Veterans and ALS

rufrdr

rufrdr

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I was shocked and saddened to find out that a veteran that I served with when I first went on active duty in Germany decades ago died in 2021 from ALS. He and his wife had kept that he was suffering from ALS close in the family and had not mentioned it to us in our yearly contact with them. He had it for 3 years before it claimed his life. I was even more surprised to learn that veterans suffer from ALS at twice the rate of the civilian population. No one knows why. It is not particular to any branch or MOS/Officer specialty. He was an Army Cobra pilot in the 70s to mid 80s and later moved to the USAF to fly C-130s to complete his 20 years. He had no exposure to DU rounds, burn pits, agent orange, or anything else as far as I was told by his wife.

Fellow vets, be aware of this and read up on ALS symptoms. Sadly there is no cure but early detection can help prolong a tolerable life.

RIP Blaine.
 
rufrdr said:
I was shocked and saddened to find out that a veteran that I served with when I first went on active duty in Germany decades ago died in 2021 from ALS. He and his wife had kept that he was suffering from ALS close in the family and had not mentioned it to us in our yearly contact with them. He had it for 3 years before it claimed his life. I was even more surprised to learn that veterans suffer from ALS at twice the rate of the civilian population. No one knows why. It is not particular to any branch or MOS/Officer specialty. He was an Army Cobra pilot in the 70s to mid 80s and later moved to the USAF to fly C-130s to complete his 20 years. He had no exposure to DU rounds, burn pits, agent orange, or anything else as far as I was told by his wife.

Fellow vets, be aware of this and read up on ALS symptoms. Sadly there is no cure but early detection can help prolong a tolerable life.

RIP Blaine.
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at this point, every base is an epa superfund site. the exposure to chemicals in the drinking water supply near bases would explain a lot of ailments that affect veterans
 
The NE corner of NC is also a "cluster" for ALS. My SIL's grandfather died of it 2 years ago and lived in Hertford, NC. His grandfathers best friend, Catfish Hunter, died of ALS back in 1999 and was also from Hertford. They have not been able to find any reason for the high number of cases in that area.
 
Had an uncle with ALS and my grandmother had it.

The uncle had a computer program that he could use to speak when he finally lost his voice.

I used to crack up every time he’d tell my aunt to “Fetch me my medicine woman or I’ll break your legs”.
 
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beamernc said:
The NE corner of NC is also a "cluster" for ALS. My SIL's grandfather died of it 2 years ago and lived in Hertford, NC. His grandfathers best friend, Catfish Hunter, died of ALS back in 1999 and was also from Hertford. They have not been able to find any reason for the high number of cases in that area.
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Dare county bombing range is up that way, but im sure that would be just a coincidence
 
As I’ve mentioned here before, my wife is a VA Nurse. She does home health care for home bound Veterans. Her ALS and Parkinson’s patients are almost 50% of those she see’s. It’s always been high. I’ve lost 2 of my friends, one to ALS, and one to Parkinson’s. I have one now who has has Lewy Body disease. It’s a usually fast form of dementia. He got it when he was 60 with a 4 years prognosis, it’s been 13 and its been bad! He was one of the best and smartest Officer’s that I served with and it has reduced him to a child mentally. His wife just had to put him in the State Home for Veterans at Black Mountain. She couldn’t handle him anymore! It seems that we who serve our country, take risks for little pay or recognition, seem to suffer the worst. I hate to think how many of us who wore the uniforms of our country have this to look forward to.
 
Been taking Parkinson's meds for about 13yrs now(since age 44). No real way to pinpoint the cause, just "shit happens" according to doc. Being my 10yrs 11mos 21days service was all pre 9/11 USAR and NCARNG, the VA said FOAD.
 
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I think the NE corner of NC is center for Cancer also.

Most of the Retarded individuals I know, myself included, have been diagnosed. 3 times myse!f!
 
Yeah, I am concerned with the future myself. TBI and several concussions; the doctors don't know what causes the random shakes I get. If they didn't go away completely they would think Parkinsons.

Been mostly gone for 6 months or so but then had a bout last month just before Christmas .

I knew Uncle Sam was going to get his pound of flesh when I joined up; just didn't know it was paid repeatedly in installments.
 
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