Question:
Does anyone know how to find out the status of their phen-fen claim?

I feel sure that many of you took this drug to lose weight. Has anyone received a settlement yet? Do you have any way to contact the American Home Product board to find out the status of a claim? I received reimbursement for the cost of the drugs in February, 2003. I just need to know if my claim has been accepted or what. Any info will be appreciated, phone numbers, email address, snail mail address, anything! Thanks!    — Kathy L. H. (posted on June 2, 2003)

June 3, 2003
The website for the class action suit is www.settlementdietdrugs.com and thier phone number is 1-800-386-2070. Be aware they don't like to give info over the phone but will try to give you some insight. Good Luck
   — Sylvia E.

June 3, 2003
Doesn't look too promising according to my lawyer. A lot of fraud going on. It really sucks to have taken the drugs and have heart damage and not to be able to collect. Try this website for more info http://www.settlementdietdrugs.com/
   — Gail O.

June 3, 2003
I took phen phen when I was living in California, trough Lindora, then I discovered I had two leaking valves, and a murmur (regurgitation of mitral valve and tricuspide), the settlement send me for an echo, and they said I didn't have anything, so I guess, it was a miracle.Sureeee, what they didn't want is to pay a penney, I tried to get some lawyers and they told me that I have to be dying for them to give me anything, so I didn't have a case, I am still having horrible side effects, and taking beta blockers for life.What I heard it's that they allready pay to all the people that qualified for cash, but I am not sure. Good Luck.
   — Rosa M.

June 3, 2003
Rosa..I thought that I was the only one with that story. You could basically put my name on that as well. I had an echo ordered by my PCP a month before and found a murmur, leakage and prolapse. When I went to get my testing done via the lawyers for the settlement I was told that I didnt have any damage and therefore was being released from my agreement from them. I know there are probably many more out there worse off than me, but to say I dont deserve a cent for taking that medication for over 15 mos is a crock of chit! I too am gonna check into the website that others mentioned and even call to see if I can get some more info out of them.
   — ImANewDee

June 3, 2003
I just got a reimbursement from The settlement people for the prescriptions last week.. I think it was around $100.00.. I had ben wondering the same thing too. A friend of mine got hers like 8 months ago & we live in the same general area.. I do not think there is any set schedule to their payment system.. not do I think they do any special city or state at a time. My guess is they put thier hand in a hat & pull out names for the month to pay.. Hopefully your money will show up eventually.. if not call them.. Good luck.
   — Anne T.

June 3, 2003
Hi! Thanks so much for the info from everyone. I haven't had a chance to get in touch with AHP yet and am doubtful that I will be able to talk to a real person, but... My cardiologist told me that the settlement required a certain type of reading that is not normally done any more. I had two echos before I had a cardiologist appointment and he required another because of the way it had to be read in order to fill out the gray form correctly. He also told me that the echo did not always show regurgitation every time! He said it may show one time and not the next, so......... mine did show each time. Good luck everyone. Anymore info from anyone will be greatly appreciated.
   — Kathy L. H.

June 5, 2003
06/05/03: To Kathy L. Hurst With regards to your Phen-Fen Settlement. I hope you have a good lawyer. I took Phen-Fen on and off for four years and have damage to two of my heart valves. My lawyer called me and informed me that I would be getting a settlement one week and then decided that I would not get the settlement the next week. He even quoted me a dollar amount. He is not very experienced. He sent me a "release of his service letter" with the attached echocardiogram report showing the damage. My plan is to seek another "personal injury" lawyer to complete this claim. I will probably have to do this in another state as I currently live in Las Vegas where there has been a major problem with medical personal injury claims. I will probably persue this in the State of California.
   — Dorothy B. L.