I served in the Gulf from 09-90 to 04-091. I was in the Marine Corps. We spent seven solid months in the desert. During the three day war into Kuwait we spent them in the Burning oil fields. At times getting so close you could feel the heat from the fires. It was raining black droplets. I have paper with these droplets on them.

For the past ten years I have had trouble breathing.  Nothing serious but now it is getting worse. I'm currently going through the VA Hosp in Long Beach Ca. So far they have been very helpful. I recently took a test measuring my breathing. Waiting for the results.

I haven't been able to find a lot of information on this type of problem for GWV. My question is is anybody else out there having the same problem or does any one have any info?

Hi Skip.

I was also in the Corps with 5th Marines during the PGW I. We spent about a day and a half in one of the oil fields doing patrols into the "clean" air and then hitting the smoke to set up a perimeter. I was in an anti-tank platoon (TOW) and we were widely dispersed with heavy guns in the M1045 & 46 Hummers. We all came out covered in oil smoke residue and were having trouble not coughing all the time. This was during the ground war, so Feb 25 & 26, I think were the dates. Three years later (spring 1993) I was about 6 months from my EAS and I was working out in the gym before I taught a class at Division Schools. I was on a rowing machine and passed out from lack of oxygen. I hadn't had any breathing trouble that I thought out of the ordinary at that time, I was a 290+ PFT guy and on a pretty heavy aerobic workout routine at the time. I smoked cigarettes at the time as well, so I thought maybe I had a cold and needed to quit smoking. Turns out I was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma about 2 months later. What's funny about my "asthma" is that I generally don't respond to asthma treatments. I can suck on Albuterol all day long and only get really jittery, still not be able to take a deep breath.

I have learned over the past 9 years to adapt my life to my lack of oxygen, I generally can still participate in recreational sports like softball and roller hockey as long as I don't play in a competitive environment. However, over the past 7 years, I have also developed other symptoms including fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, possible chronic fatigue (still being tested for other chronic illnesses), depression, and insomnia. If you're not familiar with the symptoms of the disorders I have listed some include stomach cramps and diarrhea about 3 - 5 days a week, constant muscle pain and spasms with loss of sensation in the hands and feet, uncontrollable body temperature fluctuations, generally tired all the time, not much motivation to get my ass out of bed, etc. I'm not a generally sit back type of person, either. I worked myself through college to a bachelor's in civil engineering in four years starting two years after I got out of the Corps.

What I'm trying to say I guess in my own way is that if you are having more than just breathing issues, you are definitely not alone. Don't just think you're getting old and tired. Talk to other non-veterans your age about your activity range and see how they feel. Do they have similar bodily complaints? And don't talk yourself into pushing your pain down cuz you're a tough ass jarhead. Been there myself, you aren't doing yourself or anyone in your immediate vicinity a favor. I hate pills so I don't go the painkiller route but I do take some muscle relaxers to cope with the muscle stuff. They help with sleep at night, too, if you're having some difficulties there. Biggest thing, fight the fight, get the medical help that you can and pursue your disability as hard as you can. There are a bunch of good veteran's advocacy groups and a bunch of pissed off PGW vets in these groups that will help you with your claims. You are not alone!!!!! There's at least 80,000 of us and the number is climbing rapidly. Sounds like your VA hospital is a little better than the one I am dealing with in Idaho, I moved recently and went to the new VA hospital where I am now located. That was the first week in November 2002. I am now rolling up to my first appointment, December 12, 2003! :-) Ah well, at least I am able to work mostly full time and keep my private health insurance. I'm also not quite as bad off as Chad who responded to your post is. My most invasive tests have been a colonoscopy and upper G.I. series. Pursue this topic through the Internet and you will become very surprised at the wealth of information available. A year ago I wouldn't have believed some of the stuff we might have ingested or inhaled in Kuwait. As well as how definitely scary and dangerous depleted uranium can be...

Gotta go to bed now or I won't be able to work tomorrow. Please continue with your medical stuff, drop me a line if you want to have a more direct email conversation. I don't have a lot of extra time or energy but I will certainly give you what I have as far as websites and attitudes I have run into.

Semper Fi!
Todd

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Cpl Todd F Kimsey
HQ CO 5th Mar TOW Platoon
1st Marine Division

Todd - How are your red blood cells?

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