Warning Signs of Intracranial Meningioma

Recent studies have linked Depo-Provera injections to an increased risk of intracranial meningioma. This is a potentially serious type of tumor that develops in the skull. It tends to develop slowly; and, as a result, it can be difficult to diagnose before it leads to serious complications.

With this in mind, if you have concerns for any reason after receiving Depo-Provera injections, you should consult with a doctor promptly. This is true even if it has been years (or even decades) since your last injection. If you receive an intracranial meningioma diagnosis, you will also want to consult with a lawyer about your legal rights. You may be eligible to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit—and, if so, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.

10 Potential Signs of Intracranial Meningioma Caused by Depo-Provera

Here are 10 potential warning signs of intracranial meningioma caused by Depo-Provera:

Dizziness

Dizziness is a potential sign of intracranial meningioma (though it can potentially be a sign of a wide range of other medical conditions as well). As Brigham and Women’s Hospital explains, “[b]cause of the tight space in the back of the brain, growth of these tumors can cause elevated pressure in the brain, leading to meningioma headaches, unsteadiness, or dizziness.”

Headaches

Headaches are a potential sign of intracranial meningioma (among other health conditions) as well. If you are experiencing severe or persistent headaches after receiving Depo-Provera injections, this could be symptomatic of a meningioma that has developed and is now applying pressure to the back of your brain. Since headaches can have so many different causes, when you see a doctor about your headaches, you should describe them with as much detail as possible. You should also tell your doctor about any other symptoms you are experiencing as well as your specific concerns about an intracranial meningioma caused by Depo-Provera.

Hearing Loss or Impairment

Depo-Provera patients who develop an intracranial meningioma may also experience hearing loss or hearing impairment. This can result from compression of the auditory nerve caused by development of the tumor within the skull or damage to the cochlea or vestibulocochlear nerve. While hearing loss and hearing impairments can be treated in some cases, it is also possible for the damage that results in hearing loss or a hearing impairment to be permanent.

Hyperreflexia

Hyperreflexia, or overactive or hyperresponsive reflexes, can also be caused by an intracranial meningioma applying pressure to the brain at the back of the skull. This pressure can disrupt the normal flow of neurological signals from the brain to other parts of the body, potentially causing hyperreflexia and other physical effects.

Memory Loss

Memory loss is a significant concern for many patients diagnosed with intracranial meningiomas after receiving Depo-Provera injections. According to a research paper published in 2016:

“Study results suggest that most . . . meningioma patients are faced with cognitive deficits in several cognitive domains prior to surgery. Following surgery, most of these patients seem to improve in cognitive functioning. However, they still have impairments in a wide range of cognitive functions compared to healthy [patients].”

According to the authors of the research paper, these cognitive deficits include memory loss. Being unable to remember significant information or events can have significant consequences in all aspects of your daily life; and, if you have grounds to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit, these consequences could be a major factor in determining the value of your claim.

Muscle Weakness

Muscle weakness, particularly in the arms and legs, can also be a warning sign of intracranial meningioma. As noted by the Mayo Clinic, muscle weakness can also be a long-term complication of surgery or radiation therapy. These (and other) treatment options for intracranial meningioma can have other complications as well—and these are also important to consider when it comes to making decisions about asserting your legal rights.

Personality Changes

According to another research paper, “[a]nterior skull base meningiomas are frequently associated with changes in personality and behavior.” As the authors of the paper go on to explain, the reason for this is not clearly understood. This makes treatment all the more challenging, and this is yet another reason why it is critical to both seek treatment promptly and talk to a lawyer about your legal rights after receiving a diagnosis.

Nausea and Vomiting

The pressure inside of the skull that can cause many of the warning signs listed above can also cause nausea and vomiting. This is according to Johns Hopkins Medicine and other sources. Since the pressure caused by an intracranial meningioma is persistent, this means that patients’ nausea and vomiting can be persistent issues as well.

Seizures

“Seizures are one of the most clinically significant symptoms caused by meningiomas, occurring in roughly 30% of patients.” This is due to compression of the cortical area of the brain; and, as a result, as an intracranial meningioma continues to grow, the risk of seizures can become greater. Seizures can present a variety of risks on their own, and they will need to be treated as a medical emergency in many cases.

Vision Loss or Impairment

Vision loss and vision impairments are concerns for Depo-Provera patients who develop intracranial meningiomas as well. Similar to hearing loss, while vision loss and vision impairments may be treatable in some cases, they are often permanent consequences of patients’ diagnoses.

This list is not exhaustive. Intracranial meningiomas can have a variety of other symptoms, side effects and complications as well. Again, if you have concerns for any reason, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

Do You Have a Depo-Provera Claim for Intracranial Meningioma? Contact Us to Find Out for Free

If you have been diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma after receiving Depo-Provera injections—or if a loved one has received an intracranial meningioma diagnosis—we encourage you to speak with one of our lawyers about your legal rights. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Depo-Provera lawyer at Searcy Denney, please call 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can get in touch online today.