Once and for all, I'd like to set the record straight with IOM, VA, NAS, CDC and DOD.
Today's Study: Gulf War Syndrome Doesn't Exist is another in a long line of irresponsible denials by agencies of our government in order to avoid responsibility, accountability and liability for our government's use of experimental vaccines and various additives and adjuvants on more than 20 years of active, reserve, and guard military personnel. This human experimentation has been done without informed consent upon the human guniea pigs we know as our protectors of freedom and liberty; our Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen, active, reserve and guards. Many thousands of Veterans and still active military suffer from the results of such experimentation.
My son, a Navy Corpsman with the Marines left a strong healthy young man for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He came home a different person, not only from battle issues, but his immune system had become compromised somehow and he was beginning to exhibit from the cluster of symptoms that which became called or known as GWS (Gulf War Syndrome), GWI, PGI and other names.
In searching for answers to this thief of physical stamina, neurological harmony and emotional well-being, one thing that stood out to me, a common denominator was that both deployed and non-deployed personnel were suffering from what some others were trying to say were environmental issues specific to battle conditions.
I know that battle environments are unhealthy and that folks can be ill from such exposures, like Agent Orange and radiation in my era, but I have been around long enough to know if deployed and non-deployed were suffering the same set of symptoms, there must be a commonality outside of the battlefield.
In my search I was introduced to a group of exceptional researchers including Dr. Pam Asa, Dr. Robert Garry and others, of Tulane University. Their outstanding research work with the potential involvement of experimental vaccines and adjuvants and the ramifications to unknowing human guinea pigs has become a passion of mine beginning shortly after the end of the Gulf War.
Along with their other hopeful scientific findings, the work done at Tulane clearly showed the presence of antibodies to one or more experimental vaccine adjuvant not lawful for use in any animals or humans.
The adjuvant, Squalene, when injected into the living animal apparently throws the auto-immune system into a type of hyper-drive; therefore, bringing forth in the vaccine/adjuvant recipient an array of symptoms (syndrome) which appears to be genetically predisposed specific to the individual.
The following is some information that I have been able to glean may prove helpful to those in need to know. I have shared this general symptom, diagnostics, treatment overview with a large number of active, reserve & guard military and veterans since shortly after the Gulf War until now.
*Did you serve in the military between 1985 and 2005?
*Have you received Anthrax or other experimental vaccines?
*Do you exhibit or suffer from any of the following symptoms?
There are recommended diagnostic procedures and treatments available for the syndrome of symptoms, frequently called Gulf War Syndrome, Persian Gulf Illnesses, or Gulf War Illnesses.
Recommended Diagnostic Procedures for Gulf War Syndrome
It is recommended that one be seen, diagnosed and treated by an immunologist or rheumatologist with extensive immunology training. If suffering from neurological problems, it is recommended one be seen by a neurologist, also with extensive immunology training.
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GWS IS:
Autoimmune-Neurological Diseases with Connective Tissue Disorders. Many are suffering Lupus-like and Thyroid autoimmune diseases. Not all develop the disease processes or symptoms the same way or at the same rate. GWS, being autoimmune has an ebb and flow action, with some days being really bad and other days not quite so bad, in symptom severity.
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GWS-SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:
(These can have different degrees of severity within a constellation)-Joint pain, muscle pain, rashes, photosensitive rashes, mouth sores, hair loss anywhere on the body, lymphadenopathy, increased allergic reactions, gastrointestinal problems, Raynaud's phenomenon, autoimmune thyroid disease, Reiter's syndrome, uvetis, autonomic nervous system neuropathies, autoimmune hepatitus, Sjogren's syndrome, intermittent low grade fevers, headaches, cerebellar atrophy, cerebral atrophy, memory loss, seizures, mood swings, autoimmune cardiomyopathy, peripheral neuropathies, reactive asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, polymyositis, MS, ALS and Lupus-like syndromes.
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GWS-DIAGNOSTIC TESTING PROCEEDURES & APPROPRIATE TREATMENTS:
There are diagnostic testing procedures and appropriate treatments available.
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GWS-APPROPRIATE DIAGNOSTIC PROCEEDURES:
There are appropriate diagnostic procedures, for those GW Era Vets and others with GWS illnesses and recommended treatments, depending on the severity of the illnesses, for controlling and reducing the symptoms and associated suffering.
GWS-RECOMMENDED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING:
Of importance is that the following tests need be done at the same time, not in a 2 tiered approach. Some may be missed if part of the tests are performed at different times. Also, if inconclusive at the time of initial testing, it may be necessary to have the tests performed again.
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GWS-THE TESTS:
FANA, ESR, CRP, CPK, Rheumatoid factor, C3, C4, anti-dsDNA, CBC (look for anemia,
leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia), SMA-20(look for abnormals), thyroid profiles,
antithyroid microsomal antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies, anti-MAG, anti-MBP,
antineuronal antibodies, if having brain atrophy look for antiglutamate decarboxylase
antibodies, for those with seizures, need exists for EEG's, MRI's, CT's.
GWS-RECOMMENDED TREATMENTS:
It is important to note that not all with GWS exhibit the same symptoms nor do all progress in their illnesses at the same rate. Since that is the case, not all treatments will be the same either. Treatments are individualized to associated patient risks. Some do not respond to various medications as do others. Treatments will also vary depending on severity. All treatments should be decided upon by one’s health care provider.
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GWS-THE TREATMENTS:
Some of the recommended treatments are: nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory meds, steroid creams for rashes, cortisone, Plaquenil, Prednesone, Sulphasalazine, I.V. Cytoxan, I.V. Gamma Globlin & Medrol. Use of the individual treatments or in combinations will be physician determined based on the results of testing and which syndromes or symptoms you may have. For example, those with connective tissue difficulties, such as inflammation of muscles, reduced muscle mass and strength, Polymyositis & ALS-type symptoms, I.V. Gamma Globlin may be needed. For those with Lupus-like symptoms, Prednesone, Plaquenil, and/or I.V. Cytoxan may be required. If exhibiting Reiter's Syndrome, Sulphasalazine might be prescribed. For those with brain atrophy and / or damage, steroids may be useful.
Present this information to your DOD, VA or Private Care Medical Physician for his/her professional consideration. If ignored or downplayed by your Physician, you may wish to consider seeing another Physician.
*Of important note; one does not require having been either deployed or in the Gulf War, to be suffering the syndrome of symptoms frequently called GWS, PGI, GWI. If serving in any military capacity anytime during the 1985-2005 period, you may have received experimental vaccines containing the reason for your current illnesses.
Richard G. Shuster
Viet Nam Era Veteran
Father of 3 Gulf War Era Veterans
rgsjesshuster@charter.net
Vaccines, Friend or Foe?
"Squalene Antibodies Link Gulf War Syndrome to Anthrax Vaccine."
Rats made congenic for Oia3 on chromosome 10 become susceptible to squalene-induced arthritis review: Immunology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Dr. Robert Garry Testimony for the GWS Panel
P.S.
Thank God, my other two sons (both Air Force) who served during the Gulf War Era are not ill. I owe that in great part to the fact they never received the experimental vaccines that their brother did. All three sons blood was tested at Tulane for antibodies and these two sons were negative. My son with Gulf War Syndrome was 2+ positive for presence of antibodies.