Chemicals Sickened '91 Gulf War Veterans, Latest Study Finds

NY Times ^ | October 15, 2004 | SCOTT SHANE

[neverdem]

FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Iraq used chemical weapons against our troops in 1991.

That's why our troops were so suited-up in March 2003.

[Wristpin]

That's also why Clinton ordered Anthrax vaccines for all personnel operating in the Gulf during the late 90's.

I recall there were multiple Courts martials and discharges for those who refused to get the shots. Funny how the MSM never mentions that anymore.

[neverdem]

Funny how the MSM never mentions that anymore.

Au contraire! They will mention it any time they have the chance to make the military look bad or heartless.

Knowing that, it can be a good way to make the MSM look like the ignorant fools they can be, especially regarding the military or science.

[Ditter]

I never doubted for a minute that our troops were exposed to chemicals in the first Iraq war.

[q_an_a]

Dr. Haley at UT Southwestern in Dallas has long believed that many vets suffered from real problems. Here is a link an intro.

http://www.chronicillnet.org/online/Haley.html

Robert W. Haley, M.D., and colleagues just published three research papers in the Journal of the American Medical Association describing three primary, organic, neurotoxic syndromes among veterans of the Persian Gulf War. These three syndromes appear to be variants of a rare disorder called "organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy," which is caused by exposure to neurotropic chemical agents like insect repellant or chemical warfare agents.

Dr. Haley and his colleagues elucidated the three syndromes using a mathematical analysis to disentangle the generally ambiguous symptoms described by sick members of a Navy Reserve Unit (Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24) who had served in the Persian Gulf War. Once the symptoms were clearly delineated, these researchers performed a case-control study of deployed and non-deployed veterans, some of whom were sick (the "cases") and some of whom were healthy (the "controls"), to determine the symptoms' cause(s).

The first syndrome is characterized by difficulty concentrating, depression, fatigue, distractability, and difficulty sleeping. The second syndrome, which is the most severe, consists of problems with thinking and reasoning, confusion, disorientation, dizziness and difficulty with balance. The third syndrome's symptoms are painful joints, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, and muscle fatigue and pain.

[Joe 6-pack]

This is impossible...Saddam had no WMD. < /sarcasm>

[tang-soo]

Surprised I didn't see the name of Dr. Garth Nicolson in this article. he is a hero surrounding this story. He was the head of cancer research at University of Texas until he started making some uncomfortable claims. he started research of his own (his daughter contracted the symptoms while serving in Iraq) and started making public statements about there being a real problem. he and his wife (also a PhD in chemistry) were let go. Seriously do a google on his name and find out how he has fought this war. Amazing stuff.

[kaboom]

"The report says possible sources include sarin, a nerve gas, from an Iraqi weapons depot blown up by American forces in 1991; a drug, pyridostigmine bromide, given to troops to protect against nerve gas; and pesticides used to protect soldiers in the region."

Don't you see? It's all the US's and Bush family's fault.

/sarcasm

[neverdem]

Thanks for the info & URL.

[neverdem]

Weren't they tenured?

[Darnright]

Thanks for pointing us toward Dr. Garth Nicolson. I did a search and his research is very interesting. A good friend of ours came back from the Gulf War with many unexplained symptoms, and reading Dr Nicolson's findings on Mycoplasma sure sounds like this guy could be a victim of an undiagnosed infection.

[Fawnn]

Please add me to your health ping list.

The new panel was appointed in 2002 by Anthony J. Principi, the veterans affairs secretary, in accordance with a law passed in 1998 but never acted on by the Clinton administration.

It's amazing that the NY Times even acknowledged that!

Those with Gulf War Syndrome have my prayers -- and more than just empathy.

[backhoe]

Gulf War Syndrome- Where there's smoke, *is* there fire?

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I never doubted for a minute that our troops were exposed to chemicals in the first Iraq war.

Neither did I, and the manner in which they have been treated since is horrible. Dismissing a patient with symptoms as a psych case is one of the most cruel things medical professionals can do.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ping

[neverdem]

Thanks for the links

[Velveeta]

It's shameful how long it's taking to get these people some help.

[rwfromkansas]

Gulf War Syndrome is real.

And it is nice to finally have that be confirmed.