Avandia: I Nearly Died at 45.

-LawyersandSettlements

08/11/2008- Pierrefonds, PQ: Grant has been a diabetic most of his life. Like most diabetics, he's tried several diabetes medications, and eventually Avandia. While the drug did control his blood sugar, it may also have contributed to a diagnosis of congestive heart failure, a ruptured aorta, and atrial fibrillation.

" I took avandia for about a year when the reports of cardiovascular problems started to make the news," Grant said. "So I went to my doctor to find out if this was a problem, and he said 'no'. I had to trust what he was saying because he was my doctor and he specialises in diabetes. So I continued to take the drug. About a year ago I was on the treadmill, which I did on a daily basis. But this day I started feeling chest pains and acid reflux. I knew this wasn't normal so I drank some water while walking. But the pain didn't go away. I became quite alarmed, because I began to experience the pain every time I did any physical activity. I had also gained about 50 lbs in the time I was on Avandia, which was a problem. I looked bloated. I weighed well over 200 lbs."

Grant decided to see a specialist about the chest pains. They did some tests and found four blockages in his arteries. "They were between 70 and 80 percent blocked," Grant said. "I was told I had coronary artery disease. I was blown away by that news. I was only 45 at the time. That's very young for coronary artery disease. I wanted to know how that could have happened, then I thought about the issues around avandia. I did some research on Avandia, and discovered that people taking it suffer heart attacks and are diagnosed with heart disease, and that there seems to be a connection."

Grant underwent coronary artery surgery, but during the operation his aorta ruptured, it was in such bad shape. "The surgeon was quite concerned," Grant said. "So I did more research and found that Avandia can do these types of things to the arteries. I was very alarmed at that news.

Overall the operation went well, but about three days post operation I developed severe arrhythmia. I suffered atrial fibrillation. I was given a drug to settle the rhythm down, and while it seemed to work initially, two days later I suffered another, severe arrhythmia attack, followed by a right-sided massive stroke. I nearly died. I was just 45 years old."

Grant then spent three months in the hospital recovering,after which he went to a rehabilitation center, where he stayed for another three months. "I've worked really hard to be able to walk with a cane," Grant said. "But now that I'm home I'm completely restricted to the wheelchair, and an arm support, because I have lost the use of my left arm."

If you or a loved one have experienced an Avandia heart attack, or Avandia stroke, Avandia congestive heart failure, Avandia cardiovascular disease or if you have lost a loved one to an Avandia death you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Avandia attorneys of Ennis & Ennis today for a free confidential case evaluation. Our on staff nurse and lawyers are standing by to answer any questions you may have regarding Avandia's side effects, a possible Avandia class action lawsuit, or any other type of Avandia litigation.