Re: Looking for a medical opinion regarding etiology

[Guest guest]

Hi, and welcome to our group. While we have no doctors here, there is a nurse,

but I do not know if she might be able top help you or not. I am not quite sure

what you are after. We are a great group here, and growing all the time.I am

Bobby, one of three moderators here. I have end stage liver disease secondary to

alcoholism, and obesity. I lost my very best friend to alcoholic liver disease

in 2006. I was shortly thereafter diagnosed myself. One thing I did find out

that it is well known that long term exposure to tri-chloro-ethylene, or

trichloroethane can cause cirrhosis. I found this out because my best friend

lived near us just two blocks of the now closed Lowery air force base in 1995.

There was an underground plume of trichloroethane

http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/HM/lowryafb.htm

discovered under the ground , right under our house. The Air force installed air

testing devices in selected houses. I had a cat who got really skinny while we

lived there, and he eventually died.

At this website is a map of the underground " plume " of this stuff, and we lived

in the neighborhood right in the middle of the map, as well did my best friend.

Having been in the NAVY myself, I am aware of how much this substance was used

aboard our ship, a small wooden MSO(minesweeper). I do hope you find the answers

you seek. I hope you know that more important than etiology is treatment. Have

you been evaluated fopr a transplant? When I brought up the trichloroethane to

my friends doctors, they said yes, if she were being exposed day to day , it

could have some impact, but it was unlikely that it was attacking her liver now.

Cirrhosis is progressive, so once you have it, it can still spread despite harm

reduction, but they always say that once ou remove the insult to the liver, it

will rebound, but it is not always true. Bobby

long life, old age, everything good-Apache prayer

________________________________

To: livercirrhosissupport

Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 10:54:24 PM

Subject: Looking for a medical opinion regarding

etiology

I was wondering if anyone had a medical background who may be able to

answer a few of my questions regarding a case of ESLD/cirrhosis from

either NASH or cryptogenic by all accounts so far. I'm trying to get

some additional information or ideas to ask my health care provider

next time to try and figure out the cause of my cirrhosis since I was

diagnosed at age 25 with ESLD and was told I would likely die, and

that was 5 years ago.

I was former military, received numerous vaccines, exposed to diesel

fuel and other petroleum products on a daily basis for years, was

exposed to nuclear radiation while on submarines and while working

inside nuclear missles, I also handled explosives (small arms,

missles, bombs, explosives, ect)on a daily basis while enlisted as a

gunners mate. I was also exposed to numerous toxins while onboard the

USS COLE following her terrorist attack. There are also a few other

factors that I feel may have caused/contributed to my ESLD/Cirrhosis

at age 25 since I have no biological issues (ruled out all

virus/genetic/ drug/alcohol causes that I am aware of)

I was never a heavy drinker, and was only a social drinker for 3

years before my diagnosis at which time I began to abstain 100%.

Any medical opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry I can't answer your questions regarding your ESLD.  I just wanted to

say 'Thank You' for your personal sacrifice and service to our country.  You are

a hero and are appreciated by so many millions of Americans who owe so much to

you.  I pray you can find the answers you are looking for.  May God bless you as

you travel this road.  My prayers go with you.

With gratitude and admiration,

Diane C. from TN

________________________________

To: livercirrhosissupport

Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 11:54:24 PM

Subject: Looking for a medical opinion regarding

etiology

I was wondering if anyone had a medical background who may be able to

answer a few of my questions regarding a case of ESLD/cirrhosis from

either NASH or cryptogenic by all accounts so far. I'm trying to get

some additional information or ideas to ask my health care provider

next time to try and figure out the cause of my cirrhosis since I was

diagnosed at age 25 with ESLD and was told I would likely die, and

that was 5 years ago.

I was former military, received numerous vaccines, exposed to diesel

fuel and other petroleum products on a daily basis for years, was

exposed to nuclear radiation while on submarines and while working

inside nuclear missles, I also handled explosives (small arms,

missles, bombs, explosives, ect)on a daily basis while enlisted as a

gunners mate. I was also exposed to numerous toxins while onboard the

USS COLE following her terrorist attack. There are also a few other

factors that I feel may have caused/contributed to my ESLD/Cirrhosis

at age 25 since I have no biological issues (ruled out all

virus/genetic/ drug/alcohol causes that I am aware of)

I was never a heavy drinker, and was only a social drinker for 3

years before my diagnosis at which time I began to abstain 100%.

Any medical opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Guest guest]

I was tld never to reveive aaaaalove virusus if I wer goining out of the  county

Lyncia

 

In life family and friends take us on all kinds of adventures, God helps us

choose our path....Enjoy your journey!

Subject: Looking for a medical opinion regarding

etiology

To: livercirrhosissupport

Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, 11:54 PM

I was wondering if anyone had a medical background who may be able to

answer a few of my questions regarding a case of ESLD/cirrhosis from

either NASH or cryptogenic by all accounts so far. I'm trying to get

some additional information or ideas to ask my health care provider

next time to try and figure out the cause of my cirrhosis since I was

diagnosed at age 25 with ESLD and was told I would likely die, and

that was 5 years ago.

I was former military, received numerous vaccines, exposed to diesel

fuel and other petroleum products on a daily basis for years, was

exposed to nuclear radiation while on submarines and while working

inside nuclear missles, I also handled explosives (small arms,

missles, bombs, explosives, ect)on a daily basis while enlisted as a

gunners mate. I was also exposed to numerous toxins while onboard the

USS COLE following her terrorist attack. There are also a few other

factors that I feel may have caused/contributed to my ESLD/Cirrhosis

at age 25 since I have no biological issues (ruled out all

virus/genetic/ drug/alcohol causes that I am aware of)

I was never a heavy drinker, and was only a social drinker for 3

years before my diagnosis at which time I began to abstain 100%.

Any medical opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Guest guest]

welcome to the group,you will love it here. i also have no answers

for you,i just wanted to welcome you and also thank you for your

service to our country, i have 2 sons in the military and i know what

a sacrifice it is for our young men and women to serve, so again

thank you. now, my husband has esld from hep c they say, but the last

few days while compiling a med. book for him i added a section of

chemicals he works with,and much to our surprise almost all of them 9

so far ,are toxic to the liver ,wow what an eye opener, we never knew

and he was never givin this info till i asked for it and researched

it. so i am wondering about the chemicial factor myself now. good

luck in finding your answers ,i wish i could have been more help,

barby

>

> I was wondering if anyone had a medical background who may be able

to

> answer a few of my questions regarding a case of ESLD/cirrhosis

from

> either NASH or cryptogenic by all accounts so far. I'm trying to

get

> some additional information or ideas to ask my health care provider

> next time to try and figure out the cause of my cirrhosis since I

was

> diagnosed at age 25 with ESLD and was told I would likely die, and

> that was 5 years ago.

>

> I was former military, received numerous vaccines, exposed to

diesel

> fuel and other petroleum products on a daily basis for years, was

> exposed to nuclear radiation while on submarines and while working

> inside nuclear missles, I also handled explosives (small arms,

> missles, bombs, explosives, ect)on a daily basis while enlisted as

a

> gunners mate. I was also exposed to numerous toxins while onboard

the

> USS COLE following her terrorist attack. There are also a few other

> factors that I feel may have caused/contributed to my

ESLD/Cirrhosis

> at age 25 since I have no biological issues (ruled out all

> virus/genetic/drug/alcohol causes that I am aware of)

>

> I was never a heavy drinker, and was only a social drinker for 3

> years before my diagnosis at which time I began to abstain 100%.

>

> Any medical opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your response, and this group Bob. I am currently being

treated by Dr. Brown at Henry Ford Hospital and through the

Veterans Administration. I am currently listed on the transplant list

also through the Veterans Administration in Pittsburgh. I was

diagnosed with ESLD back in 2005 through biopsy at age 25, and

presented with vomiting blood, rectal bleeding, 40 lbs fluid buildup,

and all of the other fun stuff that goes along with it as I'm sure

you know. So my treatment is being handled pretty well.

However, my health has been deteriorating a bit. I initially got much

better after changing my diet and abstaining from alcohol completely.

This obviously didn't cure the condition though, just placed my

health back at poor instead of at deaths door. I was so bad when I

presented in the ER the doctors had me call my parents back home

because they didn't think I was going to make it through the weekend.

I initially applied for disability when this happened since I was off

of work for over a year and a half. I was of course denied, and since

my health was somewhat better I went back to work for a little over

the last year, until recently my doctor recommended that I leave the

position. However, the reason this doctor told me to leave my

position was more for PTSD related to my military experiences and

related to my cirrhosis treatment (anxiety, depression, ect).

So currently I have my treatment under control, and feel I am getting

relatively good medical care. So what I'm looking into now is how to

go about presenting a disability case. I have the medical records for

SSI that show my serum bilirubin was adequately high to meet their

criteria, along with ascites, portal hypertension, esophageal

varices, enlarged liver, high ammonia levels, and numerous other

symptoms currently. Therefore I think I should be able to win my SSI

claim, eventually. However I would be greatly appreciative of any

additional information or resources you may be able to recommend.

Now to the etiology portion of the question is in regards to my ESLD

and if I was symptomatic while I was in the Navy to attempt to win

disability pension from the Veterans Administration. During my last

year in the Navy following my round of vaccinations for going to

Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf, I worked on a ammunition supply

ship as a gunners mate and was exposed to every type of ordnance that

the Navy used in the fleet, I was exposed to depleted uranium

munitions being fired also on a quarterly basis for about 3 years

during our 20 MM and CIWS firing exercises, I was also exposed to

petroleum products on daily basis as our ship was also a refueling

vessel for other naval ships which exposed me to jet fuel, diesel

fuel, and other petroleum products on a daily basis, I was also

exposed to unknown toxins aboard the USS COLE performing rescue and

assistance efforts following the terrorist attack on Her in Yemen in

2000.

Following the events above I began to develop high blood pressure

which started my military doctor at the time to run some lab tests.

The lab results showed increased liver enzymes AST/ALT 79/81 and I'm

not sure if any of the other lab values would indicate damage that

existed at the time. I also reported symptoms of vomiting up blood on

more than one occasion, high blood pressure, trouble sleeping,

nausea/indigestion, joint pain, frequent headaches, and straia(rash)

on my chest, neck, arms. I also experienced a 38 pound increase in

weight at this time in less than a few weeks which I believe may have

been a case of ascites.

All of the items I mentioned above are documented in my service

medical records, and from my research all of these indicate that I

had liver disease at the time I separated from the military and

either manifested during, was aggravated by, or directly caused by

some of the items I mentioned above. However, I've had a hard time

getting any of my doctors to even examine any of the material

relating to a VA claim since they are VA doctors. I had my PA at the

VA tell me she believed I was likely correct in my opinions, but was

not willing to make a statement for my disability case. I have an

email from here that states she agrees with me, but I doubt that will

be enough to stand up to the disability examination process.

I was hoping for a recent medical opinion/statement from someone with

some medical credibility, or help constructing a letter to take to my

doctor that explains my case simply and briefly that they would be

comfortable signing off on if they agree with the old medical

records. I have copies of all of my medical records for the last 4

years, and just need someone who's willing to spend some time to help

me evaluate the evidence I have, and has knowledge of what a

disability examiner needs to have in their possession for me to

eventually receive a favorable outcome.

Thanks for your time, and have a blessed Holiday.

>

> Hi, and welcome to our group. While we have no doctors here, there

is a nurse, but I do not know if she might be able top help you or

not. I am not quite sure what you are after. We are a great group

here, and growing all the time.I am Bobby, one of three moderators

here. I have end stage liver disease secondary to alcoholism, and

obesity. I lost my very best friend to alcoholic liver disease in

2006. I was shortly thereafter diagnosed myself. One thing I did find

out that it is well known that long term exposure to tri-chloro-

ethylene, or trichloroethane can cause cirrhosis. I found this out

because my best friend lived near us just two blocks of the now

closed Lowery air force base in 1995. There was an underground plume

of trichloroethane

> http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/HM/lowryafb.htm

>

> discovered under the ground , right under our house. The Air force

installed air testing devices in selected houses. I had a cat who got

really skinny while we lived there, and he eventually died.

>

> At this website is a map of the underground " plume " of this stuff,

and we lived in the neighborhood right in the middle of the map, as

well did my best friend.

>

>

> Having been in the NAVY myself, I am aware of how much this

substance was used aboard our ship, a small wooden MSO(minesweeper).

I do hope you find the answers you seek. I hope you know that more

important than etiology is treatment. Have you been evaluated fopr a

transplant? When I brought up the trichloroethane to my friends

doctors, they said yes, if she were being exposed day to day , it

could have some impact, but it was unlikely that it was attacking her

liver now. Cirrhosis is progressive, so once you have it, it can

still spread despite harm reduction, but they always say that once ou

remove the insult to the liver, it will rebound, but it is not always

true. Bobby

>

> long life, old age, everything good-Apache prayer

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: livercirrhosissupport

> Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 10:54:24 PM

> Subject: Looking for a medical opinion

regarding etiology

>

>

> I was wondering if anyone had a medical background who may be able

to

> answer a few of my questions regarding a case of ESLD/cirrhosis

from

> either NASH or cryptogenic by all accounts so far. I'm trying to

get

> some additional information or ideas to ask my health care provider

> next time to try and figure out the cause of my cirrhosis since I

was

> diagnosed at age 25 with ESLD and was told I would likely die, and

> that was 5 years ago.

>

> I was former military, received numerous vaccines, exposed to

diesel

> fuel and other petroleum products on a daily basis for years, was

> exposed to nuclear radiation while on submarines and while working

> inside nuclear missles, I also handled explosives (small arms,

> missles, bombs, explosives, ect)on a daily basis while enlisted as

a

> gunners mate. I was also exposed to numerous toxins while onboard

the

> USS COLE following her terrorist attack. There are also a few other

> factors that I feel may have caused/contributed to my

ESLD/Cirrhosis

> at age 25 since I have no biological issues (ruled out all

> virus/genetic/ drug/alcohol causes that I am aware of)

>

> I was never a heavy drinker, and was only a social drinker for 3

> years before my diagnosis at which time I began to abstain 100%.

>

> Any medical opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>