<p>Sorry for the caps, but this is extremely urgent.</p>
<p>So since I got my NROTC scholarship and my medical qualification, my acne has quickly progressed from mild/moderate to moderately severe. I went to the doctor today and he advised me to take acutane to nip my acne in the bud before any severe scarring occurs. I'm set to have a blood test tomorrow and get the accutane Thursday.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, I just checked the NROTC med website and it said that accutane use is a disqualifying condition which requires a waiver. </p>
<p>My question is, if I'm already medically qualified, do I need to tell the navy? If so can I get a waiver before I've started treatment (it seems like you can only have it waived after you finish your treatment)?</p>
<p>(don't get me wrong, I want to be completely honest with the Navy, but I also don't want to shoot myself in the foot if you know what I mean)</p>
<p>I'm so lost and confused right now. Obviously I'm not losing my scholarship over something so trivial, but I do not want to commit a fatal error or misstep. </p>
<p>ANYONE who has any advice on this issue, PLEASE help me! :(</p>
<p>Go over the serviceacademyforums.com. Larry Mullen is the one and only person to give you accurate advice. Find his contact info under the DoDMERB Link.</p>
<p>Be careful. This is the disqualifier which you are facing:
If your doctor feels that it is severe, it might disqualify you. If your doctor prescribes Accutane, it WILL disqualify you. If you contact DoDMERB, they will probably require further medical evaluation. Waivers, at this point in time, can be a headache.</p>
<p>The first step might be a second opinion from a private doctor. Many many generations have survived without Accutane.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^Nevermind. Just reread OP’s post and realized the question was NROTC exclusive. His username and the location of the post threw me. Therefore, my response was USNA directed. Not so sure what one should do for NROTC. Perhaps a waiver would be more feasible.</p>
<p>Definitely email Larry Mullen at DoDMERB before you start on Accutane.
<a href=“mailto:Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil”>Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil</a> </p>
<p>For the Naval Academy, they want you off the Accutane before you start since it can be associated with liver problems. This is why when you take Accutane it is very important to get your periodic blood tests.<br>
NROTC <em>may</em> be different. Definitely check it out before you start taking it.
Accutane is a very good drug but very controversial. For some people with certain types of acne a 6 month treatment does the trick. It is generally not the first drug of choice when treating acne. Have a conversation with your dermatologist about your impending military service as well.</p>
<p>I too suffered with severe acne and was on Accutane. The Naval Academy put my status as remedial because of this medication but assured me that as long as my liver function is normal upon completion of the drug, my status would go to approved and be clear or all problems. My application is currently waiting approval for class of 2014, but my most recent letter from dodmerb and a call to admissions told em that i was cleared medically. Simply putting it, accutane is disqualifying if you are using it at the academy or finish right before plebe summer.</p>
<p>Everyone’s medical situation is unique. While what happened to others in similar situations may make you feel better or worse about yours, but it isn’t relevant to you. Seriously. Contact Larry Mullen. He will help you address YOUR issue with accurate information and guidance. Anything else is, quite honestly, useless.</p>
<p>Thank you all! Sorry that my response is so late. I talked to my officer and they said that accutane was not allowable and that I should not begin the treatment. There are still other antibiotics and I honestly don’t think it’s that bad (I was really surprised when the doctor went straight for accutane). </p>
<p>If I had started it earlier, I might have been able to squeeze it in, but as it is I would be finishing just as orientation would start, which is not permissible. </p>
<p>quote=USNAgolden]I honestly don’t think it’s that bad (I was really surprised when the doctor went straight for accutane).
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</p>
<p>You are beginning to recognize, yours is a MEDICAL Doctor, where meds are king. One of those “ah hah” moments in life. Truly, meds can be magical, but often too easy. Good decision, especially in light of the alternative. Did your doc know of your upcoming I Day?</p>
<p>You are beginning to recognize, yours is a MEDICAL Doctor, where meds are king. One of those “ah hah” moments in life. Truly, meds can be magical, but often too easy. Good decision, especially in light of the alternative. Did your doc know of your upcoming I Day?</p>