Pseudotumor Cerebri and Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Lawsuits Reviewed for Women Nationwide
Several popular methods of birth control, including the Mirena IUD and Depo-Provera shot, may increase the risk of a dangerous buildup of pressure on the brain, known as pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) or idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).
Contact Our Lawyers to Review anMIRENA PTC LAWSUIT
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential pseudotumor cerebri lawsuits for women throughout the U.S. who have experienced problems after receiving a Mirena birth control implant or Depo-Provera birth control shot.
Symptoms of IIH/PTC from Mirena or Depo-Provera may include:
- Blurred Vision or Double Vision
- Blindness
- Blind Spots and Visual Problems
- Tinnitus, or a ringing in the ears
- Optic Disk Swelling (Papilledema)
- Severe Headaches or Migraines
Financial compensation may be available as a result of the manufacturers’ failure to provide adequate warnings for women and the medical community. To review whether you or a loved one may be eligible to pursue a case, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Birth Control Pseudotumor Cerebri Diagnosis
Pseudotumor cerebri and idiopathic intracranial hypertension are terms used interchangeably to describe a serious increase in pressure on the brain, which may cause permanent damage to the optic nerve.
The condition is most common among women of child-bearing age, and evidence suggests that side effects of Mirena and Depo-Provera shots may increase the risk of PTC/IIH.
Women suffering pseudotumor cerebri problems from Mirena or Depo-Provera may complain of severe migraines headaches, together with vision problems, blind spots and ringing or “whooshing” in the ears. In many cases, the condition is misdiagnosed or mistaken for a tumor.
Diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri typically occurs after tests have ruled out a tumor or blood clot through an MRI or CT Scan. A lumbar puncture or spinal tap is also usually required to measure the cerebrospinal fluid in the skull, and confirm that there is no infection or inflammation. If the cerebrospinal fluid on the brain is normal, a doctor may diagnose PTC/IIH.
Pseudotumor cerebri treatment is typically focused on stopping vision loss, and returning normal pressure to the brain. Once optic nerve injury has been suffered, it is generally considered irreversible and may result in permanent vision problems, even if normal brain pressure is maintained.
Treatments may require frequent lumbar punctures, medications like Diamox (acetazolamide), lumbar-peritoneal (LP) shunts or ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunting to drain cerebrospinal fluid.
It is estimated that only 1 or 2 people per 100,000 in the U.S. will be diagnosed with the condition, but that number has been increasing in recent years.
Link Between Mirena and Pseudotumor Cerebri (PTC/IIH)
A number of studies have indicated that birth control methods involving the progestin levonorgestrel may increase the risk of women developing idiopathic intracranial hypertension or pseudotumor cerebri.
Mirena IUD is an implanted form of birth control, which releases levonorgestrel through a T-shaped plastic device that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy for up to five years.
Despite the known link between levonorgestrel and PTC, Mirena warnings fail to adequately disclose the risk or advise women and doctors to remain on the lookout for pseudotumor cerebri symptoms on Mirena.
It is believed that levonorgestrel suppresses the level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in the body, which has been linked to the condition.
As early as 1995, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that side effects of levonorgestrel may have contributed to the onset of PTC among women, leading researchers to warn that doctors should screen patients and remove the birth control if symptoms are present.
Although information was known or available about the potential risk of Mirena pseudotumor cerebri side effects, no warnings were provided by the manufacturer.
Mirena implants were marketed as a low or no hormone contraceptive, which provided misleading and inaccurate information for women and the medical community about the impact of levonorgestrel released by the device.
As a result of the failure to warn about the Mirena risk of PTC/IIH, doctors were not aware of the importance of removing Mirena implants after a transient cerebral ischemia or stroke is ruled out, which may have caused or contributed to the further worsening of pseudotumor cerebri problems in many women.
Pseudotumor Cerebri Class Action Lawyers
Women throughout the United States may be entitled to a settlement or financial compensation through a pseudotumor cerebri lawsuit, as it appears that the manufacturers of Mirena and Depo-Provera may have placed their desire for profit before consumer safety by withholding information about the risk of PTC/IIH.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension or pseudotumor cerebri from Depo-Provera or Mirena can have severe and long-term consequences, potentially resulting in:
- Blindness
- Lingering Visual Disturbances
- hearing Damage
- Severe and Debilitating Headaches
- Other Injuries that Impact Quality of Life
The pseudotumor cerebri lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. provide free consultations and claim evaluations for women diagnosed with this serious medical condition following use of Depo-Provera or Mirena for birth control.
All cases are pursued by our law firm under a contingency fee agreement, which means that there are no out-of-pocket costs to hire our lawyers and we receive no attorney fees or reimbursement of expenses unless a pseudotumor cerebri settlement or recovery is obtained for your injury.
Each lawsuit is subject to a statute of limitations, or deadline, which requires that a complaint be filed within a specific amount of time following a pseudotumor cerebri diagnosis or discovery of a cause of action. Therefore, it is important to take immediate steps if you or a loved one may have a case.