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Military Rant
Thu, 07/17/2008 - 23:02Well I have been a member on this forum for a few months now. I have not been offically diagnosed with E yet, but now have had a second Major Seizure. I am a Active Duty E-4 (Cpl) in the Marine Corps with almost five years of service. Back in Aug 07 I had a what appeared to be a Seizure while driving with my wife in the car. After having a second incident at work I ended up going to the ER at the local Naval Hospital. After seeing the Military Docs I was sent to a Civilian Nero Office and was seen by a Nurse Practitioner. To keep a long story short, after all the test and dealing with the BS with Tricare she said she had no clue why it happened and said I was fine, and gave me one fill of Migraine Medicine. I did not feel I got the proper attention from her during our time togther. She really never seemed to listen to what I had to say, but I wanted to Reenlist, so I took the clean bill of health. Well since that date I have had a possible Grand Mal Seizure in my sleep and had another black out incident while driving. I have already seen the Navy Doc and have been refered to a Nero Office off base, which my appointment is a month away.
Right now in my mind I already know my Career is over, even before I see the new Nero. I did not want to go to medical and tell them what was happening, I was trying to hide it. But after my second time of blacking out while driving, I knew I could not keep it a secret. I am scared that if I do not get this, what ever it is thats wrong, figured out this time, I could be putting my Marines at risk. All I can vision is myself going down in Iraq when things are getting intense, when my Marines will need me the most. I still feel that maybe I should of never gone to medical and told them about my 'seizure'. I believe I could have kept it a secret from everyone. I do not know what to do anymore......
Re: Military Rant
Submitted by seakats on Mon, 2008-10-13 - 00:27
Thank you for your years of service. In my case, as a Navy wife, it was me who was in the accident back home while the hubby was out on duty. After trying to deal with a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and Tricare (that wonderful helpful insurance), I was denied any after care. Two weeks in the hospital and I was left to deal with the phantom pain and these attacks that caused me terror on an hourly basis. When I complained to whichever Navy doc I saw that week, he told me that it was probably due to PTSD from the accident (which I couldn't remember) and sent me to counseling). Fast forward to two years ago when we finally got out of the military healthcare system and my gp sent me immediately to a neurologist who confirmed Left Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.
My advice to you is this: While leaving the military due to something like a seizure disorder is not something you want to do, you must consider that you cannot be an effective leader if you are constantly worried about the next episode that might happen. Do not doubt yourself and 'stick to your guns'. I hope by now some of the tests have given you some answers and some peace with it. Do not drive if you are still having these issues....and give that family of yours a big hug. Military families are awesome!
Thank you for your years of service. In my case, as a Navy wife, it was me who was in the accident back home while the hubby was out on duty. After trying to deal with a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and Tricare (that wonderful helpful insurance), I was denied any after care. Two weeks in the hospital and I was left to deal with the phantom pain and these attacks that caused me terror on an hourly basis. When I complained to whichever Navy doc I saw that week, he told me that it was probably due to PTSD from the accident (which I couldn't remember) and sent me to counseling). Fast forward to two years ago when we finally got out of the military healthcare system and my gp sent me immediately to a neurologist who confirmed Left Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.
My advice to you is this: While leaving the military due to something like a seizure disorder is not something you want to do, you must consider that you cannot be an effective leader if you are constantly worried about the next episode that might happen. Do not doubt yourself and 'stick to your guns'. I hope by now some of the tests have given you some answers and some peace with it. Do not drive if you are still having these issues....and give that family of yours a big hug. Military families are awesome!