Navy and Asthma?

[Gary G]

Ok every one I have enlisted into the Navy I leave in 6 weeks. Now before I get started dont message me with the fraudulent charge thing im not worried about that as on all of my medical docs I did mark that section and also submitted a written statement signed by me and my recruiter regaurding my asthma. It is documented. I went to Meps 4 times and once to balboa hospital for a Pulmonary Test by a Navy Doc and was proven good to go by navy standards. My contract is signed. Now I have been doing good for a while but when ever I push my self beyond a jog to a fast run I have trouble breathing. What is my odds in boot camp. I can swim any thing no prob and i can do well over 50 push ups and tons of sit ups I just cant seem to get my run time down far enough yet with out having trouble breathing what will they do for me in boot.
They didnt tell me weather I could bring my inhaler or not at meps. I didnt ask cause I was just so excited that they approved my case. My Recruiter has said nothing either I guess I could go talk with him. I mean if they will let me have my inhaler I am set. Heck its not even a prescribed inhaler its a cheaper over the counter thing I buy at CVS for 20 dollars. I do every thing fine untill I run to hard to fast if I work up to it im ok.

[Chet]

I have asthma too and can't really run without getting out of breath. It probably has a lot to do with the lung capacity, too much strenuous activity can set off an attack. Didn't the recruiter or the ppl at MEPS say anything about what they could do for you in boot camp? I'm sure they're going to look over your files when you arrive.

[ms.jackson...]

did you get approved to carry your inhaler, if so you will always have to have it on you. so just take a puff if you need it. They know you have asthma and that you take prescribed meds for it, you bring the meds you take with you and they will give you meds that they issue you the same that your doc prescribed. so if they approved you, then you will be just fine... if not, just pace yourself... everyone knows you have asthma when you start to wheeze do what is needed... just need to pass the 1.5 mile run and battle stations and you will be ok.

They won't let you bring any over the counter meds, they have to be prescribed by a doctor.

[jpbofohio]

First of all, you may not really have asthma. I know from my time recruiting that people were told by their parents that they may have asthma when they started coughing from breathing hard.

It turned out that most were simply more out-of-shape than they originally thought. After going through the physical training in basic training/boot camp they were in much better shape and no longer had the same breathing problem.

If you are able to do the other aspects of physical training (push-ups and sit-ups) like you wrote, the running will come along too.

If you passed the physical and did not lie about having medically diagnosed asthma after the age of 12, you should do fine. Congratulations on the enlistment and Good Luck!

[desertviking_00]

This is a new one for me. Asthma after your 13th birthday is disqualifying. That includes reactive airway disease and bronchospasms. So, I don't understand how you got by that medical standard. I also don't understand how you did it when you need an inhaler. If you develop bronchospasms in boot camp, they will probably make you the topic of a medical board report and give you a general discharge under honorable conditions for having a pre-existing condition not aggravated by service.