Agent Orange and Neurological Disorders

Hello @johnjames We do have a Parkinson's conversation under the Brain Nervous System category. As I recall, that is where your conversation started. Tell us again, if you want to share, about your most troublesome symptoms and what you are doing now, i.e., medications, physical therapy, exercise programs, etc. Exercise is extremely important for this disorder. Have you heard about Boxing Therapy for PD?

My father was just recently Dx with this.. he also had shrapnel in his head that caused balance problems, it was on his head for 30 years before they removed it, he has neuropathy, ( he broke his ankle and couldn't feel it. He has tremors constani. Balance issues, sleep apnea. And migranes every morning... he was a Vietnam vet

@ajgray
First, I am sorry about your father's illnesses.

Second, since my husband is a Vietnam vet with ischemic heart disease and dementia, who has been getting what they call migraine headaches every day also, I would be interested in what they say is the cause of your father's migraines, and what treatments they may have prescribed for him. They do not want him to have OTC pain relievers more than one or two, two to three times a week, so he spends too much time in the recliner, resting to deal with the pain. He has had one round of Botox injections, with little relief. I am told it will get better after the second round, in December. They have recently prescribed Divalproex, to get him to the next round of Botox, but that doesn't seem to help much, either, and seems to make his confusion worse.
Thank you for your post!

Occipital nerve blocks, it can be done in office visit, my dad goes to Truman, but I've woeked for pain management for 4 years.. it's an injection contains a anesthetic, usually sensorcaine (bupivacaine HCI injection) and either Kenolog or depo medrol, its actually a lot better than Botox, my father had that first with no relief ..the nerve block actually makes you not have any feeling in that area and can last for 3 months at a time, so it's definitely worth having your dad try...

VA and Stanford to Pursue the Nation’s First Hadron Center

Goal for the center will be to treat Veteran and non-Veteran patients using Hadron therapy
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Stanford Medicine announced today that they are collaborating to establish the nation’s first Hadron Center in Palo Alto, CA, for the benefit of Veteran and non-Veteran cancer patients who could benefit from Hadron therapy.
VA maintains a strong academic and research affiliation with Stanford Medicine. This long-standing partnership has enabled the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) to offer an exceptional breadth of medical services to Veterans. Now, VA and Stanford University are looking to expand and enhance this affiliation through new collaborative efforts around the Hadron Center and particle beam therapy for Veteran and non-Veteran patients with cancer.
During his 2016 State of the Union Address, President Obama called on Vice President Biden to lead a new, national Cancer Moonshot, focused on making a decade's worth of progress in preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer in five years – ultimately striving to end cancer as we know it. After meeting with experts across the country and the world, Vice President Biden identified areas of focus for the Cancer Moonshot – based on barriers to progress and opportunities for improving patient outcomes – and announced a first wave of accomplishments at the Cancer Moonshot Summit on June 29, 2016 at Howard University in Washington, DC.
Today, Vice President Biden is releasing the final report of the Cancer Moonshot Task Force, along with his own Executive Findings, after traveling to many of the major nerve centers in the cancer community. He will also unveil a new set of Federal actions, private sector actions, and collaborative partnerships to further advance the goals of the Cancer Moonshot Task Force, including the Hadron Center.
“We are excited to further expand our current partnership with Stanford Medicine, and explore ways to continue leading Veterans health care into the 21st century. The state-of-the-art Hadron Center would not only improve the lives of those affected by cancer, but further demonstrate VA’s ability to partner toward pioneering innovation and exceptional health care,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald.
In addition to the Hadron Center, other efforts are underway to support the Cancer Moonshot Task Force: the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) made a contribution of $50 million dollars to VA for precision oncology research over the next 5 years; the IBM Watson Million Veteran Initiative will provide 10,000 diagnostic and cancer treatment analyses over the next 2 years; and VA and PCF will host a national oncology summit, “Launch Pad: Pathways to InnoVAtion,” on November 29.
“These efforts underscore VA’s dedication and ability to work with private sector leaders and innovative academic institutions, like Stanford University, toward improving Veteran access to leading edge technology,” said VA Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Strategic Partnerships, Matthew S. Collier.
The Hadron Center is anticipated to be a clinical facility, designed to deliver particle radiation beam therapy for the treatment of cancer patients. Presently, the most common radiation beams used for cancer treatment are photons and electrons, which are easy to target to a tumor but can result in damage to normal tissue. Particle beam radiotherapy, on the other hand, uses beams of charged particles such as proton, helium, carbon or other ions to allow more precise targeting anywhere inside the patient’s body, resulting in less damage to normal tissue. Particle beam therapy can be more effective at killing radiation-resistant tumors that are difficult to treat using conventional radiation therapy. Judicious and innovative application of particle therapy can result in improved cure rates for cancer.
“Through our Precision Health vision, Stanford Medicine is committed to providing more personalized health care that is tailored to each individual,” said Lloyd Minor, MD, dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine. “Planning for the Hadron Center embodies this commitment, as we seek to identify optimal ways to offer targeted treatment that both reduces harm and promotes healing.”
This project would be the first of its kind in the nation and serves as an excellent example of public-private collaboration to further research and clinical care, using cutting-edge cancer therapy.
The Hadron Center would significantly complement VAPAHCS’s mission to provide the most advanced care for Veterans, by offering those with cancer access to Hadron therapy treatments and participation in clinical trials.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420
Last updated Oct 17, 2016

@johnjames, please join the Parkinson's discussion here: http://mayocl.in/2abXKUs

As Teresa mentioned, the Parkinson's discussions are found in the Brain & Nervous System at the moment, but we are planning to make it a group of its own soon.

I wonder how many of you struggle with Parkinson's- you know I have many was injuries -like everyone else did- But Parkinson's has the most side affects- I was diagnosed with Agent Orange Parkinson;s over 2 years ago and the side affects seems to show up every week. From running into stuff, dropping dishes(not good) to the constant struggle to move in a straight t line, or move at all- the morning are awful- the body won't move for the first 2 hours-even those the mind is working find. I was at Sarbucks getting a coffee and I picked up the cup and then tipped it over on the counter- never felt it turn in my hand. It effects your vision, your speech, your tone of voice and volume of your voice. I start shaking sometimes out of the blue- people look at you as if your difference, or strange. Our culture at this time in history-is cold, distance, non- caring, selfish for the most part- I see people with a disability trying to open the door and folks walking right by them- but if we see that or things like that, we should help and maybe make a difference.

@johnjames
I am so sorry for what you must do on a daily basis to live with this. I agree with you. I think things would be better if we could all slow down, look around, and be a lot more kind. We like to go to a local coffee shop for a cup . I don't know how much longer this will be possible, but, so far, we still enjoy that. I will be thinking of you. I hope you continue to stop for your coffee, and enjoy it!

Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, and heart felt connection, yes -God willing and Starbucks doesn't
close- I will be there every chance I get. Thank you-in my prayers, JJAMES

@mivy @johnjames @ggopher @macbeth @retairforceman @Robert43DAP @johnbishop I just posted under the Mental Health category information about a film called, Thank You For Your Service. Since many of you (or all of you) are veterans I wanted you to have an opportunity to view the trailer and start a discussion about it. I value your input! Also, please pass this information on to others who might be interested as well.