General Medicine

» rlafave - Fibromyalgia agent orange

Fibromyalgia Vietnam Has anyone ever heard of agent orange as the cause of FMS(Fibroymyalgia), or CFS? I was diagnosed with it eight years ago and I haven't located other people with FMS or CFS they would also be x-military exposed to agent orange on their tour of duty.
My condition is getting so bad with pain that I can no longer drive and I am losing my eye sight and my hearing is also getting worse as the weeks go on. The VA decided it wasn't war related and I can't tell them any different. I have to go to appeals and I hear that can take up to three years just to be heard. I have pictures of me with the stuff all over my uniform. Now I have to fight a government that I foght to protect.
Isn't that just great...
Bob

-- posted by rlafave

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» redback - Fibromyalgia agent orange

In response to Fibromyalgia agent orange posted by rlafave:

I don't know if any research helps you. Here's one analysis by the Australian Government:
http://www.rma.gov.au/pubs/forum2004/7_s...
suggesting any links are not conclusive.

But here's one directly about Agent Orange and benefits from the VA:
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/he...

It seems to me, people get bogged down trying to prove one specific illness is linked to one specific cause. Then not provide expert medical evidence. The issue for you is whether any or all of your illnesses are VA covered regardless of Agent Orange, isn't it?

Maybe it's the same there but over here, A Statement of Principle is determined for many illnesses. These set standards of evidence needed.

With the passage of time, surely its an increasingly uphill battle trying to establish a link with Vietnam/Agent Orange when you were only diagnosed 8 years ago. CFS is suffered by many people who were NOT war veterans. So, your argument has to be war-related issues was the most probable cause in YOUR case.

Does CFS really explain your failing eyesight and hearing? Maybe there's other war-related causes for these problems. The question is does Agent Orange cause them...not does Agent Orange cause CFS???

Good luck from OZ.

-- posted by redback

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» rlafave - Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war

Fibromyalgia Vietnam Has anyone ever heard of agent orange as the cause of FMS(Fibroymyalgia), or CFS? I was diagnosed with it eight years ago and I haven't located other people with FMS or CFS they would also be x-military exposed to agent orange on their tour of duty.
My condition is getting so bad with pain that I can no longer drive and I am losing my eye sight and my hearing is also getting worse as the weeks go on. The VA decided it wasn't war related and I can't tell them any different. I have to go to appeals and I hear that can take up to three years just to be heard. I have pictures of me with the stuff all over my uniform. Now I have to fight a government that I foght to protect. I was brownwater navy.
Isn't that just great...
Bob

-- posted by rlafave

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» dckshr - Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war

In response to Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war posted by rlafave:

In reply to your question...the answer should be yes.
there's a thin line there. Agent Orange is the name of the chemical "DIOXIN" that was used in the Herbicide treatment.
(The soldiers were told this herbicide was safe..but it was taken off the market shortly after.) My husband is a Vietnam Vet '69-70. My son & daughter both have symptoms from Agent Orange, daughter researched and went to specialists and been diagnosed with FibroMyalgia,but still in testing. This specialist told her what she had, she was born with. My husband has been in pest control for 40 years. He has been schooled and lectured on these chemicals..so..he knows what this chemical, and what it does to creatures and the human body. For one this chemical attacks the nerves from the spine that go to all parts of the body, and it is passed thru to the children and grandchildren..with sorts of different effects. The gov. isn't going to tell you THAT! If you go to a Dr. don't mention ANYTHING about Agent Orange or Vietnam. I could go into a great deal of detail but it will tak a while. If you or anyone with symptoms on this (and you or a parent are a Vietnam Vet.) would like to contact me feel free to do so at: dckshr@graceba.net
sincerely,
sharon

-- posted by dckshr

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» DrTomChi - Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war

In response to Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war posted by rlafave:

if you are in NY state and don't have financial resources I'll be happy to provide several treatments for you. Presumably the loss of vision would be related to tight muscles in the neck (you only referred to pain syndrome-FMS).

Read about my breakthrough therapy at www.FixPainNow.com
Questions? DrChi@FixPainNow.com

best wishes to you.

-- posted by DrTomChi

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» Brenford - Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war

In response to Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war posted by rlafave:

There are a lot of people going through the same thing. I'm not sure if Fibromyalgia is classified as an autoimmune disease or not, but in 2002 I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and I'm fighting the same battle that you are. In some way the VA can say that agent orange can cause autoimmune diseases such as Type II diabetes and leukemia and rule out the total sprectrum of other autoimmune diseases.

-- posted by Brenford

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» floorburns - Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war

In response to Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war posted by rlafave:
I too have FMS. Almost 10 years now of waiting on the VA to do something. They keep saying I didn't pass my Agent Orange screening way back in 1984. They said I should have come forward right after I came home(1971) after 18 months.. Nothing was known about AO then. I had to retire from my job as a mail carrier because my body couldn't stand the pounding it was getting walking 14 miles a day. I have been able to work in a job were I pretty much dictate what I work at as to how my body feels, but sometimes I push it when I start feeling good and pay for it later. In 1998 while going through the disability physical by a third party Dr. I was sent to a pain control specialist. This Dr. put me through days of tests, unlike the VA with the 30 min. torture test by some foreign DR that I couldn't even understand his questions and I know he didn't understand my answers. I was diagnosed with FMS by this private Dr. I have been trying to get another evaluation from the VA. Got a hold of my congressman just 1 week ago and I have the huge pile of papers to fill out. My County Service Officer said to say NOTHING in the forms about AO and to treat as a NEW exam. I have had problems since around 1975 as I started to loose feeling in my thigh muscles. I have also lost all the hair on my legs and the stabbing pains are worst when I'm driving or lying down. Very few full nights sleep. Thanks to the internet we now have many more spray maps and even the amounts that were sprayed in these area's. In 1984 I was told I wasn't at a certain base camp or that area wasn't sprayed. I have since collected proof of all my area's of service and also of course these maps. You are not alone in your quest.
Floorburns

-- posted by floorburns

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» Elaine Moore - Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war

In response to Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war posted by floorburns:

For those of you asking about Agent Orange and fibromyalgia,
here's some links to a report that came out the other day.

Gulf War illness 'chemical link'
There is evidence linking chronic health problems suffered by Gulf War veterans to exposure to pesticides and nerve agents, US research has found.
Gulf War illness linked to chemical exposure Reuters

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/728890...

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNew...

http://health.yahoo.com/news/reuters/gul...
Suite101
Feature Writer Elaine Moore

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» Alicia Mae Prater - Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war

In response to Fibromyalgia agent orange Vietnam - gulf war posted by daisyelaine:

This link may be helpful in regards to treatment and easing symptoms
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromy...

Fibromyalgia has actually been known for 200 years, so it's not only caused by chemical warfare agents. But dioxin has been used to poison dignitaries in recent decades and it can cause nerve damage. Since FM is a nerve disease it's always possible until studies show otherwise.

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