If you develop unusual symptoms, such as watery eyes, while treating your cancer with Taxotere, contact Hotze Runkle PLLC. You might be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills and associated losses resulting from the harm Taxotere caused. Sanofi-Aventis is the manufacturer that created this drug to attack and shrink cancer cells. It’s commonly used to treat neck cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and a range of other cancers.
Although Taxotere has been a popular choice for chemotherapy treatment, there are negative side effects that the drug company failed to disclose on warning labels and to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. After extensive studies, medical researchers concluded that secretions from Taxotere and a person’s tears cause an adverse reaction, leading to strange symptoms.
If this has happened to you, our skilled Taxotere attorneys will be ready to discuss your situation and what type of compensation the pharmaceutical company might owe you. Schedule your free and 100% confidential consultation with us today by calling (800) 763-6155 or by reaching out to us online.
Unusual Reaction Between Tears and Taxotere Secretions
The type and stage of cancer you have will determine the regimen your doctor recommends. You could undergo chemotherapy once a week, every other week, or every three weeks. Studies show that it doesn’t matter how often you take Taxotere. Symptoms can develop in any patient.
The exact link between Taxotere secretions and tears is unusual. Researchers stated that when they studied different patients, the secretions came in direct contact with tears, leading to inflammation of the canaliculi. These structures are responsible for facilitating the flow of tears to the nasal cavity. Chronic inflammation causes eye infections, resulting in the formation of obstructions in the canaliculi.
Obstructions block tears from funneling through the canaliculus as they head towards the nasal cavity. As a result, they become trapped on the eye’s surface, build up, and get released when the patient blinks. Chronic eye infections from continued Taxotere use eventually leads to Canalicular Stenosis.
Symptoms Caused By Canalicular Stenosis
Most patients understand how brutal chemotherapy can be on their bodies. It causes many symptoms that are debilitating, painful, and interfere with their lives. Unfortunately, some people brush off watery eyes as a normal side effect of chemo with Taxotere. They don’t realize it’s actually harmful to vital structures in the eye and could lead to a permanent, irreversible medical condition.
Once Canalicular Stenosis develops, the canaliculi can start to close. This prevents tears from ever getting through, causing watery eyes and other symptoms, including:
- Swollen eyelids
- Dry eyes
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Chronic infections
- Light sensitivity
- Headaches
- Central vision loss
Do not wait to speak with a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. The sooner you seek treatment, the more likely you can manage your symptoms before they become problematic. An ophthalmologist might recommend using eye drops or an ointment to reduce eye-watering and alleviate any irritation. However, if the condition progresses significantly, the only option available is surgery.
Types of Surgery Used to Treat Canalicular Stenosis
Although there is no cure for Canalicular Stenosis, a surgical procedure could treat the symptoms and facilitate the proper flow of tears. During dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), the doctor creates an incision between the eye and nose to access the structures underneath. They fuse these structures to create a place where your tears can drain into the nasal cavity. It can alleviate watery eyes and prevent the condition from progressing.
People whose canaliculi have severe obstructions with no viable structures to create a new passageway aren’t candidates for DCR. Instead, the surgeon might be able to perform conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR). The doctor uses a small glass tube called a Jones tube to redirect tears around the obstructed canaliculus.
You should thoroughly discuss these options with your doctor before proceeding. They’re invasive, expensive, and can result in serious side effects, such as:
- Permanent facial scarring
- Migrating or displaced tube
- Hemorrhaging
- Tissue damage
- Chronic eye infections
- Sinusitis
- Blindness
You don’t have to stop chemotherapy to treat Canalicular Stenosis. You have cancer and should prioritize that. However, it would be best to notify your oncologist of your symptoms so they can find a more suitable medication to administer. Your chemo regimen shouldn’t include Taxotere any longer.
Pursuing A Legal Case In Cleveland
Juries review all the available evidence and facts of the case when determining a monetary award during a lawsuit. After your Canalicular Stenosis diagnosis, you likely incurred various costs associated with treatment and endured physical and emotional pain. The jury might consider some of these factors to decide how much money Sanofi should pay:
- Type and severity of the symptoms
- Total expenses resulting from the diagnosis
- The estimated cost of necessary medical treatment in the future
- The emotional or psychological impact
- Inability to return to work due to the symptoms
- Impairment or disability caused by the medical condition
The compensation you receive should adequately cover all past and future losses resulting from your Taxotere injury. These losses could include:
- Emotional distress or mental anguish
- Loss of income and earning capacity
- Out of pocket expenses
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
You must follow the statute of limitations in Ohio if you want to file a lawsuit against Sanofi. The statute of limitations for cases like this is two years. That means you have two years from the injury date to sue. If you try to file after the deadline passes, the court will probably dismiss your case.
Determine Your Taxotere Lawsuit Eligibility
The legal team from Hotze Runkle PLLC is ready to take on your case and fight for the maximum compensation you need and deserve. We have experience holding drug companies liable and ensuring they suffer the consequences of their actions. Sanofi-Aventis knowingly hid the dangerous side effects of Taxotere and continued to manufacture and sell it to doctors.
Our Cleveland watery eyes lawsuit lawyers will fight by your side until the very end to reach a favorable outcome. Throughout your case, we will work closely with you and provide the representation, guidance, and support you need to get through this devastating experience.
If you’re suffering from Canalicular Stenosis symptoms and want to find out your legal options, take our case evaluation quiz right now.