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Agent Orange and Neurological Disorders
Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: Apr 21, 2024 | Replies (136)Comment receiving replies
@colleenyoung
@hopeful33250
All I know is that it has been recognized as related to a host of diseases in Vietnam vets, including Parkinson's, diabetes, some cancers, and ischemic heart disease, among other conditions. The vet who helped us file a claim, at a nearby VA regional office, (and a comp doctor there) also believe it may also be connected to dementia/early onset dementia, which makes sense, due to the relationship to Parkinson's and ischemic heart disease (the higher rate of ischemic build-up around the heart is bound to be happening elsewhere in the body - such as in the brain), but, that not enough veterans or their families are making the connection and filing claims. More claims filed = more attention from the government. Also, I am being told that it will take many more years of research before the connection is officially recognized between AO and dementias, in general. I realize that not everyone who gets a disease has a family history of that disease, but my husband's family has no history of dementia, and I began to notice symptoms or wonder about him, as early as in his early - to - mid sixties, and maybe before that, looking back. But I was in denial. He also has the AO related ischemic heart disease. One of my brothers (Vietnam vet) had an AO related carcinoma, and had to have his leg amputated. It can wreak havoc decades after exposure. I know that many children of Vietnam vets have had problems that are being traced back to the AO exposure of a parent.
All you have to do, is begin to research this stuff on the net. There are a lot of very sad, very frustrating experiences related there.
I know that there is strength in numbers, and that being civil is very important, but that being tooooo polite does not get a job like this done. Vietnam veterans and their families need to be heard about these facts and overwhelming coincidences. They need to file claims. They need to write letters. They need to get louder. They need to push. They need to extend the support to Vietnam veterans that they rarely or never received for their service.
O. K. Now I'll dust off my hands and get off my high horse. Can you tell I'm a little passionate about this?
Replies to "@colleenyoung @hopeful33250 All I know is that it has been recognized as related to a host..."
@johnjames - My husband had the aspiration pneumonia until he was injected with the Botox at Mayo Phoenix. Please look into that as it has helped him so very much. No problems swallowing or pneumonia since the injection - about 8 months ago. I watch my husband every day and know what you are going through. You will be in my thoughts as you continue this journey
@tntredhead Thanks for sharing that with @johnjames. Valuable information!
Does he have Parkinsons as well? That's the dirving force with my throat- be able to swallow fast enough
Keep up the GOOD WORK, and thank you for your service. I am a widow of a BURIED VETERAN from VIETNAM who experienced pain and mental illness. He died from a DRUG OVERDOSE in 1977, he was 31. AGENT ORANGE was not the only threat, there was bluand yellow and other colors. The GOVERNMENT COVERED MOST OF IT UP> HELICOPTERS BROUGHT BARRELS OF THE
stuff and some broke open, IT DEFOLIATED THE MEKONG DELTA SO THAT THE TREES WERE BARE and could not hide the ENEMY soldiers.
I'm with you on this one, Brother.
Vets, get those claims filed. And if possible, get a good veteran Service Officer to write it for you. (They know the proper wording on the claim forms.)
And to all of my Nam brothers, welcome home.
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@johnjames I'm so sorry to hear of your aspiration pneumonia diagnosis. Someone in our group mentioned that Botox injections had helped her husband with the aspiration pneumonia. Have you been told about that? If not, you might ask. Best wishes to you in your journey!