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- Go to Two Soldiers With Similar Problems: How Many More?
Blackcat
His military medical record started at age 18 LOL! There is much before it. But yes, I do know what you are saying and sadly it probably is not that different even now. Remember the Gulf War Syndrome? That still has not been taken care of.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 19, 2006 at 10:08 AM
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I missed this post somehow....
I agree with Taps about documenting everything... especially make sure that you have his clean medical records before his service time. My father came home with after effects from the Vietnam war ... bio and chemical warfare affected many men but the gov't needed much coercing before they would accept responsibility.
It wouldn't surprise me if the same type stuff goes on now. Let us know the results of his tests. 
posted by
-blackcat
on July 19, 2006 at 10:04 AM
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Nautikos
I agree with you. Sadly most of these soldiers also take the attitude of "shit happens". Yes, it does, but sometimes the "shit" is dumped on them in ways they can't even imagine. Unlike those who just take this as this kind of thing happens I am willing to raise hell and fight for them to be taken care of. I didn't sign on as an Army wife to make friends, I signed on because I love my husband and I'll be damned if I let someone do harm to him without fighting with all I have.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 19, 2006 at 8:10 AM
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bel,
I can only second what Pat B is saying! We've got cases like that here in Canada, dragging on for years! It really infuriates me!
Soldiers must expect to be shot at, but they should also be able to expect complete support, whether it's in the field or with problems aquired while in the service!
posted by
Nautikos
on July 19, 2006 at 8:03 AM
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Pat
Thank you. Believe me this is not something I am going to let go of until I know for sure what the hell is going on. There are two possible physical causes at this point and there is always the possiblity of it just being a side effect of PTDS. I am trying to be rational about the whole thing. Once these two have blood tests done then we should have a better indication. Thanks so much!
posted by
bel_1965
on July 19, 2006 at 7:46 AM
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Bel, you said you were getting mad as you deal with this issue...
Please, don't get mad -- at least not hot anger that cools down. Get hold of that cold steel, deep down determined anger that gives you the motivation to keep working on the powers that be until you get the real facts. So far you've got a few facts, a few cases - which could be exceptions or highly unusual. It's bad enough we're sending soldiers to be shot at by the enemy: our own system shouldn't be putting them in harm's way. I'm sorry about the trouble caused for Carl and his compadre, and hope it's not widespread.
posted by
Pat_B
on July 19, 2006 at 7:43 AM
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Will do Justi
posted by
bel_1965
on July 18, 2006 at 6:23 PM
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bel
Keep me informed when he has his blood tests. Okay?
posted by
Justi
on July 18, 2006 at 5:19 PM
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Justi
HOnestly this is probably going to be a very long haul to prove anything. From my research I suspect something called "depleted uranium" may be the culprit now we just have to get these men to be willing to speak out on the problem that a large number in Carl's unit seem to be experiencing. I am more worried about the long term effects than I am about the current problem. Carl will be going in next week for blood tests then we should know a bit better if there is anything out of the ordinary.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 18, 2006 at 4:59 PM
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WritersBlok
PTSD is the easy answer for everything where the soldiers are concerned YET they will not acknowledge that spouses often suffer from PTSD as well. Believe me in the past 18 months I have learned military loopholes and then some. I am less than impressed.
Thanks Again
posted by
bel_1965
on July 18, 2006 at 4:57 PM
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Bel,
The medical profession as a whole tends to cite stress as an easy excuse for most ailments so I am not surprised the military is looking for the same cop-out! I wish there was something I could do to help other than send you my good wishes.
posted by
WritersBlok
on July 18, 2006 at 4:44 PM
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Bet
When will we know something/
posted by
Justi
on July 18, 2006 at 2:03 PM
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Taps
repeated or not it is good advice.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 8:04 PM
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Passion
I worry about you in that regard. Please keep a very, very close eye on your health and if ANYTHING seems odd don't delay a visit to the doc.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 8:03 PM
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Writersblok
It is specific to males to the best of my knowledge. Yeah from there you can pretty well deduct where the issue is centered. Right now they are trying to attribute it ALL to PTSD and granted that may be a portion of the problem but I do not believe it to be the entirety of the issue.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 8:02 PM
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Blanche
That seems like something that is so you! You will be amazing at something of that sort!
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 8:01 PM
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Oh Lordy, I hope its nothing serious...you know how hard it can be
To get the military to be forthcoming....I'm wondering when the first responders to Katrina will start having strange symptoms.
posted by
Passionflower
on July 17, 2006 at 5:31 PM
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Bel, I know this is repeat, but document everything: symptoms, hx, dates, thoughts, everything.
posted by
TAPS.
on July 17, 2006 at 4:57 PM
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I agree
VA probably won't fess up to anything unless whistleblowers make them. Is this problem specific to males or are females affected by it too?
posted by
WritersBlok
on July 17, 2006 at 4:46 PM
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oh, and getting to the second part of your comment, yes, I'm working on
that, too. The class I'm taking on Saturdays is leading towards a certification as a Certified Peer Counselor, a mental health advocate. If ever there is a group in need of advocacy, for people who are unable to stand up for themselves, and speak up, it is that one. We've seen some prime example right here.
posted by
Blanche.
on July 17, 2006 at 3:02 PM
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Bel, not after we get through kicking butt and taking names!
posted by
Blanche.
on July 17, 2006 at 2:59 PM
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LOL Blanche
DC will never be the same!!! Hmmmmmmm maybe we can raise some hell about the social services system while we are at it!
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 2:51 PM
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Hey, Bel, drop me a line and I'll go screaming off to DC with you!
You know me. I love a good cause.
posted by
Blanche.
on July 17, 2006 at 2:22 PM
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LOL Blanche
I have never been one to go with the flow and if what is coming up today is even close to being what it appears I will be screaming all the way to DC if that is what it takes.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 2:21 PM
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Bel, well facts are always the enemy of panic, I believe
The more information you have, the less fearful you may be, and getting mad is a good thing, imho. I'm not a "go with the flow" kind of person when someone I care about is involved.
posted by
Blanche.
on July 17, 2006 at 2:15 PM
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Blanche
I am working on it and getting madder as I do! I keep hoping I am over reacting to the whole thing but the more I dig the less I belive that to be the case.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 2:07 PM
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I hope it's nothing like the Gulf War I syndrome, Bel
I don't know much about it, but there have been reports. It's been long enough, 1991, to see reports surface. Still, I like what ER nurse said, "collect data'. solid facts, if nothing else, it will put your fears to rest.
posted by
Blanche.
on July 17, 2006 at 1:38 PM
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Bel, still, it's amazing what one person can do, bureaucracies hate bad PR
posted by
Blanche.
on July 17, 2006 at 1:36 PM
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Blanche
I am hoping it's my imagination running away with me, but from talking to quite a few people today it's starting to look more and more like they were exposed to something that has had some rotten side effects.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 1:36 PM
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Avant
I never do.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 1:35 PM
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Wiley
I pray it won't take that long as if this is more than just a coincidence between these two men this is a SERIOUS issue and it's going to cause a great deal of grief to many soldiers and their families. I am hoping that I am wrong about all of it and that I am just over reacting.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 1:24 PM
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Bel, I have faith in your dogged persistence, whatever it is, you will find
it! If it was in Iraq or if it is in the service vaccines, then by all means, keep digging, these things need to be exposed.
posted by
Blanche.
on July 17, 2006 at 1:12 PM
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Bel
I'm with you. I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.
posted by
avant-garde
on July 17, 2006 at 1:09 PM
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bel 1965
I hope you get to the bottom of things. It only took me about 12 years to get to the bottom of what my military service did to me.
posted by
WileyJohn
on July 17, 2006 at 12:07 PM
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Fourcats
By the time I got to Carl over the Thanksgiving holdiday after he left home on Halloween of that year his arm had a HUGE hole in it from the small pox vaccine. He said they ran them through a battery of vaccines for various things. I don't know if this is isolated between just these two men or if it's wider spread. I suppose only time will tell.
Thanks!
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 10:49 AM
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i have long been of the opinion that much happens to the citizens of the
u.s. without their knowledge. look at the amount of drugs that are allowed on the market before true long-term side effects are known.
not that i in anyway want to alarm you anymore than you may be right now. my heart goes out to you as you watch your men struggle. i hope you find your answers soon.
posted by
fourcats
on July 17, 2006 at 10:43 AM
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Justi
Thank you so much!
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 9:28 AM
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Bel
Please keep us informed. Be blessed. We will pray for Carl.
posted by
Justi
on July 17, 2006 at 9:22 AM
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ER
Thank you so much
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 7:55 AM
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Very interesting.....
I hope that you are able to get to the bottom of what ever their problem is. Please remember there is power in numbers. Collect as much data as you can. Best of luck and my prays to.
posted by
ER-Nurse
on July 17, 2006 at 7:53 AM
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MC
I am not sure how insightful it is, I am pretty confused and even more concerned with the whole thing.
posted by
bel_1965
on July 17, 2006 at 6:29 AM
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Bel 1965 Thank you for this insightful post!
posted by
MountainClimber57
on July 17, 2006 at 6:27 AM
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