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.
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
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?
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.