• Stroke Symptoms 
  
• Stroke Damage
  
• Legal Representation 
  
• Stroke Links 

Use of the Ortho Evra patch exposes women to 60% more total estrogen in their blood than if they were taking a typical birth control pill.  This increase in estrogen can lead to a blood clot, which can lead to an Ortho Evra stroke.  As a public service, the lawyers at Pritzker | Ruohonen and Associates, P.A., have provided this stroke information gathered from sources such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, an arm of the National Institutes of Health.  Please send this information to friends and relatives.  Everyone should know the signs of stroke.

There are two kinds of stroke:

1. An ischemic stroke occurs when an artery that supplies blood and oxygen to the brain becomes blocked. About 80% of strokes are of this type. Blood clots are the most common cause of artery blockage that leads to an ischemic stroke.
   
2. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain.

It is blood-clot-related ischemic strokes that are associated with use of the Ortho Evra birth control patch.  Blot clots that can lead to an Ortho Evra stroke may also lead to an Ortho Evra heart attack.

One of the most important things to remember about an Ortho Evra stroke is that new treatments are available to reverse most of the effects of ischemic strokes, the kind of stroke associated with Ortho Evra use.  The treatments, however, must be administered within the first few hours of a stroke. If a woman who is using an Ortho Evra patch has the symptoms of stroke, it is critical that she arrive at the hospital within 60 minutes after symptoms start for evaluation and treatment.  The best thing to do is call 911.

Ortho Evra Patch – Stroke Symptoms
If you are a woman who uses or has used an Ortho Evra patch, you and your family should be aware of Ortho Evra stroke symptoms.  The following are common stroke symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
  
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
  
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Don't wait for the symptoms to improve or worsen. If you believe you are having a stroke - or someone you know is having a stroke - call 911 immediately. Making the decision to call for medical help could prevent lifelong disability.

Ortho Evra Patch –  Stroke Damage
If an ischemic stroke is treated promptly, a woman who has a stroke may suffer little or no brain damage and disability. If not treated promptly, stroke can lead to severe brain damage and disability, or even death. The type of disability caused by a stroke depends on the extent of brain damage and what part of the brain is damaged.

Stroke may cause paralysis or weakness of one side of the body, memory problems, mood changes, trouble speaking or understanding speech, problems with eating and swallowing, pain, depression, and other problems. Rehabilitation and medical treatment can help a person recover from the effects of stroke and prevent another stroke from occurring.

Damages from a legal standpoint can include amounts for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, lost wages, loss of quality of life, loss of companionship and other damages.  At Pritzker | Ruohonen we evaluate all of your circumstances in determining damages.  To do this, we take the time to get to know you and your family. Our lawyers and staff have years of experience and know that one of the keys to good legal representation is listening to the client. 

Ortho Evra Patch Stoke– Lawyer with Product Liability Lawsuit Experience
If you used an Ortho Evra birth control patch and have had a stroke, a lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen, a nationally-recognized law firm, is available for a free consultation.  You may reach us toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, by e-mail at info@pritzkerlaw.com,  or by filling out our online consultation form. Senior partner Fred Pritzker has over 29 years of experience and focuses his practice on complex product liability cases.  In recognition of his achievements, other lawyers have selected him for inclusion in the 2005-2006 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.  He has written online information on defective medical product lawsuits and clinical trials.  You may also want to read our information about Ortho Evra lawsuits.

Sources:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about_stroke.htm
Food and Drug Administration

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/205_stroke.html
National Women's Health Information Center 
http://www.4women.gov/FAQ/stroke.htm#4 

Stroke Resources from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:

1. American Stroke Association: A Division of American Heart Association
   7272 Greenville Avenue
   Dallas,  TX  75231-4596
   Tel: 1-888-4STROKE (478-7653)
   Fax: 214-706-5231
   EMail: strokeassociation@heart.org
   http://www.strokeassociation.org/
   Description: Offers a wide array of programs, products, and services, from patient education materials to scientific statements with cutting-edge information for healthcare professionals.
   
   
2. Brain Aneurysm Foundation
   12 Clarendon Street
   Boston,  MA  02116
   Tel: 617-723-3870 888-BRAIN02 (272-4602)
   EMail: office@bafound.org
   http://www.bafound.org/
   Description: Provides support networks and educational resources to raise public awareness regarding early detection and treatment of brain aneurysms. Information is also available for caregivers.
   
   
3. Hazel K. Goddess Fund for Stroke Research in Women
   785 Park Avenue
   New York,  NY  10021-3552
   Tel: 212-713-6789
   Fax: 212-698-5629
   EMail: info@thegoddessfund.org
   http://www.thegoddessfund.org/
   Description: Non-profit organization that focuses on critical issues specific to stroke in women, including research, prevention, treatment, education, and advocacy.
   
   
4. Heart Rhythm Foundation
   1400 K Street, NW
   Suite 500
   Washington,  DC  20005
   Tel: 202-464-3404
   Fax: 202-464-3405
   EMail: support@heartrhythmfoundation.org
   http://www.heartrhythmfoundation.org/
   Description: Nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing death and disability due to heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation.
   
   
5. National Stroke Association
   9707 East Easter Lane
   Englewood,  CO  80112-3747
   Tel: 303-649-9299 800-STROKES (787-6537)
   Fax: 303-649-1328
   EMail: info@stroke.org
   http://www.stroke.org/
   Description: National non-profit organization that offers education, services and community-based activities in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery. Serves the public and professional communities: people at risk, patients and their health care providers, stroke survivors, and their families and caregivers.
   
   
6. Research Center for Stroke and Heart Disease/ National Coalition for Stroke & Heart Disease Prevention
   c/o Jacobs Neurological Institute
   100 High Street
   Buffalo,  NY  14203
   Tel: 716-859-3900
   http://www.strokeheart.org/
   Description: Nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing stroke and heart disease. Manages the National Coalition for Stroke & Heart Disease Prevention (NCSHP).
   
   
7. Stroke Clubs International
   805 12th Street
   Galveston,  TX  77550
   Tel: 409-762-1022
   EMail: strokeclubs@earthlink.net
   Description: Offers mutual support, education, social and recreational programs and activities to people who have experienced strokes, their families, and friends.