The V.A. Veterans Administration

[Reloadron]

I posted the following in another forum and reading this thread in this forum which migrated from lights to medical stuff I thought I would toss it out here. While I am a US veteran if any other vets would like to share any information please do. I realize Canada has universal healthcare.

I know we have veterans here in these forums. Wondering if any of you currently use an VA benefits? I turned 70 last week and never had used the VA till now. One of my prescription medications is Viberzi for IBSD (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The Viberzi actually works well but is a tier 1 drug. Every new year in January myself and my primary care doctor have to go through the hoops with my supplemental insurance (I have my medicare) to get them to pay and even once that is approved my co-pay is about $622 a month. Last year I had $7,500 out of pocket. That above and over what my wife and I pay for Medicare and the supplement. Friends suggested I go to the VA so I did. Really kind and great people and I enjoyed the environment of other vets, many like myself, old Vietnam guys. Saw my new primary care VA guy yesterday and come to find out all my meds are covered but I will need to see a GI Specialist before I get the Viberzi but I am good with that. I had a full physical yesterday including blood work and also discovered the VA will even provide hearing aids. Anyway I was wondering how many here may be using VA Healthcare here in the US?

The VA called yesterday and I have an appointment to see a GI (Gastro Intestinal) specialist in a few weeks (09 March @ 0900) so hopefully I can get something going on the Viberzi. Ever since I wandered into the VA they have been great and right on things. I am just curious as to if any other US Veterans are using their VA Benefits and how things are going?

Ron

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I posted the following in another forum and reading this thread in this forum which migrated from lights to medical stuff I thought I would toss it out here. While I am a US veteran if any other vets would like to share any information please do. I realize Canada has universal healthcare.

As does the UK of course, so UK veterans get the same free health care as everyone else - in fact there isn't really any 'veterans' culture over here, and it's not even a word that's often used.

 

[Visitor]

True story from an old Reader's Digest:

A nurse was helping an older gentleman with some medical issues, and he had mentioned he had served in "The War". The nurse could see he wasn't affluent and could probably use some help with his medical expenses. She took it upon herself to call the VA to see if he was eligible. The short response she got was:

Right war. Wrong side.

 

[Reloadron]

As does the UK of course, so UK veterans get the same free health care as everyone else - in fact there isn't really any 'veterans' culture over here, and it's not even a word that's often used.

Yes, thanks Nigel. I was aware of UK universal helathcare but forgot to mention it. The same is true of Sweden and other countries. Here in the US while being a vet is not a big deal healthcare is always a big deal, especially in many cases the cost of prescription meds.

Thanks
Ron

 

[Pommie]

A slight change of subjects but kinda relevant. I heard about fecal transplants a few years ago and have wondered why it seems to have not made any progress. See https://www.webmd.com/ibs/news/20191021/fecal-transplants-benefit-ibs-patients-study

Mike.

 

[Reloadron]

Interesting.

Ron

 

[rjenkinsgb]

I heard about fecal transplants a few years ago

That sounds a bit unpleasant!

If the problem is related to the wrong type of symbiotic bacteria etc. in the guts, would something like this have any effect? I know things like this or "live yogurt" can have drastic effects after courses of antibiotics that destroy the proper symbiotic bugs in your guts and leave them vulnerable to infection by harmful alternatives.

One of my relatives who as an autoimmune condition says it has positive effects on her overall health, but I have no idea at all about IBS.

UK & USA examples

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Acidophilus

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www.mayoclinic.org

 

[Pommie]

That sounds a bit unpleasant!

Whilst that trial sounds unpleasant, the original trial were bottom up rather than top down. Basically poo was liquified in a blender and then injected about 12" up the bum. They got amazing results but the yuck factor seems to have halted research. Shame.

Mike.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Whilst that trial sounds unpleasant, the original trial were bottom up rather than top down. Basically poo was liquified in a blender and then injected about 12" up the bum. They got amazing results but the yuck factor seems to have halted research. Shame.

When my daughter was finishing her Chemistry Masters Degree, and looking for a Phd place, her Professor wanted her to look for medical placements as she was so good at it, she declined as she "doesn't like squidgy bits" - in the event her Phd was to do with crystal growth in oil pipelines, funded by an American company, and to do with the Gulf disaster. One of the documents she was following said at the bottom, "now leave in refrigerator for several years"

So the 'yuck factor' even pits the scientists off!

 

[Ian Rogers]

I feel for you Ron.... My son is 30 and in the same boat as you... But he is on a similar drug, but they have changed his immune system to cope better with the disease... He has it by infusion every 8 weeks... Piggin good job we live here in blighty as it's completely covered by the NHS...

Just a side note... People with IBS and IBD suffer with low vitamin B12.. It cannot be absorbed naturally so he has a booster injection every couple of months... This aides the fatigue that comes with the issue...

Terrible disease, wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy..

 

[gophert]

I am just curious as to if any other US Veterans are using their VA Benefits and how things are going?

Based on all the odd responses to your clearly defined question to a clearly defined group of people (US Veterans living in the US), I guess the answer to your question is either...
1) you should put someone else's poop up your butt
2) UK has free health insurance.
3) Old Readers Digest quips should address question.
4) Eat Live Yogurt
5) Stories about someone's daughter's graduate studies is somehow applicable to your question.

Other interpretations are...
A) there are no US Veterans here who can answer yes or no.
B) "42" might be a correct answer

 

[JimB]

Gophert

A good summary of the thread.

JimB

 

[Ian Rogers]

gophert
Whilst I agree with your "summary" And Yes! I can also see your original post and the "good ol' gopert" sarcasm.. As you clearly point out that absolutely no US vets have answered...

As this is a problem that I have been involved with, I would have thought ANY constructive comments may help Ron.. Even being able to google these comments, and also some people do not like talking about their issues... Hopefully it points out that there are many others that suffer in silence. I have very minor IBD but I would gladly share what helps and what certainly doesn't... I'm nowhere near as bad as my son, but the experience is there..

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

gophert
Whilst I agree with your "summary" And Yes! I can also see your original post and the "good ol' gopert" sarcasm.. As you clearly point out that absolutely no US vets have answered...

Are vets more or less likely to be interested in electronics than non-vets?, electronics is a fairly niche hobby these days, and limiting numbers to vets as well is probably a very small number?. Obviously a number of vets were trained in electronics, but does that create a hobby interest?. Perhaps there's a Phd student out there who could do their Phd thesis in the subject?.

Not living in the US the only 'information' we get about vets is from TV shows, where apparently they all are homeless and live on the streets - which I'm sure is absolutely untrue. Over here there is no 'vets culture', people leave the armed forces and become normal civilians, it's pretty unusual to know if people are vets or not. One exception (for me at least) was my one time neighbours (Mac and Ena), as they bought the house while still in the Army and moved in when they left the Army - which was the only reason it came up.

 

[Reloadron]

Not living in the US the only 'information' we get about vets is from TV shows, where apparently they all are homeless and live on the streets - which I'm sure is absolutely untrue.

Understandable but like anyone in my age group some of fared well and some not so well and that includes vets and non-vets alike. Many of us are not on freeway on/off ramps holding cans for donations or urinating in gutters.

Never having used the VA I was curious as to if anyone here in the forums has used any of their veteran's benefits and how they liked things. While we can well afford our meds I figured after talking to friends I would see what if anything the VA pharmacy could do for me. They already gave me some of my regular meds but before they will give me Viberzi, the expensive drug, I have an appointment to see a GI (Gastro Intestinal) specialist on the 9th of March. On the bright side two pages of blood work results showed up in the mail and all of that is in order and I am Hep C free. Never figured I had it but nice to know.

Yes, apparently we don't have any vets here using the VA. Well none who wish to share their VA experiences which is cool with me.

Ron