Young Mother had Gallbladder Removed, Filing Yasmin Lawsuit

Hartsville, TNMinta, age 21, says it is worth the time and effort to find the right Yasmin/Yaz attorney. "I was told by some attorneys that they wouldn't take my case because I didn't have my gallbladder removed within six months of quitting Yasmin, but the attorney I have now says they are not aware of any time period, and I am filing a claim against Bayer Healthcare, the maker of Yasmin."

Minta's ordeal began in early 2009. "I woke one morning with a high fever and felt like someone was stabbing me under my ribs," she says. "This went on for a week, and nobody knew what was wrong. The pain subsided, and around March I stopped taking Yasmin because I wanted to have more children. One month later I became pregnant.

"By the time I was about three months pregnant I began to have stomach pains after eating anything. My doctor said it was because I was pregnant, and at first I believed him. He said it was just a gastrointestinal upset and advised me to take Immodium and Tums. I also had an ultrasound—the only test I could have, being pregnant—and everything was fine. But I had stomach problems throughout my entire pregnancy.

"After my son was born in January 2010, I had a chronic kidney infection and the stabbing pains in my stomach were worse than before. I had another ultrasound on my kidneys and gallbladder. Nothing. Then I had a CT Scan that showed kidney stones and an inflamed gallbladder.

"Next I had a HIDA scan, which showed that my gallbladder wasn't filtering properly. I was referred to a surgeon and had my gallbladder removed. The specialists said younger women shouldn't have these problems—I am only 21. This was a shock, to say the least."

The specialist didn't tell Minta—or perhaps he didn't know—that a number of young women have developed gallbladder problems after taking Yasmin or Yaz. Amber, also 21, had her gallbladder removed, and many young women have also complained of similar side effects on a variety of web forums.

"I saw the link between Yasmin/Yaz and gallbladder problems all over the media," says Minta. "When I had my gallbladder removed, the doctor told my family that it was covered in gallstones. My attorney said the hormone in Yasmin produces more cholesterol, which hardened in my gallbladder and produced the gallstones.

"Right now I am filling out all the paperwork and getting my medical reports together. I don't know if I will be involved in an individual lawsuit or class action. It pays to shop around because after one attorney refused to take my case, I talked to another attorney in Pennsylvania who was also going to take my case—both him and the lawyer I have now—on a contingency basis. It's worth the fight if you've had to go through the ordeal that I had. The drug companies need to have their butts handed to them for having this product available to women after so many proven cases of side effects like this."