My doctor did not disclose the side effects of a drug I was prescribed (Seroquel).
I specifically requested that I not be put on any drug that causes weight gain. I was prescribed Seroquel for sleep and took it for approximately a year.
I had a doctors visit once or twice a month and between each visit I gained several pounds. I was very concerned about my weight gain and tried to correct it with diet and exercise. At 130 pounds I expressed my serious concerns to my doctor each visit and she simply told me to go for walks. I even asked why I was gaining weight she said exercise an hour a day.
After months of counting calories, exercise, and diet pills. My anxiety was through the roof. I did everything by the book to lose the weight.
I am diagnosed with depression and panic disorder with agoraphobia. I also have body dysmorphic disorder so the weight gain has been all the more devastating.
Seroquel http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001030/ side effects listed here.
After many attempts at weight loss I came to my breaking point and began to distrust my doctor. April 2011 is when I made the discovery of the horrible symptoms of Seroquel. If I was aware I would have never went on this drug.
Not only does Seroquel causes extreme weight gain the majority of people taking Seroquel for one year or more gained 50-150 pounds. And Seroquel commonly causes type 2 Diabetes! The Seroquel causes extreme weight gain that cannot be treated by diet and exercise which puts you on the fast track to Diabetes!
Seroquel is also not usually used for sleep because it is an anti psychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bi polar.
While taking the Seroquel I gained 45 pounds and went up four pant sizes! I am permanently scarred with stretch marks. My depression became far worse on the Seroquel and I came close to Suicide. I became very much like a zombie not doing anything not even the things I love. I had no energy. I was dizzy much of the time. I experienced pain in all my joints especially my back. I had increased appetite and I would feel starved all the time. I had trouble concentrating. Nightmares and night sweats. I went from using deodorant once a day to sweating so much I have to use every hour!
Coming off the drug was terrible I experienced severe withdrawal symptoms for a month. I had constant nausea, couldn't eat or drink without vomiting. The stomach pain and migranes were intense. I was so lightheaded and dizzy I couldn't stop feeling nervous an panicky. I went days without sleep staying up over 48 hours at a time. And my anxiety was worse than I have ever experienced in my life.
Coming off the drug I feel amazing compared to my previous state. I'm up and about again acting much more like myself. I definitely feel better physically and emotionally but the fat, weight, and stretch marks remain on my body.
I eat under 1000 calories a day and I eat well. I have been exercising 1/2 an hour a day but no results. I believe the effects of the Seroquel linger and prevent me from losing weight. Another woman said it took her two years to lose the weight from the Seroquel.
I feel like my doctor lied to me and she destroyed my body and put me at risk for diabetes! The person in the mirror isn't me and I had no control over the diet and exercise resistant weight gain. Even being off the drug the weight still isn't going anywhere. I would like to sue for enough for liposuction and repair for the stretch marks to get me back exactly where I was. And I would like any future problems from the drug to be taken care of. Lastly measures to make sure the damage from the Seroquel is not permanent.
Is this a decent enough claim to take to court? Please give your honest educated opinion.
I did talk to my doctor about being concerned about weight gain after she had started me on the Seroquel. She never mentioned that it might be the cause.
I was given about 20 bottles of "physician samples" to start off on, so to all you "know-it-alls" about the big leaflets, the samples did not come with any. I had been taking the medication over a month and a half by the time I got a "real" prescription filled of it and I did start asking my doctor about the weight gain when it started happening wondering if the new medicine might have something to do with it and she told me I should just get out and exercise - which I did and it didn't work. I was also given the Seroquel because I was having problems sleeping, something which I now know is not something for which it is approved for being prescribed to treat. I was 105lbs before the Seroquel and I did not change my diet getting on the medication (I didn't start sitting on the couch eating twinkies all of a sudden).
Superguy1221
It's your job to read the label/box about side effects.
Shin Nohara
Don't waste your time.
You are better off eating 1500cal/day, as eating so little will cause your body to hang onto every calorie it can (making you fatter).
As someone who suffers with body dysmorphic disorder as well, I just tell myself that I am in charge of my body and work extra hard to overcome this weight (and all the other imperfections). I go to the gym more often (I found a gym I could go to at night, so no one else was there, made things easier), eat very little sugar, and see my tharapist regularly.
All that nonsense about stretch-marks being perminante is silly, they go away after time (and a good workout). I would rather take the drugs as feel good enough to go out with my friends than sit at home and worry about how I look.
Quizzard
When you receive a new drug, your pharmacist should have both explained the effects of the drug AND provided you with a written declaration. Did you not READ that?
In any event, the vast majority of your problems seem to be mental and emotional, not the result of the drugs. What you should have done is discuss your symptoms immediately, not let it go on for a year.
You don't have a malpractice suit, not even close.
Samantha Davis
The court tends to protect doctors and hospitals the best they can so you may try to settle. They will point out that your meds came with the possible side effects listed with the prescription. I would first have my lawyer talk to her lawyer if nothing then go to court but you had the responsibility of reading the warning labels of the meds you take. Sorry not trying to be rude. As for the 1000 calories a day this will make you gain weight because not eating enough will cause your body to hold onto its weight and any new pounds it could put on.
Zach
Seroquel didn't cause the reactions you had towards your weight gain. It is your responsibility to know the side effects and ask about the side effects if you have any questions. It is not the doctor's responsibility. Whenever you get the prescription, the pharamacist puts in a notice about the various side effects. I'd bet you just discarded that and never read about it. Once you started noticing weight gain, why didn't you ask your doctor about it or stop taking the medication before it got worse?
You can't sue for the what-ifs. You don't have diabetes, so you can't sue for that. Also, it's a side effect you should have been aware of.
You can sue, but you will not successfully win.
Becka Morgan
Like it is so difficult to look up the side effects of a drug online or something. Just not having the pamphlet in the beginnign did not stop you from looking up side efffects. It may not be approved to treat insomnia but it is commonly prescribed for insomnia anyway because it works.... doctors are allowed to do that. You have nothign to sue for, it would be a waste of time.
Molly Smithee
So, in order to have a successful medical malpractice case you must be able to prove very serious injury that is directly related to the doctor's negligence. Here is a law article that explains the elements that must be proven in any MM case: http://www.medicalmalpracticenj.com/articles/having-a-successful-medical-malpractice-case/ You might of had a case if the weight gain caused Diabetes, but the weight alone would likely not fly.
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