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Fibromyalgia

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flyfisher

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I served in the Persian Gulf during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I have been recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia/ Myofascial syndrome by two seperate nurse practioners one of them being my primary care provider and the other in the pain clinic. My primary care provider filled out a Disability Benefits Questionnaire where she stated by pain was not responding to treatment and that her opinion that it was least as likely as not related to my service in the Persian Gulf and exposure to possible environmental causes. I have filed a claim with my VSO and still waiting on a decision. My primary care provider has completed all the blood work to rule out other causes such as arthritis. I have been referrred to neurology and rheumatolgy but have been denied to be seen as they tell me to be treated for chronic pain in response to the referrals.

Has anyone else who served in the Persian Gulf claimed fibromyalgia as a presumptive illness and been granted service connection. I am trying to gain information in case my claim gets denied. Any help would be appreciated.

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Gulf War Veterans who meet the criteria below do not need to prove a connection between their military service and illnesses in order to receive VA disability compensation.

VA presumes certain chronic, unexplained symptoms existing for 6 months or more are related to Gulf War service without regard to cause. These "presumptive" illnesses must have appeared during active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations or by December 31, 2016, and be at least 10 percent disabling. These illnesses include:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a condition of long-term and severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions.

Fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread muscle pain. Other symptoms may include insomnia, morning stiffness, headache, and memory problems.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders, a group of conditions marked by chronic or recurrent symptoms related to any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Functional condition refers to an abnormal function of an organ, without a structural alteration in the tissues. Examples include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and functional abdominal pain syndrome.

Undiagnosed illnesses with symptoms that may include but are not limited to: abnormal weight loss, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sleep disturbances.

- See more at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/medically-unexplained-illness.asp#sthash.N0BoF9ny.dpuf

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/medically-unexplained-illness.asp

Edited by pete992
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Folks remember this as this has happened to myself and countless others. If you go the undiagnosed illness route be weary, once diagnosed the VA says oops so sorry charlie dianosis no compensation. NEXT! Get a careful review of your SMR's, private, and VA records, you will need this continuity in order to get this service connected under " cluster of symptoms of undiagnosed illnesses resulting in at least a level of 10% compensable before 2016, its a booger, have a diagnosis do not pass go and no collecting $200.

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Yes, a veteran can be rated for both CFS and Fibromyalgia

5025 Fibromyalgia (fibrositis, primary fibromyalgia syndrome)

With widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points, with or without associated fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, paresthesias, headache, irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud's-like symptoms:

That are constant, or nearly so, and refractory to therapy 40%

That are episodic, with exacerbations often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress or by overexertion, but that are present more than one-third of the time 20%

That require continuous medication for control 10%

6354 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS):

Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, confusion), or a combination of other signs and symptoms:

Which are nearly constant and so severe as to restrict routine daily activities almost completely and which may occasionally preclude self-care 100%

Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities to less than 50 percent of the pre-illness level, or; which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least six weeks total duration per year 60%

Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities to 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level, or; which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least four but less than six weeks total duration per year 40%

Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities by less than 25 percent of the pre-illness level, or; which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least two but less than four weeks total duration per year 20%

Which wax and wane but result in periods of incapacitation of at least one but less than two weeks total duration per year, or; symptoms controlled by continuous medication 10%

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Guys, I'm in the final stages of ruling out everything else, hopefully at Thursday's appointment. My Rheumatologist was talking FibroM about 4 months ago, my PCP did back in February when she sent me to the Rheumatologist. I've had the muscle and joint pain pretty much every day since mid-'93 at a level of 5-8 on that "damn scale" The Dr. has me on Hydracodone right now so those 3 times a day and a couple of Aleve twice a day at least take the edge off. Once he says, "Yes, it's Fibromyalgia." I intend to ask him for a DBQ.

I'm currently at 70% for PTSD with depression and anxiety. Gastro and fatigue issues still under investigation.

The reason I mentioned all that is because, please don't take offense, but in some weird way I find a little comfort in knowing that there are others in this same boat with me... I guess that's completely f - ing insane. I found myself thinking Wow, these guys know exactly what I've been dealing with for 20 years.

Flyfisher -

I now see a pain specialist routinely and I on medication which has helped some not a complete cure.

If you don't mind, what med is helping you?

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Guys, I'm in the final stages of ruling out everything else, hopefully at Thursday's appointment. My Rheumatologist was talking FibroM about 4 months ago, my PCP did back in February when she sent me to the Rheumatologist. I've had the muscle and joint pain pretty much every day since mid-'93 at a level of 5-8 on that "damn scale" The Dr. has me on Hydracodone right now so those 3 times a day and a couple of Aleve twice a day at least take the edge off. Once he says, "Yes, it's Fibromyalgia." I intend to ask him for a DBQ.

I'm currently at 70% for PTSD with depression and anxiety. Gastro and fatigue issues still under investigation.

The reason I mentioned all that is because, please don't take offense, but in some weird way I find a little comfort in knowing that there are others in this same boat with me... I guess that's completely f - ing insane. I found myself thinking Wow, these guys know exactly what I've been dealing with for 20 years.

Flyfisher -

If you don't mind, what med is helping you?

I agree. It is comforting to know that other veterans are dealing with this, and that perhaps it isn't just in my head. If you don't mind my asking, what did the doctor say when you told him that you've been feeling the symptoms since '93? How did you tell him?

That is one thing I am concerned about, is how to explain to a doctor that I've had this pain (and stiffness, headaches, depression etc.) for about 2 years, and haven't sought treatment because I thought it was all in my head. The only reason I started looking for answers is because the symptoms are getting worse. I'm starting to feel like doing ANYTHING results in severe pain and stiffness for days.

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