I am at my wits end.My husband spent 6 mo in the gulf war. After returning he began with chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, chest pain and numerous other ailments. He retired in 1998 from the USAF.Since his retirement he went to work for a great company after struggling to go to work and many missed days our family physician put him on disability. We finally got an appt at the local VA.He was seen in the gulf war clinic. The dr says he has the gulf war syndrome. His paper work is waiting for the board to decide what to do.He walks with a cane or walker, in constant pain.He no longer drives, and has a history of falling. He just uses control of his legs and goes down.I am afraid, what is next. There isn't any guidelines like cancer what will happen to him. Also I saw in the local paper where the va is suppose to start making payments to gulf war veterans and to families of veterans who have already died. Any one know about this. If anyone has any suggestions or info please email me. thanks

Well Suezq my wife has the same problems that you coping with. I was a senior E-7 when we came back from the PGW could have made E-8 but had to give up my career because of the PGW syndrome. The VA has DX me with FMS/CFS servere depression and servere PTSD.
I can't work anymore had a state job but had to give it up also. Also I can't drive and I walk also with a cane. My legs give out on me and I fall. The VA is supposed fit me for braces for my legs on 19th of this month. I worry about my wife because sometimes she gets stressed out. The only income we have is my SSD, my VA claim has been working for over 2 yrs now
I also heard about the change to compensate us vets
but like I said my claim has been working for over 2yrs. Good Luck; Mike

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Mike, thanks for the reply. Sounds so much like my hubby.He also falls for no reason. The weathers is cold and damp today which make it worse. I do not know what the out come will be for all of you guys. I as I am sure you wife and wives of others breaks for you all. For who you were and who you have become. For all of our dreams that have been shattered. But also for the fact there is no help for you. We as families don't know how to help you deal with this nor do we ourselves know what life holds. Tell your wife to email we we can complain together. I do not understand why it has taken so long for your claim. You need to contact your represenative. That is un acceptiable. Take care and may god bless and keep you. my email add is gmasusieq@aol.com

Your husband most likely has developed Multiple Schlerosis. It is one of several autoimmune diseases that fall under the umbrella of illnesses known as Gulf War Illness or Gulf War Syndrome. Other autoimmune system diseases and disorders associated with Gulf War Illness include ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Schleroderma, Lupus, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

These diseases supposedly developed from the over-use of military vaccines within too short of a time-frame, coupled with exposure to biological-chemical weapons ever present in the Gulf, and to depressed immune systems caused by drastic change in lifestyle (not necessarily stress, possibly dietary changes, altitude changes, barometric pressure changes, humidity changes).

Veterans who were already over-vaccinated were also exposed to a really nasty environment in the Persian Gulf. That desert sand is full of disease, parasites, biting flys. It's enough by itself to overwhelm an immune system that has never been exposed to filth of that magnitude. What's worse, that sand is frequently airborne because the wind blows all the time. And NOBODY protects their faces, noses, and mouths enough.

I hope you will search the rest of the internet for clues as to what's causing your husband's illness. Search engines lycos and alta vista are great! Look under health conditions, then under Gulf War Syndrome. It will take you days to read about the sorts of treatment available. But it will be worth your time.

God Bless! My heart goes out to you!