Hospital: Gulf War Illness / National Salute to Veteran Patients

Desert Storm: 30 Years of Gulf War Illness

Of the almost 700,000 veterans who served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, nearly one third are suffering the debilitating after-effects of their service in that conflict still today. The medical term for the “cluster of medically unexplained chronic symptoms” associated with Desert Storm Veterans is “Gulf War Illness” and many of our veterans are suffering alone. As with their predecessors, Vietnam Veterans who advocated for acknowledgement and treatment of their “Agent Orange” illnesses, our Desert Storm Veterans must not be silent. Our Comrades, our sisters and brothers, must demand a proper acknowledgement of, compensation for and treatment of their Gulf War suffering. You or your loved one might be suffering from Gulf War Illness if they are experiencing any or all of the following chronic (more than occasional) symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Joint Pain / Fibromyalgia
• Indigestion / IBS / Bowel Discomfort
• Insomnia / Dizziness
• Respiratory Disorders
• Skin Problems
• Memory Issues

Female* Gulf War Veteran Specific Symptoms:

• Frequent UTI / Bladder Infections
• Hormone Issues / Difficulty Conceiving
• Miscarriage(s)

*It should be noted that most female-specific information is anecdotal as not nearly enough female-specific Gulf War health research has been done.

If this is you or your loved one, say something, do something and advocate for more relief.  Some of these symptoms can be treated to make them easier to bear, some still have a long way to go. Desert Shield and Desert Storm Veterans who want to comment on their health concerns or ask about Gulf War Research can do so through the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses.

Home Alone
No…not the little blonde dude making Christmas mischief; you, and your veterans sitting at home waiting for a new normal. Are you ok? Are your veterans ok? Have you done a #BuddyCheck? Since the beginning of the pandemic there has been:

• Uptick in depression
• Uptick in suicide
• Isolation as an obstacle (comorbidity) to recovery in hospitalized patients
• Uptick in alcohol and drug abuse
• Significant increases in mental health disorders in people under 18 and over 65 years of age
• Burnout among frontline workers and those who’ve experienced job loss

This is where we can bring the love and break the loneliness chains with our outreach. Be safe and be tenacious. If you have to drop off your tokens of love and appreciation to your local healthcare and long-term care facilities, then do it! (Notice I said LOCAL. Not all veterans are in VA facilities. They’re everywhere; go find ’em.) If you have to video chat, then do it! If you have to talk on the telephone, then do it! If you have to stand in your friend’s driveway in a tutu holding a sign and screeching out ‘80’s music…you get the picture; DO IT!!! We are the “depression demolition crew.” We’re the special ops of special circumstances. We have the power to change the course of this pandemic’s collateral damage. Our lonely veterans will not be COVID collateral damage as long as we are around!

A Special Valentine
The week of National Salute to Veteran Patients will soon be upon us. It humbles me to see the LOVE and the TALENT that you guys have! You have put your hearts into making hearts that will melt the hearts of our veteran patients and that makes my heart happy! Splash our veteran patients with pink and red and remind them who loves them the most: The VFW Auxiliary! (And show some love to each other, too. Y’all have worked miracles this year. You, like me, are blessed to serve!)

• 72HR ER/Urgent Care Phone Notification: 844-72HRVHA (844-724-7842)