pain in Gulf War veteran-GWS? - Military Health Issues Message Board

spsmjj · 12-28-2001, 10:04 PM

Dear Trooper and Beckie,

I have a friend who is computer illiterate, but asked me to help him with a diagnosis. He is in the Army National Guard, and was deployed to the Gulf during Desert Storm. He said everything began when he and his wife went to Hawaii, about a year after returning home. He developed flu like symtoms, chilling and fevers, which lasted for two days.

He has been to numerous doctors because of pain in his legs, he said the pain comes on like a contraction, rises to a peak, then goes away. It is moving into his right arm, and has muscle spasms. He says he has diarrhea about once every three weeks, just for 1 day. He also has rashes on different parts of his body, mainly the body trunk.

His only trip to the VA rewarded him with a doctor that asked if he was trying to get disability. He told him he was just trying to get an answer.

He has had ultrasounds, MRI, CTscans, bloodwork, and dye through his veins. He said one of the guard doctors gave him an antibiotic for a sinus infection and he felt better after taking the drugs. Drs say everything from possible pinched nerve in back to heel spurs.

He is still in the guard, 64 yrs old, and works every day in construction. He just wants to know how to find a doctor who will listen to him and dig deeper into the symtoms and causes. What he'd really like is relief from the pain.

Thanks again,
S. Boothe

kansasvet · 01-11-2002, 02:01 PM

Start to look for a Dr. that will look at CFS, FM, or MSC.

These poorly defined illnesses such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune disorder, and multiple chemical sensitivity may play a big roll in GWI.

Also keep on eye on your thyriod. My stopped working soon after the gulf.

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 04-19-2002).]

cnrstone30 · 01-11-2002, 08:05 PM

The goverment is finally compensating soldiers who have PGS Persian Gulf Syndrome. If your friend did not get things documented in the military then getting help is going to be a little more difficult, but there is hope because the goverment's new definition is any medically unexplained chronic illness having one ore more symptoms. Maybe all he needs is proof that he served in the gulf and then help should come his way. Good luck

Beckie99 · 01-13-2002, 05:29 AM

My advice, as a SENIOR veteran of Gulf War Illness, is to get your hands on as much presription medications outside of military and VA facilities as possible. The VA has no infectious diseases experience and little gastrointestinal knowledge to deal well with your problems.

I speak from an over-abundance of personal experience: Gulf War Illness has four infectious parts -- Viruses, bacterial infections, fungi, and parasites.

Those flu-like symptoms you speak of are not viral at all, but need to be treated with antibiotics. And you can find an Infectious Diseases doctor who will tell you this: Doxycyclene for six weeks, two weeks off, two weeks of Augmentin, if not allergic to penicillen. If allergic to penicillen, treat with Biaxin for two weeks. Continue in the same regimen until the symptoms go away.

If you fail to continue with antibiotics, the pain and contractions will go to full-blown paralysis and death. I know, I almost died.

The diarrhea is parasites which can be treated with a simple 7-day course of flagyl (or metronidazole). And stop drinking tap water. Bottled water only, with reverse osmosis filtering.

The most horrible thing about Gulf War Illness is the fungus. USA sold Candida Albicans; the Russians sold Red Fungus. To make a long story short, once your friend has reached the end of the antibiotics and anti-parasitics, he must go on a very strict diet of nothing but white meats (fish and chicken)and vegetables with anti-fungals such as Sporanox, Diflucan, and Mycelex.

Get away from government healthcare if you want your friend to live a normal life ever again. He's apparently earned his stripes the hard way.

DamePEZ · 04-17-2002, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Beckie99:
My advice, as a SENIOR veteran of Gulf War Illness

May I ask what you consider to be a "SENIOR veteran of Gulf War Illness"?