Another story...

Jay · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 1

23/M/USAF (ret)

I'll give you a barebones story of what's been going on with me, maybe you can offer advice/help =)

I don't think I have ever really written my story out... so there may be some hole's i'll fill in later.

Jun 01 - Joined Air Force
Dec 02 - Told I will probably be deployed to Afghanistan to a joint op command around May.
Feb 03 - 1st Anthrax Vac (070 - Wright Patterson AFB)
Mar 03 - 2nd Anthrax Vac (070 Wright Patterson AFB)
Jun 03 - 3rd Anthrax Vac (071 Wright Patterson AFB)
Jul 03 - Deployed to Iraq, primary base Al-Jaber, Kuwait
Aug 03 - Came down with severe pneumonia w/ slight non-itchy rash, returned to duty after being released from Army med clinic around Balad (before Balad was Balad :-p)
Nov 03 - Returned to CONUS.
Nov 03 - After 2 week break from any real activity, started PT back and after 5 min started coughing up blood and solid mucus. Admitted into ER and was told it was probably complications from the pneumonia, after chest xrays and a ct... chest was clear. I was referred to Pulmonology and Allergy Clinic.
Dec 03 - Told I have asthma after + Meth and + PFT, started asthma meds and supporting meds. Placed on 4T Profile (again it has been a long time, i am probably wrong with the acronyms =P)
Feb 04 - Completed allergy panel 'lit up like a christmas tree' haha. I didn't really expect anything different. Was told I would start allergy shots to help 'asthma symtoms'
March 04 - Received 4th Anthrax Vaccine (don't recall the lot number)
April 04 - (IIRC) - Received first allergy shot (1:500,000 or 1:1,000,000 IIRC) - went into immediate severe anaphalaxic shock. sp02 dropped below charts, no redness of skin and no hives, after adrenaline + support meds was stabilized, admitted into ICU. Received additional adrenaline later that night and ephedrine.
May 04 - Received 5th Anthrax Vac (these dates might be off and I will correct at a later date)
April 04 - Started 20mg prednisone after chest pains were not tolerable
May 04 - Up'ed pred to 40mg
Jun 04 - Started a series of diff prescriptions to control 'asthma'
Jan 05 - Informal Medical Board found 'asthma' to be disqualifying for AD @ 10% disability
April 05 - Formal Evaluation Board - found diagnosis 'unknown immunogical disease of unknown origin' @ 30% for a TDRL ruling.
May 05 - Medically Retired USAF as SSgt
Jul 05 - Evaluation for VA benefits - after several small exams, denied benefits on top of 30% Air Force rating
Jul 05 - Appealed - plus 250+ letters to Senators and Reps
Nov 05 - Received 100% VA benefits for 'degradive lung tissue disease of unknown origin' (can be decreased as ailment is a) diagnosed b) improves)

That's the rough timeline.
There are deff details left out, also some dates are off. I will fix as I look through my records in detail.

I have been told my ailment is Asthma/In my head to Lung disease caused by depleted uranium haha.

Here are my symptoms/side effects:
- constant 'spots' - you know when you stand up quickly, how you see some spots caused from blood rushing to your head or the like, I see these ALL of the time.
- blackouts when doing ANYTHING strenuous
- complete lack of energy/lethargic
- constant tingling sensation in toes/fingers/face associated with tiredness
- inability to go above 10k feet - oxygen requiring above 100%
- chest pains (severe) if off prednisone for more than 2 days
- constant wheezing (never goes away) - even with drugs below
- frequent night tremors
- any humidity + cold or humidity + heat = requires oxygen
- the list goes on and on, will add additional stuff later.

Prescriptions:
- 20mg pred day/30mg pred night
- albuterol inhaler (10 times daily)
- advair 500/25 or is it 50... i'll look after I post =)
- epipens are used when inhaler doesn't work after 20min (use 1-2 a month, AND everytime I mow the lawn haha)

I have been through PLENTY of other meds, the list is LONG =)

ER Visits:
I visited the ER roughly 6 times from 03-05 (pre retirement) as the PCM's could see me readily.
From post retirement 05 - mid-06, I visited the ER about once a month various causes but all because the inhaler wasn't working.
I was told there was no reason to go to the ER after about the tenth time hah. Just take my epi-pen, use breathing techniques and relax. Good to go.

Bloodwork: I left this out and this is an edit. I have highly elevated EOSINO levels from post-iraq. 10.5 and 7.5 iirc. Also, my iGE (i think that's how it's said) are completely off the charts. They are around 1000 and 2000. Also, my WBC has been low since 03. I DON'T have the exact numbers, but on request can get them.

Again, there are plenty of details left out.
Incl: Iraq medical records were lost soon after return to Wright-Patt.
VA Medical records are currently MIA from Denver VA Center
Several Military ER visit records are MIA
Letters included in the Formal Packages have been removed, including those by my PCM/Allergist.

Also, I asked my PCM in 04 if this could be caused by anthrax shots, the answer was 'don't be rediculous'. I asked the VA in 05 if I should be evaluated for DSS, I was told 'why? you don't have mental problems.' I again asked about the anthrax vaccine and was shot down.

Physical condition: I still look to be fit, I have maintained my weight via diets as I can't exercise. I have decreased my weight from a peak very tone/muscular 170 in Iraq to 155 today. I am 5' 10" (ok ok, 5' 9.5") and medium build, no chub.

Pain tolerance: I have a high pain threshold and have had no real joint pains. I found most people to associate the problems to pain in the joints.

VA: I had an awesome pulmonologist in Denver that had worked at the Jewish Lung Center, I then got some old guy that told me this 'the VA doesn't care what's wrong with you. It's a money thing. It's cheaper to just treat your symptoms'. I then moved back to Dayton ASAP (Wright-Patt Med Center).

Thanks for the read. I pretty much just want to know what's wrong with me and have found this forum/group might be the next logical step.

Thanks!
Jay