Learned something today

General
1

As a disabled American veteran I receive a magazine from the group that I belong to. In the letters to the editor section there was a letter from a veteran also stationed in Panama that struck home with me.

I was stationed in Panama during the 1960s. There was a problem with Malaria and other insects. So they sprayed toxic chemicals and pesticides being tested by the Army’s Tropic Test Center every day.

I always thought that this was the cause of my problem. I was fine going in but “sick” going out. I guess that it doesn’t matter very much because it is what it is and it’s not going to change. They pay me for the problem. :slightly_frowning_face:

No one else in my family has SCA. His benefits are being denied.

2

:thinking:We know…

  • Toxins. Heavy metal poisoning, such as from lead or mercury, and solvent poisoning, such as from paint thinner, also can cause ataxia.

But…proving the cause was Toxins…could be difficult.

:thinking:Have you considered Whole Genome Sequencing…to try and narrow this down.

3

I’m not sure if I have anything to prove since my present situation is not going to change. I wish that other vet good luck though but I’m afraid that it’s going nowhere.

4

You likely will always wonder if the chemicals could be linked…I’m still wondering if I have a link somewhere because of the 70% finding re SYNE 1…which my Neurologist dismissed.
But…as you say, it won’t change anything…

:slightly_smiling_face: It must be ‘psychologically uplifting’ for people who are diagnosed with Acquired Ataxia due to a deficiency…when they find out something can be done. And…people with Autoimmune types…such as Gluten Ataxia….where a strict diet, and possibly Mycophenolate can help.

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