Medical Waiver for Navy; PCOS

[CSUnursegirl2b]

Hi everyone. I know I've been posting a lot of questions lately. However, it has come to my attention that I may have an automatic disqualification for the Navy. I was wondering if any other service members or potential members have been diagnosed with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome)? The last time I went to the doctor, she didn't directly say I had it, but said that I had a few symptoms of it. I contacted a recruiter and they said that if it was just a hormonal imbalance, it may be waiverable. Unfortunately, if the doctor actual wrote down PCOS as the diagnosis, then I wouldn't be able to join.

However, my question to anyone who has tried to commission before with this disorder, did they even consider giving a waiver for it? I only have a hormonal imbalance and no cysts related to the disorder. Someone told me not to mention it. However, I know this is an offense and would never do that.

Any and all opinions are appreciated. I'm hoping that I end up getting good news. I'd hate to go through everything and get disqualified for such a slight case.

[midinphx, BSN]

If you weren't diagnosed with this to the best of your knowledge... You don't have it. You supply your medical history to the board. They don't have any way of viewing any medical records unless you supply them.

[CSUnursegirl2b]

Thanks midinphx! I appreciate the advice!

I just worry a lot about things and don't want to withhold information that may come back to bite me later on for some reason. Guess we'll see how it works out!

[midinphx, BSN]

You aren't withholding anything. You said that your doctor did not tell you that you had it. Period. If you didn't get any treatment for it - it isn't effecting you life or ability to serve. If you take birth control for hormonal balance, lots of women do.

I know about that anxiety. Don't over think everything.

[CSUnursegirl2b]

Thank you so much! I don't know why I was so anxious about it. I guess I was just over thinking and worried it would stop me from pursuing the Nurse Corps. I do take birth control because of the hormonal imbalance so I guess I'll just leave it at that :) Thanks for your help.

[HM2Doc]

CSUnursegirl2b: I had to get a medical waiver when I applied, too. Of course, my waiver was for my knees (ACL repairs from when I was on active duty as an enlisted). I can tell you that IF your doctor entered into your medical record that you have PCOS, then you will most certainly have to go see another doctor or specialist and have them state that you DO NOT have it. I can tell you from first hand experience that dealing with medical waivers is a monumental pain in the @$$. It is very time consuming because you have to go see a doctor to get cleared, and then you have to submit the new findings for approval from the medical review board. You should check your record to see if PCOS has been documented. If so, you should get working to fix that ASAP because it will slow down your application process a lot. If it is not in your record then you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Another thing that will through a wrench in the application process is if you have to take any long term medications or psych meds. I knew a girl once who was taking Adderall and they told her she had to be off the medication for an entire year before she could reapply for the program. Ouch!

[CSUnursegirl2b]

Thanks HM2Doc,

I scheduled an appointment with the doctor to see if I can talk to her and see exactly what she determined. She didnt put me on any actual medication other than birth control. Therefore, I'm assuming the medication requirement wouldn't be a problem. Just hoping everything works out. I'd really hate to know I can't go any further with joining the military for something like this.

Glad to see you got a waiver for your ACL repair though! Thanks for the advice :) I'll definitely see another doctor if this one confirms what I think she meant!