Re: VA Benefits? --Prednisone Question --

[Guest guest]

Kate, there are no VA benefits that I qualify for. The nearest doctors I can

use are more than 5 times further than the ones I'm using and there's no

'service related' benefits. Maybe things could be different if I lived in a

major city but here in the country, Snuffy is a neighbor.

On Sun, Apr 25, 2010 at 7:08 AM, Kate Fair <kalfoley@...> wrote:

>

>

> Dennis, I was curious how the VA benefits were coming. I believe you and

> Stan got registered for health benefits. Did you look into compensation for

> any service connected disabilities? Since starting at the VA, I've learned

> that you can file

> claims for things like exposure to Agent Orange or other chemical

> defoliants and that there are health problems that are " presumptively "

> caused by these exposures such as diabetes. Even Veterans with no service

> connected issues can apply for a non service connected pension, if they have

> low incomes. If you google your state and " veteran service officer " you

> should get a list of state and private VSOs who can help

> Put in a claim.

>

> Kate F

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

>

> On Apr 24, 2010, at 9:49 PM, Dennis W <betnden@...<betnden%40gmail.com>>

> wrote:

>

> I've been taking 10-15 mg of Prednisone since 1990 and have settled at 10

> mg

> for the last 10 years or so. My Rheumy thinks I need to quit taking it

> because of my bones and has tried:

> 1. Humira- Took 3 injections and had to quit because it made me flare bad!

> 2. Stop Lodine, and start Plaquenil about 5 weeks ago. It caused a Gastro

> infection and I spent 4 days in the hospital.

> 3. I was ordered to stop taking Sotalol because it will lower my BP and

> kill

> me! I stopped it and ended up in the E.R. with bad heart patterns and at

> least 3 'brown-outs' and heartbeats too fast to count.

> I'm sure there's more to come, all because the Rheumy messed with my meds

> just to get me off Prednisone. That won't happen again! If it ain't broke,

> don't fix it!!

>

> Oh, yeah, on top of all that, our van broke at about 2 months ago and I

> can't afford to get it fixed. It's the one that carries the power chair but

> no more...

>

> Dennis in eastexas

>

> On Sat, Apr 24, 2010 at 3:27 PM, irabrightman

<searcher100yy@...<searcher100yy%40>

> >wrote:

>

> Hi All,

>

> I was doing pretty good on low doses of prednisone and 15mgs. (weekly) MTX.

> Weaned off the prednisone -- 5mgs. one month, 4 the next and so on until

> zero. As I got below 3mgs. my symptoms slowly worsened and once I hit zero

> prednisone the symptoms were definitely worse. My rheumy then wanted me to

> go back on the prednisone and settle in at about 3mgs. long-term, but I was

> afraid of side-effects. So we increased my MTX to 20 mgs. weekly and that

> has not helped.

>

> My rheumy claims that at low doses (5mgs. or below) prednisone can be taken

> forever without fear of side-effects. The rheumy I went to before him told

> me it was good to get off it and stay off it as soon as possible.

>

> Who is right?

>

> Best to everyone,

> Ira

>

>