| Question
I went through both Shield and Storm. Did ground troop stuff in Iraq for a few months outside Basra in a little poo-hole called An Nasiriah (spelling is probably wrong). Did the PTSD thing and kept working for the Army for another 6 years. No problems. Left with honorable discharges, life after college was ok. No alcoholism or drug abuse. Nothing unusual at all.
Then 3 weeks ago (November 2005) I get this infection. In both heels. It's beaten 4 antibiotics so far and has spread up to mid ankle on one leg. The swelling is rather massive, roughly a quarter inch above norm, with a pressure pain akin to a second degree burn in intensity. No other symptoms, but it's a skin disease. I noticed that skin diseases are common in Gulf Vets, and I just have the unfortunate situation of being one.
Stumped 3 ER doctors and has a podiatrist puzzled. Had X-Rays, MRI, basic blood work: negative, and I'm waiting a full week for blood cultures. I won't find out about the MRI for another four days.
So I'm wondering, does this sound familiar to anybody? Fifteen years of nothing, and here comes this completely vicious skin infection, out of the blue. I'm just trying to cover my bases. Any help would be appreciated.
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