A Michigan woman is hoping to participate in a class action lawsuit filed in California for suffering from what she believes is Tardive Dyskinesia, a side effects of taking the popular drug Reglan. However, a problem exists: She has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, not TD.
The woman is hoping that she can get a diagnosis of TD before the statute of limitations runs out to file suit against Wyeth, the makers of Reglan. She was told by her old neurologist that she likely has TD but the doctor can’t see her to verify it until early 2011 and she needs the diagnosis before time runs out. The woman did explain what happened to her and about her misdiagnosis.
“I have GERD — Gastro-esophageal Reflux,” she says. “My insurance would not cover Nexium to help with this problem because it is too expensive, so I had to take a plethora of other medications until they were sure nothing else would work. Reglan is a med for GERD and ultimately the last one I tried before getting the Nexium. About three months after I started Reglan, I began to have whole body tremors, but it took almost three months to see a neurologist — typical Michigan medical system. I walked in the door and he said, ‘You have Parkinson’s disease.’ He sent me back to my primary physician who couldn’t recognize Parkinson’s and I think he is correct — that I don’t have Parkinson’s disease.”
With Reglan cases running out of time to be filed, the woman may never get her chance in court. While misdiagnoses are common as many disorders and diseases have similar symptoms, patients should always seek second opinions — especially if they disagree with what doctors say. It is so important for patients that are suffering from severe side effects from prescription medications to speak to their doctors immediately when side effects happen. Even the smallest symptoms should be reported so that an early diagnosis can be made. You never know, you might be eligible to be compensated to help cover your medical costs. This story is a tale of caution.
