Has anyone else been diagnosed with stomach problems such as ulcers, IBS, Hernias, Diverticulitis or other Gastrointestinal after serving?

Sgt Daniel V. — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 15:40:07 -0400

I believe MREs and Chow Hall food are hurting our service members and the Military and VA been mistakenly overlooking the damage MREs and Chow Hall food have been causing.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2016 3:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 15:42:47 -0400

No; Yes; I don't know.
That's a loaded question, bud. I think plenty of those questions vary depending on a SM's lifestyle out of uniform. What are your thoughts on these questions?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 17 at 2016 3:47 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 15:47:48 -0400

While anything is possible, can't say I have or know anyone that has any issues you mention, never mind in relationship to consuming MRE's or DFAC food.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 17 at 2016 4:41 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 16:41:14 -0400

I was diagnosed with GERD and am rated for it by the VA.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jul 17 at 2016 4:49 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 16:49:46 -0400

Sorry Sgt. I think you are really reaching here. Sometimes stuff just happens.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2016 5:02 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 17:02:41 -0400

Sgt Daniel V. I had ulcers after I served. I do not see a connection between the C Rations and Mess Hall food that I ate.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 17 at 2016 5:23 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 17:23:35 -0400

Could some of those diseases be chow hall related? Maybe. But it is likely more closely related to overall lifestyle choices in diet, body type and genetics.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jul 17 at 2016 6:13 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 18:13:25 -0400

I think it was more all the crap I ate at the house. Dfac and MREs were some of my healthiest meals. Grasping at straws pops into my head for some reason.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jul 17 at 2016 7:00 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 19:00:05 -0400

Ibs but I served in the Gulf War. And they sprayed insecticide a lot.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2016 8:17 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 20:17:29 -0400

If you are old enough you have probably had these illnesses. I ate in the chow hall for 4 years. Very few MREs Fewer C rations.

I too, think it is a life style thing along with stress.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2016 8:41 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 20:41:37 -0400

I am in possession of some of those medical maladies you mentioned. But none of them came from eating military food, and that is for certain sure.

Response by SSG Michael LeGrand made Jul 17 at 2016 9:05 PM

SSG Michael LeGrand — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 21:05:41 -0400

Interesting question. I had umbilical hernia surgery right before i got out of the military. Basically there was a part of my intestine pushing into my belly button (I HAD a outie). They told me that it could cause serious problems when i got older and it was a free surgery so i said why not. That was 4 years ago. I've gained some weight over the years but am still pretty active as far as fitness goes but alot of times i feel bloated and feel like my digestive system has slowed to a craw. I'm currently trying to find if there is something wrong with me. I don't know if i can relate this to chow hall food and MREs but I guess i'll know in time.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 17 at 2016 9:08 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 21:08:56 -0400

Diagnosed, Nope. Do I have Issues, Sure but in my case I would say it is mostly Genetic and less the result of the Chemicals I worked with or the Food I ate. 3 times getting Salmonella didn't help either, The 1st time was on a Military Base, So Maybe they are partially to blame.

Response by SPC Harold Bustamante made Jul 17 at 2016 10:05 PM

SPC Harold Bustamante — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 22:05:45 -0400

get off of tap water, clean your liver, do a master cleanse, google it.. drink only spring water.. yes its time to cleanse and eat healthy..I'm a vegan now and 47, cleaned my gulf war syndrome out and still healthy as funk.. so make those steps.. to much crap in gmo food and water

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Jul 18 at 2016 10:20 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 10:20:28 -0400

acid reflux aka gurd

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Jul 18 at 2016 10:32 AM

MSgt Stephen Council — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 10:32:01 -0400

Sgt Daniel V. I lost 3/4 of my stomach (subtotal gastrectomy with jejunostomy) to a severe bleeding ulcer in 1986 at 21 years old after I had been in the USAF for 4 years and had a second bleeding ulcer resulting in a vagotomy in 1998. I retired after 24 years and I still take acid reducers every day. I am 51 years old now and after my second colonoscopy/endoscopy (with my stomach history, I get both procedures every year). I am not sure how much of my stomach was a result of service or just my nature. Since I lost a portion of my stomach, it resulted in a 40% disability (just a portion of my VA rating). So, while I am not sure I provided any solutions to this thread, I hope I have informed the conversation.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jul 18 at 2016 10:46 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 10:46:01 -0400

The problem is that those are common ailments in people who have never served in the military. They have more to do with lifestyle, physical activities and aging then a particular diet when you were young and healthy.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jul 18 at 2016 11:02 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 11:02:59 -0400

Let's let Michelle Obama take a look at the military menu for suggestions, she fixed the the overweight problem in public schools, why not this?

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2016 1:24 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:24:00 -0400

I definitely believe there could be a connection from those listings of diseases to soldiers eating DEFAC food and MRE's, who hasn't had some kind of upset stomach or food allergy getting worse from someone eating the DFAC food? Although it could be a combination of things like others mentioned, is it only a few DFACs with poor hygiene etc.?

Response by SPC(P) Carlos Santini made Jul 18 at 2016 2:51 PM

SPC(P) Carlos Santini — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 14:51:14 -0400

YES. There is allot of people out there with these issues. I am one.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 18 at 2016 3:36 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 15:36:44 -0400

I am currently being followed up for GI issues.. eating MRE always upset my stomach and being honest I ate out while on missions we always stopped at local places in Afghanistan because the Afghan food was great.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 12:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 00:52:33 -0400

Q: What's your diet like?
Q: Do you work out?
Q: is there a family history?
Q: Do you drink a lot?

I used to suffer from heartburn (I was told acid reflux) so I started watching what I was eating and got my butt back in the gym and tadaaaa ... no more. Family history yes but they need to watch what they eat and start working out. Drinking ... well, I am only human you know.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 5:58 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 05:58:02 -0400

IBS/Diverticulitis. It has nothing to do with chow hall food. IMHO

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jul 19 at 2016 9:17 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 09:17:45 -0400

I've been fighting the VA for years on this same issue. I was 18 years old and in Nam when I started having problems with GERDS and Acid Reflux and I had such a bad experience eating those freaking C-Rats. While in Nam, 90% of the time, we were issued those freaking C-Rats. I was attached to a Combat Unit, up North in I Corps, and that is all we ever ate. Those freaking C-Rats had a date stamped on them that they were canned in 1949. Shit, that's the year I was born. They were full of grease and other so called preservatives and who knows what other shit the Military had in that food. All I know is that I had to eat that shit and I can tell you that the can chicken had more grease than the freaking motor pool had. It got so bad, that I had to eat rolaids and tums like candy. I asked everyone back home to start sending me care packages, which they did, and I always would get anything to stop the acid reflux that I had. Then the water! God, we drank water from streams and rivers and sure, we would load up on halogen pills but all in all, the water was bad. Then entire I-Corps area had been sprayed with Agent Orange and that shit was all over the ground and in the water and every time it rained, this rain water would run off into those streams. It was so bad tasting that I had to put kool aid in my canteen so that I could drink the water. Shit, we even dug fox holes almost every night and of course, that dirt that we shoveled was full of that Agent Orange shit and we would sleep in those f-cking holes. Anyways, my gerds got worse and I asked the head Corpsman to give me anything at all to help me cope with the acid reflux. The Doc told me to just have my relatives and friends back home to continue sending me care packages. Once I got out of the Marines, I put in a claim with the VA because my Acid Reflux, Gerds, turned into Barrett's Syndrome. The VA did agree with me about the Gerds but denied my Claim because they said that there was insufficient evidence, proof that the C-Rats or the water was the cause of my acid reflux. You know, I love going to the VA----NOT, because I don't care how many times that I've been to hearings or been evaluated there has not been one single Doctor, Nurse Practitioner or any other person who I've seen has ever served in Nam. How the hell can they sit there and make any decision without ever knowing what it was like and the conditions that we endured while we were in Nam! I love it! WTF-Over! All I can say is FEA! And how about that water at Camp Lejeune? Anyone who went through ITI at Lejeune drank that freaking water and it has been proven that the water was no good to drink. Again, WTF-Over. You can't win for loosing.

Response by Sgt Jason Abraham made Jul 19 at 2016 9:49 AM

Sgt Jason Abraham — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 09:49:26 -0400

I had some insane acid reflux issues towards the later part of my service and the Marine Corps never found out what it was, just kept giving me acid reducers. Turns out I had H.Pylori, which is a disease that you usually get as a child and is activated by things like stress. My stomach problems really started showing up around the time I went to Afghanistan...go figures. I'm not sure about all that though, I haven't had as many MREs as you but enough to tell in this case, but the DFAC food seemed decent at least. Can't say for sure that's what caused it. The Marine Corps isn't good about catching a lot of stomach issues though, at least in my experience. Shortly after I got out I woke up in the middle of the night because the stomach acid was jumping up into the back of my throat. Went to the doctors' the next day and they found my stomach disease right away. I still have some issues, but I think it's mostly my stomach healing more slowly from my coffee habits, weekend drinks, cigars...etc.

Response by Sgt Matt Collins made Jul 19 at 2016 10:10 AM

Sgt Matt Collins — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 10:10:51 -0400

I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis about 10 years ago, a 31 yr old man stumped the doctors as to why....

Response by Cpl Robert Clark made Jul 19 at 2016 10:26 AM

Cpl Robert Clark — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 10:26:10 -0400

Yes but I do not believe the chow hall or MRE's had anything to do with it. I came down with dysentery during Desert Shield and I strongly believe, as SSG Stokes writes, that the IBS diagnosis is directly related to exposure in the giant litter box known as Saudi Arabia as well as being in Kuwait. I watch what I eat and really have made a conscious effort to not be a slave to food. Speedbump 3/9, YAT-YAS!

Response by Cpl Roel Ramon made Jul 19 at 2016 11:05 AM

Cpl Roel Ramon — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:05:09 -0400

I had Ulcerative Colitus back in the mid 90's. I discharged in 1989. I have always thought it was the jet fuel in our water while I was on board the USS Tarawa on WesPac.

Response by SSG Brandon Maybush made Jul 19 at 2016 11:39 AM

SSG Brandon Maybush — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:39:26 -0400

I didn't see anyone mention alcohol.... that certainly doesn't help and I know my consumption spiked when I joined and when I left.

Response by SSgt Jerry DeLaney made Jul 19 at 2016 11:47 AM

SSgt Jerry DeLaney — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:47:40 -0400

I served from 08/78 thru 01/99. I had left inguinal hernia surgery in 02/84. Cause: My own stupidity - stopping a falling 55 gal drum from landing on another Marine.
In 2004, I had surgery for a right inguinal hernia and an umbilical hernia. Cause: My own stupidity - lifted a heavy piece of equipment without help. In 2008, Kidney Stones. Cause: According to the doctor it was switching to diet sodas ( which I did well after I retired).
Do I think chow hall food or MREs (described by the late Tom Clancy as "...three lies in one") contributed to these issues? No! But, then again, we had "C rations" for several years before MREs came out. So, who knows. :-)

Response by LCpl Lloyd Lesperance made Jul 19 at 2016 3:26 PM

LCpl Lloyd Lesperance — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 15:26:14 -0400

I agree ever since I got out I have had acid reflux.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Jul 19 at 2016 7:38 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 19:38:21 -0400

I had Ulcers and they were 1 stage from cancer and I have been Taking Prilosec for a 20yrs plus. Has anyone of them gone to a Doctor that has something to do with stomach Issues? I would that's where I WOULD START GOOD LUCK LIKE TO HERE BACK ON THIS MATTER. SSG MARK FRANZEN

Response by GySgt Steven Hedges made Jul 19 at 2016 9:07 PM

GySgt Steven Hedges — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 21:07:10 -0400

you pussy..

Response by Sgt Joseph Baker made Jul 19 at 2016 10:49 PM

Sgt Joseph Baker — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 22:49:33 -0400

I actually don't think it's the food. I'll tell you why. I was first diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis about 4 years into my enlistment. But that's not where it ended. I now have sarcoidosis and psoriasis. All three diseases are auto-immune related. The medications given are the same. Doctors believe both are caused by what is called tumor-necrosis-factor in your immune system. It's purpose in life is to kill cancer cells. People of all ages develop 'cancer' cells in the body on a regular basis. The tumor-necrosis-factor is supposed to identify and kill those cells. When your body fails to identify them, then tumors form. Unfortunately, in some people such as myself the TNF starts attacking normal tissue, in the colon, small intestine, skin, and even lungs. Basically, immune system run amok. My suspicion is the vaccines. Particularly in the Marines. Most people who serve get a basic set of vaccines, and depending on their deployments, they may get other, more exotic vaccines later. In the Corps, they just give you them all in boot camp, in two rounds. I can't even list for you how many vaccines we got all at once. Makes me wonder if that's not a good thing, that maybe it can trigger an over-reaction in some people. Now, before anyone jumps in saying that vaccines are totally safe, won't hurt a fly, first go to the CDC webpage and search for vaccine injury compensation fund; they wouldn't have a fund if people didn't have negative reactions, there's a whole table there describing complications for different vaccines and how to be paid by the government for those injuries. Vaccines are not 100% safe, and some still include mercury, that you will also find on the CDC site. Back to my theory: basically I wonder if my immune system is malfunctioning due to those injections. Now I get treated regularly with very expensive 'biologic medication, and the trade off is increased risk of cancer, or death by tuberculosis or other infection.

Response by Cpl Carlos Acevedo made Jul 20 at 2016 2:08 AM

Cpl Carlos Acevedo — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 02:08:41 -0400

Maybe it's the water at Lejeune

Response by Cpl Robert Clark made Jul 21 at 2016 12:14 PM

Cpl Robert Clark — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:14:39 -0400

never had a problem until that $h!t hole called Saudi...

Response by SFC William Adamek made Jul 21 at 2016 12:42 PM

SFC William Adamek — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:42:46 -0400

I believe that most of the problems are not actually caused by the food but by the environments we have served in as well as possibly assisted by some of the immunizations that we had to get for those environments. Because of how our bodies have been affected by these toxic places/substances we are less able to handle foods that we previously had no problems with. So not really the foods fault but a change in our bodies from where we served and the shots we got to go there.

Response by SSgt Javier Abrego made Jul 21 at 2016 1:17 PM

SSgt Javier Abrego — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 13:17:12 -0400

I have ibs-d and it's service related but it from the chow. It was from that experimental anthrax shot I was given that the U.S. was told not give to their soldiers...well being a Marine we are not soldiers. The very next day after being given that shot started a lifetime of the shits. Like I said, it wasn't the chow.

Response by Cpl Jason Fields made Jul 21 at 2016 5:27 PM

Cpl Jason Fields — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:27:32 -0400

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis 3 years ago at the age of 28. My doctor said it's very unusual to have that problem so young. It typically occurs in people 60 and up. I filed for it on my disability claim and was denied with the VA.

Response by Cpl Jason Fields made Jul 21 at 2016 5:30 PM

Cpl Jason Fields — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 17:30:13 -0400

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis 3 years ago at the age of 28. 6 years removed from service. The doctor was surprised and told me that it is usually for someone so young to have this issue. It typically occurs in people 60 and up. I filed as part of my disability claim that I had this diagnosis I was denied they said there was no way I could prove the military caused it

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 28 at 2017 3:49 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:36 -0400

Yes, then I stopped smoking, cut back on coffee and stopped with the antacids. 90% of my problems went away.

Response by SPC Dennis Clark made Aug 18 at 2017 3:17 PM

SPC Dennis Clark — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 15:17:28 -0400

I think your right about MRE'S! MRE'S are toxic. They are loaded with chemicals and with calories. There made to Sustain a soldier on the battlefield, Not for a healthy diet.

Response by CPL Paul Vargas made Oct 23 at 2017 5:32 PM

CPL Paul Vargas — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 17:32:15 -0400

I served from 1991-1994, with 82nd ABN and 1st CAV. I suffer from IBS and am currently seeing a gastrologist. I quite certain that it is due to my service but no doctor will even state that it’s a possibility.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2019 1:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 01:46:05 -0500

I just got out of the hospital, and had to take 10 days of levothyroxine and metronidazole. This ain't no joke, and I've was diagnosed with gut issues by the VA after my last deployment. Be fair warned the MREs are kicking our butts.