Gulf War Ailments - HealthBoards Message Boards

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Former Marine, served Desert Shield & Storm. In Dhahran 4 months, shipboard 4 months, at the Kuwait border 1 week under 1stMEF, supporting 1st & 2nd MARDIV during ground assault. VA service connected in 1998 for Migraines, IBS, & Asthma related to Gulf service. Also diagnosed with pleurisy, fibromyalgia, seronegative spondyloarthropathy, Reiter’s syndrome, CFS, and others. Malabsorption caused 90 lbs. weight loss in 17 months. Only regained 30 lbs. back in three years eating well over 5,000 calories per day. Skin problem diagnosed by VA as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, discoid lupus erythematosus, “lesions“, and photosensitivity. (They don't know do they?) Annoying problems like muscle twitching, numbness & tingling, painful swollen glands, & night sweats for over 12 years.

I received NO inoculations prior to going to the Gulf. I did drink filthy water and was subjected to thousands of flies and unsanitary conditions in Dhahran. My gas mask filters were dated 1972. Unit’s MOPP gear was missing. While on ship was exposed to oil fire smoke in the northern Gulf. Was given immuno gamma-globulin routinely and took PB Pills. Back on land, at the border during ground war, was within sight of burning oil field and breathed in the smoke for a little over a week. Was within 3 to 5 kilometers of 3 known chemical detections. (One by MAG-26, circa 24 Feb 91). These included sarin, tabun, soman, mustard, and an unknown nerve agent. (Found this out 7 years after war). On 25 Feb 91, did view confidential communiqué reporting mustard gas used against 1st MEF during ground war. (Provided this testimony to congress in mid-90’s, so it‘s no secret). Upon returning from Gulf, suffered digestive and lung problems, migraines, and other ailments. Given an inoculation here in the States that was “to keep us all from getting ...

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