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Fen-Phen Still Counting Victims and Fen-Phen Lawsuits

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Dallas, TXWhen it comes to Fen-Phen, “it ain’t over til I’m over,” says Rosemary, who was recently diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension, or Fen-Phen PPH in Fen-Phen consumers.

Even though Rosemary settled with Wyeth in 2007, her injuries have worsened - she settled when her complaint and diagnosis was mitral valve regurgitation. Linda, age 51, is in the same boat: she filed a claim against American Home Products Corp (AHP) and received a $500 settlement in 2000: at the time, Linda didn’t have any symptoms. A few years ago, Linda’s attorney advised that she get an ECG, and sure enough, she too has mitral valve regurgitation.

“Sometimes when I walk to church I have to stop due to shortness of breath and my heart palpations will run away on me,” says Linda. “It feels crazy scary and I can’t help but think I am getting more serious fen-phen symptoms. I wish I wasn’t so vain and naïve when I was in my 20s.

“Back in the 1970s I wanted to lose some weight so my friend introduced me to a doctor who had helped her lose at least 20 lbs. This diet doctor told me to stay off meats and dairy and just eat raw foods, along with the fen-phen pills.

“I went to the doctor every week: He weighed me and logged the results. He never checked my vitals. He just told me to step on the scale. I lost 50 lbs within a few months; I was hanging around 170 lbs because I had just had a baby. I’m only 5' 1" and usually weighed 125 lbs, but I was exercising and only eating lots of green leafy vegetables and fresh fruit. I was burning up everything I was eating, and those pills were just melting away the fat.

“I continued taking fen-phen until the end of 1979. I remember this date because I started another job and it was too far away for me to see the diet doctor again. I didn’t bother getting refills - in hindsight that could have prevented me from developing PPH. And I had lost enough weight.

“I filed a claim when my cousin phoned and told me that she had received a huge fen-phen settlement, but she was also diagnosed with PPH. Since that time, I have been doing some research and it looks like I can file another claim against AHP.” Linda is right - Fen-Phen lawsuits are still pending and are still being settled.

To be eligible for a Fen-Phen valvular claim, Linda must be a “timely registered Seventh Amendment Class Member, determined to be FDA Positive after usage but before the January 3, 2003 deadline,” and she must have submitted all of the required documentation to AHP (now Wyeth). Her qualifying event or condition must have occurred on or before December 31, 2011. Linda and other Fen-Phen consumers with valve damage now have until December 31, 2015, to file a claim.

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READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
I, like many others to Meridia and its generic equivalents. In 1991, I quit my job because of fatigue. I saw my doctor and a cardiologist and was told I had a "silent" heart attack and that the lower portion of my heart had essentially "died." I was diagnosed with mild mitral regurgitation as well. After a time and repeated ECGs, my heart was somehow "miraculously" better as if I had undergone stem cell therapy. The cardiologist(s) had no explanation for this event. Regardless, the mitral valve regurgitation remains and I have not worked since. I have now been on SS disability due to an unrelated bout with spinal cancer but the fatigue has worsened. I get regular stress tests and ECGs that report that I have heart damage that is irreparable. I have been issued a check for $2000 but was at first misplaced, then reissued but then went stale as I did not wish to cash it, possibly affecting any future litigation. I have just called to have it re-issued again as I am running low on money. I have been unable to find an attorney willing to take my case because it would incur work and wasn't a "slam-dunk" type of case. As a result of all this, I have no job, my wife left me, I have a 17-year old daughter I share joint custody with but can no longer afford to help her although I have been paying for the state GET plan until now. I am at a loss as to what to do or how to proceed. I considered suicide so my miniscule 401K savings could go to help her with her life but have been talked out of that path. I now have nothing to offer her now but myself but don't wish to become a burden upon anyone. And so it goes...

Posted by

on
I took the diet drug for less than a year and stopped because it made my chest feel heavy. When it was recalled I saw their company Dr and was DX with mitral and aortic reguratation/mild. I was given $ 6,000. and reimbursement for the RX. I believe, I received another $2,000. with the 7th amendment. I originally filled the gray form. I was told my PPH level was the upper-limits of normal years ago I believe that was during my first or 2nd echocardiogram. I still have the letter from their cardiooligist and I think the VHS tape. I have seen sense 2 cardiooligists and had an echocardiogram that was before 2003. My heart is now enlarged and I have periods of SOB. I also have PVC's. I am going to have another echocardiogram soon. Can I still file because my heart has > damage?

Posted by

on
What are some of the other issues for using fenphen. I used in in the mid 90s and have experienced muscle pain, weakness, which in the past year has turned into neuropathy.

Posted by

on
I SUFFERED MITRAL VALVE PROPLAPSE BACK IN 2000, I DID RECEIVE A SETTLEMENT HOWEVER I HAVE MORE COMPLICATIONS TAKING HEART MEDICATION. i WAS TOLD BY MY ATTORNEYS THAT MY MEDICAL BILLS WOULD BE COVERED BUT DONT KNOW WHERE TO TURN.

Posted by

on
I was diagnosed with PH in 2005 , have been on several different PH meds , had a claim and it was kicked out of court saying my pressures were not high enough ! Does taking these meds and being seen by a world known PH doc not count ? I think it sad that people can spill coffee on them and her millions but I have this PH with no cute and it has most def affected mine and my family's life and the meds and medical costs ? I am blessed to continue to be able to take oral meds but I still have PH and I am on disability and no longer work ! Anything to do as my pressures were " high normals" or just above normal but continue to have symptoms daily .

Posted by

on
I took redux and meridia in 1996. Thought i was healthy until April 2008 when my heart failed requiring me to have a heart transplant. What can we do now about financial help from the drug company. Thanks

Posted by

on
I was involved in this lawsuit. My question is this.I won 200 Thousand.I got 118.000 after my Attorney in Wichita,ks.took his share.ok the way that I received my check was fedx. In an envelope, left at my door.does that sound legit to You?

Posted by

on
never heard anything about my claim fen phen

Posted by

on
I took Fen Phen and the results due to this was two leaking heart valves, chest pain, heart palpitations, and heart enlargement.

Posted by

on
This is not fair for people who settled out of the class action, and now have alot more problems today. It should not be only for class action people but for everyone, I wish I could find a attorney who would take on this case of mine and for everyone else out there, with problems that have devolped over time .I am very sick and because I did settle out of the class action ia ma not entitled to any money today. This is just not fair. I am sure, like my self, if I would of known that all these problems would accure later, I would of not taken the settlement that I agreed on.

Posted by

on
I filed my claim on time and they paid me 10.000.I have heart valve damage but I don't have PPH I am now disabled.way should I have to wait to develop PPH in order to get paid what I am owed.

Posted by

on
I filed a timely claim back in 2000 or 2001. They paid me around $200 because they said I did not have sufficient heart valve damage according to the ECG at the time.

I am now in forced early retirement like almost everybody my age without any medical benefits and would like to have my heart checked again. Is there any way to do this?

Posted by

on
I was part of the original lawsuit and now think I have PPH. Do you think you can help me with this?

Thanks.

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