Hi guys ,
I have been experiencing intensive back pain following the rigorous physical training since i enlisted on the 6 March 2010 . With the pain became unbearable , i decided to ask my parents to book an medical appointment for my back pain at any of the hospital regardless of private or public ASAP . Fortunately , my parents managed to book an medical appointment at the Raffles Hospital on the 16 March 2010 . The doctor handling my case was Dr David Wong Him Choon , a regionally well known spine consultation . In addition , he has successfully conducted the disc replacement surgery with the success rate of 100 %
The specialist conducted a detailed physical examinations and the medical history which i have been experiencing since the early childhood . Then , he asked me to do the MRI scan , which it would be held at Thursday . in order to determine the source and cause of the back pain . In the meantime , i was given the 3 days of medical certificate to cover the time between current and MRI scan .
Following the MRI scan , the results were stated as follows :
According to the MRI scan's summary , i was diagnosis ed with Bulging disk and Schmorl node at the L4-5 section .
Note : Bulging disk is the first stage of the DE-GENERATIVE Disk , depending the intensity of physical activities and the BMT training .
To my disappointment , the specialist refused to write the memo , which states my medical condition , as the results wasnt conclusive . Therefore , he asked me to conduct a advanced diagnosis test called the Provocative Discogram .Then , i argued that i wouldnt be covered with any status for the time being if i choose not to do the diagnosis test . He said : '' i couldnt write the memo as long as the results wasnt conclusive arguing that it would significantly influence the MO decision . I discussed the matter with my parents seriously and concluded that theh cost of the diagnosis test ( cost around $4000 after the deduction from Medishield .) was relatively , i decided to go to the AMK's polyclinic to ask for a referral letter which they willing to grant it to me after much persuasion . I was referred to the TTSH's Orthpaedic clinic and the medical appointment would be at the 6 /18 . So , my parents asked me to go to the medical centre to demand the status with the necessary documents in order to cover the period between the medical appointment at the TTSH and current .
Next , i went to the Pualu Tekong medical centre for a medical review on my hearing and spinal problem . In the first consultation , i shown the Medical Officer ( commonly known as MO in solders' slang ) the necessary documents , including the MRI scan's summary and the words from the specialist .In the first words blurted out by the MO , he said : '' Shouldnt u be OOT by now since u have so many medical condition '' . After looking at the documents by the MO , he asked me when would be yr next appointment with the Alexandria Hospital . In response , i told him that i have yet received the medical appointment letter from the medical centre . In the end , he gave me excuses for RMJ ( Running , Marching and Jumping ) and Loud Noise for two weeks . However , concurrently , he taken off my excuses for heavy load arguing that the above excuses would be sufficiently covered the medical condition for the time being .
So , i messaged the news to my parents immediately( since it would seriously undermined the health ) and they told me to ask for advices from the PC regarding my medical condition and status . Reluctantly , i approached the PC for further advices regarding my medical conditions as according to the wishes of my parents . As usual , i shown the necessary documents and told him my situation to my PC . Then , my PC suggested that i should go to the medical centre to demand the necessary status to cover for the period , otherwise , u would have to participate the training which in turn may or may not worsen the condition .
Next day , i went to the medical centre for the medical review for my spinal problem with the hope of demanding the needed status. In the second consultation with the MO , i shown the necessary documents to him . After looking at the documents , he said '' the medical conditions seemed to be normal , as stated in the MRI scan's summary . Regarding the bulging , he argued that many people have bulging disk and suffering the varied effects . '' In response , i told him that there were abnormalities in my L4-5 section of the spine , according to the words of my specialist ,and awaited for the further diagnosis test to confirm the source and cause of the back pain . However , the MO shown no sympathy towards my medical conditions since my medical condition seemed relatively normal and mild . Then , he asked whether i have been experiencing pain on my back in which i answered YES In the end , he didnt give me the demanded status and merely referred me to the Pulau Tekong Physiotherapy Centre for the physiotherapy session in the hope relieving the pain .
So , i would like to ask the following questions :
1) If i managed to get the specialist's memo , does it mean that i have higher percentage of downgrading my PES status .
If so , what are the likely status will i be granted ?
2) Does my medical condition seemed serious enough to get a downgrading of PES status , assuming that i do the advanced diagnosis test and get the memo .
3) Why did the Medical Board not grant any excuses for my hearing problem ( i was diagnosis ed with tinnitus )
