Military service or parents in the military?

[bjameshill]

Many years ago, when my symptoms were at their peak, I did a lot of research into Gulf War Syndrome.  Many US service people (almost exclusively men) came back from the Gulf War with symptoms similar to POIS.  At the time, they suspected the inoculations, immunizations and /or exposure to chemical weapons.  Military personnel are given many more inoculations than civilians.

My father was in the military, stationed in Bitburg Germany. 

[Vincent M]

Interesting idea. I don't remember this being discussed before. My father was in the army, but I don't think he went to war.

[bjameshill]

May not matter if they saw action, Vincent.  All service people get the same inoculations.  Wondering if there is a genetic / mutation link.  I am not a big fan of this theory, which also pops up in CFS and Autism research.  But, though I would is if there is a pattern in POIS. 

[Muon]

Interesting I was reading about conditions often comorbid with mast cell diseases and gulf war illness was one ot those, see table 2:

Recent advances in our understanding of mast cell activation - or should it be mast cell mediator disorders?

I encountered this article which I think is interesting, it's about people coming back from the Gulf War with POIS-like symptoms:

Is Burning Semen Syndrome a Variant Form of Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity?

Stress mediated priming of mast cells?

[Hopeoneday]

Intoxication, infection , shock , radiation.

[Nas]

Intoxication, infection , shock , radiation.

My father served in the Iraq-Iran war.