What should I do?

[anceri]

Hi guys, I just registered here seeking for advice.

Currently i'm diagnosed with :
(Rheumatologist side)
Minimal grade 1 retrolisthesis of L4-L5 and L2-L3. Disc spaces are preserved.
Significant spondylosis is seen. S1 shows lumbarisation with pseudoarthrosis of the process of the right S1 tranverse process with the sacrum.

-Hypermobility Syndrome
-Spondylolithesis L4/L5
-Plantar fasciitis/pes planus

Was told not to put too much pressure to my spine, especially heavy weights.
Refrain from taking too much painkillers as it will not do me any good nor will it help much on my condition.
----------------------------------
(Dermatologist side)

-Urticaria
(I do not have the symptoms of urticaria but dermatographic urticaria which the doctor may have mis-diagnosed, and I have only went for one visit so we'll know on our next follow-up)
Am currently on long term medication for my skin condition and tramadol for my back pain.

----------------------------------
(Podiatrist side)
I have extremely tight calves which causes the heels of my foot to be in the air and to loosen my calves, I'm required to do daily stretches in the morning to alleviate the pain caused by it alongside with flat foot.

-Note that I have memo for my back condition/foot condition and is already endorsed to the MO.
Currently in a stay-out camp at the north side.
Living in east.


Removing the story since people say my story is too inconsistent and it seems like I'm CK a f.
I've got my issues solved with both my camp side and the MO side so all's good.

 

[reddevil0728]

Hi guys, I just registered here seeking for advice.
Sorry that the post might abit long, I have been considering on and off for a long time and there was no where I could seek advice for.

I was OOT from Tekong due to the amount of statuses I've been getting (my specialist appointment was on-going at the time so they gave me LD till I finish my appointment with them) and was sent to become a storeman.

While I was at my last week at tekong before heading over to my newly posted camp, I went to the specialist to understand what was going on with me(rheumatologist) and I was diagnosed with the following:

Minimal grade 1 retrolisthesis of L4-L5 and L2-L3. Disc spaces are preserved.
Significant spondylosis is seen. S1 shows lumbarisation with pseudoarthrosis of the process of the right S1 tranverse process with the sacrum.

-Hypermobility Syndrome
-Spondylolithesis L4/L5
-Plantar fasciitis/pes planus

and during my podiatrist visit, he said that I have very tight calves and whenver I'm walking, my heels are in the air and I require daily stretches in the morning to make it better.
Due to the tight calves and flat foot, it causes pain to both my leg and calves.
I was told that I need to wear proper footwear which supports both my heels and flat foot.

The specialist told me not to put too much pressure onto my spine, especially heavy weights.

Following up, my camp is a stay out camp.
I live in the east and my camp is in the north region.
I'm unable to travel for long-distances as it puts pressure to my spine and I have constantly brought it up to my sir and CCO about it but all they said was wait for your pes review.(I gave the memo about my condition on the same week and I was scheduled for PES review on the 11th May)
I've been going on A&E on-off since March till now due to the pain and have been on several different painkillers and I'm currently taking tramadol.

I went to A&E last thursday.
During the A&E visit, I tried requesting for another day to cover friday so that I could get some rest and the doctor declined and asked why?
I told that because I have to carry heavy weight despite being excused heavy load/rmj and it has been putting alot of stress to my back and it is really uncomfortable and painful.(Because I have insomnia and being unable to sleep due to pain, my blood pressure was hitting 140+-150+ consistently due to the lack of sleep)The doctor instead, wrote on my MC that on friday, absolutely no weight lifting and gave me a memo indicting my complaints about why I wanted an extra day of MC due to being made to carry weights and all.

So I went back to camp as per usual and I was sent to store run.
We had to load up 200 benches to the tonner and throughout the first day till now, there has been a really rude guy that has been insulting me consistently which I disregarded.
So of course, I had to help them load up the benches as well since I was brought over for store run.

I told one of them that I'm already excused heavy load and I'm not allowed to carry anything at all for today and he just said "ayia the bench very light one la, just carry only". Also topping it off with the very rude guy being like "eh you ****ing useless sia, waste gas come here, don't know how to help ah?" and crap lead me no choice but to also help them.
Back to camp after the store run, I was told that we would get half day off but I'm not getting any because I did absolutely nothing(told from that rude guy). I'm fine if I don't get any half day off but the fact that my efforts weren't recognized despite having medical condition was really hurting.

Also to make it worse, my CCO talked to me afterwards and said that I'm banned from A&E permanently so even if I go to A&E and get MC, I'm to report back to camp unless I'm hospitalized.

Also warned that I will be charged for malingering(chao keng) because I only got 1 day MC on thursday and I did not report back to camp despite having the MC.(I was drowsy as **** and I fell asleep as I did not sleep at all the previous night). I told him that I got one day and the doctor told me to see the MO the next day to clarify my issues(I did not tell him about how the doctor gave me a memo to clarify as to why was I made to carry stuff when I was excused) and he just said you were told to see the MO because your condition is not severe. The MO can handle it. I did not want to tell them about the memo because I feel that the matter would get big and all..

I told my sister about this situation and she said I should indeed tell them instead of letting them eat me up as I do have medical condition.
But I'm not sure if the MO will bother to help as I don't know if my condition is that severe, based on what I was diagnosed above.

I'm also under long-term medication for my skin condition (dermatographic urticaria) but was only diagnosed under urticaria since the doctor did not check properly on the first visit. (I have all of the exact symptoms of dermatographic urticaria, not urticaria).

There's more to what happened during then but this should give the general idea of what is going on right now.

Should I bring it up to the MO?
Because neither my Sir or CCO bothers helping me, they think that I'm malingering about my back pain.
They would always say, wait till your PES review then we decide.
They don't even bother helping me at all, despite me bringing up constantly that I can't travel for long distance due to pain.
My next specialist visit is on the 15th of May as well.
Hope I can get some advice on what should be done.

p.s. sorry for the long compo, i'm not good at tl;dr.

it's an extremely long post and is quite confusing.

To be honest, you are not doing yourself any favour.

Optics matters.

If you really have genuine medical conditions, you have genuine medical conditions.

However, the way you are describing stuff seems to convey the message that you are quite chao keng.

You already have the luxury to paint your side of the story, in a very nice light, but somehow it just communicates that you are quite CK.

No wonder your commanders and peers, who are the ones who actually can observe feels you are chao keng.

Maybe you want to rewrite your post to make it less confusing.

 

[anceri]

it's an extremely long post and is quite confusing.

To be honest, you are not doing yourself any favour.

Optics matters.

If you really have genuine medical conditions, you have genuine medical conditions.

However, the way you are describing stuff seems to convey the message that you are quite chao keng.

You already have the luxury to paint your side of the story, in a very nice light, but somehow it just communicates that you are quite CK.

No wonder your commanders and peers, who are the ones who actually can observe feels you are chao keng.

Maybe you want to rewrite your post to make it less confusing.

If I were to tl;dr it, it's more like I'm excused heavy load and I'm still made to carry stuff.
I'm unable to travel for long distance as well due to the pain and they do not want to try and relocate me and just tell me to wait for my PES Review.
How does my PES Review help me in my relocating?
They told me that once I'm here, I'll be here all the way.

We can call it more of a miscommunication I believe?
My CCO thinks that I'm malingering because I only have one day MC but I did not tell him that I'm supposed to go to the MO to somewhat "complain" as to why was I made to carry despite being on excused heavy load.

I'm not sure how am I conveying my issues but how could I be "chao keng" when the pain is causing me lack of sleep, resulting in my blood pressure rising above 140-150+?

I'm not very good with words or communicating with one another so my way of writing might confuse people, so my apologies.

I'll try to re-write the main post so that it's easier for one to understand.

 

[reddevil0728]

If I were to tl;dr it, it's more like I'm excused heavy load and I'm still made to carry stuff.
I'm unable to travel for long distance as well due to the pain and they do not want to try and relocate me and just tell me to wait for my PES Review.
How does my PES Review help me in my relocating?
They told me that once I'm here, I'll be here all the way.

We can call it more of a miscommunication I believe?
My CCO thinks that I'm malingering because I only have one day MC but I did not tell him that I'm supposed to go to the MO to somewhat "complain" as to why was I made to carry despite being on excused heavy load.

I'm not sure how am I conveying my issues but how could I be "chao keng" when the pain is causing me lack of sleep, resulting in my blood pressure rising above 140-150+?

I'm not very good with words or communicating with one another so my way of writing might confuse people, so my apologies.

I'll try to re-write the main post so that it's easier for one to understand.

I read (but not in depth) your non tl;dr version. You must differentiate between conveying the gist and making the gist you are trying to communicate not confusing.

Anyway the one in red is already very suspect. Have you been in Singapore your entire life? Do you only venture around the vicinity of your house? If they let you stay-in will you stay in?

It's on you to ensure your CCO (dunno what's CCO), gets the memo. If it's because you miscommunicated to him, of course he will think your are malingering. Even though it should be innocent until proven guilty, but that theory doesn't always apply. And you have already been marked, you will be foolish not to have a heighten sense of responsibility to make sure you don't give people a chance to find fault in you. But apparently you didn't.

The key is about communicating, about perception, about impression. you can have legit issues, but if people don't understand that you have legit issue, it is business as usual.

 

[anceri]

I read (but not in depth) your non tl;dr version. You must differentiate between conveying the gist and making the gist you are trying to communicate not confusing.

Anyway the one in red is already very suspect. Have you been in Singapore your entire life? Do you only venture around the vicinity of your house? If they let you stay-in will you stay in?

It's on you to ensure your CCO (dunno what's CCO), gets the memo. If it's because you miscommunicated to him, of course he will think your are malingering. Even though it should be innocent until proven guilty, but that theory doesn't always apply. And you have already been marked, you will be foolish not to have a heighten sense of responsibility to make sure you don't give people a chance to find fault in you. But apparently you didn't.

The key is about communicating, about perception, about impression. you can have legit issues, but if people don't understand that you have legit issue, it is business as usual.

Based on my condition, I'm unable to sleep on SAF-provided beds.
I did not have this back issue previously as well, it was only after enlistment.
So I'm at loss as well.
CCO is Camp Commandant.

 

[reddevil0728]

Based on my condition, I'm unable to sleep on SAF-provided beds.
I did not have this back issue previously as well, it was only after enlistment.
So I'm at loss as well.
CCO is Camp Commandant.

I usually try not to make assumptions, but you series of statements, made me assumed otherwise.

Somehow it sounds more and more like cool story.

Do you venture out to the west side of Singapore? Do you go for vacations? Do you take the plane? If you take the plane do you only travel in first and business class?

 

[owchan]

What should I do?

Here's my advice, assuming that you really do have back problems that may lead to permanent injuries,

1: Go to your MO and ask for referral to get your injuries checked out
2: If you've already requested for down pes and it's officially pending, wait
3: Let your MO know everything about your issue, problem with sleeping on SAF issued bed, etc.

SAF will do what they can to make arrangements to have you posted out if necessary to a more suitable vocation / stay out camp. If training is really too much, ask your MO for EXCUSE / STATUS? Why haven't you done this yet? ( ASK your MO btw not your A&E doctor )

You sound like a chao keng because you don't have any official documents stating that you are really injured. All I read from your post is

"Ouch I'm in pain! I can't do this! I can't do that! I'm in pain, I can't sleep! Blood pressure high!"

No offense but you sound like a baby. Just because people say mean things to you, you disregard your own health problems? Didn't your doctor tell you not to carry heavy weight? People who are really injured wouldn't do such thing because it would ****ing hurt to the point of crying. That's why people think you chao keng.

Please don't put yourself in danger.

Also if you need more Tramadol, Polyclinic will give you more dosage. A&E is limited to 1 week or less because it's for "EMERGENCY" only.

 

[reddevil0728]

Here's my advice, assuming that you really do have back problems that may lead to permanent injuries,

1: Go to your MO and ask for referral to get your injuries checked out
2: If you've already requested for down pes and it's officially pending, wait
3: Let your MO know everything about your issue, problem with sleeping on SAF issued bed, etc.

SAF will do what they can to make arrangements to have you posted out if necessary to a more suitable vocation / stay out camp. If training is really too much, ask your MO for EXCUSE / STATUS? Why haven't you done this yet? ( ASK your MO btw not your A&E doctor )

You sound like a chao keng because you don't have any official documents stating that you are really injured. All I read from your post is

"Ouch I'm in pain! I can't do this! I can't do that! I'm in pain, I can't sleep! Blood pressure high!"

No offense but you sound like a baby. Just because people say mean things to you, you disregard your own health problems? Didn't your doctor tell you not to carry heavy weight? People who are really injured wouldn't do such thing because it would ****ing hurt to the point of crying. That's why people think you chao keng.

Please don't put yourself in danger.

Also if you need more Tramadol, Polyclinic will give you more dosage. A&E is limited to 1 week or less because it's for "EMERGENCY" only.

in red really? What if they make arrangement for him to bring his own bed?

so true, do himself no favour.

If he is really injured, why still succumb to peer or follow "illegal orders"? Not sure why he scare of a showdown, i.e., if he is not supposed to do the stuff, but his bosses insist, then he say he wouldn't do it. then just go see MO and let MO decide lor.

Why are you advocating ways on how to abuse the method of obtaining controlled drugs?

 

[owchan]

in red really? What if they make arrangement for him to bring his own bed?

Why are you advocating ways on how to abuse the method of obtaining controlled drugs?

They might. I had friends who couldn't sleep due to dust issues with SAF issued laundry bed sheets hence they were made to bring their own bed sheets, pillow and bolster to sleep in camp with. So yes, they may make him bring his own bed if it's possible. It may be inconvenient or what but the main point here is to help him handle his injuries accordingly.

Also, TS's post says

"I've been constantly visiting the A&E to get stronger painkillers as most of them haven't been alleviating my pain."

He needs to go Polyclinic for his medication, not A&E. Going to A&E constantly is what chao keng people do because they get a different doctor every visit and the days of MC that you get is heavily dependent on which doctor you get rather than what your actual health issues are, sometimes they even give medication without even checking if you really need them. This is why I'm asking him to go Polyclinic for a more accurate and better medical support.

I'm not advocating anything for abuse. Going to A&E for medication is NOT ADVISED. Injured personnel are informed to go to Polyclinic for medication / follow up.

 

[derrickgoh]

If u have a memo from outside doctor why would u not endorse at medical centre? That alone will result in many questions.

 

[reddevil0728]

They might. I had friends who couldn't sleep due to dust issues with SAF issued laundry bed sheets hence they were made to bring their own bed sheets, pillow and bolster to sleep in camp with. So yes, they may make him bring his own bed if it's possible. It may be inconvenient or what but the main point here is to help him handle his injuries accordingly.

Also, TS's post says

"I've been constantly visiting the A&E to get stronger painkillers as most of them haven't been alleviating my pain."

He needs to go Polyclinic for his medication, not A&E. Going to A&E constantly is what chao keng people do because they get a different doctor every visit and the days of MC that you get is heavily dependent on which doctor you get rather than what your actual health issues are, sometimes they even give medication without even checking if you really need them. This is why I'm asking him to go Polyclinic for a more accurate and better medical support.

I'm not advocating anything for abuse. Going to A&E for medication is NOT ADVISED. Injured personnel are informed to go to Polyclinic for medication / follow up.

"might" and "will do" very different hor... Yep, and I rather SAF go out of the way to allow personnel like TS to stay in and bring in their bed or whatever etc, then to still complain about travelling distance when they already have the luxury of staying out. Dunno how to be thankful. classic example of give someone an inch and they'll take a mile.

classic example of chao keng lor.

 

[anceri]

Here's my advice, assuming that you really do have back problems that may lead to permanent injuries,

1: Go to your MO and ask for referral to get your injuries checked out
2: If you've already requested for down pes and it's officially pending, wait
3: Let your MO know everything about your issue, problem with sleeping on SAF issued bed, etc.

SAF will do what they can to make arrangements to have you posted out if necessary to a more suitable vocation / stay out camp. If training is really too much, ask your MO for EXCUSE / STATUS? Why haven't you done this yet? ( ASK your MO btw not your A&E doctor )

You sound like a chao keng because you don't have any official documents stating that you are really injured. All I read from your post is

"Ouch I'm in pain! I can't do this! I can't do that! I'm in pain, I can't sleep! Blood pressure high!"

No offense but you sound like a baby. Just because people say mean things to you, you disregard your own health problems? Didn't your doctor tell you not to carry heavy weight? People who are really injured wouldn't do such thing because it would ****ing hurt to the point of crying. That's why people think you chao keng.

Please don't put yourself in danger.

Also if you need more Tramadol, Polyclinic will give you more dosage. A&E is limited to 1 week or less because it's for "EMERGENCY" only.

I have went to A&E about only once a week or so.
My memo was already endorsed that's why I was given a PES Review on the 11th May and was also excused heavy load/rmj.
I'm sure that my memo is considered official document to prove that what condition do I have at the moment.

 

[anceri]

If u have a memo from outside doctor why would u not endorse at medical centre? That alone will result in many questions.

It is already endorsed.
Only the most recent memo which states the complaint of me carrying stuff despite being excused isn't endorsed yet.

 

[anceri]

I usually try not to make assumptions, but you series of statements, made me assumed otherwise.

Somehow it sounds more and more like cool story.

Do you venture out to the west side of Singapore? Do you go for vacations? Do you take the plane? If you take the plane do you only travel in first and business class?

I haven't been going out at all lately except going to camp.
I'm always at home during the weekends now since I don't really want to go out anywhere.
In the past, yes.

 

[anceri]

They might. I had friends who couldn't sleep due to dust issues with SAF issued laundry bed sheets hence they were made to bring their own bed sheets, pillow and bolster to sleep in camp with. So yes, they may make him bring his own bed if it's possible. It may be inconvenient or what but the main point here is to help him handle his injuries accordingly.

Also, TS's post says

"I've been constantly visiting the A&E to get stronger painkillers as most of them haven't been alleviating my pain."

He needs to go Polyclinic for his medication, not A&E. Going to A&E constantly is what chao keng people do because they get a different doctor every visit and the days of MC that you get is heavily dependent on which doctor you get rather than what your actual health issues are, sometimes they even give medication without even checking if you really need them. This is why I'm asking him to go Polyclinic for a more accurate and better medical support.

I'm not advocating anything for abuse. Going to A&E for medication is NOT ADVISED. Injured personnel are informed to go to Polyclinic for medication / follow up.

Yes, I understand that but on the first time I requested to report sick, they said private hospitals and polyclinic are not allowed.
Only A&E.
I tried requesting for polyclinic because I felt mine wasn't an emergency, just needed painkillers but I was given the no hence I went to the A&E instead.

 

[anceri]

Based on what you people are saying, it seems that it would be best to give the memo since it wouldn't do me any good and would implicate my injuries further if I continue to let things be.

I'd be okay to do so but they kept on saying to give the memo only at PES Review.
Because I have several memos and I told them that and they said just give on PES Review.

So I didn't tell them about the most recent memo.

 

[reddevil0728]

I have went to A&E about only once a week or so.
My memo was already endorsed that's why I was given a PES Review on the 11th May and was also excused heavy load/rmj.
I'm sure that my memo is considered official document to prove that what condition do I have at the moment.

ONLY ONCE A WEEK??? lol what a joke. You think A&E is ur private clinic ah. Such a selfish person. Deprive others who are more in need of life threatening treatment.

A memo is of no use, if you don't actively seek to enforce it by insisting that you shouldn't do what you shouldn't do.

It is already endorsed.
Only the most recent memo which states the complaint of me carrying stuff despite being excused isn't endorsed yet.
Because they told me to just give it on my PES Review despite telling them that I was told to go the next day.

who told u to give during PES review and who told you to go the next day?

I haven't been going out at all lately except going to camp.
I'm always at home during the weekends now since I don't really want to go out anywhere.
In the past, yes.

why only after enlist then all your problems come about that prevents you from going out? U condition is a result of service?

 

[reddevil0728]

Yes, I understand that but on the first time I requested to report sick, they said private hospitals and polyclinic are not allowed.
Only A&E.
I tried requesting for polyclinic because I felt mine wasn't an emergency, just needed painkillers but I was given the no hence I went to the A&E instead.

who said it is not allowed?

Based on what you people are saying, it seems that it would be best to give the memo since it wouldn't do me any good and would implicate my injuries further if I continue to let things be.

I'd be okay to do so but they kept on saying to give the memo only at PES Review.
Because I have several memos and I told them that and they said just give on PES Review.

So I didn't tell them about the most recent memo.

i will put it to u this way, they tell u to give during PES review, but then from now till PES review they keep making u do things you shouldn't do, don't u find it is on u to enforce it? If there is a need just go give? what do you think will happen to you, if you just jump the gun and give?

 

[anceri]

ONLY ONCE A WEEK??? lol what a joke. You think A&E is ur private clinic ah. Such a selfish person. Deprive others who are more in need of life threatening treatment.

A memo is of no use, if you don't actively seek to enforce it by insisting that you shouldn't do what you shouldn't do.

who told u to give during PES review and who told you to go the next day?

why only after enlist then all your problems come about that prevents you from going out? U condition is a result of service?

It's not that I want to go to the A&E everytime.
I just want to get a different painkiller because it's not aiding in my situation at all.

The MO told me that I will have a PES Review on the 11th and in regards to going to the next day for the latest memo, the doctor at A&E told me so.

I didn't have any back problem before enlistment that would cause any pain.
It was after a few PTs then I reported back pain and was given a specialist appointment thereafter.

 

[anceri]

who said it is not allowed?

i will put it to u this way, they tell u to give during PES review, but then from now till PES review they keep making u do things you shouldn't do, don't u find it is on u to enforce it? If there is a need just go give? what do you think will happen to you, if you just jump the gun and give?

When I first joined my branch, there was like a welcome message into the whatsapp group and it stated that only private hospitals are not allowed.

But when I first seeked permission from my sergeant, he said only A&E allowed.
Polyclinic are not allowed.
I did enforce the fact that I'm unable to carry heavy weight but they just said that this is light and you can carry for sure one la.