My husband is in Kuwait, waiting to go to Iraq in a week or two. He is having SEVERE knee problems, and the medic will not authorize him to see a doctor. As a pre-med student, I know that this is an issue for a physician. It's been going on for 4 weeks. He's in the infantry.
I've been told the only way for him to see a doctor is if he really demands it, really, really insists, but my husband is doing a pride thing. He can barely walk, but he doesn't want to fuss and fuss and fuss until something happens. HE CANNOT WALK AT ALL WITHOUT PAIN MEDICATION, AND CANNOT RUN EVER. I really want him to see a doctor. I hate to think he's going into combat with a bad knee on all kinds of pain meds, because they wouldn't take a simple x-ray. What can he do? What can I do? How could I convince him to be more staunch about getting treatment?
2007-10-07 15:48:49 · 9 answers · asked by Aia S 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The medic said he should wait it out, but in 4 weeks, it is ONLY getting worse. 2 of those weeks he rested the injury.
2007-10-07 15:49:25 · update #1
I am not being overbearing here. I don't want my husband in a war with an injury. That's all. He doesn't even know how to get treatment.
2007-10-07 15:57:44 · update #2
Your husband needs to be more insistent on getting medical treatment. When he goes to meet for first formation of the day he needs to point blank tell his chain of command he will be going to sick call that day. The medic isn't a Dr. and shouldn't act as if they are. They are only there to get vitals and make sure the person is stable UNTIL the Dr. sees the person.
He needs to go to sick call for the injury. Tell your husband that it is a matter of life or death if he can get away or not and it isn't for the medic to decide, but your husband. What will happen if he is cornered and he can't carry his weight to be able to get away?
2007-10-07 16:03:00 · answer #1 · answered by Fedup Veteran 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
GO to his supervisor and tell him that the medics advice and treatment have not yielded results and that he needs to see a regular doc. Have him reiterate how this problem is affecting his ability to serve and that he has concerns for his safety and the safety of the others in his unit because of it. If that doesn't work, he can keep going up the chain of command. However, he has to do it himself. Many men (and not just military men) are reluctant to get treatment for something they feel they should tough out. You can encourage him to seek treatment, pointing out that it really is the best thing for all the other soldiers he will be working with. Other than that, unfortunately there is little else you can do.
2007-10-08 07:50:15 · answer #2 · answered by Annie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can see a Doctor anytime he wants by going to sickcall the question I have is where is he getting the pain meds since they have to be prescribed by a Doctor tell him that his knees is nothing to play with for several reasons the main one is what happens if they get in a ambush and he needs to carry someone out and can't do it or flank the attack to save his buddy's
2007-10-07 23:17:58 · answer #3 · answered by tap158 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He needs to submit a request to see his commanding officer to seek redress of his grievance under Article 138 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. If this is the same guy with a history of Osgood-Schlatter's who was the subject of a similar question, he shouldn't have been permitted to enlist in the first place. It's disqualifying for enlistment.
2007-10-07 23:02:08 · answer #4 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
He should see his first shirt. If that fails go up one at a time until he sees the general. Another method is to go to the hospital commander's office and file a complaint. Third third method is for him to go directly to the Inspector General.
I am sorry this is not your fight. You can care, yes. But he is the one responsible for his own health. He knows what his options are and he should do it himself, instead of complaining to you.
2007-10-07 23:20:28 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He needs to demand to see a doctor. If they refuse, he needs to ask to see a J.A.G. officer (you know, the lawyers in the military). He has the RIGHT so seek military counsel; he has the RIGHT to see a preist/preacher; he needs to request medical care immediately (if he is as in need as you say).
2007-10-08 00:14:52 · answer #6 · answered by Nothingusefullearnedinschool 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is HIS problem to solve, not yours. In by interfering you can get him into trouble. tell him to suck it up and admit he is in pain. how would he feel if his buddies were injured or killed because he wasn't able to run fast enough to cover their sixes?!.
2007-10-07 23:40:02 · answer #7 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You're not his Mama. Let him handle his own problems.
2007-10-07 22:55:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
i always said the military should have a union
2007-10-07 22:51:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋