Got my letter to get the echocardiogram due to using the phen/fen cocktail for 8 months. Scheduled to have it done on Jan. 17th. AHP of course is paying. Still haven't given me my refund of the meds cost yet though. I guess they are waiting to see what this test shows. I figure I don't have anything wrong, but better safe than sorry. Anyone have any opinions about this?? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif

G'luck, I have ac lose friend who is suffering from severe congestive heart failure due to using phen-fen...I hope it's good news...let us all know what the resutls are... >=o]

Well, no heart valve damage from the phen/fen, however the test showed that my heart is enlarged probably from high blood pressure that no doctor would treat for about 5 years. Bummer.All they would say was to drop a few pounds. I have looked up stuff about enlarged heart via internet and they keep calling it ventricular hypertrophy. Anyone know if that is what it is? Anyway, the cardio doc has put me on a stronger HBP set of drugs--Labetalol and Micardis HCT. He was fairly dismayed I think that the BP had done this.
One thing about it though--I am really thankful to have have the echo because I wouldn't have known about the enlarged heart and not sought out stronger meds--settling for 140/90 as "ok". Live and learn. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif

not ventricular hypertrophy...

when you have high blood pressure.this puts strain on your heart muscle and increases the workload it has...

you heart is a muscle and what do muscles do whn you strain them a lot or increase their workload, they get bigger, just like your heart is.... read this...

Enlarged heart
Enlargement of the heart is a sign of serious disease of the muscle of the heart. When disease attacks the muscles of the heart, the ability of the heart to function properly as a pump is reduced. This causes the blood flow to slow and the heart to enlarge.

The heart is one of nature's most efficient and durable pumps. Throughout life, it beats an average of sixty to eighty times per minute, supplying oxygen and other essential nutrients to every cell in the body and removing waste for elimination through the lungs or kidneys. The heart is a muscular, hollow organ weighing eleven to sixteen ounces in the average adult. It's about the size of one clenched fist and is divided into four chambers, the left and right atrium and the left and right ventricle. In a normal, healthy adult, each ventricle pumps about three ounces of blood per beat, which adds up to about two thousand, one hundred gallons per day.

When the heart becomes severely damaged, abnormalities in breathing, beating of the heart, and fluid retention may occur. This process known as heart failure commonly results in patients feeling dizzy and short of breath, with irregular heart beats and swelling of the legs and feet.

...so what im trying to say, is a enlarged heart can be a precusor to things such as heart failure and you would be doing you and your famiyl a favor to get in shape, drop the pounds and eat healthy before you develop some of the complications.... your high risk for them witha enlarged heart..and I feel the doctor(s) should of spent more time teaching you how to prevent all this........and i would NOT be suprised if phen/fen caused this as well and the doctor's are not telling... phen/fen is getting pissy over allt he lawsuits these days.... pursue this and research...you may be suprised what you learn...

Thank you for the info. AHP has it's collective backside covered pretty good and I being (almost) poor would stand no chance challenging them--BUT, it sure would be nice, wouldn't it?? I am never surprised by the "money motive" that is always waiting behind the curtain.

Concerning me and my heart---well, are you suggesting that if I don't do all the "life/body" upkeep and repair that I could end up with a very short lifespan? I realize you are not "Karnac"!! Not even asking for a prediction (LOL)--just would like some info on how long people live with such conditions. I do not have high motivation in my life at this point.

Again, thanks for the clarification. Once the echo report is sent to AHP and they are "all relieved", then I will get a chance to talk to the cardio in more detail I suppose. I can't afford to see a new cardio since first time visits are SO EXPENSIVE and they want to run tests etc. (I have NO insurance). My cousin was one of the "renowned" cardios (pioneered the angioplasty)--but alas, he died of cancer. Bummer all the way around--he was so sweet.....

karen

Sorry to hear about your cousin... great procedure, eh?

No insurance make seeing a doctor, especially a cardiologist, next to impossible...I'm very sorry to hear that, it's a life saver...I hope you can find some, somehow, somewhere...
My fiance know's one of he mother's friends..named Patty...she developed heart failure, valve damage, and a enlarged heart form the increased workload due tot aking phen/fen...her last settlement was about $110,000.00 ..but most of that goes to lawyer fee's and so on and it usually doesn't even cover the expenses int he long-run..the thing is..she didn't get mild effect..and heart was pumping at 16% of its capacity..she was given a life-span of about 2 years, but it has since been icnreased, they have her heart up to about 30% with meds and she is being fitted with a Medtronic InSync pacemaker later this week to help in decreasing the workload and perhaps giving her a few monre years than that.You have near a full life span as is..if you don't take care, and deelop heart failure..it all depends..if you let yourelf still go after that..you would be looking at a few years..if you work with it after that...possibly 20 or 30 years...these are guesses it varies A LOT from person to person.....

Your doctor could give a accurate answer for you..I don't know you in person or your exact medical background so I can't really slap a number on it..even if I did, I still couldnt because it effects diffrent people in a thousand diffrent ways....either way, heart failure is a serious condition ... but were looking at a enlarged heart, and thats your precursor to reverse everything and live a full, healthy life.... were dealing with a enlarged heart..so right now you have probably a full life span a head...it's up to you alone to keep it that way ;o]

my sister was given phen/fen for weight loss and she did loose weight. It was after she had taken it for awhile that they came out and said it was bad for your heart. She already suffered from renal induced high blood pressure. Then she started having a really hard time controlling her BP, it would shoot way up. Well to make a long story short she has sinced passed away and I often wonder if it was because of the phen/fen. She has been dead 2+yrs.

Oh my! How sad to have lost her. I think probably there will be a lot more fallout in the future with the phen/fen situation. Her immediate relatives--husband and/or children should check into the class action suit at least and see about compensation. There are "awards" for family after a death has occurred--something like a million-plus dollars. This is the site to look at http://settlementdietdrugs.com/. I hope this isn't breaking the rules about web sites, but I think this is a different situation. This is the official lawsuit site. Blessings.....

Thank you Karen! My gut feeling always told me to seek help on this matter. I met with her Dr. after she died and he wouldnt say anything. She was only 40 and I miss her so but if its a way to see that her children have what they need then Ill start digging into it. Thank you

I was also a user of Phen fen. Just found out I have mild mitral valve damage. What if any life style changes should occur due to this? I have some heart palpations. I am not overweight and I workout. Any suggestions please???

See the above web site address. You can find out all about what you can receive and the help you are entitled to. I am hoping someday that the claims for enlarged heart will also be compensated. Good luck!

I too took phenfen and was reported so far with mild valve regurgitation..still waiting on rest of results.If anyone has recieved a settlement please reply, not sure what matrice i fall in. thanks

I STILL have not gotten the refund for the meds I took for 8 months. Is this the run around or what??? The day I get my check I will probably pass out from the shock!!

I have been searching for months for information about drug induced heart defects. I have been diagnosed with mild mitral valve regurgitation. I took No Doze to stay awake alot when I was 18. I am now 21. I cannot work- I can barely make it through the day without becoming exhausted. Does anyone know if phen phen was or is in No Doz or if there are nay lawsuits going on concerning "No Doze"?

I also took phen/phen, and I am waiting for the results of my echo to come back. I do not have health insurance currently. If there is damage, does this mean I won't be able to get coverage? I am only 23 yrs old.

If you are positive for heart valve damage then it will be next to impossible for you to get health insurance privately. If you go to work, then you will have to be included in any group policy your place of business carries with certain limitations such as date coverage goes into effect for pre-existing conditions. If you do not go to work at a place that carries insurance, then you can apply to the state for uninsurable coverage. I see you are from Anadarko (I lived there from 1981-1984--husband is a pastor), and since you are in Oklahoma then I am familiar with our state's policy. It would be really fairly cheap for someone your age--not a bargain compared to if you were healthly--but not too bad. For me (45 yrs. old)it would cost about $500 per month. So I will stay uninsured I guess. I did not test positive for damage but I am uninsurable for other reasons. All this to say that if you are positive, be sure to get yourself an appropriate amount of compensation. You have a long life ahead and need to have money put away for any unforseeible problems down the road.

Forgot to say--you can ask any insurance person to help you with the state insurance application and technical stuff or do a search online for "oklahoma +uninsurable insurance"

Would it be helpful for me to try and get coverage now before I get my results back? Also, I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) so will that effect me being able to get insurance too? I am soooo sad and scared. What if I need surgery etc....My hubby and I are trying to get prego but we have to see an RE and it is sooo costly but we are afraid we won't be able to get insurance for me.

------------------
Keep your head up,
Amber

ANY and ALL pre-existing conditions will not be covered on any insurance unless and until you are free of any symptoms, medication or treatment for at least one year. Some pre-existing conditions will never be covered as they will be "ridered" by the insurance company to never be covered. As for pregnancy--all private insurance companies and most company insurance will not cover pregnancy until you have had the coverage for a stated amount of time as shown in the policy. This time frame can be from 18 months to 3 years from the policies I have seen. The time means from conception--not from giving birth. I am afraid that you may have already missed your opportunity to be insured privately and if you conceive before any policy's stated time constraint, then it would not be covered. Neither would any surgery for your PCOS. With the state insurance here in Oklahoma you have to be turned down by two insurance companies within the last 60 days or the premiums offered by any private insurance company would be extremely high compared to coverage offered by the state. You can also qualify by having one of a list of certain diseases--ie, cancer, cardiomyopathy etc. (bad stuff). The best you can do if you don't wish to persue the state insurance is to get a job with a company that offers group insurance. Remember that even with these you must observe the waiting periods for pregnancy and the riders/restrictions for pre-existing conditions. I am sorry I can't give any better news, but that is the hard truth of it.

This is another reason why the public school system and colleges (PARENTS included) are really doing the youth of America an injustice. The basic life skills that are needed when young people start out are not being taught. I have been very sure that my adult son and daughter were instucted as to how to live and make wise financial and health decisions before they went out on their own. You can now share with others in your peer group about how they should prepare. This is a very hard thing in your life, but you can definitely turn it around for good. I believe that everything that happens to us is an opportunity--either to make giant leaps in the right direction or learn something that we can share with others to help them. You have my prayers.

I should also add---you can always save your money and pay for any pregnancy and birth yourself. In the old days that is what people did (not that I am old, but that is what we did--we just paid cash)

Keep us informed about your echo results. We care.....
karen

[This message has been edited by karenortwein (edited 08-07-2002).]

I took phen-fen for 8 months I now have severe regurgitation in my aorta. Prior to taking phen-fen, I did have mild regurgitation in my aorta. I have contacted a lawyer (actually two, the first dropped me because of the pre-existing heart problem). The lawyers say I fit their opt-out criteria-has anyone taken that route? I am confused about this whole thing. And trying to understand those echo results are like decifering chinese! I have four sets of results, two prior to taking the drugs and two this year from from the lawyers. None of them say the same thing. I am seeing a cardiologist next month and he should be able to explain them all to me. I do have mild chest pain and I tire out very easily. I am just 37 and have a 9 year old. I have no insurance. If I don't get any money I don't know how we will afford treatment of any kind. My husband is self employed so getting state insurance is probably out of the question. I just wanted to voice some of my fears to people that are going though the same thing.

SmallTownGirl;

I do not think it matters whether your husband is self-employed or not. It is my understanding that none of the "employment issues" matter. I have read the info and it just talks about pre-existing conditions etc.
Hope you can find some help................karen

Well, I went to see the cardiologist. He has ordered a stress test as well as another echo. The 2 echos I had after phen-fen do not agree. If one is right, I will need to prepare for surgery-if the other is correct-life goes on pretty much as normal. I have the test done next week and go back to the docter the week after that. I experience chest pain and shortness ofbreath so I am very anxious for the results.

Has anyone been paid? I see post of 2002 but I'd like to hear from those who are getting their reimbursements. I am finding no success stories out there.

Smalltown Girl,

Did your physician KNOWINGLY prescribe Phen-Fen with full knowledge of your history of regurgitation. It seems to me THERE'S your law suit (and money to pay for any valve recplacement (God forbid.))

The option of opting-out means you do not wish to be included in the Nationwide Class Action Settlement and wish to individually pursue legal action. Opting-out allows an individual to qualify to receive a larger compensation if entitled to them for experiencing increased adverse side effects and health complications from the use of Fen Phen. If your legal advisor told you that they could help you by opting-out I suggest you do it. And for everyone out there waiting for their money to arrive...I know of a couple of people who have received their share. As a matter of fact they received their share right away. If you are waiting more than 6 months and still no money I would look into why you have not recieved your settlement yet. I know of 2 people who opted-out and one received $785,000.00 after attorney fees were taken out and the other person recieved $885,000.00 after attorney fees were taken out. Each one of those cases took less than 3 months. That's all! I was a little shocked to see how quickly these 2 received their share. Both went through a private attorney. The third person I know is my cousin who is waiting for his case to settle due to the death of my Aunt. This is a different type of a lawsuit than a personal type of claim. He will recieve money for her death but must wait a little longer then everyone else who has personal lawsuits. I hope this helped anyone out there wanting to know a little bit of what I know. Have a great day everyone!

I guess I opted out because they sent me a form to finalize my file and it was a waiver I wouldn't sue Wyeth the manufacture. I called them and they received the final paper work on me (without atty representation) and that was April 2. I had a friend who didn't use an atty either and it took exactly 1 yr for her to receive her check in the amount of 18,000.00 which was the min. damages and lowest level for ingesting the pills. I know the AHP told me I was a grade 2 whatever that meant. I referred back to my packet and I am assuming I am getting something back, according to my cardiologist reports. I know going through an atty is the best thing, but none of them wanted to mess with you unless you had severe damage and I had mild/moderate mitral and a 60% less ejection valvue problem. My atty dropped me as if I had nothing wrong. His mistake, so I represented myself. I have till 2015 to seek further damages even if they pay me something now.

Peggy, did you ever receive any settlement? I didn't opt out because my attorney advised me not to as he said the company was out of money to pay the claims. I'm still waiting and it is almost four years. As time passes he has less and less answers for me. :confused: