Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: My Baby Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > Military Families

Sort:
12-12-2012 at 2:12 PM
FutureMrsT...
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-18-2009
Pflugerville, TX
760 Posts
10,611 Points
FutureMrsTowns is not online. Last active: 04-23-2013, 3:51 PMBronze

Medical incompetence, is there anyone to protect him from this?

I am desperate for advice at this point. My husband has had a knee injury for over a month that his medical on his ship(Navy) refuses to give him treatment for. He thinks it may be due to the fact that he had a pin in his knee as a kid and that something has recently irritated the injury, but he really has no idea why it suddenly started to hurt so much. It started when he did his PRT about a month ago, as he was running(he usually does the bike, but the ship didn't give that option this time) but, as he was running his knee just gave out on him, he wasn't out of breath or anything he just literally could not put any weight on his knee anymore. He got a ride back to the ship and someone in medical looked at his knee right away, she said she felt something weird and that he needed to come back the next day to get a referral from the actual corpsman for an xray and that they'd work on getting him a waiver so that he can re-do his PRT on the bike. So he went back the next day and the doc said he didn't feel anything and to come back again the next day to see if he felt anything. He has gone back at least once a week for the last month and a half now, and they wont give him ANY treatment, they wont even LOOK at his knee, they just tell him to take an advil and wrap it up and come back if it's still a problem, not even a referral for an xray to see if something has happened. He finally bugged someone last week to make him an appointment with the physical therapist(not until Dec 27th), but now he is supposed to do another PRT tomorrow in order to be able to be frocked on Friday, and they are refusing to see him to give him that waiver he was promised. He's been wearing a brace on his knee just to be able to walk around his ship and go up and down the ladders. Let alone the fact that he will most likely not be able to finish the run and therefor wont get frocked, he's really afraid that if he tries to run tomorrow that he might do serious damage to his knee. I have no idea what to tell him, what can he even do? He thinks that they may think he's faking it for some reason, since there's no external swelling, but the pain is deep within the joint and they wont even run tests!

 

UPDATE: He ended up being allowed to take the PRT on the bike, however the medical officer didn't put in the paperwork on time for him to get frocked today, at this point I'm just over the stress it's causing and ready to go on leave tomorrow.

also, he can't be seen by anyone on base unless he has a referral from his command's medical department, he's been told that multiple times, and as far as his chain of command in his division, yeah, they don't seem to care, and he's TAD right now so they care even less.

FTM Lilypie First Birthday tickers Daisypath Anniversary tickers Navy Wife since 5/22/2010

"Why do I do it?.... because nights alone aren't permanent, missing him reminds me that I'm lucky enough to have someone to miss, and because I'm not afraid to make sacrifices for true love"

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-12-2012 at 9:24 PM
PatsyGK21
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-07-2012
642 Posts
13,848 Points
PatsyGK21 is not online. Last active: 06-03-2013, 1:42 PMBronze

This really sucks! But honestly, it doesnt sound like they are giving your husband much of an option. And while it sucks, there isnt much you can do from land while he's out at sea. Wrap the crap out it and PRT. It's gonna suck now, but when he is frocked it will be worth it!

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-12-2012 at 11:13 PM
FutureMrsT...
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-18-2009
Pflugerville, TX
760 Posts
10,611 Points
FutureMrsTowns is not online. Last active: 04-23-2013, 3:51 PMBronze
oh he's not out to sea, he's just stationed on a ship

FTM Lilypie First Birthday tickers Daisypath Anniversary tickers Navy Wife since 5/22/2010

"Why do I do it?.... because nights alone aren't permanent, missing him reminds me that I'm lucky enough to have someone to miss, and because I'm not afraid to make sacrifices for true love"

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-13-2012 at 7:06 AM
animalcrck...
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-20-2010
1,436 Posts
14,095 Points
animalcrckr is not online. Last active: 06-19-2013, 11:56 AMBronze
Has he talked to his supervisor?  Sometimes you need to get others involved and use your chain of command to get people to listen.
Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-13-2012 at 8:08 AM
PatsyGK21
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-07-2012
642 Posts
13,848 Points
PatsyGK21 is not online. Last active: 06-03-2013, 1:42 PMBronze

FutureMrsTowns:
oh he's not out to sea, he's just stationed on a ship

Ahhh, I see. I really dont have much advice, he can try going through his command but that doesnt always work. My DH did the last 4 weeks of FMTB with a broked elbow, they didnt do anything for him either. He finished up, got back to bethesda, had to get it rebroken and casted cause it healed wrong. Good luck though, I know its a crappy situation.

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-13-2012 at 8:30 AM
Bacon+lett...
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-08-2011
8,306 Posts
114,855 Points
Bacon+lettuce+tomato is not online. Last active: 06-20-2013, 6:22 AMGold
animalcrckr:
Has he talked to his supervisor?  Sometimes you need to get others involved and use your chain of command to get people to listen.
\ This. He needs to get his supervisors in on this. Also, if he stationed on a ship but not out to sea, why can't he see someone on the base? Also, is there a patient advocate on the ship that he can speak with? Or perhaps the commander of the medical team? I'm not sure about the Navy but in the Army you can absolutely refuse to take a PT test but you had better have documentation to follow it very shortly after.
BFP 6/9/2011, due Valentine's day 2012! M/C @ 6 weeks. Miss you sweet tart.
Having a threesome with MeghanKG and NotQuiteBlushing. Best labor buddies EVAH!
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-13-2012 at 10:06 AM
zonagirlie
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 07-27-2003
Next Door
16,000 Posts
45,096 Points
zonagirlie is not online. Last active: 06-01-2013, 7:11 AMPlatinum

Bacon+lettuce+tomato:
animalcrckr:
Has he talked to his supervisor?  Sometimes you need to get others involved and use your chain of command to get people to listen.
\ This. He needs to get his supervisors in on this. Also, if he stationed on a ship but not out to sea, why can't he see someone on the base? Also, is there a patient advocate on the ship that he can speak with? Or perhaps the commander of the medical team? I'm not sure about the Navy but in the Army you can absolutely refuse to take a PT test but you had better have documentation to follow it very shortly after.

This.

There is a chain of command for a reason and sometimes he has to be the squeaky wheel. It sucks he has to but he'll have to go up and over it seems. My hubs is in the Navy and I was told if he's injured he would just go to the post clinic. If he's not out to see, why hasn't he gone? 


My little miracle.

Zona's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf) 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-13-2012 at 8:22 PM
flip_flops
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 09-04-2007
Virginia
14,708 Posts
17,171 Points
flip_flops is not online. Last active: 06-20-2013, 6:28 AMGold
I posed your problem to my husband.  He said if it were him he'd just go see a doctor on the base rather than the ship.
Lilypie Third Birthday tickers photo f90eb647-738a-4c90-9fb4-3ad58078915a_zps87e8a319.jpg 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 12:32 PM
FutureMrsT...
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-18-2009
Pflugerville, TX
760 Posts
10,611 Points
FutureMrsTowns is not online. Last active: 04-23-2013, 3:51 PMBronze
zonagirlie:

Bacon+lettuce+tomato:
animalcrckr:
Has he talked to his supervisor?  Sometimes you need to get others involved and use your chain of command to get people to listen.
\ This. He needs to get his supervisors in on this. Also, if he stationed on a ship but not out to sea, why can't he see someone on the base? Also, is there a patient advocate on the ship that he can speak with? Or perhaps the commander of the medical team? I'm not sure about the Navy but in the Army you can absolutely refuse to take a PT test but you had better have documentation to follow it very shortly after.

This.

There is a chain of command for a reason and sometimes he has to be the squeaky wheel. It sucks he has to but he'll have to go up and over it seems. My hubs is in the Navy and I was told if he's injured he would just go to the post clinic. If he's not out to see, why hasn't he gone? 

as I said in my update, he's been told both by ship doctors and base ones that he has to have a referral from his ship to be seen on base.  and his chain of command really doesn't care about him, especially since he's TAD. As far as documentation, since it wasn't an official PFA(that was the one a month and a half ago) anyways he could have refused it regardless, the point was for him to be frocked, but that didn't happen since the medical officer didn't put in the paperwork.

FTM Lilypie First Birthday tickers Daisypath Anniversary tickers Navy Wife since 5/22/2010

"Why do I do it?.... because nights alone aren't permanent, missing him reminds me that I'm lucky enough to have someone to miss, and because I'm not afraid to make sacrifices for true love"

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 3:57 PM
ArmyQM
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-10-2005
Probably not where you are
8,110 Posts
3,751 Points
ArmyQM is not online. Last active: 06-20-2013, 12:34 AMGold
How far in his chain of command has he gone?  I'm not sure the order of things in the Navy but in the Army it would start with squad leader...no action, then on to platoon sergeant...no action, platoon leader, then keep on going until there's action that is satisfactory. Now, satisfactory doesn't always mean it goes your way though. If all avenues have been exhausted then there is always the Inspector General. That is a drastic step and only to be taken if he truly feels he has been wronged and not given the proper care.  If an official case is opened then the ball starts at the top of the chain and rolls downward with everyone having to answer to why your husband did not get the care he needs.  I don't offer that suggestion lightly because it should only be used if he has dotted all his Is and crossed every single T. 
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 5:25 PM
FutureMrsT...
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-18-2009
Pflugerville, TX
760 Posts
10,611 Points
FutureMrsTowns is not online. Last active: 04-23-2013, 3:51 PMBronze

so far he has gone to his First class(E6) and I believe Chief(E7), He's also gone to Equal Opportunity.

At this point he FINALLY has an appointment after Christmas with the physical therapist, so after almost two months of being ignored there seems to be progress, so we are leaving it there, his other option would be to go to the CMC(E8 I think) or drop a note in the co's box

FTM Lilypie First Birthday tickers Daisypath Anniversary tickers Navy Wife since 5/22/2010

"Why do I do it?.... because nights alone aren't permanent, missing him reminds me that I'm lucky enough to have someone to miss, and because I'm not afraid to make sacrifices for true love"

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-14-2012 at 8:16 PM
flip_flops
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 09-04-2007
Virginia
14,708 Posts
17,171 Points
flip_flops is not online. Last active: 06-20-2013, 6:28 AMGold

Well, DH is perplexed.  He says this is not the way it works in Norfolk and has no other advice.

I mean, seriously, medical needs to get on the ball here.  I really doubt the CO wants to spend time hearing about this.

But really, what do I know.  Medical on DH's current ship somehow managed to switch me from Standard to Prime and then I had to fix it.  So, I don't have a lot of faith in competence.

Lilypie Third Birthday tickers photo f90eb647-738a-4c90-9fb4-3ad58078915a_zps87e8a319.jpg 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-23-2012 at 3:15 PM
jags09
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-02-2009
Florida
258 Posts
66 Points
jags09 is not online. Last active: 04-06-2013, 8:55 PMNewbie

When DH had medical issues on the ship the corpsman had to refer him to the DESRON Dr. The DESRON Dr. would then refer him to the base clinic and then, if need be, the base clinic would refer to a specialist.

DH walked around with a torn ACL and meniscus for almost 5 months before they gave him the proper referrals. 

 
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-27-2012 at 12:10 PM
FormerlyKr...
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-11-2012
1,607 Posts
13,921 Points
FormerlyKrista555 is not online. Last active: 06-19-2013, 9:21 PMBronze

He kind of needs to be a pita to his supervisors. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

My DH was in excruciating pain for months before anyone took him seriously. Then all they wanted to do was pour  pain pills down his throat. 

He's now medically retired at 90% but it took a lot of persistence. He wasn't even properly diagnosed until he got out and went to the VA.

 
Image and video hosting by TinyPic Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Lilypie Pregnancy tickers 6 years of infertility dx: PCOS natural miscarriages- 12/18/07 & 2/18/13 (AKA:KRISTA555)  
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board

most active posters
sunlavende...
1,423 posts
BPaws
922 posts
linzeek44
427 posts
sheacox
213 posts
FFwifey
175 posts
tinamorgan
123 posts
*Mrs*Rohrb...
99 posts
sarisosrWe...
56 posts
Love4Labs3...
47 posts
AquaAlizar...
42 posts

connect with these online bumpies
mnbv9502! Klp0887
Abeja1226 carolyn231723
MrsHetzel NekoBunny
PatientlyWaiting10 Brit448
rebbimo natleilynn
BootsOrHearts LucyRicardo3
babysteps23 Mrs.Guz
dnt27 paje0604
nicant11 RedRaspberries
Luhdashuh casey78
Danaz1 Ktrue85
kspark9311 steelermama86
Tbd143 clowny
lizrn1975 tireks6@yahoo.com
BrendaW09 aboynamedbarry
From The Nest Boards:
"What's on your pre-baby bucket list?"
sessionswedding on BNOTB

"Hello baby ... Goodbye marriage?"
maganh91 on Trouble in Paradise