Airforcemom,Thank you so much for your information about Walter Reed. I will definitely call them.
I am not in the Navy anymore. I got out almost 5 years ago.
I do not currently use the pump. I stopped using it 6 months ago after I had been using it for three years. I ended up getting sick of it, so I switched back to injections, and I am having equally good results with them.
I recommend reading the book Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars by Richard Bernstein. He urges diabetics to adopt a specific way of eating that is very successful (and if you're already a subscriber to Dr. Mercola's ideas, you won't find it nearly as limiting as a lot of people do). You'll also find that this book contains a lot of very helpful information about diabetes in general.
Thanks again for your help with Walter Reed!
Sorry I was out of touch. How did your son end up? Laurie Duran is the person to contact at Walter Reed, everyone needs to contact her and tell your stories. She will have many questions to ask, so be prepared with shot records etc....I am curious as to what batches of Anthrax shots everyone has had. I received 4 shots, and the shots were not given in accordance with the Air Force Regs (time wise). After the long and drawn out process I was released from the military with a sev. check. I am now trying to fight the Sec of the Air Forces decision, but on the outside looking in. I hope your son is doing well. I am now on the pump (after waiting 4 years to do it) and I am doing ok. Still looking at trying to get an Air Force retirement. Not sure if your still reading this blog or not, but thought that I would try to update.
FYI: Here again are the lot numbers for squalene-laced anthrax vaccine (and lots suspected of containing it). Following the lot numbers are some of the locations where these lots were administered. The location list is only partial, and based on available information from patient medical records, a Michigan Biologics Product Institute (MBPI) inventory and data from Tulane University Medical School.
LOT NUMBERS
Squalene-Positive [per FDA and SRI]: FAV 008, FAV 020, FAV 030, FAV 038, FAV 043, FAV 047
Have Induced Anti-Squalene Antibodies [per Tulane Med School]: FAV 041, FAV 070 and FAV 071
Associated with Autoimmune-Related Symptoms or Fullly Diagnosed Autoimmune Diseases in Troops [per Tulane]: FAV 017, FAV 048b, FAV 066, FAV 068, FAV 069, FAV 073, FAV 074, FAV 075, FAV 078
Thanks for your update. My son just accepted the 20% offer after going to Lackland to go in front of the Medical Board.
He ended up signing a waiver and not going in front of the Board, but now wishes he had gone in front of the Board.
He has not received good advise from anyone in the AF in regards to his case. His attorney did not even talk with
him until he arrived at Lackland. It has not been a good experience. He might do like you and try to fight them from the outside.
The one good thing about him flying to Lackland is that he did receive the pump. He is still at Lackland until
March 25th and going to some Diabetes classes. He has been a year in Japan with Type 1 without a Endo Dr. or
any one who can really help him. At least for now he is getting some good Diabetes help.
My son did contact Walter Reed and has spoken to Laurie, he is going to be part of the study.
I will try to find out on my end which Anthrax lot # he had. I have heard the AF now gives the shots at
longer intervals.
I have so much to ask you and not enough time right now.(VA questions and the process that you are going through now)
I will be back in touch later tonight.
To AirForce Fly Boy,
I have so many questions and not enough time, but would like to know
if you took the percentage that the VA assigned to you or tried to get a higher percentage?
We have been told that the VA rating is as important as the AF rating.
Also, did you find out if your Anthrax shots came from any of the lot #'s you had listed?
Have you been able to find a job or did you go back to school?
We are also concerned about health insurance for my son. We know the VA will cover
the Diabetes, but he hasn't found out if the Air Force has other coverage that he
can get once he is out. My son is not married, so at least he doesn't have to worry
about a wife and kids.
Like I said I have so many questions. Please keep us posted, I am going to look
through his medical records and find the lot #'s of his shots. Hopefully Walter Reed
will find a connection.
Any advise you have on fighting for retirement will help. My son was told it was simply
paper work that he would need to fill out, but since they weren't sharing any info on
how to fight the Medical Board, I know he won't have much assistance.
Keep the faith and keep in touch.