asthma

<p>I'm a junior, i've been accepted to sls, i'm valedictorian, 33 on ACT, all-state cross country runner, and all that stuff. However, I have extremely mild asthma, and I'm wondering if anyone has heard of people getting accepted with asthma. I know that it automatically disqualifies you medically, but what about waivers? If anyone can help I would appreciate it.</p>

<p>This thread might be helpful:</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/archive/index.php/t-30144.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/archive/index.php/t-30144.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I was in your boat just a few months ago. Cross-country runner (not all-state though), 32 ACT, good extracurriculars, and asthma that hadn't affected me in years. I got a waiver for the class of '10, but it is by no means a sure thing. I sent in a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) EARLY, along with the results of a study on asthma in the military and an excerpt from "Black Hawk Down" that described an asthmatic Ranger (I'm not sure if these helped, but it doesn't hurt). Sometimes they will request a methacholine test as well. Keep your hopes up, for it's not impossible with your situation, but also keep your options open. GET ON IT EARLY. An LOA will give you a head start on the DODMERB process also. Good Luck.</p>

<p>PS- Here is one site check out the site further; think their was a better one somewhere else.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/119/6/1676%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/119/6/1676&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>CGA waived me without even asking for a breathing test thing. It was for wheezing (reactive airway disease... last occurance a few weeks after my 13th bday, what bad luck!). One time the inhaler wasnt getting rid of it, so they gave me some steroids and it went away. thats right. im a juicer!</p>

<p>Taffy's been on the roids? SHOOT HIM!!!!~</p>

<p>Thats a pain that it happened right after your 13th birthday... just more headaches for your to work out. Thats awsome that they waivered it so easily cause it can be a real headache.</p>

<p>Sounds like you may have a chance lygonair, especially if its mild. I would assume as long as you dont need an inhalier they would be fine with it. Reason i say that is any sort of "anything more than yourself" item they would get upset about...</p>

<p>Hope it works out for you, and best of luck!!!11one</p>

<p>thanks for the input. </p>

<p>sniper: I am on an inhalier though, and i see what you mean by "anything more than yourself". I guess I can just work on getting an LOA, and hope they like me enough</p>

<p>you have asthma- what does that mean? being an all-state runner means-> you probably dont have asthma. which means no problem. do you take meds?</p>

<p>"being an all-state runner means-> you probably dont have asthma. which means no problem."
8IzEnuff: lygonair said she uses an inhaler. If she needs the inhaler to run it is likely to be a problem.
Good luck lygonair - your stats are awesome.</p>

<p>dang- an inhaler is bad news. do you need to use the inhaler?</p>

<p>8izenuff: i'm all state, but i do have asthma, and yeah i have to take my inhailer every day</p>

<p>Ann: im a he. lol</p>

<p>thanks for the responses everyone. The thing is, as long as im on my inhailer i can do anything, but i know thats a problem for west point.</p>

<p>lygonair: Oops - sorry!</p>

<p>what happens if you dont use the inhaler?</p>

<p>after a few months the asthma kicks up a little when i go on longer or harder runs.</p>

<p>lygonair- I don't want to get you down, but I was in the very same place (but with ritalin). I had an LOA, two nominations, excellent CFA scores, and i was medically disqualified and my waiver rejected. They take asthma, regardless of the degree, extremely seriously because of all the running you do. Maybe you could get your track coach to write in saying just how insignificant your asthma has been during your track career. It is very difficult to get in with asthma- I found that out the hard way (but with Ritalin).</p>

<p>Yeah, ElPadrino and i are in the same boat too (medical waiver denial) so weve been through our fair share of DoDMERB sh...stuff.</p>

<p>His advice is good though. Do and get anything possible to help your case.</p>

<p>try to get off the meds and try to get a doctor to say you were misdiagnosed.</p>

<p>Also consider the fact you CAN apply again next year (if you give it a year off all meds, waiver would be more likely). A year at a college can be a great thing to prepare you even more.</p>