Multiple Sclerosis Medical Malpractice?

[Glaleanna]

I changed to a new neurologist May 2009. He had me have a new brain and spinal cord MRI so we could have a starting point. I did that. MRI came back that I was in total remission. I had been on Rebif for about 5 years. December of 2009 I visited w this neurologist and told him I wanted to change from Rebif to Betaseron bc Rebif was just too painful to inject. That I wanted to start Betaseron in January bc I was going to use up the Rebif I had. Long story short, this neurologist never completed the paperwork so that I could get the Betaseron. No matter how many calls I made to his office. 2 1/2 months later I developed issues w my sight and was hospitalized w new lesions and enhanced lesions. They started me on high does steriods and I stayed in the hospital for 4 days. I had 4,000 ms of Solumedrol over 4 days and was sent home w a taper of prednisone. I went from 4,000 mgs of Solumedrol to 20mgs of prednisone a week later. I had to rush to the hospital and was diagnosed with!  adrenal crisis. I was in the hospital for 37 days. I have been unable to recover from these relapses. I continue to produce new lesions and will starting Tysabri next week in the hopes it is strong enough to stop the relapses and new lesions. I dont know how much u know about Tysabri but it is pretty dangerous...but I do not have a choice at this point. I am a single mother of a 16 yr old boy. I get no support from his father and this has taken a toll on him and my family. There are many more details but this is a good starting point. I received a call from my attorney's office to tell me they are closing the office bc he has been diagnosed with Alzheimers. I need to know if you think I have a medical malpractice case.  Help. Please.

[Wally]

Isabel,

If you are indicating that you continued with the Rebif uninterrupted and developed the lesions, you probably do not have a medical malpractice case.  If you are indicating you were not taking the Rebif because you ran out and the new prescription for Betaseron was not made because the doctor did not fill out the paperwork, it may depend on what paperwork was not filled out and the reason.

With regards to your subsequent treatment, you are going to need to speak with a neurologist in your area to determine whether the treatment with steroids and Solumedrol was appropriate.

I think you should speak to a malpractice attorney in your area because medical malpractice cases have strict time frames to file claims.

I wish you the best and hope you are able to get back on track.

Very truly yours,

Paul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D.