Agent Orange and Neurological Disorders

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Oct 2, 2016

I just read a post from a veteran who discussed the effects of Agent Orange and Parkinson's Disease. It made me wonder if there are others who have had similar experiences? If so, is there anything you have learned from your medical team and/or the VA regarding this? Please feel free to share your story.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System Support Group.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 10, 2016

In reply to @ajgray "My dad had shrapnel removed from his head that had been there for 30 yrs +...." + (show)

@ajgray I find it incredible when I discover how many veterans are dealing with such serious injuries.

macbeth | @macbeth | Dec 10, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

@retairforceman

I certainly do not hold any of this against you. You were following orders, and certainly, at that time, could not have foreseen the future problems that have been caused by Agent Orange. The responsibility lies with the government and with the manufacturers. They knew this would make people sick or kill them. To add insult to injury, they keep slithering away from their responsibility.

My heart goes out to you.

Macbeth

Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Dec 10, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

Dear @retairforceman,

Although I have never experienced combat, I want you to know that you and every soldier, in our eyes, is a selfless, valiant hero, deserving of so much more.

War is horrible, but remember, as @macbeth and @johnjames, and other members have said: you were following orders; you were like a sheepdog, protecting your herd. You may not know how to feel about what you've seen and done, but you should know that ALL of us matter; we need each other. Even the strongest of us need someone.
There are thousands of supporters who can learn from you, from all the hidden wounds that you bear, and from your strength to "do or die."

@retairforceman, we will never experience what you have gone through, but, for what it's worth, there are people here on Connect who care enough to try and provide some comfort, to show you the light when you cannot see it yourself.
You deserve to be safe, healthy and happy now.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 10, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

@kanaazpereira What a great message of appreciation!

ggopher | @ggopher | Dec 10, 2016

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@mivy @johnjames @ggopher @macbeth @retairforceman @Robert43DAP @johnbishop I just posted under the Mental Health category information..." + (show)

I found the trailer quite depressing and can't wait to avoid the main release. Steve

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 10, 2016

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@mivy @johnjames @ggopher @macbeth @retairforceman @Robert43DAP @johnbishop I just posted under the Mental Health category information..." + (show)

@ggopher,I appreciate your thoughts. I can understand why you might feel this way. It is bound to evoke memories that are not pleasant. There was a group of Veteran's in Lansing Michigan that attended a showing and found aspects of the message of the movie encouraging. Best wishes as you work through these memories and experiences, Steve.

johnjames | @johnjames | Dec 10, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

Post62- I also remember very clearly seeing agent purple in Viet Nam- not that many times, compared to agent orange- but it's something you can forget- purple sprayed over such a large area of green jungle grass.

johnjames | @johnjames | Dec 10, 2016

In reply to @macbeth "@colleenyoung @hopeful33250 All I know is that it has been recognized as related to a host..." + (show)

@macbeth

@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?

Jump to this post

P 59. Yes, I was diagnosed with agent orange parkinson's almost 3 years now and it's progressing at a much faster pace. I was diagnosed last week while in the scottsdale- in Scottsdale, with " Aspiration Pneumonia " which is very serious and over time can be fatal. all because of Parkinsons and agent orange. JJAMES

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 11, 2016

In reply to @macbeth "@colleenyoung @hopeful33250 All I know is that it has been recognized as related to a host..." + (show)

@macbeth

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.

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?

Jump to this post

@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!