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Screensize: 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 UserName: Password: Format Mode: Basic  Help  Prompt  Format: Font Andale Mono Arial Arial Black Book Antiqua Century Gothic Comic Sans MS Courier New Georgia Impact Lucida Console Script MT Bold Stencil Tahoma Times New Roman Trebuchet MS Verdana   Size 1 2 3 4 5 6   Color Black Red Yellow Pink Green Orange Purple Blue Beige Brown Teal Navy Maroon LimeGreen Message: * HTML is OFF * Forum Code is ON Smilies [quote][i]Originally posted by andrewco[/i] [br]Hi folks, copy of a letter to my MP Jackie, I am a veteran of the 1991 Gulf War and as such my health, and that of other veterans has suffered severely due to service in the region. I have requested a referral to the Medical Assessment program at St Thomas's hospital but have been told that this service no longer carries out physical examinations on Gulf War veterans, and only deals with psychological issues. This is contrary to what is published on the Ministry of Defence website, which states that they are still offering full physical checks to veterans. When i discovered that this service was no longer available i contacted the Royal British Legion who were also unaware of the current situation. There is a whole host of research carried out by respected institutions such as Kings College Hospital, regarding the health of armed forces personnel, which have clearly found evidence of a "Gulf war health effect". I totally understand that the term "Gulf war syndrome" is not in dispute due to the fact that the illnesses are not thought to be unique amongst Gulf War veterans, however there is clear evidence of increased illness in this group. The Lloyd report of 2004 also came to this conclusion. Since i left the Royal Navy in 1991 i have been offered absolutely ZERO support or advice as to what the health effects may be, or how i can go about getting help or advice for any illness which may arise in the future. The long term monitoring of veterans is totally non-existent, and in my opinion an outrage. Shortly after leaving the Royal Navy in May 1991 i began to suffer blistering to my finger tips. This was new to me and at the time i didn't think much of this and got on with life as normal. As the years progressed i became plagued by joint and muscle aches and pains which seemingly came and went at random and for no apparent reason. Again i continued with life as best i could and made a career for myself within the Metropolitan Police Service. Approximately ten years ago things became progressively more difficult and i began to suffer severe pains in the soles of my feet. This pain was very unusual in its nature and excruciatingly painful. Being a robust person i assumed that at some point it would go away - which it did, approximately 6 months later. Three years or so later this pain returned but now not only affected my feet but my hands also. This was now causing me quiet some concern and i sought medical help. The doctor sent me for checks for rheumatoid arthritis but these proved negative. I was not sent for further checks to establish what the cause of this pain was and i didn't progress that matter as i was just so relieved at the time that i was not suffering from RA. The pains again disappeared after about a year and so life continued pretty much as normal, but with the general aches and pains in various joints and muscles continuing throughout. This brings me to more recent events In 2007 i noticed that my left shoulder was sore and movement was restricted. This progressed into a frozen shoulder and was treated over the course of several months with physiotherapy and acupuncture. Again this had a major effect on my quality of life and although i was able to continue at work this was a more a reflection of my determination to lead a normal life as trivialising the nature of the problem. This then brings us to Christmas 2010 when i noticed that i had a sore throat. Sore throats were something i had been plagued with since leaving the Royal Navy but this one has persisted until the present day. This year i also noticed that i was not making sufficient saliva and had hugely enlarged tonsils. I was prescribed a synthetic saliva spray to reduce the discomfort caused. Following this i found that my right shoulder was beginning to lose movement and was becoming increasingly painful, i noticed tinnitus developing in my right ear which is now constant. More worryingly i noticed that i was becoming generally tired and my short term memory and concentration was badly affected. I have also been suffering this year from gastrointestinal problems and in October this year i became extremely fatigued and was forced to take time off work sick. Whilst off work i then began to suffer from some very bizarre and distressing symptoms which felt like electric shocks across my tongue and severe muscle twitching. The unusual nature of these symptoms prompted me to contact the Royal British Legion and the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association, where i outlined my symptoms and asked whether they thought these may be Gulf War related. The RBL stated that these symptoms were indeed commonly reported amongst Gulf War 1 veterans. This intrigued me enough to prompt me to do some research of my own, whereby i discovered the true extent of this condition. One in four Gulf war 1 veterans across the main coalition countries is struck down by illnesses, the nature of which are broadly similar to my own. There are many theories on the cause of the illnesses but it seems that the governments stance on the matter is that because a definite cause cannot be established then the illness doesn't exist. I have gone to some detail to evidence to you how the issues have affected me over the years. I am not one of your government statistics, i am not claiming a war pension BUT i am ill, and i believe this is due to service in the Gulf in 1991. I have received my vaccination records which confirm that i was given the Anthrax vaccine in company with whooping cough as an adjuvant. Whooping cough vaccine is not recommended for use in adults. This was a matter which i believe the M.o.D was made aware prior to the vaccination program commencing. On another occasion i was given Anthrax vaccine, Whooping cough vaccine and Plague vaccine at the same time and into the same limb. I believe the recommendations now are to vaccinate into different limbs. I could go on all week about possible causes - there are many, but to me this is irrelevant. What is relevant is the treatment offered not only to me, but to all the Gulf war vets so that we may continue a normal and healthy life. We have served our country but it seems that our country is not willing to serve us. In my opinion this is a national disgrace and something which needs to be quickly rectified. The Ministry of Defence have demonstrated time and again over the years how they are willing to lie and manipulate to "muddy the waters" this needs to stop. The factually incorrect information published on their own website is just one example of this and leads readers to believe they are doing more than is actually the case to assist veterans. I would welcome the chance to meet with you and discuss this matter in further detail. I would also like to know what you are willing to do to assist sick and injured Gulf war veterans and to put an end to this scandal. Yours sincerely Mr Andrew Coombes Lifes a b****, then you die [/quote]   Check here to include your profile signature.