Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Celiac In The Military?

lilbit

Recommended Posts

lilbit Apprentice
lilbit
Posted

I'm just curious. Has anyone here been diagnosed with Celiac while serving in the military?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Mari Enthusiast
Mari
Posted

Several years ago a woman in the Army who had celiac disease wrote in. She had been deployed to Afganistan or Iraq to train Afgan/Iraqui soldiers out away from any city and was trying to live of the army diet and was having increasing problems. I think she was an officer and did not want her problem known to the army. gluten-free foods were not available to her.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

If you are already diagnosed the military will say thanks but no thanks, fortunately. If you hide it and they find out you did you could be prosecuted and end up in the brig. If you are diagnosed while you are in there are some cases where they will allow you to stay but not deploy you but generally you would get a medical discharge.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I think the next time the recruiters call for my 17 year old son, I will tell them I have Celiac and it's genetic. Maybe it will scare them off. There is nothing wrong with military service but he would better serve the country if he finishes college first as he wants to be a mechanical engineer.

Just re-read this. I am not bashing the military. We would be in a lot of trouble without them. It's just the irritating recruiters, calling and promising kid all sorts of things.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I think the next time the recruiters call for my 17 year old son, I will tell them I have Celiac and it's genetic. Maybe it will scare them off. There is nothing wrong with military service but he would better serve the country if he finishes college first as he wants to be a mechanical engineer.

Just re-read this. I am not bashing the military. We would be in a lot of trouble without them. It's just the irritating recruiters, calling and promising kid all sorts of things.

I would do the same as you. I am appalled that they would do a 'cold call' on you. I am very promilitary and encouraged my son to join, before we knew the whole family was celiac. Boot camp is not a good place for an undiagnosed celiac and the stress of the training and all they go through could very well trigger it in someone that has the predispostion. There are many ways to serve your country, including the military but I agree that going in after college is a good way to go. It can be great life, (I was a military wife for years), if it is right for the person and they were not pushed into the decision.

  • 1 month later...
hertzya Newbie
hertzya
Posted

I have been serving in the Navy for 9 years now and was diagnosed with celiac disease 4 years ago. I actually thought I would be kicked out...but I'm still in happily. In fact, I was accepted to an enlisted-to-officer program and am currently earning my degree to become a nurse. I have deployed with the marines (I'm a corpsman) on the ground in Iraq with the disease. In fact, when I applied for the commissioning program, I had to do a pre-commissioning physical exam and pass...I was granted a waiver assuming it was for the celiac disease. I doubt the Navy would spend the money to pay for my degree if celiac disease was a definite kicking-out diagnosis. So, there is hope for those diagnosed while active duty...or those that may want to join. Hope this helps.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I have been serving in the Navy for 9 years now and was diagnosed with celiac disease 4 years ago. I actually thought I would be kicked out...but I'm still in happily. In fact, I was accepted to an enlisted-to-officer program and am currently earning my degree to become a nurse. I have deployed with the marines (I'm a corpsman) on the ground in Iraq with the disease. In fact, when I applied for the commissioning program, I had to do a pre-commissioning physical exam and pass...I was granted a waiver assuming it was for the celiac disease. I doubt the Navy would spend the money to pay for my degree if celiac disease was a definite kicking-out diagnosis. So, there is hope for those diagnosed while active duty...or those that may want to join. Hope this helps.

My younger one is actually interested in the military. He's 14 so he's also interested in Forest Ranger, grade school teacher, bar tender, etc. But I would be interested to know how they handle your food needs. During training and school in the States, it's probably easier or the food is up to you. But when deployed, what do you do? thanks

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • 7 years later...
Sara Crowe Newbie
Sara Crowe
Posted

Message to Hertzya

is there anyway to contact you outside the forum? My daughter is in the Navy and was just tested for Celiac. I heard that if it’s positive she will get a medical discharge. She’s freaking out. How did you manage to get around that? Is there a precedent? Hope you can help!

thank you 

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted
1 hour ago, Sara Crowe said:

Message to Hertzya

is there anyway to contact you outside the forum? My daughter is in the Navy and was just tested for Celiac. I heard that if it’s positive she will get a medical discharge. She’s freaking out. How did you manage to get around that? Is there a precedent? Hope you can help!

thank you 

You are replying to a 7 year old post, so I doubt you will hear back. 

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

Hertzya last was here in 2011. But I sent a message to see if they will come back and respond.

hertzya Newbie
hertzya
Posted
2 hours ago, Sara Crowe said:

Message to Hertzya

is there anyway to contact you outside the forum? My daughter is in the Navy and was just tested for Celiac. I heard that if it’s positive she will get a medical discharge. She’s freaking out. How did you manage to get around that? Is there a precedent? Hope you can help!

thank you 

Absolutely. I'll see if the admins can give you my contact info so I don't have to post it. BTW, I'm still active duty and was deployed to Afghanistan last year for 9 months.

Sara Crowe Newbie
Sara Crowe
Posted

OMG Thank you so much!!! 

If it’s ok my email is sara.crowe@bstamerica.com

i have no problem posting it  - if you email me that would be great!

thank you!

 

sara 

Sara Crowe Newbie
Sara Crowe
Posted
54 minutes ago, psawyer said:

Hertzya last was here in 2011. But I sent a message to see if they will come back and respond.

Thank you so so much. 

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

You can private message each other here .  Exchange emails or whatever....

 

click on on the persons picture and so “message’

Sara Crowe Newbie
Sara Crowe
Posted

Thank you all 

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

Hertzya,

Congrats to you for sticking with your service in spite of celiac disease.  That seems like it would be hard to do,  And thanks for your service to our country! :D 

Awol cast iron stomach Experienced
Awol cast iron stomach
Posted

What a great community. She reaches out for help and you all help her get in touch with Hertzya.

That is really touching

great group the benefits to celiac after all are in the people?

Edit: and Hertzya came back to help !

Good luck to both Hertzya and Sara's daughter sending thoughts it will all work out.

Sara Crowe Newbie
Sara Crowe
Posted

Awol cast iron stomach - Thank you very much!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,748
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    NYC Sidewalk Repair
    Newest Member
    NYC Sidewalk Repair
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • olivia11
      suggest gluten free food

      By olivia11 · Posted

      Thanks I am mostly looking for everyday staples and easy meal ideas nothing too specialty if possible.
    • knitty kitty
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      There are other Celiac genes. HLA DQ 2 and HLA DQ 8 show up in people from Northern European descent.   People of Mediterranean descent have HLA DQ 7.  People of Asian descent have HLA DQ 9.   There's other Indigenous populations that have other HLA genes that code for Celiac disease.   Are you still having symptoms?   What do you include in your diet?  Are you vegetarian? Are you taking any prescription medication?  Omeprazole?  Metformin?   Do you have anemia?  Thyroid problems? Are you taking any vitamins or herbal supplements?  
    • knitty kitty
      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      There are eight essential B vitamins.  They are all water soluble.  Any excess of B vitamins is easily excreted by the kidneys.   Thiamine is Vitamin B 1.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Benfotiamine and TTFD are forms of Thiamine that the body can utilize very easily.   The form of Thiamine in the supplements you mentioned is Thiamine Mononitrate, a form that the body does not absorb well and does not utilize well.  Only about thirty percent of the amount on the label is actually absorbed in the small intestine.  Less than that can actually be used by the body.  Manufacturers add thiamine mononitrate to their products because it's cheap and shelf-stable.  Thiamine and other B vitamins break down when exposed to light and heat and over time.  Thiamine Mononitrate is a form that does not break down over time sitting on a shelf waiting for someone to buy them.  What makes Thiamine Mononitrate shelf stable makes it difficult for the body to turn into a useable form.  In fact, it takes more thiamine to turn it into a useable form.   Gastrointestinal Beriberi is a localized shortage of Thiamine in the gastrointestinal tract.  High carbohydrate meals can result in gastrointestinal symptoms of Gastric Beriberi.  Fiber is a type of carbohydrate.  So, high fiber/carbohydrate snacks could trigger Gastric Beriberi.   Since blood tests for Thiamine and other B vitamins are so inaccurate, the World Health Organization recommends trying Thiamine and looking for health improvement because it's safe and nontoxic.  
    • xxnonamexx
      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      Thanks very interesting I have to see if I should take these 2 vitamins along with my multi and super Vit B complex or if its too much or would hurt me. I don't have any other health issues but would love to see if this improves anything especially to feel stronger build muscle.
    • Roses8721
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By Roses8721 · Posted

      Neg for HLA dq8 and dq2
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.