4 Comments for “Desert Storm Veterans Get in Line and Volunteer for VA Funded Studies on Gulf War Illness”

1. Lem G.

   January 24, 2011 - 8:41 pm

   Hope this study isn’t another case of “paralysis by analysis”.
2. Tanya Boozer

   January 24, 2011 - 11:51 pm

   My focus is on healing myself and other vets. For the gut, which, by the way, is where 50% of the immune system exists, take a very good probiotic (mine comes from http://www.mercola.com) and use organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the mother (I get mine at http://www.vitaminshoppe.com, Braggs apple cider vinegar). For more information on natural healing methods or how to take the aforementioned, contact me at…tanya@praiseyah.com.

   Blessings to all my Gulf War sisters and brothers!
3. Edward Bryan

   January 25, 2011 - 12:13 am

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   Depleted Uranium Research-DU affects DNA
   March 20, 2010 posted by Denise Nichols · 8 Comments
   Depleted Uranium -More Research Indicated To Assess Health Risk
   The research on depleted uranium comes out of French researchers that examined the manner DNA is affected by enriched and depleted uranium. The metal or chemical effect it seems is the more important in depleted uranium exposure. Questions remain on the problem of inhalation and ingestion of depleted uranium in the sands of Saudi/Iraq that has a high silica content and the health effects that would be seen. Questions also remain on syngestic health effects when you add in other toxic exposures experienced by Gulf War Veterans. It is time for very focused research on these questions that should be led by the veterans that can speak to the exposures. Their questions need to be answered sooner rather than later, since it has been 19 years. The veterans want help with their health conditions and treatment now. Their pain is real physiological damage. What has happened to their organs and their blood ? What diagnosed illness are showing up and what are the hard numbers for each diagnosed illness in gulf war veterans? It seems that information should be just as important as the undiagnosed situation. The veterans and their families want that type of information and that is why they have asked for registries of each diagnosed illness, that would allow all veterans, even if they do not go to the VA, to enter their medical information. The veterans want a listing of deaths, cause of deaths, age of death, and units that individuals were assigned during the Gulf War. These are not unreasonable requests. These requests and the information gleamed from such registries would also assist medical professionals and researchers in answering these veterans concerns. Below is the article on depleted uranium written by Paul Eubrig, DVM and below that is the scientific abstract of the actual research.
   Depleted and enriched uranium affect DNA in different ways.

   Mar 16, 2010
   Synopsis by Paul Eubig, DVM
   Radiation is not uranium’s only health concern, say researchers who report the less radioactive form of the metal can also damage DNA, but in a different way that could also lead to cancer. Meticulous research identifies for the first time how two main types of uranium – enriched and depleted – damage a cell’s DNA

   Depleted Uranium 1950-2010 and Health Effects
   edbryan to DSNurse1 – Sep 10 More Details
   From: edbryan@email.com
   To: DSNurse1@yahoo.com
   Date: Fri, Sep 10, 2010 8:01 pm

   Hi Denise,
   We need to focus on D/U because a lot of energy is still going into this. The Chronic Fatigue Study ( The National CFIDS Foundation ) in Needham mass is investigating D/U. There is DNA and other cancers that the VA-RAC is not looking at, we need to know why ? Dr. Richard Clapp Cancer Expert said it would take 25 years for cancers to manifest. He did say it was a heavy metal. But no blood test are being done.
   The VA is only looking at 35 veterans that have D/U embedded in their bodies
   One of the Doctors in Wash. DC said they have problems with the alpha particles.
   The Massachusetts Radiation Control Section does not know of these hazards. They are removing hazardous D/U to Clive, Utah every year only at night under heavy state police protection.

   Ed Bryan
   edbryan@email.com
   ——————————————————————————————————————-
   Veterans Research Advisory Committee
   Next meeting is on November 1-2, 2010 in Boston

   The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Public Law 92-463 (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses will meet on November 1-2, 2010, in the Boston University School of Public Health, Room 107, 670 Albany Street, Boston, MA. The sessions will convene at 8 a.m. each day and adjourn at 5:15 p.m. on November 1 and at 1 p.m. on November 2. The meeting is open to the public.

   VA-RAC Contacts
   RAC@bu.edu
   RAC-Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses
   Boston University School of Public Health
   715 Albany Street, T4W
   Boston, MA 02118
   ————————————————————————————————————-

   New Director
   Ionizing Radiation Review
   Victoria Cassano, MD, MPH.
   http://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/radiation/irr_newsletter_mar10.pdf
   Fast Facts on Depleted Uranium
   ›› Veterans Involved
   Depleted Uranium (DU) is a potential chemical hazard that may affect
   Veterans who served in the Gulf War. Other Veterans potentially exposed
   to DU include those who served in Bosnia, or in Afghanistan and Iraq
   during Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF).
   ›› What Is Depleted Uranium (DU)?
   DU is a byproduct of the uranium enrichment process to make nuclear
   fuel. It has approximately 60 percent of the radioactivity and the same
   chemical toxicity as natural uranium, which is present in small amounts in
   our environment and to which we are exposed in food and water. In the
   early 1960s, the U.S. began testing DU for projectile use because of its
   ability to penetrate armor made with less dense metals.
   ›› When Is Depleted Uranium Dangerous?
   DU is a chemical hazard primarily if internalized, such as in shrapnel,
   contaminated wounds, and inhalation. Once a projectile made with DU
   penetrates a person, it splits into small shards that can scatter through
   muscle and soft tissue. In addition to DU wounds, soldiers exposed to DU
   in struck vehicles may inhale or swallow airborne DU particles. Simply
   riding in a vehicle with DU weapons or DU shielding will not expose a
   soldier to significant amounts of radiation from DU.
   ›› Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program
   VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) established the Depleted
   Uranium Follow-up Program at VA’s Baltimore VA Medical Center to study
   the health effects of DU exposure and to provide recommendations for
   treatment, including surgical removal of embedded shrapnel. The program
   for Veterans exposed to DU from shrapnel fragments involves detailed
   physical exams and tests of several organ systems. In addition, a screening
   program for other Veterans concerned about DU exposure during combat
   is available. As of October 2009, 1,304 DU exams have been performed
   for Gulf War Veterans, 65 for other Veterans.
   For more information about the program, go to http://www.publichealth.
   va.gov/exposures/depleted_uranium/followup_program.asp
   or call VA’s special health issues helpline at 1-800-749-8387.
   ›› Health Services and Disability Benefits
   For information on health services, contact your nearest VA medical facility
   by calling 1-877-222-8387.
   For information on disability benefits, contact your nearest VA benefits
   office by calling 1-800-827-1000.

   http://www.publichealth.va.gov/8 exposures/radiation
   The Ionizing Radiation Registry (IRR) is a personalized
   and comprehensive examination of certain radiation exposed
   Veterans that includes a medical history, blood
   tests, urinalysis,
   and
   HEALTH CONDITIONS RECOGNIZED FOR PRESUMPTIVE SERVICE-CONNECTION
   The following conditions occurring in Veterans exposed to radiation during their military service have been
   recognized by VA for presumptive service-connection. That means that Veterans with certain types of exposure
   to ionizing radiation who have one or more of the illnesses listed below are eligible for disability compensation
   from VA. They do not have to prove that their condition was caused by ionizing radiation to be eligible for
   disability compensation from VA.
   • Leukemia other than chronic
   lymphocyte leukemia;
   • Cancer of the thyroid;
   • Cancer of the breast;
   • Cancer of the pharynx;
   • Cancer of the esophagus;
   • Cancer of the stomach;
   • Cancer of the small intestine;
   • Cancer of the pancreas;
   • Multiple myeloma;
   • Lymphomas
   (except Hodgkin’s disease);
   • Cancer of the bile ducts;
   • Cancer of the gall bladder;
   • Primary liver cancer, except if cirrhosis
   or hepatitis B is indicated;
   • Cancers of the salivary gland;
   • Urinary tract cancer (kidney/renal, pelvis,
   ureter, urinary bladder, and urethra);
   • Bronchiolo-alveolar cancer (a rare form
   of lung cancer);
   • Cancer of the bone;
   • Cancer of the brain;
   • Cancer of the colon;
   • Cancer of the lung; and
   • Cancer of the ovary.
   Please Note: To be considered for disability compensation, a Veteran must specifically apply for that benefit. Also, participation in the
   Ionizing Radiation Registry does not automatically constitute an application for compensation benefits.
   ————————————————————————————-
   Chronic Fatigue Study and low level D/U
   The National CFIDS Foundation
   103 Aletha Road
   Needham, MA 02492
   PHONE: (781) 449-3535
   FAX: (781) 449-8606

   E-mail us: info@ncf-net.org
   National CFIDS Foundation (NCF) Announces Link between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Low Level Radiation Exposure

   NEEDHAM, Mass., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National CFIDS Foundation Inc., of Needham Mass, has announced its formal disease model for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) also known as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) as well as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). According to the NCF, a subgroup of patients with CFS fit a unique disease profile based on a model for a radioactive toxin.
   Since starting its formal research grant program, the NCF has provided one million dollars in grant funding to pursue its own directed research to study ciguatera toxicology; a critical immune protein known as STAT-1; and myelodysplasia as well as myeloid leukemia — all of which have been identified in the patient subgroup.
   According to Alan Cocchetto, Medical Director, “Our research suggested that a relationship existed between ciguatera poisoning, STAT-1 and myelodysplasia as well as leukemia. Early evidence also suggested that some type of catalyst was potentially involved in this disease process. Because of some very unique characteristics identified during the course of our research, what emerged was the potential for low level radiation to act as the catalyst to evoke a specific response that fit the profile for our patients. We believe this to be very important since radiation not only adversely impacts STAT-1 but it has also been found to cause myelodysplasia as well as myeloid leukemia, the very things we have been studying. In addition, the bystander effects associated with low level radiation exposure cause real problems at the cellular level and this unfortunately translates into an increased risk for cancer.”
   Gail Kansky, President, stated, “The Foundation’s real revelation came when our staff linked specific research on mitochondrial DNA deletions, first published by Australian scientists in 1995, to work published by scientists in Ireland in 2005. They had identified exactly the same unique mitochondria characteristics to be due to the direct effects of low level radiation exposure. This same defect had been mirrored in CFS but it hadn’t been classified for ten years. Because this fits our disease model, we are pursuing additional research studies. There is no doubt in my mind that we have found several key pieces to this disease puzzle tied to our patient group.” Furthermore, Kansky added “What is especially discouraging is that the global implications here could prove to be staggering!”
   The Foundation has also noted that CFS has been previously identified as a characteristic aftermath of radioecological catastrophe. A lengthier article including references will be in the fall edition of the newsletter.
   Founded in 1997, the goals of the NCF are to help fund medical research to find a cause, expedite treatments and eventually a cure for CFIDS/ME. The NCF is funded solely by individual contributions. Additional information can be found on the Foundation’s website at http://www.ncf-net.org or in The National Forum quarterly newsletter. The NCF can be reached by phone at 781-449-3535.

   Veterans Research Advisory Committee
   Next meeting is on November 1-2, 2010 in Boston

   The Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ) gives notice under Public Law 92-463
   (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses will meet on

   November 1-2, 2010, in the Boston University School of Public Health, Room 107, 670 Albany Street, Boston, MA.

   The sessions will convene at 8 a.m. each day and adjourn at 5:15 p.m. on November 1 and at 1 p.m. on November 2. The meeting is open to the public.

   Two Contacts

   1). VA-RAC Contacts
   RAC-Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses
   Boston University School of Public Health
   715 Albany Street, T4W
   Boston, MA 02118
   RAC@bu.edu
   Tel. 617-414-1392

   2). Veterans Contact
   Ed Bryan
   Ph. 781-321-3161
   edbryan@email.com

   January 16, 2011

   Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses
   Boston University School of Public Health / Department of Environmental Health
   715 Albany Street, T4W
   Boston, MA. 02118
   RAC@bu.edu
   Tel. 617-414-1392

   Re: November 1-2, 2010 / Subject: Illnesses and Diseases without Treatments

   Dear Committee Members,

   My name is Edward J. Bryan and I am asking you to refer to my complaint letter that was presented to your committee during your meeting on October 25, 26, 2004. Specifically FM-8-285 Nerve Agent Manual the February of 1990 edition. There is no epidemiology and if there was, it is wrong. This manual has effective treatments such as what the medical community is looking or searching for. Dr. Lea Steele said the Nerve agent facts are in the Scientific Findings and Recommendations book dated on November 2008, I really did not see any mention of that book. The FM 8-285 of February of 1990 is the book that has our answers for treatments and first aid for nerve agent and chemical exposures. One of the biggest problems in the Washington Capitol is sending either an email or letter to any government committee, because the response to them is at least ( 3 ) three months or more before anyone could reply. This leads to mismanagement. January 26, 2000 was Illnesses without answers. No effective treatment as of November 2, 2010. We must look at Mental Health and Environmental / Industrial / occupational Medicine issues. Please include Army Medicine, Air Force Medicine, And Navy Medicine for a comprehensive health study for gulf war illnesses.

   The Veterans Research Advisory Committee that met on November 1-2, 2010 relied mostly on Chronic inflammation on toll – like receptors and Mitochondrial Damage, Chronic inflammation and ALS / PLS and Potential Therapeutic Strategies, modeling chronic illness in gulf war veterans, they should look closer at CFS / MCS / FM and PCR Testing for bio-markers.

   As I was listening to The gulf war brain bank up date from Dr. Kowall I was shocked that they only have one sample out of at least 70,000 or more deaths that was a direct result of Desert Storm Veterans in 1990 till present. The main items went like this, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ( CTE ), white matter disease and it is connected with ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These exposures are from toluene – glue sniffers – teachers – nun study and environmental insults. I know they left out carbon monoxide poisoning and Industrial / Environmental / occupational Exposures, this was never challenged by Any epidemiology. I asked Dr. Neil Kowall, Boston VA Neurologist about Alzheimer’s Disease and he acknowledged that 15% of it is hereditary and I asked him about the 85% environmental exposure and one question. I asked him if he was researching chemicals in the home or the paint can theory and he said no. He said that is epidemiology. The meeting started with Dr. Chris Brady and Dr. Kowall, Dr. Golomb of the VA-RAC asked Dr. Kowall if they could do research on football players because of the environmental toxins on the field, Dr. Kowall said “ I didn’t even think of it ”, these same type of exposures happened to the Desert Storm Veterans in 1990 / 1991. If this continues the U.S. Doctors will never find a cause of this horrific disease. This puts the research for Alzheimer’s disease back to 1984 Beta-amyloid identified Researchers George Glenner and Cai’ne Wong on reporting identification of “a novel cerebrovascular amyloid protein,” known as beta-amyloid — the chief component of Alzheimer brain plaques and a prime suspect in triggering nerve cell damage. This was 26 years ago, this year is 2011 ? Now we know, all we have to do is start testing chemicals in homes in the United States, football players, firefighters and baseball players. Rand did a study on gulf war illnesses and Chemicals in U.S. Homes. Lets get started doing these tests as soon as possible and treat for the disease. Of course hereditary factors were there and cognitive decline along with accrued diseases. A wild type and mutant SOD1 and ALS-Neuro Toxic motor neurons. A rediscovered disease – punch drunk ( Muhammad Ali – Boxers ), ( Soccer players ), ( football players ) are other factors. The study is looking at ALS and ALZ diseases. No veterans from Idaho are involved in any Of the brain testing. Maybe because of the White Potato viruses that causes Alzheimer’s Disease. Sufficient levels of Vitamin A in (mangos, sweet potatoes) have also been linked to slowing down or reversing the expression of Beta amyloid proteins, when is research going to bring this to the clinic ?

   Dr. Richard Clapp talked about Glioblastoma’s in North Americas‘ cranberry bogs, IBM Plant in a San Jose plant and Essex Jct. VT. Downwind studies, Khamisiyah, Cox Modeling and 20-25 years for gulf war veterans cancers to manifest. Does Dr Clapp know of the death and cancer rates or is this information being withheld from him ? Again no mention of gulf war veterans and the Contaminated Depleted Uranium site in Concord, Mass ( Starmet Site ). The largest study to date on D/U here in Massachusetts and not one word of illnesses or deaths from Dr. Clapp, there is approximately 70, 000 or more deaths here in 2011. We need better science and answers !

   The gulf war veterans’ community is looking for treatments from neurological, epidemiology, mental health doctors, Industrial / Occupational doctors and focus groups. The veterans need a full work up screening , PCR Testing and Neurological testing, occupational disease testing and other tests that research can deliver. Why are we not being tested ?

   The Walter Reed study doesn’t work for gulf war illnesses, we should have a Primary Care Doctor and a Neurologist to follow up on our chronic illnesses. Not a N/P or R/N to listen to for complaints. When you have medical complaints they dismiss you, they should be followed up or referred out to the nearest Hospital for treatments if the VA doesn‘t comply. This would put VA in the lead for medicine. Dr. Lisa Conboy of The New England School of Acupuncture said that acupuncture can be one of the first treatments for gulf war illnesses in search for fatigue and mood disorders. This is a positive move for veterans. The VA should follow up with pain management with neurological and other health issues related to the theater of operation in 1991.

   Sincerely,
   SSG. Edward J. Bryan ( Ret. )

   685 Broadway St. Unit # 74
   Malden, Mass. 02148
   Ph. 781-321-3161
4. Elaina

   February 26, 2011 - 3:22 pm

   I know that it is another research group.I am wanting to get my husband over there to see if they can help him. It scares the crap out of me, especially after a week that he has had. The last 2 days have been very bad. I would rather have the hope that they can help after all these years then no hope at all. I can not say enough Thank you’s to you Denise for doing all that you do, for the Desert Shield/Storm Vets, getting all of the TRUE info out there keeping everyone informed.

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