1991 Gulf War Veteran

[Tim Cake]

What kind of evidence did it show Tim? I know that Senator Riegle's report and US Military Gulflink discusses the fact that many chemical detector alarms were triggered even before the start of the ground war. A Czech unit and the 24th Infantry Division reported alarms. Prior to the demolition at khamisiyah (Operation Bragg), our aircraft bombed many sites. I was in the area of Operation Bragg with the 24th.

Most people do not know that many 1991 Gulf War veterans were exposed to low doses of chemical weapons. Also, organophosphates, which is similar in chemical structure, have been shown to cause biological and psychiatric problems at low doses. Sarin was released in Japan during a terrorist attack and the victims have experienced problems since that attack. The National Academies Institute of Medicine has put several reports out but they put a specific one out on Sarin, etc. The US Congress legally required the Veterans Affairs to use the National Academies or similar organization to research the effects of the 1991 Gulf War "toxic cocktail" on 1991 Gulf War veterans. According to surveys, more than 250,000 1991 Gulf War veterans have fallen ill one way or another. In fact, there are many "presumptions" available for 1991 Gulf War veterans until 31 December 2016 but many 1991 Gulf War Veterans do not know. Also, the experimental medication, pyridostigmine bromide for example, has been attributed to ills as well. Ever look at the FDA literature on pyridostigmine bromide?

"The medication causes migraines, nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, increased peristalsis, hypersalivation, urinary incontinence, increased bronchial secretion, excessive sweating, constriction of the pupil, excessive secretion of tears, muscle cramps, muscle twitch, weakness, vertigo, elevated blood pressure, chest tightness, change in vision, eye pain, difficulty in concentrating, confusion, disturbed sleep, tingling of extremities, numbness of the tongue, vomiting, lethargy/drowsiness, depressed mood, skin rash, borborygmi, hypertonia, exacerbation of acute bronchitis asthma, decreased heart rate, alopecia, electrolyte abnormalities, etc[1]. At “high” doses, agitation, restlessness, confusion, visual hallucinations, paranoid delusions, etc are side effects[1]"

[1] Food and Drug Administration. Pyridostigmine Bromide Package Insert. fda.gov[online]. 2012.

Having been on short term TDY at al-Dharan, I experienced the incoming SCUDS real-time. I hid in the shelters wearing my mopp suit and gas mask. The CW alerts sounded and I was very frightened. What if this protective gear was defective? The major thought running through my mind was "this equipment is made by the lowest price bidder!" I did have a chance to talk to some NBCW officers after the attacks -- some mentioned their equipment detected agent TABUN, while others said it was a spurious detection caused by the fuming nitric acid oxidizer used in the SCUDS. I tend to believe the worst. Saddam used CW in the Iran-Iraq War and against his own people -- he had already opened Pandora's Box and he would open it again.

As a note, we are still "given" PB as prophylaxis for nerve agent exposure and lariam for malaria. We haven't learned a damned thing since Desert Storm... Welcome to the "big green machine"...

 

[Quidnunc]

Thanks everyone.

@Tim Cake: I had read that they do not give pyridostigmine bromide to "all" but they do give it to select few who are in greatest danger of nerve agent exposure.

As a chemical engineer, I worked in pharmaceuticals and as a Consumer Safety Officer for the FDA. I know parts of how and why drugs are approved. Although pyridostigmine bromide has been around for many years, the 1991 Gulf War is the first time it was given to such a large population. As such, it was also the first time they learned that many people might respond negatively to it as well. In essence, it was a human experiment. Like any drug, it was approved for such mass usage because the "benefits" outweighed the risks. With that said, we soldiers should not be punished if our individual bodies reacted negatively to it or any other drug. In fact, Title 38 USC exists for this reason. Similarly, low dose chemical weapons and past pesticides cause problems too. Veterans Affairs benefits and disability programs were created because of such scenarios. Sadly, the law is often overshadowed by ignorant medical professionals who are not aware that such risks existed. I am not being rude when I say "ignorant". Obviously, I am ignorant in most experiences as well. The key, in my opinion, is a willingness to understand another's experiences. Also, it is our jobs' to educate another about our experiences.

Life affects each person differently but we all have similar containers. The kool-aid that fills those containers is often a different color, a different flavor, and a different intensity. Still, it is kool-aid for most. For some, it might be a completely different beverage. Yes, life is "like a box of chocolates". :)

I just know that more than 250,000 1991 Gulf War Veterans in the USA and Gulf War Veterans from other Countries are not trying to pull the wool over their government's eyes. As an individual, I feel the chronic fatigue, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, fibromyalgia, concentration problems, paresthesia, memory problems, psychological problems, etc. I have not "complained" my entire life. Now, I am on a route to homelessness and I am not "complaining" but yelling for help. Sadly, we are often painted as complainers if we speak up about our ills.

Once again, thanks for the friendly reception. I have found many books at the National Academies Press on Combat PTSD and I will share them when I am allowed to post links. Until then, you can search nap.edu yourself. By the way, the National Academies are the United States of America's top minds in research. In fact, the top minds from other countries contribute to the material as well. Nicely, committees come together and compile books that the National Academies Press provides for free as PDF files.

 

[Quidnunc]

Welcome Quid! Looks like you've put in plenty of research and have hard fact to back up your claim. That will help in your claim with the VA. You sound like a very intelligent man, so I'm sure you have adequate representation. Two very informative Veteran site geared specifically for claims against the Va are: Hadit.com and VA watchdog.org

Take good care

Sarg

I hope. My compensation and pension exam is actually tomorrow. Sadly, I have heard that the VA has overlooked 1991 Gulf War Veterans because of the recent wars. Also, I have read that the raters are not well trained with respect to 1991 Gulf War Veterans. With that said, I did read a National Academies Press book on VA claims process that impressed me significantly. The VA really is trying. Sadly, I might be a casualty and not receive the disability that I believe I deserve. I really am in a psychological and medical turmoil and facing homelessness. Sadly, I have little social support as well.

Anyhow, thanks! I am a bit nervous.

 

[Lee C]

Whats the worse they can do mate give you Mental Health issues ? LOL
Good luck mate and keep us informed, good or bad, we are here for you.
P.S Noone i know has there medical records from Gulf 90-91, i have my full medical records ans its like i was never there, apparently the system they were using went pear shaped, my arse:oops:

 

[Anglesachse]

...............pear shaped, my arse:oops:

I allways thought it was more a cluster f*ck. But like you said Lee Cocker. Medicaly, we were obviously never bloody there.

I even remember the Med center Nurse when we were getting jabs, prior to going,
"Ere luv, whats this one for?"
"(Cough) er, We don`t realy know, but you will be having a few)

 

[JarHed]

Hey Quid

Good luck with your exams today. Try to remember you're in for the long haul. You've more than done your homework, which will help in sustanciating your claim. Stay the course.

As far as understanding and support from as you put it, 'social support', you might remind yourself that people that aren't involved truly don't understand or really care. There is also fear on their part which makes them less likely to want to understand. Many non-military people don't want to believe that we've been put in harms way other than bullets or schrapnel flying at us. Sadly, only those that have experienced these things can really understand where you're coming from.

Jar

 

[Quidnunc]

Thanks Jar.

I thought today's C&P was going to cover all my claims but it didn't. I assume they will be scheduling me for more.

You are correct about people not knowing us. Sadly, most people care more about what is on TV than what is happening in the Country or World.

 

[JarHed]

Sadly, most people care more about what is on TV than what is happening in the Country or World.

Hey Quid

Yeah, sad but true. People deal with what affects them. Our perceptions have been permanently altered. Kind of like when you're a kid. There comes a point where you become an adult. You actually can't put your finger on when that was exactly but when you realize that, you also know that you can never go back.

My experience with C&P is that it's a process, a long one. You usually see all the different doctors that will be evaluating your condition and that happens over a period of weeks or months. Then it moves on to the next part of the process.

Jar

 

[Wagon]

Also to add to the chemical cocktail is the DU rounds issue. Banned by international convention, but used by the US prolifically.

I used to handle Nuclear Weapons in the Navy. Imagine my surprise when sometime in the last 10 years they completely changed the scale of exposure. Whereas it used to be REMS and MicroCurries per Ml. Now suddenly even less is bad....we're down to Milliseiverts. They've gone from counting pumpkins to counting lentils.

Which of course means to all of us that..........We have no idea where our life time exposure rests.

I don't own a microwave and I refuse x rays unless it is absolutely necessary. I have no idea where my exposure is at the moment. And that it seams was completely on purpose.

 

[Tim Cake]

Stabiloy (DU) is NOMINALLY non-radioactive. It is SUPPOSEDLY only the U238 isotope. This is produced by several private contractors who won their business with the US DoD because they were the LEAST COST BIDDERS. Do I trust them? Yeah sure, as much as I trust a politician!

I feel like I am glowing green in the nighttime...

 

[Quidnunc]

My experience with C&P is that it's a process, a long one. You usually see all the different doctors that will be evaluating your condition and that happens over a period of weeks or months. Then it moves on to the next part of the process.

Jar

The compensation and pension process seems similar to other government processes. Hurry up and wait.

I was called by the Regional Office and told my claim was going to be expedited. What is expedited though? Also, there are three different "completion" date ranges in eBenefits. Which one do I consider? Finally, they include a form called "VCAA Notice Response" that says the VA can make a claim in 30 days.

In truth, I would rather wait 1 year for a positive response than 1 month for a negative response. Still, a quick response will allow me to enter into the appeal process. I found a good National Academies book on combat PTSD and the VA compensation process. I will share it when I can start sharing links. Until then, search nap.edu or Google for "PTSD Compensation and Military Service" and browse the pages for diagram. I believe a flow chart is on page 119.

 

[Wagon]

Stabiloy (DU) is NOMINALLY non-radioactive.

That's cool. By DoD standards I am a nominal virgin.