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Allergies in the CAF 2003 - 2015 [Merged]

  • Thread starter Thread starter Leviathan
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Ya i think the needle you are referring to is the epi-pen.  That's what I need a letter for, saying that I don't need one of those.  But all in all, it sucks and thats the bottom line.
 
I believe the smell alone, can trigger someone with a peanut allergy, It is a pretty serious allergy, and shouldn't be taken lightly, however the crab rash is a bit of an ridiculous....
 
Hmm... I entered with a suspicion of being allergic to penicillin. Cleared no problem. Subsequently after enrollment the forces had me see a forces allergist to confirm that I was not, but in any event, I suppose there are tons of drugs out there now that are non-penicillin based.

Not sure how that helps, but I just wanted to allay the concerns of those who may indeed have allergies other than peanuts that not all allergies will exempt you.
 
Meridian said:
Hmm... I entered with a suspicion of being allergic to penicillin. Cleared no problem. Subsequently after enrollment the forces had me see a forces allergist to confirm that I was not, but in any event, I suppose there are tons of drugs out there now that are non-penicillin based.

Not sure how that helps, but I just wanted to allay the concerns of those who may indeed have allergies other than peanuts that not all allergies will exempt you.

Yup, Im allergic to penicillin and that didn't slow down my app. one bit.  I just wear my medic alert all the time just incase somethign does happen.
 
Does a past episode of mild asthma automatically disqualify a person from joining the reserve?
 
I may be allergic to penicillan.   I was quite ill about 10 years ago, and after about a month of taking some penicillan related antibiotic my skin started to show the 'signs'.   Fortunately I have not had to take it since and find out for sure if I was allergic.   After reading all these posts about people being refused entry to the CF on what seems to be dubious medical grounds I thought for sure I would fail my medical.   My Medical came in just a few days ago and I am good to go.
 
hey guys, well i was so excited today that i finnaly handed in all my papers to join the reserves, they said i should get a call around january 16th or so to set up my tests, my question is, since i've been reading the forums for sometime, theres people with some allergys which make your chance of getting into the army rather slim, or so they say, would i face any problems if im alergic to penicillin? since as far as i know its a commonly used thing around the world and here i am alergic to it  :-\

any advice would be fantastic
 
No.

Penicillin is fine since there are a number of other medicines available. 
Do you have a medic alert? If not I would suggest you get one. I just where mine all the time to make sure if something happens, the doc knows not to use penicillin.
 
alright, well theres some good news :)

just one question on the medic alert which is sorta bugging my mind, you get one of those braclet things for your wrist right? or something along those lines, does it say your allergy on it? or is there just a number the medic would call to figure out all your information, cause my sorta paranoia is what happens im out in training or out on assignment somewhere over seas and something happens to me, am i to expect that all the medics carry some phone with them so they can figure out whats up with me? thats just sorta whats picking at my mind  :-\

oh, with the medic alert, can you get it done through your local doctor or walk in clinic? or is it quicker if you just do it online

thanks again for your help
 
just another quick question onto that, was looking at there website and saw that they offer 'dog tag' versions also,

A600.jpg


question is, am i allowed to add the tag onto the chain i get from the army? as in i have my 2 tags on the chain plus my medic alert tag on it? and just to be sure... when i join the reserves, i get a 'dog tag' right? or do i get it once i finish sq or a trade

thanks again
 
For starters, are ID discs arn't two peices like the americans.  They are one peice with the ID discs connceted top to botton so one can be broken off and the other stays with the body.  Im sure there are some pictures around somewherem or do a search on google and you'll know what I mean.

Im guessing you could wear it around your neck or on the chain, but I wouldn't want two peices of metal clinging against on another so I woudl prefer to keep mine on my wrist.
 
well thats something i never knew, i check it out from google and i see what ya mean, i'd just stick with it on my wrist then,

you guys been a great a help
 
Please make sure your looking at the Canadian Medic Alert Foundation website at www.medicalert.ca

and not at the the US medicalert.org

Cheers.
 
You can order one of those medic alert discs that hang along with your Canadian Identity Discs ("dogtags")

As previously mentioned, I had no problems joining with a suspected allergy to penicillin. According to the forces allergist I finally met up with, he also indicated to me that if you havent had an allergic reaction to it in the last 5 years, even if y ou did previously, chances are you arent allergic anymore anyway. food for thought...

but yeah, no geo/aircrew issues/moc classification issues that I had anyway.

 
Just want to jump back in here and clarify what you'll be getting if you order through the CF.  It's a stainless steel necklet.  Not the "dog tag" shown earlier in the thread.  Your information will be right on the necklet.
I refer you to CFMO 29-12 (Interim) and to following unclassified message.

Unclas
6500-1
100955Z Jul 00
Routine

CFMGHQ OTTAWA
AIG 1727
CMED PETAWAWA

DGHS/D MED POL
CFMGHQ/HS DEL
BILINGUAL MESSAGE/MESSAGE BILINGUE

SUBJ: MEDICALERT WARNING DEVICE
REF: CFMO 29-12 (INTERIM)

1. THIS IS A COMBINED D MED POL/CFMGHQ G4 MESSAGE.

2. STARTING 1 AUG 2000, A NEW PROCEDURE FOR PROCUREMENT OF SUBJ ITEM WILL BE IN EFFECT. THE INTERIM POLICY AND PROCEDURE DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT REF AND IT SHALL SUPERCEDE CURRENT CFMO 29-12.

3. IN SHORT, MED UNITS WILL:

A. ADVISE AND ASSIST CF MBR IN COMPLETION OF REVISED CFMO 29-12 ANNEX A (REF).

B. PREAUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF INDIVIDUAL WARNING DEVICE THRU BLUE CROSS,

C. FORWARD ANNEX A TO CDN MEDICALERT FOUNDATION (CMAF), AUTHORIZING ISSUE OF WARNING DEVICE DIRECTLY TO MBR'S ADDRESS, AND

D. ENSURE COMPLETED CFMO 29-12 ANNEX A IS PLACED ON MBR'S CF 2034.

4. MBR WILL:

A. COMPLETE ANNEX A AND GET RECOMMENDATION FROM M.O.,

B. COMPLETE ANNUAL CMAF UPDATE WHEN PROVIDED, AND

C. CONTACT CMAF DIRECTLY IF WARNING DEVICE NOT RECEIVED WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM ORDER DATE.

5. ONLY THE STAINLESS STEEL NECKLET IS AUTHORIZED. BY EXCEPTION BLACK SPORT BRACELET MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR MEDICAL REASONS LISTED AT REF.

6. CMED PETAWAWA WILL NO LONGER BE INVOLVED IN THE PAYMENT OR DELIVERY OF MEDICALERT WARNING DEVICES EXCEPT FOR THOSE ORDERED PRIOR TO 1 AUG 00.

 
I'm also allergic to penicillin (among a couple other antibiotics) and have not had a problem at all, and was cleared for all trades after my medical. Just make sure, as was mentioned, to have a medic alert bracelet, and be sure to mention it anytime you go in to see a doctor, medic or other health care professional. While it should be on your documents, and they should always ask, mistakes can happen, and you want to be sure. One time, a doctor handed me a prescription for penicillin, even though the allergy was written in bright red at the top of my file. Just make sure to look after yourself.
 
Hmm.  When we were going through the needle parade the first time, they asked us about allergies.  A few of us indicated an allergy to penicillin when we were younger, and the nurse at the MIR told us that a) it wasn't a problem in the least, and b) a medic alert bracelet was not required.  Now, this thread makes me think otherwise.  Perhaps I should look into this further.

As well, does anybody happen to know how a person would go about allergy testing (if I wanted to confirm that I am still allergic)?  Would it be something I could do through the MIR, or would I have to talk to them about getting it done at a private clinic and get approval for something like that.

 
Apparently you did not see my notes somewhere else about discussions with an allergist :)

WHen I got in, I asked about the medic alert and was told to see a doc. The doc said I should get it checked with an allergy speciailist who came in weekly. Saw him, He said I had nothing to worry about, and that most people lose allergies if ther ehave been no symptoms in the last 5 years... He told me even if I had been on my deathbed when I was 8 from Penicillin that I could give it a go 5 years later...

*shrug*
 
Penicillin allergies are fairly common, and have been known to fade over time.

Hoser, you should be able to book an appointment with a specialist through your MIR/CDU, but you will probably need to see a GDMO or PA first for the referral.

My advice to all of you in the CF with allergies is to get a Medic Alert tag, and wear the thing religiously, esp while deployed.  Many of our allies have battlefield wound kits that include a couple different types of pain-killers, and some very broad spectrum antibiotics.  It is entirely possible for you to be lying on the ground wounded, and have a medic walk by and pump you full of a penicillin-like antibiotic long before you get evacuated to a treatment facility.  Wounded people who are suffering from anaphylaxis or a drug reaction have a nasty tendency to die.

Play safe, Happy hollidays.

DF
 
Well that was a sobering thought...

On the topic of medic alerts bracelets... one sergeant gave us a great reason to wear our "dogtags" all the time... your blood type is right on it.....  If you are in a car accident, every minute counts... why not help them out with your blood type?
 
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