Essential Tremor

[lilred]

I noticed on one of the postings from elkzone that the VA decided that his ET was caused by exposure to Agent Orange. I hope that elkzone sees this and can give me more information. How long after your exposure to Agent Orange did you develop ET? How did they decide that the ET was related to exposure to Agent Orange?

I was in the Air Force during the Vietnam war. I did not have to go to Vietnam, but I was stationed at an Air Force base in the U.S. where Agent Orange was tested during the time I was there. (1967-1968). There quite a few bases in the U.S.where they tested Agent Orange, but to my knowledge, it has only recently been disclosed. I was told this by a VA advisor in Maryland ( that a friend of mine knows) and have since found a list on the Internet.

I am a nurse, but I cannot work now because of my ET. I am currently 59 years old, but was only diagnosed with ET in May of 2007. It does not run in my family. My husband has to deal with most of the household tasks because I am usually tremor free only when I am in a recliner or laying flat. (recently noticed some when I am reclining) As I am sitting at my keyboard, I am having tremors that are pretty bad, but I will not give up. My family make sure that I get out and go places. It can be embarrasing at times, but I feel that God has a reason for the ET I just pray that he will show me why sooner than than later.

I was able to control my ET and function with a low dose of Primadone for about a year. I am now up to 450 mg/day, but it has not helped my tremors.

I would like to apply for VA benefits and have been put on the Agent Orange Registry, but have been told that I would not qualify for any benefits since I was not in Vietnam although it has beeen acknowledged that Agent Orange was tested at several bases in the US.

Any help that you might be able to send me, I will appreciate.

Thank you,
lilred

[jmar]

I too was in Vietnam around agent orange, and developed ET about 20 years ago, so I have put in for disability for this problem, I haven't found anything that works in the way of meds, so right now I am NOT taking anything, The doctors are telling me to do the DBS surg. but don't want it yet.

Jmar

[elkmagik]

LilRed,
I am so sorry ... I thought I had replied this this a few weeks back ... it must not have posted.

It was not until 2002 that because of my exposure, they tested me and <however they do it> confirmed I was exposed to Agent Orange. I receive no % disability for ETs though, I am just treated for it [unsuccessfully so far]. Between a divorce, 9-11, electrocution of a co-worker; I started having vivid flashbacks from my Vietnam memories and complete melted down into another person. I was going to Idaho State University and had just applied for some of the GI school bennies and from there things started to happen through the people I met in the system.

My advise is to talk to your VA Representative, talk to you VFW ... who both represented me in the board reviews by presenting my military records both my service and health during my enlistment.
I am quite sure with your service records and solid representation you will receive your VA benefits.
Gather your evidence too ... I had photographs ... was such a shutterbug.

For when did I first notice ETs ... hrrrmmmm... I got out of the Navy in January of 1970 ... Like many Nam veterans who had "medical issues" was given a pat on the head and an Honorable Discharge; ticket in hand about to face the "real" world. I "joined" on my 17th birthday, my way of escaping from home. I developed a faint tremor around Halloween 1970, because I joked about it, I was Dracula. I had been inside the DMZ throughout 1969, which gives you a time table.

Things I noticed [not knowing I had ETs] I had very nice penmanship which now is scribble. I loved to build wooden model ships and quickly became unable to do detail work. I was fortunate as my hands became fumbling I was in a position that did not require my lost dexterity, I could delegate.
Only when I was doing High voltage splicing myself 1996ish I realized I had a problem with these shakes that continue to get worse.

Over the course of 30+ years, my ETs affected my work ever increasing until using a screwdriver became a challenge today. Two hands to tighten a screw {agggggg!}... I understand frustration very well.

I will continue you with any and all information about my progress here in Albuquerque on the BOTOX Issue ... Make sure you take all your stuff [S***, dd214 and anything else] and get your tail up to the Veterans Administration Represenitive now ... do not put it off. go geet.... [wink]
Good Luck my friend,
Johnny

[elkmagik]

I have been doing a bit of surfing and have found a site that actually lists some of the US sites where they dabbled with orange ... this may help
tp://www1.va.gov/agentorange/docs/Report_on_DoD_Herbicides_Outside_of_Vietnam.pdf

I also found this ...
http://lachlanirvine.tripod.com/vvetissues/index.html

Plus the normal link to the VA ... which is ok ...
http://www1.va.gov/agentorange/page.cfm?pg=11

I am in a mild panic because my oldest daughter contacted me about my youngest daughter and her bout with lukumia ... they cannot afford the medication for 10 day they went way over her insurance's max ... but ... We are talking about Agent Orange ... I pray she is covered ... today is Friday ... grrrrrr ... I have to sit on my hands until monday and I am going to request VA assistance for her ...

I hope the above links help you two ... they and a few others have helped me for my daughter ... isn't the World Wide Web awesome !?! Everything is there ... right at our finger tips ... or so it seems sometimes ...

Good Luck Guys,
J

[lilred]

John,
Thanks for your information about the sites that I can go look at.
Luckily I have a sister that likes to do things like get papers together and type letters. She is he;ping me get my papers together for long term disability for work, social security disability and to send to the VA.

It has been 3 weeks since my surgery and my tremors have returned full force. I will not be on line that much since the only way I get relief from them is to be in a recliner or lying down.

I am praying that your surgery goes well this week. You will probably be off line for a while, too. There are several people that will keep you in your thoughts and prayers.

I hope things get better for your daughter and her leukemia. If necessary contact St. Jude Hospital. They are not supposed to charge people that cannot pay. I know they have the big hospital in Memphis, but they are starting to have smaller but efficient ones based in connection with local hospitals. For example, we have one in Johnson City, Tennessee affiliated with Johnson City Medical Center. One of my great nieces was treated there for a problem with her platelets. I hope this might give you some help.

God bless you and yours.

Helen