More studies need to be performed on GW Veterans
As a Gulf War Veteran, I have suffered from digestive issues since returning in April of 1991. I have had numerous procedures and "FINALLY" I have a specialist actually going to look at my small bowel. This is the very first time EVER that a specialist has made mention of this examine. So my suggestion is if there are thousands of service members suffering from digestive issues and they are part of this Gulf War Illness Task Force, I would suggest that the gastroenterology do both procedures as the same time, colonoscopy and an endoscopy. If nothing comes of that, then they need to have the service member swallow a camera to examine the small bowel, simply because the scopes can not reach that organ because of the location. There is also blood work that can be done to see if there is a certain parasite in our system causing these problems. Just because a Veteran has multiple issues with their stomachs/digestive system don't give them a diagnosis because then they will have more concerns. If you don't know what is causing our problems, put down "UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS." It is always better to have something "unknown" then to give it a name and then find out that you truly never had it. Stop taking all the short cuts and do the right thing. It is about time that VA owns up to the fact that the PB pill is linked to a majority of our health issues. My question is on all these studies that have been conducted has there been enlisted personnel included on these studies? If not, then why? I only ask b/c it seems as though all of the segments that I see on the news; 60 minutes, CNN and other news outlets the only ones that seem to be getting everyone's attention is the officers. Why is that? Isn't it time that you actually interview and study those of us that actually were exposed to certain elements while in theater? It is hard for me to grasp that with all this technology we have today that the amount of money VA has approved in the past; 2.8 million dollars in 2010 that you have not found out what has caused these health problems in us Veterans. There are residuals that have been caused by the GWS and yet you have no answers, why? I mean in 2010 VA approved 2.8 million dollars for research, in early 2013 funding was reduced from 15 million to 4.9 million but yet there is no more information today then there was two decades ago. So where is the money going if there is no research being done? Who's pockets are getting fatter, while us service members try to figure out what is wrong with us? I don't know about other Veterans but I am sick and tired of my health condition. Now don't get me wrong, I have always been proud to say that I served my country with true honor and I would never turn my back on her; unlike our elected officials, the VA and countless other organizations have done. How can anyone that is affiliated with the VA, who is in a position to make something happen just close their eyes to what is right in front of them? Whatever happened to 'ethics' in the work place as well as in your personal life? So according to a report from the Environmental Health Perspective dated 19 Sept 2011 those of us in the Army that wore uniforms treated with pesticides, and took the PB pills were more than likely subjected to multivariables. This publication can be located on http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1003399 and the research belongs to Lea Steele, Antonio Sastre, Mary M. Gerkovich and Mary R Cook. There is also an interesting article in January/February 2012 magazine in reference to Gastrointestinal system and how it is linked to the deployments and service members still have issues long after their deployments have ended, note my deployment ended in April of 1991 and I have had to deal with this for 22 years. Wake up VA and take care of us. Just like the many comments about sleep apnea should be an automatic for those of us serving in theater. This diagnose is something that truly is linked to the Gulf War and there should not be any questions asked when a service member shows proof of this disability.