Injected with Heparin, Health Deteriorated Fast

Las Vegas, NVIn 1998 Cindy was rushed to hospital with an ectopic pregnancy; she lost a lot of blood and her blood pressure was dangerously low—she was given heparin injections and heparin IV. "I don't remember getting to the hospital but my first memory was waking after emergency surgery," says Cindy. "When I was released, I told the doctors about a pain in my left calf, like a charley horse sensation. They were concerned and told me to come back if it gets any worse. At that time, nobody was concerned about heparin contamination.

"I went back the next day and was immediately readmitted—they found a blood clot in my leg. I was given Heparin again and wound up in the hospital for another six weeks—I got another DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in the same area. My mother passed away from blood clots so I was very scared. I couldn't eat or sleep, I thought I was a gonner. But the hematologist said I was OK because I was getting heparin and coumadin. When I got home a nurse came to the house daily with heparin syringes.

I have never been the same since May 26, 1998. I have gone to so many doctors—I have about $200,000 of doctor's bills. Nobody could figure out what is wrong with me, not even the Mayo Clinic. After the ectopic pregnancy I was diagnosed with diabetes and antiphospholipid syndrome, which is also called 'sticky blood syndrome'. Heparin thinned out my blood to make my platelets go down.

I didn't know anything about heparin until my sister told me about the recall—she read it on the Internet. She was trying to help diagnose what is wrong with me. Since I left the hospital I have experienced the same symptoms as all the side affects from heparin contamination listed online—I was totally amazed.

From the day I got home, I have had stomach problems; nausea and headaches every day; insomnia and chronic fatigue syndrome; aches and pains in my entire body; my eyes are very irritated and I am very dizzy. Sometimes I stand up and get room spin.

In May, 2007 The Mayo Clinic diagnosed me with fibromyalgia but the medicines they are treating me with are doing nothing, not a damn thing. I don't even believe in this diagnosis: it has to be something tangible. It is too coincidental that I have every single symptom that corresponds with heparin contamination. I only found out about the association with heparin 5 days ago—I contacted LawyersandSettlements first and my next step is to talk with my physician.

I have been healthy all my life until this happened. I also had 3 hernia surgeries and know for a fact that I was given heparin again except for the last surgery in 2007 when I was given Lovanox. Maybe last year they suspected something going on with Heparin but nobody would tell me; they don't want to get sued.

I worked up until two years ago but I got into trouble with my employer because I was so sick; my physical problems caused severe depression and I couldn't do anything. Social security denied benefits but my doctor said I could appeal (which I did). I've worked all my life and feel awful about my medical issues: we lost our house, our nest egg; we had to move to Vegas so my husband could get a better job and support both of us.

We have been through so much and I am at my wit's end. My body changed so fast, from feeling fine to being a wreck. I am disabled now and take painkillers; I can't function without medication. And I am the only sick one in my family—it is too weird. I'm only 48 but feel like I am trapped in 90-year-old body."