stroke in young women and lawsuit - Stroke Message Board

01-31-2001, 05:08 PM

My 37 year old sister recently had a massive stroke and has come a long way towards recovery. However, she still has far to go. Her memory, vision and balance and the use of her left arm have been impaired as a result.
Someone recently sent me an email about a class action lawsuit filed against a drug manufacturer. Apparently stroke in young women has been linked to some formula in many OTC drugs including diet pills and cough medicines. My sister used OTC diet pills for years before she had the stroke. I lost this email and don't remember much about it. If anyone here has heard about this lawsuit, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks

Pooky · 01-31-2001, 05:40 PM

I think the drug you're talking about is PPA. It can be found in cold and diet medicines. If your sister was taking cold medicines, then PPA might have caused the stroke. PPA tends to cause hemorryghic strokes in young women. I'm so glad to see that this drug was recalled, and that some of the makers of cold and diet medicines have began making medicines that are made without PPA. I saw the commercial for the class action lawsuit. I'm beginning to think this may have caused my stroke. Here's a link that I found about the drug:
[url="http://webmd.lycos.com/content/article/1728.59879&query=%2Bstroke+%2Brecall+%2B ppa&rsource=LCOSW1"]http://webmd.lycos.com/content/article/1728.59879&query=%2Bstroke+%2Brecall+%2B ppa&rsource=LCOSW1[/url]

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I had my stroke on September 8, 1999

01-31-2001, 10:11 PM

I'm so glad to know that you are
recovering. The fact that your are quite literate and using your computer tells me that you are recovering. I certainly hope that you continue to do well. Thank you so much for responding with the info.
btw - my sister had her stroke on August 14, 1999. After two weeks in hospital followed by 2 months in a rehab, she was able to come home. Her speech is good and she is mobile. However, she is pretty much dependent on a walker for now. She forgets a lot and gets confused easily. I think her diminished eye site and the paralysis of her left arm are the things that bother her most. I'm still hoping and praying that she recovers those losses as well.
She has made amazing strides. The doctors at both the hospital and the rehab never believed that she would walk again. They have been astounded and I feel that our family has been specially blessed. I really would like to know what caused her stroke, though. I will check out the link that you sent.

Thank you, Carolane