A pulmonary embolism (PE) can form suddenly and have a range of symptoms. Because a PE is a blockage in an artery of the lungs, PE symptoms usually relate to breathing and/or a lack of oxygen.

The birth control pills Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella and the generic versions of these contraceptives have been shown to raise the risk of blood clots. Drospirenone, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone used in these Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals products, increases clotting. Many personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against Bayer on behalf of Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella users.

Do You Have a Pulmonary Embolism?

The WebMD site describes a pulmonary embolism (PE) as the sudden blockage of a major blood vessel (artery) in the lung, usually by a blood clot. If the blood clot is large enough to stop blood flow, it can be fatal. Even a smaller blood clot can damage a portion of the lung. A PE is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

The most common symptoms of a PE are:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Sharp chest pain that is worse if you cough or take a deep breath
• A cough that brings up pink, foamy mucus.

Additional symptoms that you may experience if you have a pulmonary embolism include:

• Wheezing
• Leg swelling, usually in only one leg
• Clammy or bluish-colored skin
• Excessive sweating

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Weak pulse
• Lightheadedness or fainting.

If you have any PE symptoms, you should seek medical help right away. To avoid potentially deadly complications, PE should be treated quickly with medications that dissolve blood clots.

A large PE or one that does not respond quickly to anticoagulant medications may require surgery. PE surgery is often performed with a thin flexible tube (catheter) that is inserted to suction out the clot or apply medication directly to it. In extreme cases, open surgery to remove the blood clot is necessary.

A woman who has developed a pulmonary embolism after using Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella can seek compensation for her medical expenses and other losses with the help of a birth control injury lawyer. A Yaz injury attorney can also assist the family of a Yaz user who died because of PE after taking drospirenone-containing birth control pills.

Contact a Yaz Pulmonary Embolism Lawyer Today

For more than a decade, John J. Driscoll has represented only plaintiffs and focused his practice on complex product liability cases, consumer class actions and personal-injury litigation, including cases involving dangerous pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

If you or a loved one has been prescribed Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella or similar oral contraceptives and suffered a pulmonary embolism (PE) after taking them, The Driscoll Firm, LLC, can help you. Call us today at 877-812-4524 or use our online form.

Yaz lawsuits are being filed and settled. You could obtain compensation for your losses. We can provide a free and confidential initial consultation to discuss your rights and options.