except that I had peanut allergies (that are now gone) and I couldn't join. I'm now waiting until I'm done my paramedic course and I'm gonna join the regs. Just wanted to let people know to watch out when they have allergies and want to join, if your not deadly and it only causes a minor inconvenience, your better off to never mention it to the medics.

 

[beach_bum]

Nordwind.  I would suggest you rethink both your attitude and the advice you are handing out to others.  You will be asked if you have allergies and if you state no, you are lying.  That constitutes irregular enrolment.  If you do not have a serious reaction, let the medics decide.  As has been stated on here a hundred times...DO NOT LIE!  You will be caught.

 

[old medic]

Here is what not disclosing your allergies will get you:

http://cfgb-cgfc.gc.ca/casestudies-e.php?case_study_id=169

Note, release item 1D = Fraudulent statement on enrolment.
5E = Irregular enrolment.

intentionally hiding your allergy will get you a 1D.

You can also refer to this thread here:
http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/13190.0.html

 

[chadwick]

hey my name is chad jantzen, and i am wonderin... When i was young i had a  few lergic reactions to shellfish but my doctor doesnt think of it as an alergic reaction soo im wondering if that will be a problem on getting in? and i had asthma when i was a yung boy and soo i took the PT test and passed it, so is there any reason why the CF could reject me?

 

[kincanucks]

hey my name is chad jantzen, and i am wonderin... When i was young i had a  few lergic reactions to shellfish but my doctor doesnt think of it as an alergic reaction soo im wondering if that will be a problem on getting in? and i had asthma when i was a yung boy and soo i took the PT test and passed it, so is there any reason why the CF could reject me?

Your medical fitness for joining the CF can only be determined through the medical portion of the recruiting process and not through this board.  If you want to join then apply and see where the process takes you.

HH

 

[CanadianBacon]

Well, this isn't geared for anyone specific, just thought I'd share.  Growin up, I had a pretty bad reaction to fish when I was young and had to have an ana-kit with me throughout my youth.  (Ana-kit is an old-school epi-pen)  I initially tried to join up 3 years back and when my allergies were discussed, I was rejected cause my fitness was a C4 or something, I still have my rejection letter.  Speaking with some of the medical staff at CFRC Vancouver, I was encouraged to get re-tested for said allergies, which I did and it came back negative for any allergies except for cats and ragweed or something, therefore I'm fit enough to join, listed as C1 I believe.  Point is, it is possible to grow out of your allergies as you mature such as I did, I'm eating a tuna sandwich right now actually.  I'm not just waiting to be schedualed for my interview and hopefully on my way!  Hope this helps in some way, cheers!

 

[nullterm]

I have an application in progress for the reserves.  From reading this thread (and others) I'm worried I'll be rejected when I reach the medical phase.  I have an allergy to nuts, but not peanuts (I'll eat Mr Big's till the cows come home).  Is that gonna bring it to a screeching halt?

 

[George Wallace]

That is something that your Enrollment Medical would determine.  There would be many factors that could be involved; how sever are your allergies, what are you allergic to, what type of Trade you are going into, what medications you may need, etc.  Most people have some sort of allergy, but it is so minor they hardly notice it.  Others have an allergy that is sever, and the slightest hint of the 'cause' could be fatal in seconds.  So you see, without tests no one can tell you honestly on the internet what your chances are.

 

[nullterm]

Thanks for the advice.  My allergy is non-fatal, but rather unpleasant.  Even if you came back and said "You're totall hosed, no way out." I'd still complete the process as far as I can take it.  I'd rather pursue this as far as I can, rather than just give up.  Thanks, George.

 

[dekingston]

My question is more a matter of stastics, my medical has been sent off to the RMO because of a bee sting allergy. I had an allergist test it and I have a localized reaction to bee venom but was also suggested to carry and epi-pen. The interesting thing to me though is the doctor said there is nothing that should stop me from joining the canadian forces also he said that the risk of anaphylaxis is very minimal and that it would be even lower with treatment. I know the treatment is covered by the Ontario govt, it take 5 years, and my friend who is a nurse said that it could easily be done at any hospital. Would the CF likely do the treatment and would I still be able to get in?

 

[Meridian]

This is conjecture, but when I was in I went to see an MO about a possible penicillin allergy (It wasnt an issue on enrollment).  He was a specialist that came in once every couple of weeks to administer allergy reduction/elimination treatments.

In the end, he stated he figured I didnt have an allergy; since apparently most allergies fade over 5 years or so, and if you haven't had a terrible reaction in the last 5, you should be ok.

Was kind of a weird statement really, since I had avoided penicillin for 5 years... thus no reaction possible, but anyway.

 

[dekingston]

Thanks for your prompt reply Meridian. It does still give a man some hope that I can get into the forces. But unfortunately I was stung last year. Oh well I guess I will just have to wait until the MO rules on my situation.  Thanks it does still give me hope that they do allergy reduction shots.

 

[Kodiack99]

I told them of a red shellfish allergy during my initial medical,they closed my files for 3 months while I went to a allergist for testing.Only after they had a letter from her stating that my allergy wasnt life threatening in any dose would they re-open my file.
S I leave on Oct 29th.

 

[officer.phil]

Ok, I'm currently in enrollment for the Reserves, and I thought the Aptitude Test would be bad enough. Guess not anymore. When doing my medical exam, the medical technician didn't have a problem with my seasonal allergies, however he did have a problem with my shellfish allergy. He gave me a release of medical information form which I then brought to my doctor who needed to fill out the forms.

There is a section which outlines the physical factors and stress factors. At the end of the section it asks my family doctor if I have anything that will prevent me from performing or being trained to perform the tasks indicated. My doctor checked off the box saying that I do. However, it's not my shellfish allergy that will prevent me from doing any of the listed (because I'm perfectly fine if I avoid shrimp, lobster, crab, etc.) but rather just my seasonal allergies that can have a toll on my performance. (I can bypass this by taking daily allergy medication.)

I have a report from my allergist stating that I have had no breathing troubles or anything that has caused me to go to the hospital. But my doctor did state that I should carry an EpiPen.

I don't know if this is going to prevent me from passing my medical exam, but I am worried they might be mislead into thinking I cannot perform what they are asking for.....what should I do?


Also on another note.... after getting test results back from my Allergist, he tells me that I have something called Oral Allergy Syndrome. Basically, i'm allergic to some specific fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and seeds. However, none of this is life threatening, it pretty much just gives me an itch in the mouth and throat. Nuts such as almonds. The tests also reveal that I am allergic to peanuts, however I can still eat it no problem, I just hate eating it. So i'm not deadly allergic to these things, but I was just wondering if this will also contribute to me being rejected....

 

[bdog]

I really hope you would join up however I'm the allergic to peanuts.  And while does it upset and disappoint me that I can't join(likely ever).  I understand how could be huge danger in operation result if I was to have an anaphylactic reaction as there are peanuts contain certain rations( not sure for the  Canadain forces)by no most of the US MRE do contain peanuts.  For anyone else is disappointed rememberif you fall down sick after eating rations in the helicopter that some removed from evacuated someone else or in my case as I was planning on entering the officer it's a loss of command-and-control. Even entering as a private a man down a combat situation can disrupt the whole unit cohesion.  So look somewhere else to serve my country will no where but, that's life.  maybe I should try the British Army before given up but I don't know.