Trying to find an explanation of what is going on!

[val5253]

I deployed to Iraq in 2008, and about 4 months later had a headache that only went away with DHE. Since then I have had abnormal MRI's, random illnesses. Now I have chronic shoulder pain which has recently progressed  to left sided arm pain, neck pain, left sided face pain, & sharp shooting pain in my shoulder + right hand numbness, feels like my fingers are swollen, severe pain in the knuckles, and odd numb feeling in right shoulder. I was started on Lyrica & told to wear a brace on my right hand, but the brace makes my fingers and knuckles hurt worse. I guess the Lyrica has helped with some of the pain in my shoulders. I have consults in to the neurologist, pain management, chiropractor, and physical therapy. The military has no idea what is wrong with me, and I stay in trouble for being sick which causes me more unnecessary stress. I just was wondering what kind of advice I might get on this web site.

Here is my MRI, BRAIN WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST results

The posterior fossa and supratentorial structures are
developmentally normal. Multiple subcentimeter ovoid and punctate white
matter foci involving the bilateral frontal lobes and left parietal lobe.
The largest single lesion is in the right frontal lobe and measures 0.7 x
0.4 cm, image 14 sequence 4. None of the foci demonstrate enhancement. No
lesion within the corpus callosum or brainstem.

The ventricles and sulci are symmetric and normal. The brain parenchyma
demonstrates preservation of the gray-white matter differentiation. No
abnormal enhancement. The major arterial flow-voids, and flow-voids of major dural sinuses, are normal. The pneumatized portions of the skull are
clear. The globes are unremarkable.

IMPRESSION: Scattered nonenhancing subcentimeter T2 hyperintense white
matter foci. These lesions are nonspecific. The differential diagnosis
includes, but is not limited to, multiple sclerosis, pallorous
demyelination of migraines, Lyme disease, neurosarcoid, and small vessel
ischemic white matter disease. Direct comparison with prior images is
recommended to evaluate for progression.

MRI, C-SPINE WO/W CONTRAST

FINDINGS: Mild-moderate motion artifact. The visualized intracranial
contents are unremarkable. The spinal cord is normal in size and signal
intensity. No abnormal signal focus or abnormal enhancement within the
spinal cord. Normal alignment of the cervical spine. The vertebral body
heights and disc spaces are preserved throughout. The bone marrow signal
intensity is normal. Metallic artifact in the oral cavity. A 0.7 cm T1
hyperintense nodule in the isthmus, image 266 sequence 8. No abnormal
enhancement within the extraspinal soft tissues.

C2-C3: Normal.

C3-C4: Normal.

C4-C5: Normal.

C5-C6: Normal.

C6-C7: A broad-based posterior disc protrusion which contacts, but does not
indent, the spinal cord, image 23 sequence 7. No neural foraminal stenosis. C7-T1: Normal.

IMPRESSION:
1. Mild degenerative disc disease at C6-C7. Clinically significant
relationships may be present.
2. A 0.7 cm nodule in the thyroid.

Thanks

[cptdave40]

Sir
I suffer from the same symptoms, medical professionals here call it "Iraqi Crud", or "Iraqi Fever". I assume there is an infectious disease that is causing havoc in our systems. I have facet joint syndrome, PTSD, TBI, Fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety and a few other aliments similar to numerous other Soldiers who have the exact same symptoms. Why so many? Why the same chief complaints? TMJ, menengitis and or a boat load of other infectious or viral diseases common in Iraq and Southwest Asia. Tetanus? I assume like me Soldiers were subjected to depleted uranium, burn pits (which were deemed safe by a PM team, at 1!!! snapshot in time) and food, prisoners, civilians.. Could they have transmitted something which is dormant and causes the symptoms we suffer from? I'm frustrated, confused and could care less how much money I receive in disability; if i spend 18 hours on the couch in chronic pain what kind of life is that after 24 years of faithful and selfless service.
A Confused Soldier
Pls anyone feel free to contact me so we can get together and become part of another independent study which occurred during Desert Storm.
***@****

[Barnswagle]

Looks like you have one questionable bulging cervical disc. It would not explain all the symptoms you are reporting. Your brain MRI is very unusual and should be carefully evaluated by a neurosurgeon. What sort of substantial metal objects are in your mouth, just lots of fillings or a bridge? Do you know if you were exposed to anything very unusual in Iraq? Let us know.