Sleep Apnea in Gulf War Illness Forum

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Sleep Apnea

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USMC89		#41	[url]	[-]
Posts: 182 Jul 17 12 6:11 PM	razorpig wrote: Hi Rodney, here's what my award letter says for my SA: "sleep apnea also claimed as upper airway resistance" I was granted 50 per cent for SA, never saw anyone on active duty about it, didn't have it until a few years after active duty. Also was granted at the same time CF and mild depression due to GWI, and although I made all these claims at the same time, these claims came in a few months later than my original award. My original award was for fibro and migraine. BTW, the VA also wanted me to show service connection for everything, which I refused to do,and they backed off. You do get awarded SA. Can u please put the percent for Other like your CFS I am 60% total IBS 30%, PTSD 30%, and 10% for lower back I have a cliam for CFS Had c&p, Fibro Had C&p both were faverable, and many moer all at dro. if any ony want to see the C&p results let me know i will post it up. SSDI with family PTSD 70% IBS 30% Lower Back Strain 10% hemorrhoids secondary to IBS 0% 14 contentions with the DRO Gulf War Vet 90-91 C co. 1/2 2nd mar div. USMC 0311 89-93 Edited 1 time by USMC89 Jul 18 12 4:31 PM.
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talonsx2	still confused	#42	[url]	[-]
Posts: 96 Jul 18 12 2:21 PM	USMC89 wrote: razorpig wrote: Hi Rodney, here's what my award letter says for my SA: "sleep apnea also claimed as upper airway resistance" I was granted 50 per cent for SA, never saw anyone on active duty about it, didn't have it until a few years after active duty. Also was granted at the same time CF and mild depression due to GWI, and although I made all these claims at the same time, these claims came in a few months later than my original award. My original award was for fibro and migraine. BTW, the VA also wanted me to show service connection for everything, which I refused to do,and they backed off. You do get awarded SA. Can u please put the percent for Other like your CFS I am 60% total IBS 30%, PTSD 30%, and 10% for lower back I have a cliam for CFS Had c&p, Fibro Had C&p both were faverable, and many moer all at dro. if any ony want to see the C&p results let me know i will post it up. To Razorpig? Did you start your claim with "upper airway resistance" or "sleep apnea" or both combined? Thanks, Talonsx2
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branman	Clarification of UARS & OSA	#43	[url]	[-]
Posts: 729 Jul 18 12 8:35 PM	talonsx2 wrote: USMC89 wrote: razorpig wrote: Hi Rodney, here's what my award letter says for my SA: "sleep apnea also claimed as upper airway resistance" I was granted 50 per cent for SA, never saw anyone on active duty about it, didn't have it until a few years after active duty. Also was granted at the same time CF and mild depression due to GWI, and although I made all these claims at the same time, these claims came in a few months later than my original award. My original award was for fibro and migraine. BTW, the VA also wanted me to show service connection for everything, which I refused to do,and they backed off. You do get awarded SA. Can u please put the percent for Other like your CFS I am 60% total IBS 30%, PTSD 30%, and 10% for lower back I have a cliam for CFS Had c&p, Fibro Had C&p both were faverable, and many moer all at dro. if any ony want to see the C&p results let me know i will post it up. To Razorpig? Did you start your claim with "upper airway resistance" or "sleep apnea" or both combined? Thanks, Talonsx2 UARS/Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, is a type of sleep disorder, that is NOT the same as OSA/Obstructive Sleep Apnea. There is question in the medical community as to not only the existence of this syndrome, but whether it should be classified as a separate syndrome or part of the larger group Sleep-disordered Breathing (SDB). This unfortunately has led to a poor understanding of the illness by the medical community at large as well as a consequential lack of acceptance by medical facilities and health insurers. Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome or UARS is a sleep disorder characterized by airway resistance to breathing during sleep. The primary symptoms include daytime sleepiness and excessive fatigue whereas OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea and is caused by obstruction of the upper airway. It is characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep, despite the effort to breathe, and is usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. These pauses in breathing, called "apneas" (literally, "without breath"), typically last 20 to 40 seconds. The individual with OSA is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening. It is recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes or is suspected because of its effects on the body (sequelae). OSA is commonly accompanied with snoring. So when you go to see the doc they will run the test needed such as a sleep study to figure it out for you to see what is going on. The VA usually has a system that they use as a process of elimination to come up with your diagnosis and then the raters use the Schedule of Ratings Guidelines to rate you accordingly. SSDI awarded, 70% PTSD , 40% Fibromyalgia, 30%IBS= Total Awarded 90% Granted 100% TDIU One Does Not Have To Be Evil To Do Evil Because Good Men Only Have To Say Nothing Or Do Nothing... Peace and always much unadulterated Love Thanks For Your Service Branman
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USMC89		#44	[url]	[-]
Posts: 182 Jul 18 12 10:45 PM	branman wrote: talonsx2 wrote: USMC89 wrote: razorpig wrote: Hi Rodney, here's what my award letter says for my SA: "sleep apnea also claimed as upper airway resistance" I was granted 50 per cent for SA, never saw anyone on active duty about it, didn't have it until a few years after active duty. Also was granted at the same time CF and mild depression due to GWI, and although I made all these claims at the same time, these claims came in a few months later than my original award. My original award was for fibro and migraine. BTW, the VA also wanted me to show service connection for everything, which I refused to do,and they backed off. You do get awarded SA. Can u please put the percent for Other like your CFS I am 60% total IBS 30%, PTSD 30%, and 10% for lower back I have a cliam for CFS Had c&p, Fibro Had C&p both were faverable, and many moer all at dro. if any ony want to see the C&p results let me know i will post it up. To Razorpig? Did you start your claim with "upper airway resistance" or "sleep apnea" or both combined? Thanks, Talonsx2 UARS/Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome, is a type of sleep disorder, that is NOT the same as OSA/Obstructive Sleep Apnea. There is question in the medical community as to not only the existence of this syndrome, but whether it should be classified as a separate syndrome or part of the larger group Sleep-disordered Breathing (SDB). This unfortunately has led to a poor understanding of the illness by the medical community at large as well as a consequential lack of acceptance by medical facilities and health insurers. Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome or UARS is a sleep disorder characterized by airway resistance to breathing during sleep. The primary symptoms include daytime sleepiness and excessive fatigue whereas OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea and is caused by obstruction of the upper airway. It is characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep, despite the effort to breathe, and is usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. These pauses in breathing, called "apneas" (literally, "without breath"), typically last 20 to 40 seconds. The individual with OSA is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening. It is recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes or is suspected because of its effects on the body (sequelae). OSA is commonly accompanied with snoring. So when you go to see the doc they will run the test needed such as a sleep study to figure it out for you to see what is going on. The VA usually has a system that they use as a process of elimination to come up with your diagnosis and then the raters use the Schedule of Ratings Guidelines to rate you accordingly. @branman I am going to have a sleep study done in Sept. so if i have a problem with UARS or OSA can i claim this under gulf war presumptive? SSDI with family PTSD 70% IBS 30% Lower Back Strain 10% hemorrhoids secondary to IBS 0% 14 contentions with the DRO Gulf War Vet 90-91 C co. 1/2 2nd mar div. USMC 0311 89-93
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branman		#45	[url]	[-]
Posts: 729 Jul 19 12 12:18 AM	@USMC89 neither UARS or OSA is a presumptive for Gulf War Illness, there is only 3 presumptives for Gulf War Illness which are CFS, Fibro, and FGID along with Undiagnosed Illnesses of which OSA falls under Sleep Disturbance. If your from the 1st Gulf War from Aug 1990- Sept 2001 OIF/OEF Vet then those 9 diseases refer to you as well such as West Nile, Brucelleosis, Bernetii, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, etc. It depends on the rater that you get that will determine if they will grant it for you, as you can see from this thread some have and some have not. Go here to read about it from the VA site: http://www.publichealth.v...-unexplained-illness.asp and read Jim Bunker's Health Guide to get a clear understanding of Today's Toxic Wars including Gulf War Illnesses : http://www.ngwrc.org/docs/2010%20health%20guide.pdf SSDI awarded, 70% PTSD , 40% Fibromyalgia, 30%IBS= Total Awarded 90% Granted 100% TDIU One Does Not Have To Be Evil To Do Evil Because Good Men Only Have To Say Nothing Or Do Nothing... Peace and always much unadulterated Love Thanks For Your Service Branman
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USMC89		#46	[url]	[-]
Posts: 182 Jul 19 12 12:47 AM	branman wrote: @USMC89 neither UARS or OSA is a presumptive for Gulf War Illness, there is only 3 presumptives for Gulf War Illness which are CFS, Fibro, and FGID along with Undiagnosed Illnesses of which OSA falls under Sleep Disturbance. If your from the 1st Gulf War from Aug 1990- Sept 2001 OIF/OEF Vet then those 9 diseases refer to you as well such as West Nile, Brucelleosis, Bernetii, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, etc. It depends on the rater that you get that will determine if they will grant it for you, as you can see from this thread some have and some have not. Go here to read about it from the VA site: http://www.publichealth.v...-unexplained-illness.asp and read Jim Bunker's Health Guide to get a clear understanding of Today's Toxic Wars including Gulf War Illnesses : http://www.ngwrc.org/docs/2010%20health%20guide.pdf The reason i am asking this question i have been DX buy an C&P doc and he said i do have Fibromyalgia test on me he said I have trigger point pain on both sides of body and back and front Bilatral. i wont find out the rating i got becouse it is at the DRO along with thirteen more contentions. I found a site the symtems here is some of it Fibromyalgia Fibromyositis; Fibrositis Last reviewed: February 14, 2011. Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which a person has long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety. Causes, incidence, and risk factors The cause is unknown. Possible causes or triggers of fibromyalgia include: Physical or emotional trauma Abnormal pain response - areas in the brain that are responsible for pain may react differently in fibromyalgia patients Sleep disturbances Infection, such as a virus, although none has been identified Fibromyalgia is most common among women aged 20 to 50. The following conditions may be seen with fibromyalgia or mimic its symptoms: Chronic neck or back pain Chronic fatigue syndrome Depression Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Lyme disease Sleep disorders Symptoms Pain in the main symptom of fibromyalgia. It may be mild to severe. Painful areas are called tender points. Tender points are found in the soft tissue on the back of the neck, shoulders, chest, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, and knees. The pain then spreads out from these areas. The pain may feel like a deep ache, or a shooting, burning pain. The joints are not affected, although the pain may feel like it is coming from the joints. People with fibromyalgia tend to wake up with body aches and stiffness. For some patients, pain improves during the day and gets worse at night. Some patients have pain all day long. Pain may get worse with activity, cold or damp weather, anxiety, and stress. Fatigue, depressed mood, and sleep problems are seen in almost all patients with fibromyalgia. Many say that they can't get to sleep or stay asleep, and they feel tired when they wake up. Other symptoms of fibromyalgia may include: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Memory and concentration problems Numbness and tingling in hands and feet Palpitations Reduced ability to exercise Tension or migraine headache Read more....http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001463/ SSDI with family PTSD 70% IBS 30% Lower Back Strain 10% hemorrhoids secondary to IBS 0% 14 contentions with the DRO Gulf War Vet 90-91 C co. 1/2 2nd mar div. USMC 0311 89-93 Edited 1 time by USMC89 Jul 19 12 12:57 AM.
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branman		#47	[url]	[-]
Posts: 729 Jul 19 12 1:41 AM	USMC89 I do understand the Fibro. I have it too and my sleep patterns are all out of wack unless I'm on my meds. I take Clonazepam to help me sleep which helps my insomnia. Also this is suppose to help my PTSD as well. Sleep disturbances have many subtopics to them such as insomnia, bruxism (teeth grinding), narcolepsy, mental illnesses , etc. and can happen while your awake such as the narcolepsy but OSA as a sleep disturbance can cause you to stop breathing while your asleep and can kill you. In the listing of the sleep disturbance for Fibro, according to my doctor, it is mostly from pain waking you up from aching muscles. Again, if I'm not on my meds such as Cyclobenzoprene then I'm up all night dealing with pain. Now, if you go to your sleep study and they say yes you do have OSA and you require a CPAP then this may be pointed to your PTSD. I'm bringing up all the avenues up for you because this is what was presented to me from my doctors. They are basically dragging their feet to send me for a sleep study and wanting to blame it on my PTSD. Your situation and your VAMC may be different than mine and you will probably get better treatment than me, your already scheduled for a Sleep Study so your on your way to finding out something soon. Just let your C&P write up work for you at the RO and if your not happy with the rating then appeal it with a NOD like most have to do until you get what you feel you deserve. As Jim said, it is a 50/50 chance of it getting approved especially if you have PTSD but I would be worried about getting treatment first though. SSDI awarded, 70% PTSD , 40% Fibromyalgia, 30%IBS= Total Awarded 90% Granted 100% TDIU One Does Not Have To Be Evil To Do Evil Because Good Men Only Have To Say Nothing Or Do Nothing... Peace and always much unadulterated Love Thanks For Your Service Branman
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USMC89		#48	[url]	[-]
Posts: 182 Jul 20 12 7:40 PM	@branman Do you have service connection for Fibro? and what rating did you get. I can post mine so you can see it tell me what you think. I had a C&P for fibro but i do not know what rating i have, it's intertwined with the appeal at the DRO. SSDI with family PTSD 70% IBS 30% Lower Back Strain 10% hemorrhoids secondary to IBS 0% 14 contentions with the DRO Gulf War Vet 90-91 C co. 1/2 2nd mar div. USMC 0311 89-93
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branman		#49	[url]	[-]
Posts: 729 Jul 22 12 12:48 AM	USMC89 , no I have not been rated yet for my Fibro but I do have a claim in for it and have a diagnosis for it. What I did was get my Rheumatologist do a DBQ for me and write up with his medical records. He's the same guy I went to for my SSDI as well. If you can , can you please post your decision letter for comparison. I know that no two claims are alike but if I get denied I would like to at least see what one looks like. I'm not understanding that you don't know what your rating is, the VA should have said it on the award letter. Just post what you have so we can take a look at what you have to help you sort this out. Edit: I just looked up and see where you post that you have your C&P results but not your rating as of yet. Yes please post your C&P results but do in another thread and we can give it a WAG. SSDI awarded, 70% PTSD , 40% Fibromyalgia, 30%IBS= Total Awarded 90% Granted 100% TDIU One Does Not Have To Be Evil To Do Evil Because Good Men Only Have To Say Nothing Or Do Nothing... Peace and always much unadulterated Love Thanks For Your Service Branman Edited 1 time by branman Jul 22 12 12:53 AM.
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branman		#50	[url]	[-]
Posts: 729 Jul 22 12 12:51 AM	Oh, I forgot to say to USMC89, you should start another topic thread because it seems like were getting off topic and we're hijacking the OP thread. If you want you can IM me on here as well. SSDI awarded, 70% PTSD , 40% Fibromyalgia, 30%IBS= Total Awarded 90% Granted 100% TDIU One Does Not Have To Be Evil To Do Evil Because Good Men Only Have To Say Nothing Or Do Nothing... Peace and always much unadulterated Love Thanks For Your Service Branman
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razorpig	Sleep Apnea	#51	[url]	[-]
Posts: 62 Jul 23 12 8:16 AM	This one just won't die. I believe I answered this previously in this post, but it was probably lost within the paragraph, here is what I was granted for my Gulf War Claim, exactly as it reads: Cluster/migraine headaches: 50% Fibro: 40% Chronic Fatigue Syndrom: 60% Sleep Apnea also claimed as upper airway resistance syndrome: 50% Mood disorders with depressive features associated with fibromyalgia: 30% My initial GW claim reported my sleep problem as sleep apnea. I did not have the issue prior to the war, reported it to the VA, the VA doctor dismissed it out of hand. I went to Walter Reed a few years later as the problem got worse and they diagnosed it as UARS. This is how I reported it to the VA for my claim, but I listed it as sleep apnea, when they approved it, they listed it as sleep apnea also claimed as upper airway resistance syndrome. After my anthrax shots the first two things I noticed were my arms going numb all the time and the apnea. After going back and looking at my claim, sleep apnea is the very first thing I listed, it was number 1. Hope this helps. Edited 1 time by razorpig Jul 23 12 8:31 AM.
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pgwvet	Fibromyalgia	#52	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1365 Jul 24 12 10:24 AM	USMC89 wrote: branman wrote: @USMC89 neither UARS or OSA is a presumptive for Gulf War Illness, there is only 3 presumptives for Gulf War Illness which are CFS, Fibro, and FGID along with Undiagnosed Illnesses of which OSA falls under Sleep Disturbance. If your from the 1st Gulf War from Aug 1990- Sept 2001 OIF/OEF Vet then those 9 diseases refer to you as well such as West Nile, Brucelleosis, Bernetii, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, etc. It depends on the rater that you get that will determine if they will grant it for you, as you can see from this thread some have and some have not. Go here to read about it from the VA site: http://www.publichealth.v...-unexplained-illness.asp and read Jim Bunker's Health Guide to get a clear understanding of Today's Toxic Wars including Gulf War Illnesses : http://www.ngwrc.org/docs/2010%20health%20guide.pdf The reason i am asking this question i have been DX buy an C&P doc and he said i do have Fibromyalgia test on me he said I have trigger point pain on both sides of body and back and front Bilatral. i wont find out the rating i got becouse it is at the DRO along with thirteen more contentions. I found a site the symtems here is some of it Fibromyalgia Fibromyositis; Fibrositis Last reviewed: February 14, 2011. Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which a person has long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety. Causes, incidence, and risk factors The cause is unknown. Possible causes or triggers of fibromyalgia include: Physical or emotional trauma Abnormal pain response - areas in the brain that are responsible for pain may react differently in fibromyalgia patients Sleep disturbances Infection, such as a virus, although none has been identified Fibromyalgia is most common among women aged 20 to 50. The following conditions may be seen with fibromyalgia or mimic its symptoms: Chronic neck or back pain Chronic fatigue syndrome Depression Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Lyme disease Sleep disorders Symptoms Pain in the main symptom of fibromyalgia. It may be mild to severe. Painful areas are called tender points. Tender points are found in the soft tissue on the back of the neck, shoulders, chest, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, and knees. The pain then spreads out from these areas. The pain may feel like a deep ache, or a shooting, burning pain. The joints are not affected, although the pain may feel like it is coming from the joints. People with fibromyalgia tend to wake up with body aches and stiffness. For some patients, pain improves during the day and gets worse at night. Some patients have pain all day long. Pain may get worse with activity, cold or damp weather, anxiety, and stress. Fatigue, depressed mood, and sleep problems are seen in almost all patients with fibromyalgia. Many say that they can't get to sleep or stay asleep, and they feel tired when they wake up. Other symptoms of fibromyalgia may include: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Memory and concentration problems Numbness and tingling in hands and feet Palpitations Reduced ability to exercise Tension or migraine headache Read more....http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001463/ if you are going to go off topic please take the check mark out of the stay on topic. This post has some information that has not been posted for a while. now why did this not move?
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Rotor Head		#53	[url]	[-]
Posts: 8229 Jul 24 12 10:55 AM	This discussion seems to be skewing toward fibro now. As long as you are trying to make the case that the SA could be secondary to the presumptive conditions, then it is relevant to the discussion. Otherwise a new thread should be started to discuss the fibro and related issues like C&P exam results. Have a good one.
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Skeeter Dave	Sleep Apnea and CFS	#54	[url]	[-]
Posts: 8 Dec 24 12 8:49 AM	Retired 31 Dec 2011, just received a partial claim, diagnosed with SA and chronic fatigue on active duty, CPAP machine for over two years on AD. Claimed SA and CFS, was awarded 50% and they combined the two, MEDICAL CONDITION: Obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP (claimed as sleep apnea, chronic fatigue) PERCENT ASSIGNED 50% Yes, DS/DS with letters from DOD about the possible exposure to nerve agent, but don't worry, it wasn't for more than three days. Filing a NOD to separate the two and have them evaluated individually. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and Merry Christmas.
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Truckmaster		#55	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1675 Dec 24 12 2:06 PM	For me, I had a doctors letter stating that the fatigue I experienced (along with the other symptoms that indicated CFS), was not from my sleep apnea (Not service connected). Part of the reasoning, was that my use of the CPAP, did not relieve the fatigue, and the fatigue was more then whats normal with sleep apnea. You also need to specify "Chronic Fatigue syndrome", Not "Chronic Fatigue". When I first applied, I wrote all the symptoms, as that was what was put out on here as how to do it if you do not have a diagnosis of CFS. so they just took it as "Chronic Fatigue", and lumped it with sleep apnea, which they rejected without even giving me a C&P. After a NOD, they did send me for the CFS C&P. Fight for every little bit of your life back. Don't let them win.
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stevenr88		#56	[url]	[-]
Posts: 10 Mar 1 13 11:15 AM	I am amazed how many Gulf War vets have sleep apnea. I claimed sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. My claim was deferred by the VA. In the meantime, I was service connected for sinusitis which fell under presumptive for “respiratory conditions”. I will post the letter that my sleep doctor wrote to the VA later today. I think it is pretty helpful. Of course, I won’t know until the VA decides my claim, probably in 2014.
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talonsx2	@Razorpig?4YA	#57	[url]	[-]
Posts: 96 Apr 27 13 9:21 AM	razorpig wrote: Hi Rodney, here's what my award letter says for my SA: "sleep apnea also claimed as upper airway resistance" I was granted 50 per cent for SA, never saw anyone on active duty about it, didn't have it until a few years after active duty. Also was granted at the same time CF and mild depression due to GWI, and although I made all these claims at the same time, these claims came in a few months later than my original award. My original award was for fibro and migraine. BTW, the VA also wanted me to show service connection for everything, which I refused to do,and they backed off. You do get awarded SA. were you diagnosed with an Upper airway resistance other than SA? Thanks for the input I know this is an old thread but I thought I would try.. Talonsx2
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Rodryr1	Total Confusion on Topic	#58	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1 May 14 13 12:54 PM	I Find Various Message boards & Info specific on VA websites all somewhat confusing. I find Veterans Granted Disability for things Like IBS Under the "Presumptive Clause" & the entire catagory that all these filings fall under is MSI (Multi symptom Illness) & Then phrases present themselves in these topics Such as "Undiagnosed Illness". Which is it? Diagnosed or Undiagnosed illness? IBS is a Diagnosed disorder. Sleep Apnea is a Sleeping Disorder. It can be "Central" or "Obstructive". However, depending how you relate a diagnosis or view all other symptoms often "Stress related symptoms present themselves the same way. So, gee whiz maybe it's Stress? Oh well thats PTSD! A Entire topic itself. Thats another path to alot of the same symptoms one can have for the others. My Obstructive Sleep apnea has shown other related signs in test. They call that RLS, (Restless leg syndrom). Funny because it's not only my legs I tense & twitch other muscle groups also. I wake up abruptly at times. OK Private dr's label it RLS. So you go with that. Several times a year I wake up in sweating & always thought that I sleep better with the CPAP & these are just part of having apnea. I never recall "Dreams being fearfull" I seldom recall dreams period. I don't know if it's related. It's no wonder people like "myself" don't even bother with the filing claims or trips to the VA. I can easily see the "Runaround involved" & Honestly Is it worth My time & Effort? I'm already frustrated with juggling Habits & Lifestyle along with Nutrition,excersise & all the things that I do deliberatly to find a better quality of Life. If I'm not trying to deal with IBS flareups, I'm Struggling with sleep. Of course one may be causing the other. Then toss in a few Migrain issues throughout the year & it's alot work to juggle things. If I have the warning signs of Migraine & intervene by taking even a over the counter migrain meds. If I don't a full blown migraine sucks! I usually can prevent it from blooming into a Migraine. So, to me this is good. I started out with a prescrition of imitrex & I learned that there was a couple off the shelf Items that worked. Easy choice. I keep them handy & hence improved my situation & quality of life. They happen & I can manage them in a positive manner & keep them from happining "if" I'm pro active. Thats a win win I think. Then my doctor tells me to avoid "Ibuprophen" because that can cause Colonitis? You Have IBS & that might Contribute to flare ups. Well great, that active ingredient is in the over the counter stuff that Prevents/stops the Migraines so, Hey forget that Doc. Against your advice I'm using it. I'm not going to consider stopping. It's only a few times a year. Why bother with the VA? I have enough problems with my own Doctor directing me in directions for one issue & then saying well, then again you have to watch the other issue. I simply think alot of times That i'm not sure what to do. Since 1996 I have struggled the sleeping issue's. I've been diagnosed with IBS and during a colonoscopy states in remarks "very spastic Colon". (That generated a No kidding doc remark by me after my colonoscopy when he had me in the office for the followup after the procedure). And of course the joy of Hemroids that aften follows IBS flareups. I have a Job I love, Health insurance thats Good to Great, A private doctor who actually started seeing me while I was active duty because of my location at the time there was no military Medical available. ( I was on recruiting duty and had to find a local doctor for care. I ended active duty remained in the area in 1996 & kept the same doctor to this day). Since then I've seen him numerous times over the years for several things. I did Sleep studies in 1996, Mild interuptions of sleep nothing to really jump at. Excercise, avoid stimulants Blah, Blah, Blah. So ,I did that stuff & lived with it till I simply couldn't handle it any longer. Morning headaches were a way of life,restless sleep, Fatigue on and off, Morning stiffness. So I went back again in 2006. for another sleep study. More signs of sleep interuptions, A few more apnea events that las time. More of the same but this time DOC says goes see a ENT specialist for a consult. Well no surgical approach was obvious. I can try a few things with your airway but not guaranteed to fix anything, Maybe you could try CPAP but your bordeline in the test. Well' I was stubborn & disgusted and the thought I needed a machine to sleep. Hell NO ! Those are for fat, unhealthy, out of shape blimps. Thats not me. So, It goes on longer then In 2010 My Fiance had enough. Tells me im impossible to sleep with me. I need to do something. I stop breathing too much, twitch & flop. & then the snoring is also present. I'm at the same body weight since I left active duty. I'm practicing the good habits, Diet,excersise. OK,OK I'll do it again. This time Hey I'm definetly a canidate for CPAP after two more studies. both test show numerous sleep interuptions & apnea events. Oxygen stats were dropping way to low & finally a test that reflects the way I have felt for a very long time. I start CPAP & it's a time in my life that I said= "DAMM should have done this years ago. I feel alot better. Remaining problems still present themselves at times."Night sweats" a few times a year. My muscles tense up once and awhile & I do wake up once in awhile "Excited" & don't know why. I just roll over & go back to sleep. Life is A HELL of alot better I'll live with those things. All I know is it's giving me better sleep than I had. & Of course the IBS thing is a pain to deal with so the other sleeping issues can take a back seat. You do the best you can for "Quality" of life. It sucks. You adjust. Prepare yourself to be ready for the signs of a Migraine, Know you might have to find a "Bathroom quickly" , deal with the IBS Flareups when the happen. Treat the Hemroids. Watch your diet & do everything for IBS they say you should do & know it's still going to happen. Set silly goals like I'm going to really try to only "Soil my pants" once this year & then set a goal not to do it at all next year. Why bother with the run-around with the VA? I don't need anymore problems. I have a doctor & struggle with the stuff & would rather put my effort in a better quality of life. It sucks. But Honestly, It sounds that going to the VA is only going to create more issues I don't need. So, they say Undiagnosed Illness in the same paragraph the VA lists diagnosed illnesses. HUH? They talk of sleeping disorders, Would that be diagnosed or undiagnosed ? Don't forget they say IBS. Oh yeah thats diagnosed. Now lets not forget Migraines & a History of Migraines. Thats Diagnosed. Lets look at the symptoms of all. Wow, they have alot in common. Hell ,this looks like it could be PTSD. Actually looks more like a tangled web of Doctor opinions. So I Ask again. Why bother with the VA ? You can choose to spend efforts at improving quality or life or spent time being told it's not what you may think and go and get spun in circles. Geeh. what should I do?
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Truckmaster		#59	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1675 May 14 13 1:46 PM	Read the regulation, it is two separate issues, 1 the undiagnosed issue, of which they list several categories of symptoms. Then there is also the Chronic Multisymptom illnesses (CMI), of which they list IBS, CFS, and Fibro as examples (I have not heard of anyone getting anything else SC'd under that clause, but it is possible). For the most part, you do not see to many say they got service connection under the undiagnosed illnesses. The biggest reason, is doctors are trained to assign a diagnosis. The key that I have seen, is to show a history of different docs assigning a different diagnosis to the same thing. ( one doc says you have tension headaches, the next doc says they are migraines, then the next says they are cluster, ect). There is a clause somewhere, that says symptoms that are a diagnosis in them selves, such as "Headaches", are not to be considered a diagnosis for a claim under those rules. (or something close to that). You are right, with the way the VA treated the gulf war vets, in the early 90's, many vets have sworn to never look at the VA for anything. I was one of them, until I hit rock bottom, and had no choice. It takes work, but if you have the symptoms, it is possible to win. Fight for every little bit of your life back. Don't let them win.
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lsullysr		#60	[url]	[-]
Posts: 594 May 14 13 4:44 PM	Welcome to VBN and thank you for your service. Like a lot of us you are trying to be tough or toughing it out, and it sounds like you need some help. Some of the signs/reasons for waking at night could be symptoms of PTSD, and Sleep Apnea is possibly a secondary medical issue of PTSD. You should get an appointment with VA Mental Health for a screening. You say you have an Dx for IBS, file your claim under 38 CFR 3.317. There is an abundance of information in this forum to help you with the wording. You have the illness, and if there is no other etiology for the illness, than it is more than likely a presumptive due to your service in the Gulf. I was also service connected for my Migraines due to my service in the Gulf, because I didn't have any previous documentation for headaches/migraines in my service records. If this is your case, file for Migraines under 38 CFR 3.317. It is better to have a diagnosis for your illnesses before filing, but do not hold up filing waiting on a diagnosis. I didn't have a diagnosis for anything when I filed my first claim, but I had chronic symptoms for all the illnesses I later received diagnosis for. Good luck, and I really think you should talk with the VA Mental Health Department concerning possible PTSD. Sometimes in our life we have to stop trying to be the tough strong guy, and admit we need some help. It took me over twenty years, and I was really hurting by that time. U.S. Army Retired (1971-1991) 100% P&T (SMC-S) "If you have never made a mistake, you have never done anything". (Author Unknown)
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