Seizure History and SF

[ClemsonTiger]

I am curious as to how current, former, and prospective QPs would feel about serving along side with someone who has had a seizure in the past.

I had a nocturnal seizure three years ago (at age 17) and want to know if any future teammates would have qualms about serving with me. I plan to join the Army as soon as possible. However, I must wait until I am 25 to join. This is due to the fact that I stopped taking any seizure medication just before turning 20, and the Army has a 5-year no medicine policy in this case. This gives me 2.5-3 years after college to wait, which is a major disappointment to me.

[x SF med]

Clemson Tiger-
You laid out this medical problem in your intro, and nobody responded. What few details you have given are inconclusive, what has a neurologist said about the episode? If you are/were on antiseizure medication, there's a reason, a neurologist not have medicated unless there was a good chance of recurrence. Without all of the facts, I wouldn't even hazard a guess at your fitness to serve. As an ex SF Medical NCO, my questions (aside from those above) are:
Did you take yourself off meds?
Do you still keep the Rx current in case of another episode?
Was your previous seizure a Petit-Mal or Grand-Mal? Post seizure amnesia is common in both, and a somnolescent seizure at 17 would probably not have been your first, just your first noted episode.

As you stated above, you have to wait until the 5 year post med to even go for a physical, my take is you would be barred from Combat Arms in any case.

Sorry for the bad news, but honesty is what we are here for.

[ClemsonTiger]

Well, sorry for bringing this from the dead, but I finally got conclusive information from my doctor. Turns out there is no Army for me after all. I have scar tissue on the left temporal lobe which means I will always be at risk of seizure. This sucks ass.

Just needed to vent. I will still lurk here and read. I have learned a lot from the people on this site and I appreciate the work you put into it.

[The Reaper]

Best of luck at whatever you do.

Not everyone can serve their country in the military, but we can all serve in some way.

Yet another case of not allowing people to put teammates at risk. Some of you guys really need to take this to heart.

Good, positive outlook, Tiger.

TR