The FReeper Foxhole - Gulf War Syndrome: Fact vs. Fiction - Dec 9th, 2002

http://www.fumento.com/gwspro.html ^ | Michael Fumento

[SAMWolf]

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Remove the Myth and Look at the Science

It is time to put to rest the myth of Gulf War Syndrome (GWS), another meaningless collection of illnesses attributed to serving in the Gulf War. This editorial is based upon the excellent article on GWS found in the March 1997 issue of Reason magazine.

It is important to first consider the evidence to date and why the media in America has been so biased in its reporting of this "syndrome." The broadcast and news media (notably USA Today, the New York Times, and ABC's Nightline) constantly publish a barrage of pro-Gulf War Syndrome stories, peppered by individual accounts of soldiers who were there and now claim to have "it."

Naturally, like multiple chemical sensitivity disorder, there are over 100 symptoms of GWS, ranging from hair loss, graying hair, weight gain, weight loss, irritability, heartburn, rashes, sore throat, sore gums, constipation, insomnia, and a foot fungus, among others. The people claim to have GWS are not doctors, not medical experts, and not scientists. Yet the media consistently push their side of the story, only mentioning the scientific studies which have examined their claims as an afterthought.

A popularly quoted soldier, Pfc. Brian Martin, claims, for instance, that he "would vomit Chemlite-looking fluids every time I ran [in prescribed physical therapy]; an ambulance would pick me up, putting IVs in both arms, rushing me to Womack Community Hospital. This happened every morning after my return from the war" (transcript from a Congressional panel headed by Rep. Chris Shays, on September 19, 1996).

Chemlite refers to a glowing tube, so Martin is claiming his vomit glowed. Would any respectable medical doctor continue to prescribe physical therapy for a patient who was vomiting every morning in fluorescent colors? Sounds unlikely. Yet this is the most widely-quoted soldier in stories on GWS. Hasn't any reporter thought to question the reliability of some of this information?

Taking away the handful of case-study testimonies given before Congress, we're left with a half-dozen or so controlled, scientific studies to examine. The New England Journal of Medicine reported in its November, 1996 issue that cancer rates among Persian Gulf veterans is slightly below that of comparable vets who didn't deploy to the Gulf. In the same issue, it was reported that hospitalization rates for Gulf War vets are the same as non-Gulf War vets.

The final report from the Institute of Medicine, released in October, 1996, concluded that there was no "scientific evidence to date demonstrating adverse health consequences linked with [Gulf War] service." The Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illness draft of the final report, leaked in November, 1996, found "no support for the myriad theories proposed as causes of illnesses among Persian Gulf war veterans, or even evidence there is a 'Gulf War Syndrome.'"

These studies are only the most recent which have been published which show no discernable link between serving in the Persian Gulf war and any higher incidence of disease or illness.

What about the recent accounts of nearly 15,000 troops possibly being exposed to sarin nerve gas after a repository was destroyed in the war? No soldier in the 37th Engineer Battalion (which was responsible for blowing up those bunkers) reported any acute symptoms of nerve gas poisoning at the time. Could slight exposure (since nobody complained of any problems after the explosion) to a known and well-understood nerve gas now be responsible for the wide-spread harm and mayhem related to GWS? Unlikely.

The Institute of Medicine concluded in an October 1996 report that "there is no available evidence in human or animal studies to date that exposure to nerve agents at low levels that do not produce any detectable acute clinical or physiological manifestations results in any chronic or long-term adverse health effects." Did we ever see this as a headline in a newspaper or the lead story on the evening news?

No, it is far more interesting (and therefore, newsworthy) to claim something is causing harm than to claim there is no basis for the harm. For instance, the news media are much more likely to report on so-called Internet Addiction Disorder (despite no scientific evidence that it exists) than on the self-help support groups which quietly save hundreds of lives each year online. This is an ongoing and troubling bias in the media. By focusing on the negative (look at all the attention given to the verdict in a civil trial of a private individual), regardless of whether people care or not, the media often tries to make the news rather than report on it.

So what's causing all the symptoms complained about by these veterans? What is this if it isn't Gulf War Syndrome? The alternative to GWS is often misunderstood and stigmatized, hence the reason it is rarely mentioned.

Individuals who suffer from these very real physical symptoms are looking to an external, rather than internal cause. As the Reason article noted, you "can get diarrhea because you're worried about tomorrow's final exam or because you ate a week-old taco." The first cause is related to stress and internal thoughts; the latter is related to an organic mechanism. Dozens of research studies in psychology over the past few decades have illustrated the link between one's thoughts and one's physical state or well-being.

There are a lot of theories, in fact, about how physical ailments may be caused simply by our thoughts and feelings about ourselves. This is not to say that we intentionally look to create these problems within ourselves, or that the problem is "all in our heads." On the contrary, the problems and symptoms are just as real as the thoughts are and need treatment.

After the debate has been left behind, we are still left with the problem of vets having physical symptoms. Instead of focusing attention on what causes these problems, however, the solution lies in proper care and treatment of these problems. Treatment should likely include a psychological component, given what we know about the possible medical causes to date.

The important facet of all of this to realize is that there is a psychological component to this problem. It may be that some of these problems are psychosomatic in cause, or a social hysteria which some of the vets have come to firmly believe in and identify. In fact, a handful of vets have built their post-war lives around their disorders. Anything which becomes an integral and important part of one's life is not easily given up, no matter what is discovered about GWS in the future.

GWS likely does not exist, nor has it ever. Scientific research to date illustrates this more clearly than any testimonial given before Congress. This fact needs to be realized and the myth discarded before any long-term healing may begin.

[MistyCA]

Thanks for that post, Aomagrat!

[Morrigan]

Good post! I don't know how true this is, but I have heard two other things that were not in the article: one, that Iraq was putting urainum in their bullets; and two, Gulf War vets have been having children with birth defects.

I'll say again that I don't know if there is any truth to this. But, if there is, that's mighty scary.......

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for your Warship profile posts, aomagrat. They appreciated.

[SAMWolf]

I heqard about the birth defects but not about the Iraqis using uranium.

There are so many things out there that it's hard to tell what's true and what's just theory.

[Mr. Silverback]

One of our city council members was the first man to have Gulf War Syndrome listed as a secondary cause of death on his death certificate. My Congresscritter, Don Manzullo, has been a prime mover in the House on this issue. We're pretty proud of him.

[GatorGirl]

Thanks guys for an extremely important thread. Sorry I haven't participated more but I'm learning so much and enjoying the discourse I see here.

Catch you later...GG

[Darksheare]

Mine goes on the offensive and attacks.
Then i have to go and drudge through all my volumes of accumulated (pack ratted) stuff to find what i'm looking for. Like I said. i read too much. (Another reason my former captain hated me. I knew the SOP better than he did..)

[SAMWolf]

Don Manzullo, a name I'll have to remember. The Vets need all the Congressmen they can get on their side.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the info. Here's what I found on mycoplasma infection

What is mycoplasma infection?

Mycoplasma infection is respiratory illness caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a microscopic organism related to bacteria.

Who gets mycoplasma infection?

Anyone can get the disease, but it most often affects older children and young adults.

When do mycoplasma infections occur?

Mycoplasma infections occur sporadically throughout the year. Widespread community outbreaks may occur at intervals of four to eight years. Mycoplasma infection is most common in late summer and fall.

How is mycoplasma spread?

Mycoplasma is spread through contact with droplets from the nose and throat of infected people especially when they cough and sneeze. Transmission is thought to require prolonged close contact with an infected person. Spread in families, schools and institutions occurs slowly. The contagious period is probably fewer than 10 days and occasionally longer.

What are the symptoms of mycoplasma infection?

Typical symptoms include fever, cough, bronchitis, sore throat, headache and tiredness. A common result of mycoplasma infection is pneumonia (sometimes called "walking pneumonia" because it is usually mild and rarely requires hospitalization). Infections of the middle ear (otitis media) also can result. Symptoms may persist for a few days to more than a month.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

Symptoms generally begin 15-25 days after exposure. The symptoms generally develop slowly, over a period of two to four days.

How is mycoplasma infection diagnosed?

Mycoplasma infection is usually diagnosed on the basis of typical symptoms. A nonspecific blood test (cold agglutinins) is helpful in definitive diagnosis, but is not always positive. The use of more specific laboratory tests is often limited to special outbreak investigations.

Does past infection with mycoplasma make a person immune?

Immunity after mycoplasma infection does occur, but is not life-long. Second infections are known to occur, although they may be milder. The duration of immunity is unknown.

What is the treatment for mycoplasma infection?

Antibiotics such as erythromycin clarithromycin, or azithromycin are effective treatment. However, because mycoplasma infection usually resolves on its own, antibiotic treatment of mild symptoms is not always necessary.

What can be done to prevent the spread of mycoplasma?

At this time, there are no vaccines for the prevention of mycoplasma infection and there are no reliably effective measures for control. As with any respiratory disease, all people should cover their face when coughing or sneezing.

New York State Department of Health

[Arioch7]

Did people get sick in the Gulf, yes. Is there any such thing as "Gulf War Syndrome", no.

It even states that these types of symptoms are systematic going back to the Civil War!?!?!?

"The symptoms can be worked with using many modalities of alternative health care. The key to working successfully with people living their lives with Gulf War syndrome is long-term, ongoing care, whether it be hypnotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, nutrition, vitamin/mineral therapy, or bodywork."

I dont even know what the above is supposed to MEAN. So can Acupuncture work on syndrome victims if is long-term? LOL!

Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. If you had to breath in several hundred pounds of particulate matter in Iraq over the course of several weeks as the oil fields were burning... I KNOW YOU ARE SICK. However, it is not "Gulf War Syndrome," that is the culprit.

Sexual Dysfunction!?!?!?! Give me a break. Depression. Alcoholism. Fatigue. Lack of intelligence. Joint pain. Headaches. This whole theory is the biggest scam I have ever seen. They are telling me that "Gulf War Syndrome," CAUSED these things? LOL!

I have insomnia about two days a month and have had it since I can remember. Perhaps it is worse after Desert Storm? Hmmm, it might be, so maybe I am AFFLICTED.

I also drink a lot more but I thought it was due to junk-science like "Gulf War Syndrome," getting on my nerves. Perhaps its GULF WAR SYNDROME itself that irritates me when I read things like this?

THATS why I drink too much!!! I just KNEW it wasn't me! :D

[MistyCA]

Hey GG! Great to see you! I hope you come and join us! We need your knowledge base! :)

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for your input, I think our society today is too quick to look for a "common" cause to any and all problems.

Gulf War Syndrome may fall under that, however with the government's track record of handling Veterans complaints going back to the atom tests and even before you can't blame people for being skeptical when they deny everything at first.

[MistyCA]

In other words.....flu, although it sounds like bacterial instead of viral. I was thinking more in terms of ingested microorganisms that would cause lung congestion, etc.

[Mr. Silverback]

Don Manzullo, a name I'll have to remember. The Vets need all the Congressmen they can get on their side.

He's the Congressman for the 16th district of Illinois. He's a great guy.

[SAMWolf]

I thought that name sounded familiar, is the 16th in the Chicago area?

[breakem]

please take me off the list

[SAMWolf]

OK, consider it done. Thank you.

[thatdewd]

Just as some people have systems that can't handle milk products, some have systems that can't handle the aspartame by-products and 'high' DEET accumulations. The changes in the body's neuro-chemistry would be more pronounced and long-lasting in those people whose systems were more sensitive. That's possibly why some are sick and some aren't in the same units. As to the Mycoplasma, it has been weaponized as a bio-warfare agent and certainly appears to be something that numerous soldiers from that theatre have been infected with. Personally, I believe the 'contagious' examples of GWS are the result of Mycoplasma infection from the spores being brought back in personal items. As it grows in the body and produces toxins, it can cause a myriad of different symptoms, primarily neurological at first, but many times flu-like symptoms can appear as well after it starts to really interfere with the body's functions. I became sick with something after handling equipment loaded with Iraqi sand (four years after the war, I'm not in the military). Diagnosis changed and changed and I just got weaker and weaker and more and more sick. The doctor had written me a prescription for yet another antibiotic (at this point he said I had what looked like pneumonia, but also admitted that it wasn't.) when a "friend" in the medical field stepped in and convinced a pharmacist to give me a bottle of doxycycline instead of what had been prescribed. Within a week I felt significantly better and was completely back to normal by the end of the next. I had been sick for months. I don't know what I had, but my friend was convinced I had been infected with Mycoplasma and quite frankly, I am too now. I think GWS is not "a" syndrome but a collection of various disorders and diseases. As long as they are all lumped together, there will be no progress in determining who has chemical poisoning, who has a biological infection, and who has a stress-related immune deficiency. I also know of some soldiers in the 101st AB (and some of their family members) who were cured of their symptoms after a strong round of doxycycline as well.

[Arioch7]

Good point.

I have been exposed to numerous lies about this subject and after a decade I can conclude that it is BS.

However, if scientific proof is ever gathered for "Gulf War Syndrome" then I will change sides. No such proof will ever come.

Trial lawyers lumped all of the legitimate problems with personell in the gulf into one big class action suit known as "Gulf War Syndrome".

Tort reform has never looked so good. :D

[MistyCA]

I understand what you are saying.