PPH and Fen-Phen

[SHOTSY]

My husband had taken the fen-phen for 9 months. He is extremely concerned.  I'd like to know signs and symptoms of this condition and how it relates to the drug. Also are there specific tests to be conducted to rule out the condition? And can a general physical rule out this condition? He's seen his dr. about it but he just brushed it off. He's had walking pnuemonia twice,intermittent shortness of breath, he's sleeps sitting up most of the night.He also is on med for diabetes,celebrex and just started accolate. My concern is his feeling and comments that he's not going to be here long.And he's only 42. Telling me I should get a policy on him,etc. He's also gets swelling in his legs where you can see where his socks have been. At any rate, I know you can't diagnose him here, but would like to how which course of action to take. Thank you for your time, Shotsy

[delkron]

Echocardiogram is non-invasive.  They use a jelly on the surface of the skin to assist the conduction of the echo waves.  The hand held echo tool has a smooth surface that rides on the skin where the echo reading is being done.  It takes only a few minutes to perform.  They are often used for screening for heart problems.  They can indicate if heart valves are working OK, among other things. If a problem is indicated with an echocardiagram, it is likely that further testing would be ordered by your doctor.  My experience with Fen-Phen testing is that an echocardiogram is a required test to determine if the kind of valve damage caused by the drugs is present.  A "screening" echocardiogram is not sufficient of itself to determine compensable damage under the Fen-Phen settlement-"in the vast majority of cases a re-echo is required, as the prior tests do not conform to the settlement requirements."  If you feel you have Fen-Phen related damage, you should contact an attorney handling claims.  There is a deadline for making claims, though I do not know when that is.

[tripmaker2]

I also took phen-phen.  I never thought anything about it, because I only took it for about 6 months.  Over the past 3 years I have had chonic bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia almost constantly.  I thought it only effected those who were long term users, I was taken into the emergency room  2 1/2 years ago because I thought I was having a heart attack.  After a thalium stress test they diagnosed me with reflux.  Since they said the test came out ok I just did not give it another thought.  My sister came to me a few days ago and said she didn't want to upset me but I had been dieting since I was a teen and never had the problems I have experienced since taking phen-phen.  She had done some extensve reading on phen/phen and suggested I get on the computer and look for answers. I also have head rushes, heart palpitations and dizzy spells.  I have made an appt for my family doctor to ask some questions.  I never told him I had been on phen/phen because he became my doctor after I had stopped taking the drug.  I am concerned now that I have read the articles.  I also have gotten some answers about other conditions that have been bothering me.  I have a bad loss of memory to the point where I pull on the side of the road because I can't remember where I am going.  I have trouble finishing sentences and right after starting phen/phen my doctor put me on prozac for mood swings and depression.  I do have a pulmonologist, but I never thought to inform him of my phen/phen use either.  What do they do to perform an echocardiagram?

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Shotsy,

The best type of doctor to see for the diagnosis of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a pulmonologist.  Tests that can be done to look for this include pulmonary function testing, echocardiogram and right heart cath.  This is a rare condition even among people that took the combination diet drugs fen-phen so it is less likely that his symptoms are due to PPH.  Other potential causes of these symptoms include asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease and heart failure.

[JTEXAS]

Hello Shotsy, I took Fen-Phen for 7 months back in 1997. I started having fainting spells after that. These fainting spells have increased in the past year. My regular doctor assumed that it was from low-blood pressure and stress. I wanted to rule out the possiblity of complications from Fen-Phen, so I called a lawyer that is handling Fen-Phen cases. The Lawyer had a medical center perform an "echo-cardiogram" on Sept.1st and yesterday 9/27 I found out that I have a "Mild Aortic Insufficiency" aka Mild A.I. Now, I know why I am fainting and excessivly tired all the time. My lawyer has instructed me to see a cardiologists as soon as possible to see if I need medication or surgery in the future. I'm just now learning about the true damage that Fen-Phen can do and I feel as if my world is falling apart. AT least I know that medication or having a valve replaced in my heart could save me. I'm a single 28 year old woman, hoping to have kids some day; and now I'm having to deal with the possibility of heart failure. I would take your husband to a heart specialist immediately...!!!!   JTEXAS