My PN commenced in 1964 while I was serving in Vietnam. My duties included accompanying medical teams into unpacified areas to provide needed medical care to the civilian population. During our incursions into these areas we often were subject to exposure to spray from planes flying overhead; spray that was later learned to be "Agent orange" an antifoliant containing large amounts of Dioxin, a known nerve agent.

After starting to experience numbness and pain in my legs, I consulted with a doctor with the Tom Dooley Clinic Network, as I was stationed in an area where American medical help was not available. This doctor was Canadian. Unfortunately I no longer recall his name, but he claimed that I was suffering from some unknown nerve damage, and I should seek medical care upon my return to the US. When I was finally seen in 1969 at my retirement physical, I was told that I had arthritis, and I was to get used to it considering age.

Symptoms progressed until in 1974. I went to the Cleveland Clinic where I underwent four days of intense testing, and was finally diagnosed with Poly Neuropathy, Idiopathic. I was told at the time that there was no known cure, but some kind of breakthrough was expected within a few years. That has now been 28 years ago, and no breakthrough is in sight.

Over the years my PN has progressed to the point to where I no longer have any balance, my legs are paralyzed from the knees downward, and I have no feeling in either leg, nor in my left hand. The muscles in both legs and arms have atrophied, resulting in total lack of strength in any of my extremities. Claims submitted to the Veteran's Administration for a finding that my disability is a result of exposure to Dioxin have been denied, as they only attribute acute or sub acute PN to such exposure.

I have just celebrated my 79th birthday, so my continued suffering from this disease cannot be for much longer. The pain that I experience is continuous, and is not helped by any medication in present use. It is a mystery to me why so little is spent by the federal government in researching this disease, while much more is given for research on conditions which do not have as many sufferers.

God grant that this does not continue for much longer, as it seems that more and more people are feeling the effects of this insidious condition.

Bigted
bigted@bigvalley.net