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October 3rd, 2011, 05:33 PM
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#1 | | Old Salt
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Coastal NC
Posts: 1,863
| Iraq and Afghan vets with lung issues.
Anyone else having breathing problems? Shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma-like symptoms, nosebleeds? I went to the VA to get this looked at and wasn't given much info other than "this is something new we are seeing with vets from GWOT" and got an asthma inhaler prescribed to me.
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October 3rd, 2011, 05:42 PM
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#2 | | Lifer
Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tampa
Posts: 3,297
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I've had some breathing problems lately when I run. After about a quarter mile at a nine minute mile pace or faster, I start wheezing. Haven't gone to the VA yet. As long as I can pass my APFT, I'm not going to risk a medical discharge over an asthma diagnosis.
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October 3rd, 2011, 05:51 PM
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#3 | | Automatic Rifleman
Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: New Mexico
Posts: 157
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I have heard about these symptoms from a lot of vets who served in those theaters. In the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico there is a virus that causes the same types of symptoms. People who live there call it "Valley Fever." Some people have it and never get really that sick and after a week or so the symptoms go away. Others have a really difficult time with it and it lasts a very long time. I wonder if it may be the same type of virus?
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October 3rd, 2011, 06:43 PM
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#4 | | Squad Leader
Join Date: May 2011 Location: North Georgia
Posts: 284
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I had some issues for a while after my two tours in Iraq. A large part of the problem was determined to be the massive trash fires that all of the military bases in Iraq had. The fire at Al-Asad was absolutely massive and I flew through the damn smoke nearly every day. The problem is not the burning of simple trash, but stuff that had chemicals on it such as fuel and oil barrels, various materials that emit toxic odors when burned, and even animal carcasses. Because every base burned just about everything, we see these symptoms from troops stationed all over the country.
Here is a link to one of many articles on the situation.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/05/AR2010080506807.html
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October 3rd, 2011, 06:52 PM
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#5 | | Old Salt
Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Texas
Posts: 1,521
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Yeah, I get a bit of that actually. Notice it more and more. I used to run in the low 1300's for my two mile. Not so much anymore. APFT is no biggie but still. There is something to be said for all this. Sometimes I feel quit lethargic too, for no reason. Im a healthy, in shape guy too.
What about living with them, eating their food and sleeping in their beds on sniper missions? prolly wasent a good idea...
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October 3rd, 2011, 07:00 PM
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#6 | | Automatic Rifleman
Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: central texas
Posts: 163
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Have your self checked by a civilian doctor for emphysema, glad I did thought it was asthma.
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October 5th, 2011, 01:12 AM
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#7 | | Designated Marksman
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Yuma, AZ
Posts: 557
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Vandal  I had some issues for a while after my two tours in Iraq. A large part of the problem was determined to be the massive trash fires that all of the military bases in Iraq had. The fire at Al-Asad was absolutely massive and I flew through the damn smoke nearly every day. The problem is not the burning of simple trash, but stuff that had chemicals on it such as fuel and oil barrels, various materials that emit toxic odors when burned, and even animal carcasses. Because every base burned just about everything, we see these symptoms from troops stationed all over the country.
Here is a link to one of many articles on the situation.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/05/AR2010080506807.html | A close friend of mine developed brain cancer after spending a tour in Iraq living downwind from a burn pit. It eventually killed him, but the VA did declare him 100% service-connected disabled because of this. If you were exposed to the smoke from a burn pit, GET IT DOCUMENTED and seek treatment!!
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October 5th, 2011, 06:04 AM
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#8 | | Banned Camp
Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: State of Jefferson
Posts: 971
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Tenfeathers Have your self checked by a civilian doctor for emphysema, glad I did thought it was asthma. |
The VA and .mil Dr.s will look at everything BUT war related causes. I pray to God that the GWOT Vets dont start dropping like those from Desert Storm.
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October 5th, 2011, 06:36 AM
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#9 | | Master Gunner
Join Date: May 2010 Location: Utah
Posts: 863
| Quote:
Originally Posted by wbm I have heard about these symptoms from a lot of vets who served in those theaters. In the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico there is a virus that causes the same types of symptoms. People who live there call it "Valley Fever." Some people have it and never get really that sick and after a week or so the symptoms go away. Others have a really difficult time with it and it lasts a very long time. I wonder if it may be the same type of virus? | That is brought on typically by digging into the dirt and releasing spores from a plant.
Nasty crap to say the least.
I will check with my bro today. He was over there and is now back in the west.
Go get checked!!!! Please. At least get checked as you out process.
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October 5th, 2011, 08:10 PM
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#10 | | Automatic Rifleman
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: where ever the wind blows
Posts: 161
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If you did the burn pit duty you are at higher risk than other joes. I have some issues with what you decribed but attribute mine to hyperventalating
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October 5th, 2011, 08:37 PM
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#11 | | Squad Leader
Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orygun
Posts: 264
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I noticed symptoms come up about 2 months after I got back. It's not severe enough, at this point, to interfere with my ability to do my job competently. Like it was said earlier, I don't want to report it because I don't want a medical discharge over the occasional wheeze. Just add it to the list of crap that will suddenly be brought to the attention of doc when I get out. If every service member reported injuries and sicknesses that the military deems discharge worthy we'd be cut by a 1/3 at least.
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November 10th, 2011, 07:45 PM
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#12 | | Designated Marksman
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Illinois
Posts: 579
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Would the talcum powder like sand you guys breathed have anything to do with it?
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November 10th, 2011, 07:54 PM
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#13 | | Banned Camp
Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: State of Jefferson
Posts: 971
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For chronic health issues, Vets should NEVER go to the VA for a diagnosis!
My God, do you think a Govt. agency is going to give an honest evaluation of health problems their counterpart may be the cause of?
HOW LONG WAS AGENT ORANGE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG?!?!
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November 10th, 2011, 08:46 PM
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#14 | | Lifer
Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tampa
Posts: 3,297
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Originally Posted by 54321 For chronic health issues, Vets should NEVER go to the VA for a diagnosis! | If they want a chance at disability claims they will. Do you say that from personal experience or is that just something you read somewhere? I personally don't like the VA but I know plenty of people who have had good experiences or couldn't afford to go anywhere else.
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November 11th, 2011, 06:12 AM
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#15 | | Old Salt
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kentucky
Posts: 1,461
| Quote:
Originally Posted by GARRARD If they want a chance at disability claims they will. Do you say that from personal experience or is that just something you read somewhere? I personally don't like the VA but I know plenty of people who have had good experiences or couldn't afford to go anywhere else. | If a person can afford to see a civilian doctor they should certainly get a second opinion on matters such as this.
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