Fibromyalgia Support Group

You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.

4,403 Members
50,123 Posts
1 Online
Muscles & Bones
/ Fibromyalgia Support Group

smoke inhalation caused mine

bluesun
bluesun
several years ago my rep from the American Legion presented a theory that my symptoms stemmed from smoke inhalation at the Pentagon during the 9/11 (when i had to go up there and deliver tents to the guys sorting out the charred mess). the Pentagon burned for 4-5 days and i remember breathing in lots of smoke before i even reached the 1st ring of security that night. the closer to the crash site, another ring of security and thicker smoke. the officers all had hazmat suits on but NONE of us enlisted did. we had no protection on whatsoever.

anyways, the VA keeps denying me compensation for FM and the rep i had back then said that if i could only find that enlisted person that drove up there with me, so we could both write to the VA and get our compensations. especially if we both have the same health problems!!

well guess what?! a friend of mine who also served with us (that i finally got in contact with) gave me HER number and she told me that she has ALL the same symptoms I DO!! i just got off the phone with her after all these years!!!! her docs haven't dx her with FM yet, tho cuz they don't know what's wrong with her or what to do with her. so i told her to get to a rheumatologist and ask to be seen for fibro. i'm pretty DAMN SURE she has it after she told me all her problems and symptoms!!!!

i guess that American Legion rep was right! we also agreed that her and i are gonna help eachother get our VA benefits approved cuz she's been running into the same problem i have, they keep screwing her over!!! what the hell's wrong with our VA???

anyways, if any of you have ever been around a burning building and you are now sick, that's just something to think about. smoke inhalation carries a lot of toxins into our system that can do more damage than just some coughing. take care and cross your fingers that THIS gets us our long due compensations! sheesh......
Wonderbaby
Wonderbaby
Blue, I'm happy that you found her. It's sad to think that the two of you contracted the same thing from such a horrific event where you HAD to be a part of...and seeing others in hazmat suits.

My prayers will be with the both of you.

For me, I grew up around two parents smoking. I started to become allergic to it when I was about 8 or 9 yrs old. I'd be sneezing up a storm when they sparked up a cig.
Now, I'm asthmatic.
But since there is nothing I can do about it now and these were my parents....I can't turn back time now or blame them. I can only stand up to any parents now who are smoking and forcing their children to ride in the cars with them....sit in the same room with them. I can only encourage them to at least remove themselves to an outdoor area where the kids are not breathing it in like I was.

But now you have me thinking....I wonder what the ratio is for people with Fibro linked to second hand smoke?
PeaceN2You
PeaceN2You
For those of us of a certain age, when we were younger "everyone" smoked. When I was a child, a teen, and even a young adult, it was common to see newscasters, actors, and just everybody (it seemed) smoking, so I expect most of us were subjected to second-hand smoke - just a question of how much.

Speaking for myself, I smoked for about five years total in my early-mid 20s - quit for the last time when I was 30 I think. So whether or not I had second-hand smoke (I did) I definitely had smoke.
PeaceN2You
PeaceN2You
Blue I hope you get your compensation - it can only help to have someone who was there with you and has the same symptoms working with you to make it happen.
deleted_user
deleted_user
What wonderful news to find this other person. Although it is so unfortunate that you both have to go through all this and fight so hard for your compensation. I really hope this works for you both and you get approved. Keeping you in my prayers. Hugs
deleted_user
deleted_user
I hope you get what you so rightly deserve. Two will be a stronger case then one since you have parallel symptoms. Good luck on getting your long overdue compensation. I know VA bucks it but I'm confident that your persistance will pay off.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Dang! I hope this works out.

I grew up in a smoke free home but we had a fireplace, we were allowed to play in it and we didn't just burn wood. Who knows?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I wouldn't doubt that your fibro stems from being at the Pentagon on 9/11. Just look at all the sick firefighters and rescue workers at ground zero! You just can't be around that much poison and not have it affect your health.

Hope you get your much deserved compensation.
deleted_user
deleted_user
That's really an intersting point. I have been around second hand smoke for over 20 years. My husband is a firefighter and dosen't have any issues. Thank God.
I hope you get you case won. It would be a breakthrough for you and for everyone that suffers from fibro.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have hear reports of alot of people suffering from Major Complications after helping with 911.. alot of Serious Complications, and getting No Help..both Military and Civilians.

I Guess I have not hear of these Specific Symptoms..Mostly Respiratory...but am thinking If you have Issues Breathing, you will have Body Wide Issues..

The Masks were just not enuff to Protect..

I Hope you get Real Help...we All Deserve it.
CajunTiger
CajunTiger
Wow, blue, I've never thought about smoke causing fibro.....but if makes sense, with all the mess you'd breathe in....I sure hope you two can join forces, and make some positive headway with the VA....

HUGS from down south :)
fibrosucks
fibrosucks
funny you should mention smoke because in the back of my mind I am thinking paint fumes brought out the worst of my fibro. I had painted our living room with indoor paint that was not supposed to smell as bad as paint usually does. Two days later I started getting sick with flu-like symptoms and I have had problems ever since. I also grew up with a wood furnace in our home and I smoke so who knows?
dadsgirl1
dadsgirl1
Hi bluesun. My husband (and me) have been fighting the VA since 2001 for his benefits. He served in Vietnam during the spraying of Agent Orange, so he is entitled to certain benefits from his illnesses. We have had to go all the way to the top, meeting with a judge and we are still waiting because of changing rulings related to heart disease. Anyway, don't give up. We think that is what they want you to do.

Good luck.
wurkinmommie
wurkinmommie
Blue My friend had the same Dx but his is from serving in Iraq during Desert Storm. He had inhalation of smoke from burning Oil fields. He has had a problem getting his benefits also. I am not sure if he finally got them or not. I lost touch with him a few years back. But he was sure that is where it came from. I also thought that is what Gulf War syndrome amounted to. But you stick to it! Hope it all works Out!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Wow! A lot of people got this disease after some sort of trauma. Something like that could be THE trauma that your body suffered.

Just like our government to protect the higher ups with protective gear, but forget about the enlisted.

I hope you eventually get the benefits you deserve!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I started my full blown symptoms after living in a rent house that had black toxic mold and went downhill from there.