Bendectin And Birth Defects (Page 5)

I took this drug in the 1970's while pregnant. Am looking for the side effects to the babies. Drug has been off the market for many years. Not sure on correct spelling. Used for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Thank you for any help you can send me. Sincerely, Dana.

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I took this medication in 1979 when i was pregnant with my first child. I had morning sickness during my first three months real bad, now my daughter is 31 years old and have learning disabilities. We lived in europe at the time. The doctors said that it would not harm the baby. It was all a lie. God Bless all the parents that had to go through this. Did anybody find help?

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andrew, my knee pain is not bearable any more either why should we not have our costs for living the repercussions of the careless drug company and all the billions they make should they not pay in one way or another?

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Shan, I think they should pay,and this web page is a testiment of a just a small percentage of people out there suffering, how about I start a foundation for all of us. these 81 people here can be the first to join, then all of us and our foundation go after the drug company that put us here. got any name ideas for the foundation... how about "benedictine and the people who suffer" andrew

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Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to find any legal help with this matter. There were a few high profile court cases in the late 70's-early 80's, but due to some fraudulent testimony and false studies all other cases since have been dismissed. In fact, Australia won't even touch these cases. I suffer from knee deformities that require immediate surgery, a seizure disorder, chronic headaches, OCD, clinical depression, panic attacks, a cleft lip and a partial cleft palate. I WISH someone out there could help us. The facts are there. They actually consider Bendectin the "Biggest Cover-Up of 1980" because the FDA failed to recognize the evidence, the media wouldn't report it, and cases against Merrell Dow were starting to be thrown out.

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Listen here, Brenda you are likely in a little bit of denial. I'd bet that your kids have symptoms similar to these. It wasn't until I interrogated my mother that this pill was THE ONLY thing she did differently when pregnant with me. I knew there was something wrong with me that wasn't natural. Not blaming you lady, just saying your kids may feel like we do and if not just know how blesses you are.

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the main reason i haven't pursued legal action is these guys can afford the best lawyers and its always gonna be more than i have to prove it . this forum has really enlightned me on just how many other people have suffered because this drug.my nausea was so bad i may have miscarried without it. thank god we know the risks now..

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My mother took it while pregnant with me in 1979 and she had foubd out years later that it had been pulled but the company that made it failed to tell everyone and some Doctors had no clue and alot of pharmacys still had it on their shelves due to the expiry date still showing it was ok. I was born with no muscle in my lower left side of my lip and my left nasal cavity is deformed and twisted, whole left side of my face looks as though I had a stroke or even Bells Palsy.

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Hi Andrew, as a Mom who took this drug for less than 6 weeks during each pregnancy, I now have 2 sterile daughters. Doctors can't find reasons, but I have often wondered about Bendectin. All of those affected,should be able to lauch a major lawsuit - especially when Canada is still allowing the drug.

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I also took Bendictine for at least 6 months for severe morning sickness. That was in 1979, daughter born in Jan. of 1980. She has not been able to carry a child past 3 months and docs can't find a reason why. Invitro was done, but again, a miscarriage at or before 3 months, fove babies lost for her. This saddens me because I took this drug. I was careful to not even take Tylenol withva severe headache once because I didn't want to do anything wrong. I don't think I have the courage to tell the daughter that it is my fault she cannot be pregnant. They are adopting a precious little girl - bittersweet.

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Hi Catherine,
We all feel guilt about taking this drug... and frustration and anger and a whole lot of other feelings. But I am sure you, me, and the other mothers who took it were careful throughout our pregnancies to do what we were told was the right thing. Try very hard to let yourself off the hook, try to let go of the guilt as best you can. Had you known there was even a tiny possibility the drug would cause problems later, you would have never taken it. Intent matters and guilt is a very heavy burden to carry.

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Linda, I agree... I can't even talk about these issues with my own mother because of her heavy burden of guilt she's carried with her for over 32 years now. My father has always been curious about what I find out, and has been very helpful in trying to find all of us Bendectin victims some legal aid... It's been tough. We just started on this crusade. Nobody wants to take on Merrell Dow. This was already done in the late 70's-early 80's, and it ended in disaster. Most courts dismiss these cases. We may never see justice for what was done to our mothers and children, but I promise, I'm going to keep trying to get some answers.

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Thanks Jamie. If someone ever comes up with a way to take this on legally, count me in the fight. But like you, I have discovered how ineffective these attempts have been in the past, so I recognize it may never happen.

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But this problem is unheard of basically the history books will have very little documentation of this tragedy if we dont at least try to battle in court. Even if they rule against so many victims at least it will be recorded how many were affected, we need to stand up and take it to lawyers

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I have law society applications, if enough of us fill these out and send them in, at least the issue will be raised, they can choose not to help but I am also going to see if there is an ombudsman that might be able to help

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The original formulation of Bendectin contained dicylcomine hydrocloride an antispasmodic used to control the nausea and vomiting of nervous stomach; doxylamine succinate an antihistamine that had been used to alleviate nausea following radiation therapy in cancer patients; and pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) which was thought by some physicians to have a beneficial effect on the nausea of pregnancy.

For information regarding history and birth defects go to:
http:/­/­www.birthdefects.org/­research/­bendectin_1.php

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If you are Canadian, keep me posted .I spoke to a reporter from the Toronto Star who was very interested, but am still waiting for feedback. What a way to sterilize an entire generation, starting in the mothers' womb.

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Linda,don't know where you live, but all that is needed , is to organize.Get a network of women affected, then we march, attract attention, hand out leaflets with info, try and get donations, do all the things other groups do.

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I think we need a representative in Canada, the US and anyone else who wants to get involved. In Canada, there's a whole other set of issues with this: the drug is BACK on the market under the name of Diclectin. In the US, there are many websites that advise women on how to make "do-it-yourself" Bendectin with B-Complex and Unisom. Australian courts will automatically throw these cases out. We need to get organized! I'm located in Denver, Colorado; who else wants to make a difference? :)

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Hi Jamie, I live north of Toronto Ontario and feel as you do. Saw my MD today,and she basically dismissed my concerns. We need to find some concrete statistics. ie if 1000 moms took the drug, what percentage of females born to them are sterile or struggling with problems? As if anyone wants to share .

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The stats are out there. The rate of birth defects and other side effects was no different for women who took this medication vs. those who did not. That's why none of the many law suits were ever settled against the manufacturer. If you look through the posts here this drug could be blamed for everything from migraines, to multiple sclerosis, ADHD, stroke, heart disease, and everything in between. It's certainly regrettable that people suffer from these maladies and I certainly do not wish anyone nor their children or grandchildren to carry a burden, but how many of you have looked at other factors? Consider the period of time most people are writing about: smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy were prevalent. DDT was still used as an insecticide and was found in waterways, fish, and other foods. I hope you find peace. Sometimes unfortunate things happen and there just isn't someone to blame.

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