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Crohn's and the Navy

Mon, June 23, 2008 10:06 PM

Is there anyone that has some extra information about getting into the Navy with having the diagnosis of Crohn's disease? I've researched and found out that is is an automatic disqualification, but my recruiter said that there is still a possibility that I could get a medical waiver. I've spoken to my doctor and he told me that while I'm in remission he is confident I could do whatever I wanted. It's just that he can't predict how long I'll stay in remission, and I think that is the tossup with the Navy. I was diagnosed a little over a year ago and went into remission after about 4 months of treatment with Asacol and Prednisone. Then I had a surgery for an unrelated problem back in December that caused a flare-up. Since February or March I have been taking Asacol, Imuran, and Prednisone(currently almost phased off the Prednisone) and have responded well. I'm pretty much back to a stable healty status. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

-Michael

michaelarusso
Joined Jun 23, 2008

Mon, June 30, 2008 1:34 PM

Reply posted for michaelarusso.

Things may have changed in the last 15 years, but I was disqualified from the Navy for having Crohn's. I had surgery 6 months prior to trying to enlist. I think the disqualification has something to do with the unpredictable nature of Crohn's. The Navy probably goes case by case. Hope this helps.

cdgirl
Joined Jun 30, 2008

Mon, June 23, 2008 10:32 PM

Reply posted for michaelarusso.

My Friend,

I hope you can get in if that is what you really want, a medical waiver will be very hard to get, as this disease is very hard to predict. There is a young man on the web site that has crohns and was in the army and they just gave him a honaroble discharge, he was sent to Iraq and had to come back do to the Crohns. Please keep us posted, and good luck to you and thank you, for wanting to protect our freedom. My prayers are with you.

Littlestar

littlestar
Joined Jul 26, 2008

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