hawkcrewchief

Purple- Yes that does help, anything I can learn to help me be a better person is great. Iluvhim- They have me on 20mg for irritability, mood swings, anger, anxiety, and all around emotional numbness I guess. I have it sitting next to me, just got here in the mail I guess ill take half and see what happens... ;) Thanks for the quick responses!

Anyone know anything about this drug...? I've done some research on it, but most people online are taking it for other things. My symptoms are primarily irratibility and all the other stuff PTSD shares with us. Anyone else taking it for PTSD? ;)

All those times i got JP-8 on me during fuel samples and went flying for hours because i couldnt change... And how about the submerged fuel pump replacements where you have to go in the fuel cell with nothing but a little fan... OMG i wonder whats brewing inside of me...... :) :)

While working with the color weather radar on the UH-60 Blackhawk the spark chasers (Avionics techs) always set up cones around the front of my bird. I always wondered what they were doing and they told me that the radiation from the radar can make you sterile and if it is strong enough and close enough they said it can give you a deep burn. This was also true when they were working on the radar for fixed wing aircraft. I unknowingly crossed this barrier of cones while launching on an alert, but I guess my distance was enough to keep things below shooting strong if you know what I mean :)

Im also interested in this.... anyone...?

This post is coming out among some heavy hitters on this website, compared to me... So I fell like the guy standing in front of the tank... Meddac has given us all a great insight to the claims process and at the end of the day that is his job people. He is still a veteran and he is STILL trying to help us. He does not have to tell us squat but he does because its in his nature to help others, its impossible to please everyone in life, but if you do not like a certain thing about the guy then take Tbirds advice and block him. Some us are interested in his advice and comments as it is always good to know what the other team is thinking. just my honest opinion like some of you say... Thank you Meddac for your help and support.

ohhhhh wow!!!!! I knew nothing about this! $250 is` better than nothing I guess.

wholy moly ok I am going to study all of this much thanks to both of u!

If I have been diagnosed with TBI and severe migranes. Can i file a claim for TBI and ask for Migranes secondary to the TBI since I am being treated for both. What is the code for the migranes, or do I just say migranes? Thanks

Oh man thanks!!!!! At this point I am really concerned about the pain... I am glad you were able to translate this to english, I am a hard worker and my poor back does take a beating. I will watch how I use it, I will definantly focus on pain management and minimizing the damage. The rating is ok where it is right now I just wanted to be sure I did it right. Thanks a million you really put my pain into words I had no idea what was going on, and the docs never tell me anything!!! thanks rentalguy/ luvHIM thanks hadit!!! :)

I had an MRI its right here. Findings: The alignment of the lumbar spine appears normal. Vertebral bodies are normal in height. Loss of normal disc signal seen at T11/T12 and L4/L5 levels, where mild disc space reduction is also noted. There is a mild broad-based disc ostephyte complex seen at the T11/T12 level, indenting the ventral aspect of the cord, without any obvious cord compression. On the axial images, at the L4/L5 level, a mild broad-based disc bulge with a posterior annular tear is noted (sounds bad?) causing mild central canal stenosis w/out significant exiting nerve root compression. Remainder of the levels are unremarkable. What do you make of it? Should I NOD with this new evidence? Because the C&P doctor only had an X-ray. Also what is all the talk of bulging and tears...?

I am in pain EVERYDAY and I have to be tough enough to admit I am a bit scared now. Please advise what do I do...???? :)

This is what I got for SC Aircraft accident which hurt my back The evaluation of chronic lumbosacral sprain, previously diagnosed as degenerative disc disease is increased from 0 to 10% disabling. Va exam results dated Dec 08, from the VAMC noted your medical history relating to your low back disability. The examiner noted your current subjective complaints of increased low back pain with radicular pain toy your left lower extremity and decreased motion. The physical examination your gait and posture were normal. The examiner noted range of motion testing of your thoracolumbar spine was normal with flexion to 90 degrees, extension to 30 degrees, right lateral flexion to 30 deg left lateral flexion to 30 deg right lateral rotation to 30 deg and left lateral rotation to 30 deg. The report noted objective evidence of painful motion and tenderness. The examiner noted there was no additional range of motion loss due to pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance, or incoordination following repetive use. The neurological portion of the exam was normal. X-ray was normal. The provided was chronic lumbosacral sprain. ----That was fine I guess untill I noticed that I am really in pain doing regular things at work, so my PC doc at the VA went ahead and ordered an MRI to see whats going on...? And here it is... Findings: The alignment of the lumbar spine appears normal. Vertebral bodies are normal in height. Loss of normal disc signal seen at T11/T12 and L4/L5 levels, where mild disc space reduction is also noted. There is a mild broad-based disc ostephyte complex seen at the T11/T12 level, indenting the ventral aspect of the cord, without any obvious cord compression. On the axial images, at the L4/L5 level, a mild broad-based disc bulge with a posterior annular tear is noted (sounds bad?) causing mild central canal stenosis w/out significant exiting nerve root compression. Remainder of the levels are unremarkable. -Have I just claimed the wrong thing??? -Would this new evidence prove there is more than a strain there and require an increase? -Do I file an NOD, and if I do what do I state? -Im a bit confused, is my back ok? Thanks in advance!

If you had a colonoscopy in this center beware.... Hopefully no one was infected with anything. http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI116239/

Never knew the gentleman, but a veteran here is a friend to all. May he rest in peace.....

with all due respect, if i may ask a question.... Where can we find the definitions to these codes. please and thank u sorry for butting in on the thread.

yes it seems like it is for seizures and bi-polar issues. But headaches and PTSD issues is pushing it. I feel weird and start hearing things different. Like my phone sounds diffrent, along with the stomach cramps and aches. I think I am going to stop this med today.

just read my notes here is what he wrote: "Moderate snoring and obesity associated with moderate obstructive sleep-apnea-hypoapnea syndrome, worsening during REM sleep" Obesity...? I am 6'3 270lbs that is obese??? So do you think I should pursue this as secondary to my nose injury resulting in the deviated septum...? From what I see online most docs are on the fence when it comes to connecting SA to nose injuries. No one says yes it is a cause or no they have nothing to do with each other. It seems like a good case of "more likely than not" to me?

ok thanks carlie

I have been given divalproex to prevent my daily nasty headaches and the mood swings associated with PTSD but i am concerned this drug is not doing well with me. As i read online it has nasty side effects and doesnt work well for migranes. It is making me very tired and giving me bad stomach pains/cramps. Anyone out there taking this? Do you have these symptoms also? I think at my follow-up i am going to ask to be taken off this...

How do you know if you have OSA or SA? I see your point on trying to connect SA and PTSD. I will just do the PTSD alone and get a second opinion on my nose

I am at a point were I am confused I saw a an ENT doc and he says that although I have a documented nose injury in the military he thinks that nose injuries are not the cause of SA (sleep apnea). Although I have it documented were it was broken and he admits its got a deviated septum... Now I have also been recently admitted to the PTSD clinic under medicine treatment and group therapy, I have sat down with the doc once and am waiting to go to the group meetings. I have verifiable stressors which I showed them at the my screening visit, so they then admitted me to the program. I am planning on doing my PTSD claim since I have a diagnosis now, along with the migranes from my TBI from a grenade explosion. But now that I am using the CPAP which route would be best for me, Sleep Apnea secondary to PTSD or SA secondary to my "documented nose injury" someone before told me residuls of nose injury which I am confused to the meaning. Thanks in advance I have been pondering this for a while now, but am making progress with the VA doctors so I think its time to start a claim.

When we had that big briefing when you get ready to get out of the military there was a VSO rep on site and he was the one who guided us thru the initial paperwork process. During the break he took personal questions, I approached him and told him about all my injuries. He told me to file for certain injuries and not for others like my nose and skin condition, his reason was that the nose injury was one that I never complained about after the injury, so the VA would automatically deny the claim due to lack of evidence or lack of it bothering me. He was a VSO and I figured he was right so I dropped the issue.... So no my nose is not SC but it happened in the Army during a team sports football game, I went to the ER and got treatred with X-rays and all. I have my records right here this is what the ER Doc said...." Some nose bleeding on patient. Nose appears deformed" Then the X-ray was read and the doctor on that stated " There is a questionable tiny nondisplaced fracture of the nasal bone, The maxillary sinuses are normal." Thanks again for all the great comments guys im sure this is not only helping me but people who search thru this forum daily. Thats why I love this place priceless info!!!!

No he did order another thing it is a sleep study where I get to wear the mask and they figure what is the best pressure setting for my needs. He told me I would then get the machine issued to me thru the VA. I think its called the pap titration or something like that. I am worried about the O2 levels and the heart conditions you spoke about, I will make sure to bring that up when I go in for my follow-up appointment. Thanks for the heads up though. I really couldnt sleep well with all that stuff on the night of the study plus the guy in the other room was very loud. The Doc said he was going to order this pap titration thing so I can get on the CPAP asap he said once I fell into deep sleep I crashed pretty bad as far as the stats go and it was of concern to him. I think I am going to wait untill the sleep study is done and the ENT eval and then with that new info ask to file a claim for my Nose injury with the Apnea secondary to that, what do you guys think? Should I wait to finish all the eval's or get the ball rolling now as far as the claim goes...?

My nose injury happened while in service and my x-rays and medical was done at an Army hospital. I fractured it during a collision with another soldier while playing in team sports. The caffeine is just cokes to stay awake since I am so tired during the day from not sleeping at night hopefully they do not try to stick that on me since I just said 1 or two cokes a day. I am also being screened for TBI which is also were my chronic headaches might be coming from. I have 30% for TMJ,Tinnutis, and degenetarive disk diesease 10 percent each. Now how do I file the claim for my nose? What do I say? Do I just state the fact it is bothering me now, I am a bit confused.