Hormonal birth control has been linked to an increased risk of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), a serious neurological condition that mimics the effects of a brain tumor and may result in symptoms like chronic migraines, vision loss and even permanent blindness in some cases. Product liability lawsuits brought against the makers of such birth control products, like Bayer Healthcare’s Mirena IUD implant or Yaz and Yasmin oral contraceptives, allege that the manufacturing companies designed and sold a defective product, and failed to provide the public with adequate warnings about this serious side effect risk. If you have been diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, or another serious brain injury, and you believe a hormonal birth control product to be the cause, you may qualify for a cash reward settlement. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case review.

 

Pseudotumor Cerebri Described

The term pseudotumor cerebri literally means “false brain tumor,” and the term describes a severe neurological condition characterized by symptoms that mimic those of a brain tumor when no actual tumor is present. Pseudotumor cerebri is also called benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) or, when there is no apparent cause of the condition, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and the neurological condition occurs when the pressure inside the skull increases for no obvious reason. PTC can occur in all age groups, including adults and children, but is most common in obese women of childbearing age.

Statistics show that while PTC only occurs in about one person per 100,000 in the general public, obese women under the age of 44 have a nearly 20-times increased risk of developing the disorder. The fact that women of childbearing age appear to be more susceptible to pseudotumor cerebri side effects is alarming, considering this is the target population for hormonal oral contraceptives and birth control implants like Mirena IUD. Research has also shown that the use of hormonal birth control implants like Mirena IUD is disproportionately more common in patients diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Signs and Symptoms of Pseudotumor Cerebri

Pseudotumor cerebri is pressure from cerebrospinal fluid in the skull that mimics symptoms of a brain tumor without a tumor being present. This increased pressure on the brain or optic nerve, or swelling of the optic nerve (papilledema), is responsible for many debilitating and potentially irreversible symptoms. Some common signs and symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension include the following:

  • Severe headaches or migraines
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision, double vision or vision loss (blind spots) in one or both eyes
  • Tinnitus (a ringing, whooshing, pulsing, or buzzing sound in one or both ears)
  • Neck, shoulder or back pain
  • Cognitive problems (forgetfulness, memory loss)
  • Depression
  • Motor neurological problems (difficulty walking)

These symptoms are often more intense following physical activity, or any activity that increases the pressure on the brain, including coughing or sneezing, because exercise tends to automatically increase the pressure inside the skull. PTC is usually diagnosed via eye exam, MRI or CT scan, and/or spinal tap (lumbar puncture) procedure.

Possible Causes of PTC

While the causes of pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension are not well understood, it is believed that the increased cranial pressure characteristic of the neurological disorder may be related to the buildup or poor absorption of cerebrospinal fluid. According to a growing body of research, certain medications can increase the risk of developing this condition, with birth control being one of the most common, particularly oral contraceptives and birth control implants that contain the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel.

The following contraceptive devices and medications have been the subject of pseudotumor cerebri lawsuits but currently we are only able to file claims for Mirena IUD use with a confirmed diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri, intracranial hypertension or Papilledema:

  • Mirena IUD (levonorgestrel)
  • Skyla (levonorgestrel)
  • Kyleena (levonorgestrel)
  • Liletta (levonorgestrel)
  • Jadelle (levonorgestrel)

PTC Treatment and Complications

The immediate effects of pseudotumor cerebri can be debilitating, but it’s important to know that the condition can also result in long-term health consequences. In severe cases of PTC, the increased intracranial pressure associated with the condition may cause swelling of the optic nerve, which can result in progressively worsening vision and possibly even permanent blindness. The main treatment goal for patients with pseudotumor cerebri is to preserve optic nerve function, thereby preventing vision loss and blindness, while reducing the increased pressure on the brain. This can be done using a variety of treatment methods, including medication therapy, dietary restrictions, lumbar puncture, shunting procedures or surgery.

For some patients, symptoms of PTC will lessen and disappear on their own or with treatment, but for others, the symptoms may continue chronically, or may even disappear and then reappear months or years later. Unfortunately, even with treatment, vision loss in one or both eyes can occur rapidly in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and it remains unknown what percentage of people with IIH will recover from the condition, however temporarily, and what percentage will develop chronic health problems.

According to research, idiopathic intracranial hypertension affects approximately one in 100,000 people, and the long-term risk of significant vision loss from the condition can fall anywhere between 10% and 25%. Once the initial pseudotumor cerebri diagnosis has been made, it is imperative that treatment is initiated as soon as possible, in order to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Reports indicate that the most serious complications from IIH or PTC arise from untreated or treatment-resistant papilledema, which is the swelling of the optic disc caused by increased pressure inside the skull.

The Pseudotumor Cerebri/Birth Control Link

PTC was linked to birth control as far back as 1995, when the New England Journal of Medicine published a study suggesting that the serious neurological condition may be caused by the use of birth control pills and contraceptive implants containing the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel, like Bayer’s Mirena intrauterine device. The researchers involved in the study highlighted 56 cases where pseudotumor cerebri complications occurred in women implanted with the Mirena IUD. More recently, findings presented at the 2015 meeting for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology suggested that “exposure to a [levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system] was significantly associated with the development of [idiopathic intracranial hypertension],” and that the use of Mirena IUD is “disproportionately more common among IIH patients than non-IIH patients.”

Despite this growing body of research, many women across the country have no idea that their birth control pill or implant may put them at risk for pseudotumor cerebri and other devastating side effects, and this is due in large part to the fact that Bayer and other manufacturing companies have downplayed or concealed these risks from consumers, in an effort to protect their product and their reputation. In the meantime, pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension allegedly linked to birth control products like Mirena IUD, Yaz and Yasmin have led to product liability lawsuits brought against the drug and device manufacturing companies, due to the fact that these risks were never disclosed to the public.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Lawsuit Information

Product liability lawsuits are currently being filed by women who have developed pseudotumor cerebri following the use of oral contraceptives or birth control implants. Product liability lawsuits brought against the makers of these birth control pills and implants claim that the manufacturers of the products did not make these risks known to the public. In a product liability lawsuit filed in Tennessee federal court in September 2015, a woman who was diagnosed with PTC after using Mirena IUD sought compensation from Bayer Healthcare for failing to adequately warn about the risk of pseudotumor cerebri associated with the birth control implant. Those who qualify for PTC litigation can receive compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, loss of wages, and more.

The number of lawsuits involving pseudotumor cerebri complications has grown in recent years, and in 2014, Bayer was hit with nine complaints accusing the manufacturing company of designing a defective product and downplaying the potential for Mirena IUD to cause pseudotumor cerebri side effects in users. As more information comes to light about the alleged link between PTC injuries and hormonal birth control pills and implants, consumers across the country are expected to pursue legal action against Bayer Healthcare and other drug and device manufacturing companies. In August 2015, a panel of federal judges rejected a request to consolidate Mirena IUD complaints involving PTC side effects, which means the claims will proceed without the formation of a new multidistriction litigation (MDL).

Contact a Product Liability Lawyer for Help

Pseudotumor cerebri is a devastating medical condition that can lead to costly medical bills and irreversible side effects in some people, and critics believe that Bayer and other manufacturing companies could have protected the safety of thousands, if not millions, of patients, had they provided adequate warnings to the public about the potential for their products to cause severe neurological problems in users. For many people diagnosed with PTC or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, long-term complications like severe vision loss or permanent blindness affect their ability to perform everyday tasks and significantly lower their overall quality of life. If you or a loved one has developed pseudotumor cerebri or a “false tumor” following the use of Mirena IUD or another birth control product, contact a reputable product liability lawyer for legal help. You may have grounds to file a PTC lawsuit against the manufacturing company, in order to seek fair and timely reimbursement for your losses.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Resources

Law Firms that take Pseudotumor Cerebri Cases

Consumer Safety Watch – Accepts pseudotumor cerebri cases with Mirena IUD.

Find out if you qualify to file a pseudotumor cerebri claim.

Getting a Pseudotumor Cerebri Diagnosis

The following page on Consumer Safety Watch has good info on how to get a pseudotumor cerebri diagnosis and treatment options.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Resources

Consumer Safety Watch – Get info and news on pseudotumor cerebri or get linked with a firm that meets your criteria.

Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation

WebMD

Pseudotumor Cerebri Support Groups

Pseudotumor Cerebri Lawsuit Facebook Page

Pseudotumor Cerebri Warriors: Fighting this together Facebook Group

Pseudotumor Cerebri/Intracranial Hypertension Facebook Group