Troops took pill linked to Gulf War Syndrome

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Troops took pill linked to Gulf War Syndrome

_http://www.news. com.au/story/ 0,23599,23438873 -421,00.html_

(http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23438873-421,00.html)

 

By Leigh Dayton

March 27, 2008 03:10am

 

HUNDREDS of Australian veterans took pills linked to the diverse and

debilitating symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome.

 

In a bitter twist, the pyridostigmine bromide pills were given to troops to

protect them from nerve gases such as sarin.

 

A spokesperson for the Defence Department confirmed PB pills were issued

during the Gulf War as part of a " range of prophylactic measures " , including

vaccination against diseases prevalent in the region.

 

The policy was reversed after a 1999 report flagged the possible risk the

pills posed.

 

A new study by clinician and researcher Beatrice Alexandra Golomb, of the

University of California in San Diego, published on March 10 in the US journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has for the first time

established a clear link between PB pills and Gulf War Syndrome.

 

The study drew on earlier reports, including a 2003 survey of Australian

Gulf War veterans.

 

To assess the implications for the 1873 Australians who served in the

1990-91 conflict, Veterans' Affairs Minister Alan Griffin has asked his

department

to review the latest findings.

 

A spokesperson for Mr Griffin said the results of the review were expected

early next week, when he would decide whether action was warranted.

 

A veteran who served on HMAS Brisbane throughout the war said he was pleased

the minister was considering Professor Golomb's paper.

 

" But I hope that any response won't take years, as it did with Agent Orange

(used as a defoliate in the Vietnam War) and asbestos, " he said.

 

The veteran, who asked not to be identified, said he suffered common

symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome: breathing difficulties, fatigue and muscle and

joint

pain.

 

Other symptoms include memory problems, sleep disorders and rash.

 

According to the earlier studies cited by Professor Golomb, 26-32per cent of

personnel sent to the Gulf report medical and psychological problems not

present before their deployment.

 

She said studies of US and Australian troops suggested the greater the

exposure to the chemicals, the worse their health today.

 

The Australian study compared the health of 1456 Gulf War veterans with 1588

defence personnel who were not sent to the Gulf.

 

The authors of the government-commissi oned report, the Australian Gulf War

Veterans' Health Study 2003, found Gulf War veterans had significantly more

psychological and medical problems than those not deployed.

 

According to the Australian study, 51per cent of veterans recalled taking PB

pills.

 

But a comment from the veteran suggest the percentage may be higher. " We all

took them, " he said.

 

Professor Golomb cautioned that not all cases of Gulf War Syndrome were

caused by chemical exposure.

 

Some people are better able to detoxify the chemicals than others, implying

a different cause of their symptoms.

 

A treatment study she is about to begin targets a biological mechanism

promoted not just by AIs, but also by sources such as depleted uranium and oil

fires.

 

" We don't think it will be a complete cure ... we believe it may help

symptoms, help the process and possibly reduce risk of progression, " she

said.