Getting medical records scrubbed?

[Gunney]

Righto, so I have a question that whilst more speciality perhaps someone here has an answer be it from professional encounters or other.

When I was a kid, like prior to 10 years old, some quack with a PhD decided that I wasn't shy, but rather autistic (Aspergers.) And well it is proving to be a bit troublesome. I have no real symptoms of the blasted thing-- I am not the stereotypical no eye-contact, no verbal skills, no ability to think for oneself case (that may sound a bit mean, although thats not the intent, just the stereotype.) But if I ever go to apply for the military then it will throw a right spanner in the works! Not to mention it recently popped up on a medical clearance and it is kind of, well, wrong! For the last 9 months I have been a firefighter, no issues there, and that by definition should prove troublesome between the loud noises, the visual sights, and otherwise the 'touchy-feely' bits--and I am in a department that is very, very paramilitary, like push-ups for screwing up type paramil... And I am trying not to compare apples to oranges, because as cliche as it sounds in either job, if you screw up you, or someone else, gets put in a pine box-- morbid but true.

So this indeed sounds like a case of misdiagnosis (what can I say, it was big to diagnose Autism back then!) So what can I do to get this troublesome wart removed from my records? I mean yeah there is the whole never mentioning it thing, BUT if I do ever decide to go into the military, I'd rather not risk spending a couple years in one of Uncle Sams jail-cells for lying about any 'conditions'! Not to mention something like this carries a few stigmas that quite frankly I am not a fan of!

Cheers gents,

 

[Toothpick]

interesting conundrum.

2 things that come to mind.

1. see another doctor for another official diagnosis. see more than one if you can. This way it will be a recent diagnosis. If they say "you're all good man" then the I don't see any problems with the military.

2. consult with a lawyer about having it removed from your records. But just some uneducated thought is that this might be hard. I would think you'd have to somehow prove that the doctor is a "quack".

I think the easiest route would be to just see another doctor for a second opinion

 

[the_edski]

Definitely contact a lawyer, I wouldn't want you to get bad advice here and have things even more screwed up on your end!

 

[ArNav]

I don't think you can remove something from your records, just have a more recent opinion and diagnosis.

 

[Thu'umhammer]

Yeah, some good advice already given here. Contact a lawyer and multiple doctors and take it from there. I hope things turn out well for you.

 

[Face Bannon]

Where are "the records?" They are supposed to be protected by privacy, maintained only by the health care provider you choose, and only released upon your written permission.

As for going in the military -- seems like you could just make up your mind for good on that one. You're a firefighter now. If you decide to go in the military, deal with it then. But very few things (at least, hiring things) require disclosure of past medical records.

 

[Manning]

I don't think you can remove something from your records, just have a more recent opinion and diagnosis.

This.

It's not like a criminal history where you could have something expunged, for example. You were diagnosed as autistic as a child. That's a fact.

But, you can go see a new doctor and see what he says. Might say you are not autistic and were misdiagnosed, in your hew docs professional opinion, as a child. That'd be what you're looking for.

PS I'd skip the lawyer. You're question isn't really a legal one.

 

[Gunney]

This.

It's not like a criminal history where you could have something expunged, for example. You were diagnosed as autistic as a child. That's a fact.

But, you can go see a new doctor and see what he says. Might say you are not autistic and were misdiagnosed, in your hew docs professional opinion, as a child. That'd be what you're looking for.

PS I'd skip the lawyer. You're question isn't really a legal one.

Yea no lawyer, the quackyness was my not-so-professional opinion, and since he/she wasn't a duck it is kind of hard to proof lol. They literally removed the diagnosis from the medical books because it was the 'gotta diagnose this kid with something to appease the parents diagnosis'-- besides you don't really outgrow autism, even mild ASD. My current doctor even noted on the form for the department that it 'may have resolved itself' aka it was never actually there.

As for crossing the bridge, I agree, but still I'd prefer to cross it now, since firefighting is only volunteer, albeit I do enough hours there to constitute a full time job...

I know that under most circumstances prior medical history is taboo for an employer to ask, but since it looks like I may want to do something that does fall into one of those okay-to-ask jobs, it may be worth pursuing-- between military, professional firefighting, and other government jobs, and from what I have read, it is technically disqualifying for all of the above!

 

[Kilroy08]

When I enlisted, if you didn't disclose it then they didn't know it.

Today with all of the medical stuff starting to become digital, I'm not sure how it works now.

 

[Teppanyaki]

I would think that getting the diagnosis labeled as inaccurate is far more likely than getting a diagnosis removed. A specialist in that specific area who does a thorough history and examination backed up by whatever relevant laboratory or diagnostic testing that confirms (or excludes) a diagnosis may be as much evidence as you can get (and may or may not be enough for, say, the military or whomever).

For ruling out Asperger's, I don't know if the best choice would be to see a neuropsychologist or not.