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Primary Pulmonary Hypertension - PPH
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| PPH
Symptoms Initial symptoms of PPH may be very minor, and diagnosis can be delayed for several years until symptoms worsen. |
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Typical
PPH symptoms may include:
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Primary Pulmonary Hypertension - PPHFrequently Asked Questions What is fen phen? Fen phen is the prescription drug combination of fenfluramine and phentermine intended for the short-term management of obesity by suppressing the appetite. Fen phen never gave the FDA studies showing the safety or effectiveness of the drugs. A former FDA key reviewer of fen phen, Dr. Leo Lutwak, thinks that American Home Products knew about the problems associated to the diet drug well before fen phen was pulled from the market. Lutwak felt AHP twisted his research to appear as if there was no way of predicting the serious and fatal health conditions that would eventually follow. Fen phen is associated to very serious and rare conditions. Primary pulmonary hypertension is a difficult disorder to diagnose and treat and can result in death in some instances. What is primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH)? Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a serious and potentially life threatening cardiovascular condition that is not curable. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in August 1996 found that the use of fen phen for three months or longer is associated with a twenty-three fold increase in the risk of developing primary pulmonary hypertension. PPH causes high blood pressure in the lungs that leads to a feeling of constant breathlessness with minimal exertion, fatigue, dizzy spells, fainting, and chest pain. There is no known cause of PPH but it has been the direct result of the use of the once popular diet drug fen phen, or fenfluramine and phentermine combination.
Am I qualified to receive compensation for the phentermine side effects I endured? The Nationwide Class Action Settlement Agreement with American Home Products Corporation has received Final Judicial Approval as of January 3, 2002 regarding their once popular diet drug fen phen. This settlement has been the result of the serious health complications fen phen use has been directly linked to like primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). Final judicial approval means that anyone who has sustained the deadly phentermine side effects can now collect their claims if eligible. Patients suffering from Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) caused by Fen-Phen are NOT involved in the Nationwide Class Action Settlement Agreement with American Home Products. PPH patients must file independent lawsuits to make legal claims. Please contact us for more information regarding your benefit eligibility and to speak to a PPH attorney. Initially the symptoms of PPH include: -Shortness of breath -Chest pain -Weakness -New Heart Murmur -Fatigue -Fainting -Tiredness These common PPH symptoms are typical of “being out of shape” which was not out of the ordinary amongst fen phen users. This led to a delay of diagnosis and treatment of the serious PPH condition. Progression of primary pulmonary hypertension may develop into: -Bluish lips and skin -Ankle and lower leg swelling -Increased chest pain -Death If you have taken fen phen and experience any of these symptoms contact your physician immediately and contact us to speak with an expert fen phen attorney. What is the life expectancy associated with PPH? Being diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension in the early 1990’s patients could expect a life expectancy of around three years. Recently, the advancement of PPH treatments can prolong life expectancy, but there is still no cure associated to PPH. When did fen phen side effect first surface? A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in August of 1996 showed that fen phen use for three months or longer, on average, led to a twenty-three-fold increase in primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). The director of the pulmonary hypertension center at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, Dr. Sean Gaine said, “We had been concerned about PPH links to these drugs for years, but that was lost amid all the scuffle about the heart valve disease.” How do I get more information regarding my legal rights? Contact
us for legal assistance. |