Vestibular Damage - Possible Class Action

What is the name of your state? Colorado
In 1995, I had a routine hysterectomy, after which I had several complications, including pneumonia and pleurisy. When I was finally able to get up and around, I found myself dizzy and falling down, especially in darkness or even dim light. My doctor assumed it was an ear infection, and I was treated with several courses of antibiotics. After months of no improvement, I went to see a neurologist, and I had spinal taps, cat scans, an MRI and numerous tests for everything from MS to a brain tumor. Finally, after almost a year, I went to the Cleveland Clinic, and after ten minutes of discussion with a 'real Neurologist' I was told that it was probably a disorder of my vestibular nerve, caused by one or more of the antibiotics I had been given during my illness. I went through the Vestibular Clinic at the Cleveland Clinic. They helped me learn to cope with my COMPLETE LOSS OF BALANCE.
Seven years later, I still have lot's of problems. Probably the worst thing is, I don't look like anything is wrong with me. However, anyone walking next to me down a hallway can tell something is wrong. I cannot swim or dance or ride a bike. I still fall frequently. I finally finished paying all of those doctors (thousands of dollars), and I am making the best of my life. I would like to see doctors become more responsible for the drugs they prescribe, and I would like better patient education. If I had a clue that it was an antibiotic that had caused this devastating condition, I would have been a lot more cautious about taking more drugs, and I would not have spent a year of life being terrified about what was happening to me. My life will never be the same.
Now I have found out that there are hundreds of people who have had this same problem, some much worse because the drug affected their hearing as well, many of themhave profound hearing loss. How would we go about getting a class action lawsuit against the drug's manufacturer?

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

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IAAL

[JETX]

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Thank you all for your kind warnings. I agree, when I saw the word "Prepaid" on the post, I knew it was something I wanted to stay away from. Still, I am puzzled why no one has really answered my post. I understand that you might think this is just a medical malpractice case, but I assure you, there are circumstances that make this a much bigger issue. We just had a man join our group who was damaged thirty years ago, and whose doctors diagnosed his symptoms as seizure disorder and psychological imbalance. Thirty years of suffering, and the statute of limitations is long past for medical malpractice! He believed he had only been given Keflex, but he sent for his records and saw that he had been given gentamycin in a series of injections. This is criminal! The manufacturer should pay for not ensuring doctors and patients are aware of the dangers of this drug. If you have any doubts, please go to: [url]www.wobblers.com[/url]
and look at these people. Look at former Miss America, Heather Graham. She was damaged by this drug. Look at the devastation she and her family went through, and tell me someone is not liable!
I'll get off my soapbox, now. Thanks...

I have the symptoms this person describes. Not that severe yet. My new doctor told me it stems from my vancomycin treatments I had in Aug. 2002. Oh my God!! Is what I thought when I read this. I am so sorry for you. And me. He told me this could happen. My new doctor. (when he found out the meds I had to take). I complained of the dizziness and unbalance that I have now 7 months later. I didn't know either at the time. And time was not on my side. I had the infusions because of a staph infection that went out of control. At the time, I did ask about the side effects. This was never mentioned to me. I had to get the vanco. or die of staph. What choice did I have? Die. Unfortuntely for you and me and thousands of others, we just don't know the side effects we will suffer from prescription and otc drugs. OTC-over the counter. Most adsureadly, (sp) neither do the chemist. That is the long-long term effects. I can understand and relate to your story. I am a technician in a pharmacy. I see this happen all the time. Drugs being pulled years later because of this very reason. I am not happy of this particular side effect, however, it was better for me than the alternitive. I wish you well. I don't know if you will read this. But I feel for you. Annie13

[ellencee]

annie13
Try emailing her. I may have her address and I can email her and ask her to check in here.
She used to participate on a site named, 'wobblers'; it is a support group for those who suffer from vestibular nerve damage.

I've been an RN for longer than I care to admit, let's just say 26 years and let it go....and the whole time, procedure for the administration of vancomycin has been for it to be administered only in conjunction with peak and trough levels and this is for the purpose of preventing or reducing vestibular nerve damage.

I'm with you, give me the vancomycin, I'll wobble now and die later!

See if you can email her and if not, and you want me to, I'll see if I can email her your address (which you'll have to provide).

My email is [email]ellencee@hotmail.com[/email]