The question brings with it more questions rather than answers, but having been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at age 49; just five years after retiring from the U.S. Navy Submarine Service, Don can not help asking the questions.
1. How many other submariners have been diagnosed with Parkinson's?
2. How many have been diagnosed a a relatively young age?
3. What environmental conditions might have contributed to or caused our Parkinson's?
4. What about the link between Vitamin D deficiency and PD? How would 36+ months of
submerged time effect the Vitamin D levels?
5. How might the geographical locations of sub bases contribute to low Vitamin D levels?
6. How might exposure to the amines used in the CO2 scrubbers contribute to PD?
The questions continue, but it is impossible to answer any of these until we can answer question #1 and identify those individuals and gather enough data to find any common denominators and perhaps, stimulate interest in further research.
If you, or someone you know has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and served in the submarine service or the bases or shipyards where submarines were maintained or serviced, please help us by leaving contact information with your comments below.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at age 50;
ReplyDeletetwelve (12)years after retiring from the U.S. Navy and twenty-two (22) years from being on board a submarine. I did two tours of five years each on two missile boats. When I retired, I went to work for Norfolk Southeren Railroad at a marine terminal in Norfolk where I was exposed to all kinds of toxins.
Hope this helps.
Dale
daloha88@gmail.com
I was in the Navy from 1967 to 1974. My last five years in the nuclear Navy. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 47. I have two friends that were in the submarine service at the same time frame that I was in active service. Both have early onset of Parkinson's disease. We are a product of what we eat, what we inhale and what we drink. A person cannot inhale hazardous chemicals for months at a time and not have some effect from living and working in those conditions.
ReplyDeleteSee Old Dominion University magazine "Quest" June 2002-Volume3 Issue 2 for the article "Run Silent, Run clean" for an eye-opening read.
Do you know of any studies that have been performed that links Parkinson's disease with submarine service? If you know of any or if any of your readers know of any, I would like to be informed.
Bernie
Bernie.Bessette@Gmail.com
My brother Frank J. Hernandez was a submariner from 1954 through approximately 1985, 31 years. During that time he served on many nuclear subs, Nautilus, (572), USS Flying Fish, and many others I cannot recall. In 1997, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. As I write this, he presently sits in a wheelchair in a Norfolk Virginia rest home in the final stages of this dreaded disease!! At least 10 years ago, I asked my brother Frank, "don't you think that your office being next to the nuclear reactor may have contributed to your Parkinson's"? Especially when there is no known history of Parkinson's or Alzheimers in our extended Hernandez family? His reply was military stoic, "I don't complain or blame" Well this youngest brother is complaining! BTW, he retired as a Master Chief E-9, Yeoman......
ReplyDeleteJaime R. Hernandez
sangerjaime@aol.com
My name is Dale Henderson. I served on a nuclear submarine from 1970 to 1974 and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease two years ago. I had undiagnosed symptoms for about four years previous. I am now in a wheelchair and have no coordination in my legs due to tremors and the "freezing" associated with Parkinson's.
ReplyDeletePlease see new comment DON Ennis Jan. 13, 2018
DeleteGood Morning!
ReplyDeleteI am 63 now and was diagnosed with PD ~5 years ago. I served on various boomers and one tender as a nuclear trained Machinist Mate from 1973 till 1984. I was on the USS Holland, in RadCon, when it was sent to Diego Garcia, I.O. to be the resident tender. We spent a year there one summer.
I am taking RASAGILINE, AMANTADINE and PRAMIPEXOLE. I am still pretty active although my left side has tremors.
Cya...Dan'l
Dan,
DeleteSome close resemblance, SErved on destroyer tender in Radcon for 2 years and worked on 688 class subs for 2 to 3 weeks a year in the reserves. Diagnosed Early onset PD in 2012. Retired from resereves 2012 as MRCS. Taking Prami and Artane. Left side as well. Was it the ionizing radiation that caused this onset?
H
Dan,
DeleteSome close resemblance, SErved on destroyer tender in Radcon for 2 years and worked on 688 class subs for 2 to 3 weeks a year in the reserves. Diagnosed Early onset PD in 2012. Retired from resereves 2012 as MRCS. Taking Prami and Artane. Left side as well. Was it the ionizing radiation that caused this onset?
H
Please see new comment Don Ennis Jan. 13, 2018
DeleteI was diagnosed with PD at age 60. I was on nuclear FBM Submarines George Washington Carver and John C. Calhoun. I made 5 patrols approximately 60-70 days each in duration. I have always been very suspicious of submarine environments being the final condition to causing PD. This is based on having a heredity that could make me more susceptible to the disease. Combining this with a poor environment on the subs do to a very oily (hydraulic fluids leaked constantly) atmosphere and poor oxygen levels and the lack of sunshine (vitamin D). When I was aboard it was always noticeable by most that if you cut or scratched yourself, it would always take an unusual amount of time to heal.
ReplyDeletePlease see new comment Don Ennis Jan. 13, 2018
DeleteHusband is 20 year USN veteran. He was not a submariner. He was an SK on several carriers, oiler, & LSD. We were also stationed at two sub bases. I started noticing neurological signs (memory, nerve pain, nervousness) back in '99. His doctors would never put anything in his record stating that he could be discharged for these issues. He retired in '04. In '07, @ 41 years of age, he was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson's. He had DBS surgery in '14. It has helped quite a bit with the tremors. His speech, short term memory, pain, & balance are horrible. Swallowing is beginning to become an issue, as well. When his VA packet was done, no rating was given for his Parkinson's. We are re - submitting his packet for worsening Parkinson's as well as higher % for other worsening issues.
ReplyDeletePlease see new comment Don Ennis Jan. 13, 2018
DeleteMy brother-in-law served in the U S Navy abd was assigned to the S S Calhoun, a nuclear sub that spent months submerged in still secret locations. He now has Parkinson's. Please contact me if I can report anything of interest to him. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePlease see new comment Don Ennis Jan. 13, 2018
DeleteI was recently contacted by a research Doctor who was conducting a study of Donepozil (a drug I was prescribed for dementia related to my Parkinson's). He has found our blog post here and is very interested in the possible relationship between Parkinson's and submarine service as we have noted here. We are particularly interested in the possible link between exposure to the MEA amine used in the CO2 scrubbers. If you have any insight into this possible link please notify us by email aT cakennis@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Don:
DeleteCould you please provide the name of that doctor? I dabble in medical journalism; currently doing research on any health impact from submarine time. Any other information or thoughts from anyone would be very helpful. Many thanks.
This is Carol Ennis replying to your post of about 1 year ago. Don passed away on July 5, 2018 at the WA State Senator ldiers' Home in Orting WA where here was a resident for the preceding 16 months. His cause of death is listed as pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure with contributing causes Parkinson's Disease and Kidney Failure. I have only recently begun to return to my amateur research into the possible connection between PD and submarine service. I had an email today from yet another family member of a submariner with PD diagnosis, and so began to look back at this blog that I began years ago and have nearly neglected for several years as I was caring for Don at home prior to his move to the Soldier's Home. I will try to find the contact information for the Dr. that contact us and will post that information here. Thank you for your interest; I was diagnosed with PD 7 years ago and we have a son with early onset PD, diagnosed 6 years ago. We have had DNA testing done and none of us have any of the know markers for PD and with 16 generations of family history records we have found no one in either of our families with PD diagnosis. Don suspected the amines used in the CO2 scrubbers might be the connection as it appeared to him that the chemical structure of the amines seemed to be closely relate to the structure of trichloroethylene (a known and acknowledged by the VA ) a cause or contributor to PD. Please stay in touch with me by text, voice or email at cakennis@gmail.com or (435)-559-8083
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Robert Schultz.
I served 16 years, (81-98) at NSB NLON, on PCU Georgia at Electric Boat , on USS Georgia, NSB Bangor, NSB KB TRITRAFAC KB and USS Tenesee. I was tasked with cleaning fired missile tubes. I was also a QA inspector and Oxygen Clean worker. I was exposed to solvents in large quantities on a regular basis. I’m in the process of a PD diagnosis. I’ve already been determined to have PTSD. I’ll update you if I can remember.
MT1 (SS) R A Schultz place
My Husband has just been diagnosed with PD but it could be MSA ( under the umbrella of parkParkins but no medication works and it progresses quicker. He is 59 and served 6 years in the Royal navy on nuclear submarine 1977 to 1983 .
ReplyDeletesorry it won't let me edit Parkinson's blooming phones ....
DeleteDear Carol I was sorry to hear that you had lost your husband.Are you still trying to find out any connection between Parkinson's and nuclear submariners ? My brother in law Steven Goodhead was in the Royal Navy for several years and spent most of that time aboard a nuclear submarine. Steven who is 59 has had the diagnosis of Parkinsons or Multiple System Atrophy which mimics Parkinson's but can be harder to treat If you need anymore info or you know of anyone else who can help my sisters email sarah goodhead@outlook.com
ReplyDeleteI was a conventional ET2 I'm on the USS queenfish and the USS Richard B Russell. On the decommissioning crew of both spending time in shipyards in Hawaii and Maire Island. Served from 1987 to 1993 diagnosed at 50 now 52. Misdiagnosed with essential tremors for about three years. No family history that we know of. Tremors in lips, right side gaint,writing small, soft voice.
ReplyDeleteTM2 on two boats 78 - 81. SSBN -3 patrols, SSN FOR ABOUT a year. Diagnosed with parkinsonism last year after about two years of symptoms.
ReplyDeleteI served on the uss Chicago in 91 was discharged I was just informed that I have pd
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMy husband was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease at 57.his symptoms were shuffling of feet,slurred speech, low volume speech, degradation of hand writing, horrible driving skills, right arm held at 45 degree angle, things were tough for me, but now he finally free from the disease with the help of total cure from ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC, he now walks properly and all symptoms has reversed, he had trouble with balance especially at night, getting into the shower and exiting it is difficult,getting into bed is also another thing he finds impossible.we had to find a better solution for his condition which has really helped him a lot,the biggest helped we had was ultimate life clinic they walked us through the proper steps,am highly recommended this www.ultimatelifeclinic.com to anyone who needs help.
I served on old Sturgeon class submarines, last being 1993, medically discharged in late 1994. My first year on the submarine was in the Puget Sound Navy Shipyard finishing overhaul. Then we were out to sea for about 80% of the next three years. We did not do traditional Westpac's but were a special op boat that was out to sea often. I am 53, diagnosed with Parkinsons last year, but had the symptoms for probably a few years before they started getting bad where they impacted my quality of life. I have a 70% disability for some mental ailments, not related to Parkinsons, but now I do not know if it was connected or are connected or a cause and effect. I am taking many medications such as carbidopa-levodopa and other medications that manage my tertiary symptoms such as my Rapid Eye Movement Sleep disorder, Depression, Anxiety and all the other symptoms relating to my Parkinsons such as tremors, rigidity, difficulty balance, risk for falls, memory issues, sleeping issues, etc.
ReplyDelete