Agent Orange and Neurological Disorders

@howardjames
I had not yet heard of this one. I must say that I am very sorry for both of you, and that I find this condition very interesting. May I ask how they found the condition? MRI? CT scan?

MRI scan. This was taken to Mayo Clinic in Rochester and they did further tests and gave prognosis of 3 to 4 years to live. I have not found anyone with this diagnosis on this Mayo Clinic Line.

Teresa- I agree, I hope the conversations continue and we all can learn more about AO and not feel like we can difference. One issue that has affected me the last 6 months - is the attack on my immune system, which AO has a high rate of showing up with immune disorders that cause other health problems. I have had Pneumonia 4 times in the last 5 months, my Dr. believes is because of the immune system being so compromised, it also was the diagnoses of my low blood count for Iron, They sent me to the Cancer center for IV Infusions of Iron for two weeks in order to bring the blood count back up. One of the issues soldiers will tell other soldiers and chaplains -( is how alone they feel- most people who find out a soldier of any branch has AO disorder- they distance themselves- which I have found to be true with AO and more so with PTSD) many think PTSD is a sign meaning the person is dangerous - but if people would do the medical research- PTSD is where soldiers don't want to be around people, stay alone, avoid crowds, parties, Malls, and they are very passive. Yes, there may be a case somewhere among so many - but usually it's caused by other reasons that they have been experiencing -or a problem they have had for a while. The reason I researched it is because I have PTSD- and I loss my self worth, and I don't hang around more than one friend and my wife- who is also a Viet Nam Nurse and Vet. We are really to private- Just Church and a few friends- which are 90% Military, or Law Enforcement. JJames

It was discovered by his local doctor who got an MRI. Then we went to Mayo. No one has replied with this diagnosis.

Hope you found the Article on the AO site- about the approval of skin cancer- caused by AO. JJAMES

Vietnam War veterans with prior exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange may be at higher risk for certain types of skin cancer, suggests a report in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Skin Cancers Present in About Half of Vets Exposed to Agent Orange
During the Vietnam War, Agent Orange was widely used as herbicide and jungle defoliant. It has been linked to a wide range of cancers and other diseases, caused by the highly toxic dioxin contaminant TCDD. "TCDD is among the most carcinogenic compounds ever to undergo widespread use in the environment," according to Dr. Clemens and coauthors. Veterans Affairs recognizes and provides benefits for certain cancers and health problems associated with prior dioxin exposure during military service, however skin cancer is currently not one of them.
The researchers analyzed medical records of 100 consecutive men who enrolled in the Agent Orange registry at the Veterans Affairs Hospital of Washington, DC, between August 2009 and January 2010. Exposure to TCDD consisted of living or working in contaminated areas for 56 percent of veterans, actively spraying Agent Orange in 30 percent, and traveling in contaminated areas for 14 percent. The study was limited to men with lighter skin types.
Non-Melanoma vs. Melanoma: The VA’s Use of Agent Orange in Viet Nam
March 31, 2015/in Agent Orange, Veterans /by Hill & Ponton P.A.
Over the years, there has been a great deal of documentation on how herbicides affect veterans – specifically Viet Nam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Agent Orange was a chemical spray widely used during the Viet Nam War to clear and destroy foliage in the jungles. Although effective in its purpose, it has been linked to a wide range of cancers and other diseases due to the fact it contains dioxin – a well-known carcinogen. The impact Agent Orange has on the skin – the body’s largest organ – is the primary focus of this blog.
Back some years ago, between August 2009 and January 2010, a study was conducted amongst those veterans who enrolled in the Agent Orange Registry at the Veterans Affairs Hospital located in Washington, D.C. The study examined 100 men who worked in contaminated areas, were involved in the actual spraying of the agent, and those who traveled in the contaminated areas. Of the 100 men, all were known to have lighter or fair skin types. [Isn’t that ironic?]
Of the group tested, 43% was found to have a skin condition known as chloracne which has been proven to be caused by dioxins – as previously stated; a well-know carcinogen. Some of the other findings from the study included:
• 51% of the veterans having a non-melanoma, invasive skin cancer (still skin cancer);
• 73% represented veterans having participated in spraying Agent Orange resulting in the highest risk of skin cancer, and lastly;
• men with the lightest skin type and eyes also having a much higher risk of contracting non-melanoma skin cancer.
The good news is that there was no increased risk of the most dangerous type of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. Although a deadly form of cancer, the study did not document any differences between those males of similar age exposed to Agent Orange as compared to the general population. With that said, I do want to stress that this study took place five (5) years ago in 2010. Additionally, the study sample was extremely limited in both size and population.
Obviously, further studies are warranted to accurately decipher the impact of Agent Orange exposure as it relates to melanoma and non-melanoma types of cancer. [Not from any war-related contaminants, but via personal experience with malignant melanoma and its ramifications, I cannot express my adamancy of further research in this area.] Fortunately, this is exactly what is happening. Maybe not fast enough, though, since now four decades after the Viet Nam war ended, we are seeing an increase in the rates of non-melanoma skin cancer caused by this potent jungle defoliant. How could we not see such increases and possibly worse ailments — .these men and women were exposed to gallons upon gallons of this cancerous pesticide. Granted, the government’s reasoning was to destroy and remove the forestry that was concealing the enemy by destroying the crops. That it surely did. But today, we know that there were over 1.5 million Americans serving in Viet Nam during that time when the use of Agent Orange was most intense. Was this the best alternative? Our men and women may have survived the war zone, but now are battling a new war back at home!
Back in the 70’s, veterans returning from war began to report a number of ailments that included skin rashes that seemed “minor” in nature. In having discussions with my husband and his fellow Viet Nam veterans, they often referred to this condition as “jungle rot”. [This is a discussion for a future blog.] Today, it is quite common to hear of the skin condition, chloracne, which was observed in 43% of the veterans who were part of the study referred to above – much more than just a “minor” ailment..
The researchers acknowledge that flaws existed in their study and that more extensive research to include a control group is necessary to obtain more accurate results. The relative risks within this population most definitely warrant further studies in an effort to support our veterans and provide the care they earned and truly deserve. Let’s work together to make sure this happens for our veterans and those currently serving our country – the United States of America.

Thank God for our sisters and brothers in the military! -- jjames

I HOPE THIS HELPED OTHER VETS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

@johnjames

Thank you!

DR ROBERT HADDOCK CHIEF EPIDEMIOLOGIST FOR THE GUAM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WHO PROVEDT HAT I PERSONALLY KILLED THOUSANDS OF UNBORN BABIES AND COUNTLESS THOUSANDS OF VETERANS . HE NEEDS THE MAYO CLINIC, ASPEN FOUNDATION, AND OTHERS TO EXERT PRESSURE ON DOD, USAF, USN, USA, VA AND CONGRESS TO COOPERATE WITH HIM TO COME TO MORE ACCURATE FINDINGS WHICH HE WANTS TO INCLUDE VETERANS AND THEIR AFFECTED FAMILIES. THE CANCER RATES ON GUAM ARE THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD. I KIILED SO MANY AS I HANDLED MIXED AND POWER SPRAYED AO, AW, AB, AP AND SILVEX POWDER AND CRYSTALS ON GUAM FROM SEPTEMBER 68 TO JUN 78. DR HADDOCK'S EMAIL IS ROBHAD@YAHOO.COM

Thanks to @johnjames @retairforceman @johnbishop @macbeth who continue to share information based on their experiences and research. I appreciate it!

My husband was exposed to Agent Orange and has since had prostrate cancer/kidney cancer/and now Parkinson's and dementia. I spent months filling out paper work and working with the VA. Luckily in my town, I have two guys in the VA who are very knowledgeable, helpful, and will work like crazy to help the veteran. After several months, my hubby was pronounced 100% disabled which surely helps to pay for the care I have to have for him. The thing I leaned was to never accept the "No, we can't do that". When I was told no I asked why and I insisted they give me reasons they said no. The farther up the line he applications went, the worst it became but I didn't give up. He spent 23 years in the military and deserves to be taken care of - as all veterans do.