Gulf War Veterans - Ill and Forgotten?

Louise Richard, RN (Gulf War Veteran)

It will soon be the seventh anniversary of the Persian Gulf War. 4500 Canadian men and women returned home as war veterans and "heroes". Now, a growing number of us are seriously ill with a slow progression of debilitating physical, psychological and emotional symptoms and a variety of chronic illnesses. What has been called Gulf War Syndrome (GWS), or Gulf War Illness (GWI) shares many of the symptoms and disabilities of both ME, FM and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS).

Like those suffering from both ME and FM, GWI veterans are finding it very difficult to convince conventional medical authorities and those government agencies charged with providing care to the disabled that we are indeed suffering from debilitating conditions which not only saw us released early from the Canadian forces, but also preventing us from taking up gainful employment in the civilian work force. In addition, we must convince the Pension Board of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) that our condition is the result of our military service. But the weight of evidence on our side is growing.

In preparation for the deployment to the Gulf area, all military members underwent stringent medical, dental and psychological screening. In common with the forces sent by the U.S. and the U.K., who have also experienced similar GWI symptoms, we received numerous immunizations, including some meant to counter bacteriological warfare agents, such as Anthrax and botulism, and were given an untried oral nerve gas prophylactic (pyridostigmine bromide) to be taken every eight hours in theatre. In addition, Canadians in the Gulf region were exposed to toxic smoke and fumes from the vast oil well fires set by the Iraqis, organophosphates, pesticides (including DEET ("OFF") and the pests which they did not defer, contaminated drinking water, residue from depleted uranium shell casings and other weapon residue. Also, medical personnel were exposed to Iraqi prisoners of war most of whom were suffering from communicable diseases, infested with parasites, and covered with open wounds and sores. These were the known exposures. In addition, destruction of Iraqi arms and military facilities resulted in detection of chemical and biological warfare agents over wide areas of the region.

Research since GWI became apparent in the U.S.A. and the U.K. 'has turned up considerable evidence of toxic agents in Gulf War Veterans, including a microorganism called Mycoplasma Fermentans Incognitus, a slow-growing mycoplasma found in white blood cells of many GWI sufferers. Doctors Garth and Nancy Nicholson, of Irvine, California, have identified this microorganism and developed a course of antibiotic treatment which has proven effective for those whose treatment has been timely. They have also discovered evidence that this microorganism has been genetically engineered, possibly as a biological weapon. It could also be naturally generated from some of the prophylactic vaccines administered from synergistic effects of chemical agents. What is particularly unnerving is that the disease caused by this microorganism appears to be contagious, resulting in the infection of spouses, children and medical personnel. Another substance found in the blood of Gulf War Veterans in the U.S. is Squalene, an experimental agent not approved for human use. Although Squalene helps boost the immune system against illnesses such as influenza, herpes and HIV, it also causes the system to generate antibodies which can generate adverse immune reactions, attacking the patient from within.

Recent research at Duke University injected rats with the same mix of vaccines received by the Gulf War Veterans and also gave them pyridostigmine bromide. Clear evidence emerged that the synergistic effect of these substances is a severe attack on the animals' immune systems, causing many of the same symptoms found in GWI.

A list of GWI symptoms includes the following:

• Persistent or relapsing, debilitating fatigue or easy fatigability that does not resolve with rest;
• Mild fever, sore throat, intermittent fever;
• Arthralgia and Myalgia (chronic muscle and joint pains);
• Generalized muscle weakness;
• Numbness and tingling (upper and lower extremities and limbs);
• Headaches, visual disturbances, difficulty night driving, photophobia;
• Painful lymph nodes - Thyroid gland problems;
• Sleep disorder (insomnia, nightmares, agitation, can't stay asleep, early awakening...);
• Night sweats, can't regulate body temperature, hot, cold or clammy, Raynaud's disease;
• Memory loss and short term memory loss;
• Confusion, anxiety, irritability, low tolerance to stimuli, poor concentration, hazy thinking;
• Skin rashes, slow to heal, hair loss, dry skin;
• Muscle pain and spasms, tremors, fine motor skill problems, poor coordination;
• Irritable bowel syndrome (diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, bloating, stomach pains, heartburn...), weight gain or loss;
• Nervousness, dizziness, chest pains, heart palpitations and pain, racing pulse;
• Urination problems (loss bladder control, frequent infections...);
• Gynecological problems (bleeding, anemia, pain), semen problems or sex problems;
• Chemical sensitivities (cleaning products, perfumes and deodorants, dry cleaning...;
• Frequent coughing, asthma, allergies, sleep apnea, sinus problems and infections;
• Red eyes, eye pain, tears burn, eyes dry;
• Bleeding gums, TMJ problems, dental problems and infections.

There is little understanding in Canada of Gulf War Illness, and superficial care of its sufferers has been the result, despite recent undertakings to allow released Veterans to be seen at the Gulf War Clinic here in Ottawa. This does not compensate disabilities nor redress release from the forces before treatment avenues were exhausted and adequate compensation in place. No significant research is being carried out in Canada, credibility is not being given to research being done elsewhere, and pensions are being denied or restricted largely as a result of this ignorance. We have been left to fight our cases on our own. Release from the Forces without superannuation entitlement has left many Gulf War Veterans without financial resources, and their condition makes gainful employment impossible.

We need help and support. We accepted the unlimited liability inherent in serving our country in a combat zone, against an evil regime with a deserved reputation for nastiness. We have not, and are not, receiving the unlimited care, support and understanding with the acceptance of that liability. Anything which you and your groups can do to support us and bring pressure on the government to fulfill its obligations will be welcome and greatly appreciated.

[Ed. Note: Louise was a Lieutenant Navy in the Canadian Armed Forces and suffers from Gulf War Illnesses. She is now our Director for Gulf War Syndrome and Illnesses. She will be writing in future issues. To help Louise and the Gulf War Veterans, please support them by contacting your Member of Parliament and protest the treatment of our GW Veterans. In our next issue Louise will discuss what Canada has done and what she is advocating. 

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