Essential Tremor

[lilred]

Agent Orange was used and tested on bases here in the United States. It is not a well known fact, but there is a listing of the bases on-line. I wish that there were enough of us to get something done.

I am busy getting my taxes finished and applying for Social Security disability. Then my sister and I are going to try to work on gathering information about ET and Agent Orange.

There are too many of us that have been exposed for it not to be related, especially if there is no family history of ET

lilred (Helen)

[bigl50]

who told you agent orange caused the essential tremors?

[lilred]

Big/50,

I don't know for sure if it can be proven that ET can be caused by Agent Orange, but I am on the Agent Orange registry. I am going to file my VA claim next month and see what happens.

No one in my family has ever had ET. They have approved benefits for Parkinson's Disease. It won't hurt to file a claim.

I was stationed at Eglin AFB in 1967 and 1968. Agent Orange was tested there. They had also used it there in 1959. I know that trying to get VA benefits from state side exposure hasn't been a biggie, but I like a challenge.

There is a listing of all the bases in the US where they used or tested agent orange on line. You would be supprised at how many places it was used. There is some question about what did they used around bases to keep weeds down.

It deserves some looking into.

I haven't seen any postings from elkmagic in quite a while. He was having some surgery done on his legs.

Elkmagic, if you are still posting how about an update.

lilred (Helen)

[tesst]

Just happened onto this forum, while researching ET which my husband a Vietnam Vet Agent Orange exposed has recently been diagnosed with. We saw his VA Neurologist on Monday, April 27. I flat out asked him if ET could have been caused by AO and his reply was a definite YES. My husband is AO disabled at 70%, has been since 2007, we have recently applied to increase it to 100%. He also has Diabetes, Neuropathy, qunituple heart bypass, and hypothyroidism. He had to retire (early) last Dec., due to ET. Please, all of you who are affected by this, apply for your VA benefits, you earned them and you deserve them.
Tess

[bigl50]

Tesst did the va doctor say et was caused by agent orange who took you thank you.

[elkmagik]

I just dropped by today to see if anything was going on.
Reread some of my threads and felt my heart-strings tugged reading your posts.

I hope all is going well Tess for you and your husband. Helen I am still here!
Spion, my heart cry's with yours; I also suffer from PTSD [70%] and with the added [20%] disabilities from physical injuries, I soon became 100% because of my "Unemployable" status. Most my Doctors were surprised I lasted so long without proper care and medication. Agent Orange [AO] was a verifiable exposure for me and was told it was the cause of amongst other horrid side-effects; it was the cause of my Essential Tremors. It is through the VA that I receive all my treatments and medications.
Oldvet, Parkinson's was the original diagnosis and non-Hodgkin lymphoma; pretty scary S*** to be told all in one shot, during the early 2000s, but later both were down graded in my records. I have had some health problems lately of which is or was part of the series of x-rays, CTs and MRIs I underwent five or six years ago.

Not only have I discovered I have prostrate cancer [just frigging great!] but because I had an attack of acute pancreatic failure or whatever and had to go to an ER last month; a large mass has grown from one of the many "pearls" I have throughout my organs and lymph nodes. I am not an excessive drinker by far. I did have a long island ice tea but only took a sip or two so I could steady my hands so I could type on my computer when my pains began to be noticed. I may have one or possibly two drinks a week, the failure was not alcohol.

This happened five weeks or so back, so my wife is having a cow because I had not received an appointment at our "local" VA Clinic until she called yesterday freaked out. I do have an appointment for next Wednesday now. Then he has to send SLC any requests for further studies or exams, Specialists or Surgeons. Just great! And summer is here if it ever stops raining.

My ETs are still the same, I am learning to keep most my arms in an "idle" position, and my head, and my mouth... which helps with the intensities. I keep my Face Book blog updated pretty regularly and there are enough friends and family there that information can always be acquired.

I feel healthy, but am getting to be an old S***. Working fast toward my 62nd birthday this summer. I have so many things I need to accomplish and finish now before I do die; my candle is once again lite at both ends! Its pretty awesome, I obsess so in what I am doing at the moment, I forget everything I cannot change.

Hugs to all,
God Bless til Next Time..

John

[tesst]

Hey John,
How are things going for you? Sounds as if you are hanging on, by hanging in! Just got back from another round at the VA, Larry has now been diagnosed with further heart disease, and COPD. Seems as if it doesn't end for some of you guys! Would like to be in touch with you and your wife on Facebook. How can we find you there?
Tess and Larry

[lilred]

Hi Elkmagic,

It seems that you can't get ahead. My prayers willl be with you and your family.

I am getting over knee replacement surgery.

I also have good news. My Neurologist started me on Remeron. During the third week of taking it, I noticed that my tremors were not as bad. It has been over two weeks since I have had any tremors, except for once when I was doing my Physical Therapy. My family and I hope that I continue tremor free. My daughter-in-law talked to me about how I would feel if the Remeron stops working. I told her that I would be fine. I went through that once when Primadone kept me tremor free for 11 months.

I am hoping and praying for the best, but I will accept whatever happens, just like I always do. I might cry a little, but then I'll pick up where I left off.

I know you do a lot of that.

lilred (Helen)

[elkmagik]

[quote="elkmagik"]Hello all,

I did experience 3 or more weeks of "hot flashes" which was very uncomfortable for a man to go through. Of course my wife loved it and teased me about my menopausal hot sweats, but they have diminished now, thank goodness. I feel sorry for anyone that has to go through them now, sorry ladies, I had no idea!

I forgot this! hahaha I am writing a book about my life and PTSD and Agent Orange effects that created havoc but now an understanding and gradual accptance of myself as I share my story. I hope it will help others understand what a suffer go through or explain to "you" suffer from now!

Hope all is well ... yes it is very hard to type!! but now I just laugh and back space ... ETs so suck!