ApoyaaTuVeterano.org

The new computerized records has many pluses, problem is, doctors are relying way too heavily on the records to do their due diligence when dianosing illnesses. I hope everyone knows that YOU must be the one to ensure good treatment by asking the appropriate questions no matter how it affects your physician.

Take a hint from just one of my most recent findings of ineptness at the VA due to doctors trusting the system to do everything for them.

Four years ago, after being diagnosed with diabetes type II, my vsion started to do some strange things, like blurring beyond the point of safety when walking, LET ALONE DRIVING. Everyone knows that vision can be affected by diabetes, and seeing I had diabetes, I was examined over this period many times for the symptoms I gave. Well, I also have a heart that is in atrial fibrillation and subsequently I am on a strict regimine of Warfarin (blood thinner) and digoxin (which stregnthens the heart beat). Well, I did not scream loud enough to over ride the use of the computer or I might have been the one whose dillemna made the VA look at the digoxin provided.

Well, today I received a letter from the VA which states that my exact symptoms come from a bad bunch of digoxin.....4 years later and who knows how much damage (heart and eyes)later ?? I still have not been called in or even called about what I would say is a pretty serious situation, which has caused myself , my friends and family much concern and made me stay indoors away from driving (or walking) for four years, not knowing when my eyes would blurr.

You can bet your fanny I will have a talk with someone as soon as I gfet a new doctor as I fired mine three weeks ago for other over sights. I am going to tell the VA that it is a shame that the electronic records can't be used (cross reference or whatever) to catch problems before they are deadly. Long ago I found that I was not so important that I would be the only person wronged by any system, and so I imagine I am not alone in this grave oversight (pun intended), but that there are many others. Mine is not the only chance for this as any medication may be faulty also.

Look out for yourself, and scream loudly when using the VA. The folks are not bad, it is the system which is.

Your job is so important! Thank you for doing it and for being the face of the VA that alot of these guys are seeing. We are in South Dakota and the VA here is a dream compared to some of the things I hear. It is the reason we are continuing to live here in fact. My husband is 30 percent disabled and has PTSD that is going through another review for a higher level of disability soon. If it were not for the proactive case managers at the VA that would have been a struggle. Bless you and keep doing the good work you do.

We met at the jail diversion roundtable in Augusta. Funny I would find you here just 15 minutes after I got off of the phone with Guy Gambill and he had mentioned that he talked to you! He is in DC this week trying to drum up funds to get all of our family members up there in July to speak with congress and Vets affairs. I was really impressed at how far you folks have gotten with your diversion program in Augusta. I wish we had as many supporters for our SAMSHA granted program! Do you know of any vets in the Atlanta area who are consumers and would like to commit to being on our advisory board? We are a bit short on vet consumers. I was able to hook Pat Stroud of NAMI in Atlanta with someone in Chicago who may be willing to bring a veteran's specific CIT training course to GA. I am really excited about this! Maybe when we get the training we will have to bring it to Augusta! Well, I guess I will be seeing you at the next roundtable! Take Care!
Jamie

I'm just a civilian. I have an IAVA bumper sticker on my car because I never want to happen again what happened to our Viet Nam Vets. In hindsight, many Americans, me included, just did not know any better. I'm in Monmouth County NJ.

I just want to help.

What can I do?