Maine Mirena IUD Lawyer
Many women implanted with the Mirena IUD are complaining of severe headache, vision disturbances, ringing in the ears, and vertigo which do not improve even after removal of the device. Could these symptoms be due to the Mirena IUD? Studies indicate that the answer in many cases is yes.
The diagnosis given to this collection of symptoms is pseudotumor cerebri. Pseudotumor cerebri is also commonly referred to as intracranial hypertension. Although the condition shares symptoms with real brain tumors, pseudotumor cerebri is not a cancerous process or even a non-cancerous tumor. Pseudotumor cerebri or intracranial hypertension is the build-up of excess cerebrospinal fluid within the skull. The condition, while not fatal, can be extremely painful and can lead to permanent damage to those women who suffer it.
The buildup of excess cerebrospinal fluid causes a dramatic increase in pressure inside the skull. The increased pressure results in migraines or severe headaches. Because the increased pressure can affect the optic nerves, women may also experience vision loss, and in rare cases, blindness.
Intracranial hypertension is diagnosed via lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap. This is a routine procedure where a physician sticks a needle between two vertebrae in the patient’s lower spine. The doctor measures the amount of fluid and takes a small sample to determine the extent of the intracranial pressure.
Intracranial hypertension should be treated as soon as possible after diagnosis because some symptoms can become permanent if the condition persists for too long untreated. Unfortunately, many of the treatment options for pseudotumor cerebri are also unpleasant. Medication is often administered to reduce the cerebrospinal fluid level thereby relieving the intracranial pressure. In more severe cases, surgical tubes called shunts must be implanted into the skull to drain the excess fluid.
Dating back to the 1990’s, studies have found that birth control containing levonorgestrel such as the Mirena IUD is associated with pseudotumor cerebri.
In June 2015, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found a higher than expected number of reports of intracranial hypertension with the Mirena IUD in the FDA’s adverse event database.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with intracranial hypertension or is suffering from persistent, debilitating headache while on the Mirena IUD, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries.
To speak with an experienced Maine Mirena IUD attorney, contact Fitzgerald Law Group at (844) FITZ-LAW or (844) 348-9529, or complete the Case Evaluation Form on this website for a free, confidential, case assessment.
