Aerose91 said...
The Dude Abides said...
It was shortly after all the dental work and vaccines I got in boot camp that I started having crushing migraines, and, later, chemical sensitivities. That was over 30 years ago and I still have both. Though, thank God, the migraines are less intense and less frequent. Good ol' Uncle Sam. What a pal.
What do you most atribute this to? The vaccines? Im hesitant to even ask how responded to your conditionHi, Aerose91:
Over the years, I've wondered the same thing. I've always suspected it was more the dental work. But, of course, I have no way of really knowing. Perhaps it was a combination of the two. Plus, other factors.
In boot camp, they extracted all four of my wisdom teeth, despite my not having any issues with them. They also drilled on several of my teeth, placing/replacing (?) amalgam fillings. Prior to the Military, I did not have migraines or chemical sensitivities. I joined at age 17.
Originally, I was on a six-year enlistment. But, I missed so much school, due to being bedridden with the migraines, they were going to give me a medical discharge. I appealed and went through a medical review board. They agreed to keep me, cut two years from my enlistment (my schooling was to take two years), and sent me to the fleet without any training. I ended-up in the same job (electronics) by learning from senior colleagues, studying the military manuals, and on-the-job training.
It was on my ship that the chemical sensitivities started. It wasn't immediately, as I was still able to wear cologne and wasn't affected by smells, when I arrived. Over the next three years on the ship, however, this changed.
We were frequently exposed to many different chemicals (including to our skin) and their vapors and often without any/proper ventilation, respiratory, protective glasses/gloves, etc. Paints, paint thinners, primers, floor wax, floor stripper, various greases, oil, diesel, jet fuel, various cleaners, fire-suppression chemicals, lead/tin solders, etc. We also helped carry/handle depleted uranium ammunition for the CIWS guns.
I remember going through the Suez Canal, on our way to the Persian Gulf. I was on the aft mast, working on the radar antenna. Our ship's propulsion was from two GE LM2500 gas turbines. There were two exhaust stacks -- one forward and one aft. The forward stacks were exhausting up and drifting back to bathe me, while I was aloft on the mast. I breathed-in those diesel fumes many times and sometimes for prolonged periods. By age 21, when I completed my enlistment, I couldn't be around ANY scents.
To this day, over three decades later, if I smell the slightest diesel exhaust from a car or truck, I get nauseous. I can smell the faintest emissions from far away. I'm hyper-sensitive. Of course, the same goes for cigarette smoke, perfumes/colognes, air "fresheners" (gag), candles, and such. Upon exposure, I get very nauseous, and, frequently, it triggers a migraine.
A month ago, I quit my job. I've been in touch with my local VA Hospital, in hopes I could get signed-up for medical coverage, rather than having to buy the expensive COBRA insurance through my former employer. (The Affordable Care Act is almost as expensive as COBRA, since I have zero income.) But, the VA said I made "too much" money last year (over $30,000) to qualify. I'm applying for a hardship waiver/exemption, since I don't have a job or income. They told me it would be a
minimum six month process, just to see if I might get approved.
We'll see how it goes.
Oh, I also have tinnitus in my left ear that started in the military. That was courtesy of the five-inch guns firing, as we were shelling an oil platform in the Persian Gulf, prior to the first Gulf War. The tinnitus has come-and-gone, over the years. But, for the past four years, it's been constant. It comes-and-goes in my right ear, now, too. Getting old isn't for the faint of heart!
I wish you well, friend.
Sincerely,
The Dude