Hello all, it's been ages since I posted on here. I've been lurking in the shadows though, reading through posts and all that fun stuff.
Just looking for some advice and insight.
I'm currently looking at a 3b release. I have a PCat request that has been sent to Ottawa in January, hopefully I will hear back before New Years.
First a short medical history, while on a QL course about 4 years ago which required us to march ( a relatively short distance) daily in parade boots, after a few weeks I started having trouble walking, and general pain in my shins. But pain would go away with rest almost as quick as it came on. After a couple more weeks I was put on a TCat because the pain had gotten to a level that was no longer tolerable, but again it would go away, just took a little longer.
The TCat also started me in physio training, originally it was assessed as calf muscles/ankles not being strong enough. I knew at the end of my course I was moving to another base, I was told at my new base to start to medical to come off the TCat if I felt I was better.
Flash forward 4 months, feeling better, not 100% more like 90%, I started the medicals and had the TCat removed.
After a few months I started having the same issues from just walking up on incline or if I go for a run. Basically any type of 'ground pounding' would cause my calf's to flare up.After a yearI was put on another TCat for physio, started investing in higher quality running shoes, etc. All of this seemed to help by slowing down the progress of the pain, but it didn't fix it, only slowed it down. I became more aware of things that would cause discomfort and avoiding doing those things as much as possible, the situation got better or more manageable. I got to a point where I felt I had it under control, and subsequently came off my TCat.
I tried to manage it, more ignoring the pain, not totally being honest with myself, and it progressed even more. I went through a set of work ups on a ship and the pain started causing me issues with sleep, my legs would throb for hours after I got off them. Also over this time I had gained a considerable amount of weight, I think 80lbs since Basic training, by me avoiding doing things that flared up the issue, I wasn't getting enough exercise.
I decided to pull the plug on me deploying because I felt I had to get this issue address (now almost 3 years since it started). I went to a few doctors, they started prescribing different anti inflammatory, which cause other issues like indigestion, one doctor told me I could take these pills to get through an upcoming deployment. My PA on the ship told me he wouldn't support me taking these pills for the whole length of deployment. I was looking at a 7-10 month deployment, even though I wanted to go I know I would be in a lot of pain during it. I decided to be asked to be landed medically. This wasn't taken lightly, and it also cause some issues with my superiors, I know some people felt I was lying about things just to get out of deploying.
I was put on a TCat which made me unemployable. I was landed to a shore unit and started going through different tests, but I haven't gotten any firm diagnosis, everything from chronic shin splints, to rheumatoid arthritis, and many other things in between. I progressed through different sets of pills, eventually I started taking Celebrex. This seemed to help, it wasn't perfect. But I was now in the mindset that what I have will never be 100%. I wanted to get on with my career. I booked a medical to get some restrictions lifted, at my part 2 my doctor told me he felt because of the previous history to put me on a PCat, the PCat itself breaks my universality of service. That was in Jan 2015.
I currently am going to outside referral for a specialist, which also has a long waiting list, first was a 2 year waiting list, I managed to get to be seen in about 7 months. He felt I had shin splits( he called it something else but basically the same), booked a bone scan and a follow up which is almost 8 months after I originally seen him.
I've come to terms my Career with the forces is in its 11th hour, the problem is I'm looking at a release (approximately in the next year) but I am unsure if I will have a solid diagnosis before then.
I also don't have any 'ah-ha' moment that I can say I hurt myself on this day doing this. At the very most it is a repetitive strain injury, but it could also come down to something hereditary.
What type of recourse do I have if I am released without diagnosis, go through a Vocational Rehab, then 3-4 years in my new Career I find out the diagnosis? Also I am looking at releasing with just about 8 1/2 years service. I was told it would be unlikely for me to retain to 10 yrs because I don't have enough employable skills as I am a hard sea trade that can't sail.
Thanks in advance for any advice.