Drugs/Medical Archive

No, you can’t just File a Heparin or Avandia Lawsuit whenever you want

August 13th, 2009. By AbiK

Pleading Ignorance recently posted about what a “Statute of Limitations” means. And while each state has its own guidelines for when the amount of tme to file a lawsuit runs out, the bottom line is that, well no, you can’t just file whenever you feel like it.

So keep in mind, if you’ve been affected by adverse effects from either Heparin or Avandia, you can still file–but you need to be mindful of filing deadlines.

We recently posted a blog about filing for Heparin; and an article for filing for Avandia.

If you wish to consult with a lawyer on either case, click here for Heparin and click here for Avandia. It’s free. And remember, while deadlines are in place, a lawyer ideally needs about a month in advance of that deadline to ensure he has time to review your individual situation and to pull together any necessary paperwork. So the clock’s ticking…

Tags: Avandia, Heparin
Posted in Drugs/Medical | 1 Comment »

Shoulder Pain Pumps: Career Breakers for Young Athletes?

August 8th, 2009. By janem

Amazingly, shoulder pain pumps are still in use, even though over 2 years ago (July, 2007) the American Journal of Sports Medicine associated postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (also known as PAGCL) with ” intra-articular pain pump catheters eluting bupivacaine with epinephrine”, i.e, shoulder pain pumps. In fact 12 out of 19 patients who were treated with this pump developed PAGCL-AKA dead cartilage.

The American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine concluded that “Intra-articular pain pump catheters, especially those eluting bupivacaine with epinephrine, should be avoided until further investigation.” And they’re the experts, so why has the FDA only slapped a black box warning on pain pumps?

It’s bad enough suffering a serious shoulder injury. But say you’re a healthy young athlete, at the height of your career, and your doc gives you a medical device to feel better. Instead, it makes you worse-forever. But for the use of the pain pump, you could have recovered, you could’ve been a contender!

Now, this medical device has prevented you from playing and competing in the sport you love. Shoulder pain pumps can be career breakers. Do you blame the doctor? Allegedly, pain pump manufacturers directed doctors to use the pumps in a manner not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. But I’d be wondering why the FDA approved this device in the first place…

Tags: shoulder pain pump
Posted in Drugs/Medical | No Comments »

New Botox Warnings: Should Nicole Kidman be worried?

August 4th, 2009. By AbiK

Hands down, Nicole Kidman has become bad Botox’s poster child. While she will never surpass the cherished position that Jocelyn Wildenstein (if you don’t know her, google her) holds in the annals of cosmetic plastic surgery, Nicole is definitely looking smooth while sporting an otherwise would-be scrunched brow look. But should she, and other Botox devotees, take notice of yesterday’s FDA update on Botulinum Toxin (aka Botox et al) safety?

Well, before all of Hollywood heads for the cover of dimly lit rooms, the FDA update warns that Botulinum Toxin injections can spread from the area of injection to cause symptoms simillar to botulism; these include potentially life-threatening swallowing and breathing difficulties and even death.

The FDA points out that “symptoms have mostly been reported in children with cerebral palsy being treated with botulinum toxin for muscle spasticity, a use of the drugs that has not been approved by FDA.” Lucky for Nicole et al that Botox has been approved by the FDA for dermatological use. And, to date, no adverse event reports of distant Botox spread have been associated with its use for frown lines or excessive underarm sweating (yes, another approved use). Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Botox
Posted in Drugs/Medical, Emerging Issues | 16 Comments »

Heparin Lawsuits: Still Time to File

August 4th, 2009. By LucyC

Between November 2007 and February 2008 reports of adverse health effects linked to heparin started to flood the media. By February 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had managed to identify the initial source of the problem, and consequently announced a recall of certain heparin products produced by Baxter Healthcare.

Heparin is used in a variety of medical applications, including cardiac procedures, dialysis and flush catheters. Because possible routes of exposure include injections, pre-filled syringes or IV bags, the potential for hundreds if not thousands of people to have been exposed to the potentially lethal product was enormous. And the numbers give some indication of that. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Heparin
Posted in Drugs/Medical | No Comments »

Corazon Aquino, Colonoscopy Prep & my $5,275 Colonoscopy

August 3rd, 2009. By AbiK

This weekend’s passing of Corazon Aquino after her battle with colon cancer puts the disease back in the spotlight—particularly at a time when online reports estimate that anywhere from 50%- 60% of Americans over 50 years of age have not had a colonoscopy. 

At first, that statistic seems alarming. But here’s the thing—who wants a colonoscopy? I’ve already posted about how the colonoscopy prep options are like being between a rock and a hard place: either you gag down a gallon of wannabe fruit-flavored solution, or you potentially increase your risk of kidney failure by using the more palatable Osmo-Prep, Visicol or maybe Fleet EZ Prep. 

Perhaps the biggest thing of all to swallow is the cost of a colonoscopy. Here’s the breakdown of my recent colonoscopic adventure:

Doctor Consultation:                               $375

Doctor Fee for Procedure:                     $2100

Facility Fee:                                           $2800

Total:                              a whopping $5,275

And keep in mind that if you haven’t met your deductible, or if you’re paying out-of-network, you’ll be forking over a large chunk of that $5,275. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Colonoscopy, Osmo-Prep, OSP
Posted in Drugs/Medical | 1 Comment »