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Newport woman died from 'side effects' of contraceptive pill, rules coroner Newport woman died from 'side effects' of contraceptive pill, rules coroner
(35 minutes later)
A sales executive died from the side effects of a pill prescribed for acne and as a contraceptive three weeks after her GP advised her to go for a spa day when she complained of pain and shortness of breath, a coroner has ruled.A sales executive died from the side effects of a pill prescribed for acne and as a contraceptive three weeks after her GP advised her to go for a spa day when she complained of pain and shortness of breath, a coroner has ruled.
Business studies graduate Charlotte Foster, 23, was showing symptoms of a pulmonary embolism but was told by the GP that she simply had back pain, the Shropshire coroner John Ellery concluded. Business studies graduate Charlotte Foster, 23, was showing symptoms of a pulmonary embolism but was told by the GP that she simply had back pain, the Shropshire coroner, John Ellery, concluded.
Foster, the daughter of a retired hospital consultant, suffered a cardiac arrest at work and brain damage five months after starting to take the drug Dianette.Foster, the daughter of a retired hospital consultant, suffered a cardiac arrest at work and brain damage five months after starting to take the drug Dianette.
Ellery said “areas of concern” had been highlighted during the inquest and he was considering whether to refer the case to the General Medical Council, which investigates complaints about medics.Ellery said “areas of concern” had been highlighted during the inquest and he was considering whether to refer the case to the General Medical Council, which investigates complaints about medics.
Giving an narrative conclusion, Ellery said: “She [Foster] presented with symptoms of pulmonary embolism, but was diagnosed with back pain and was not treated for pulmonary embolism. The deceased died from the untreated side effects of the combined oral contraceptive pill Dianette.”Giving an narrative conclusion, Ellery said: “She [Foster] presented with symptoms of pulmonary embolism, but was diagnosed with back pain and was not treated for pulmonary embolism. The deceased died from the untreated side effects of the combined oral contraceptive pill Dianette.”
Following his findings, Foster’s family said they hoped the case would make doctors more aware of the potential risks associated with Dianette. Following his findings, Foster’s family said: “We hope that more people and medical professionals become aware of the potential risks, however rare, of taking this medication so that no other family have to live through this nightmare.
In a statement they said: “We hope that more people and medical professionals become aware of the potential risks, however rare, of taking this medication so that no other family have to live through this nightmare.
“Charlotte was much loved by all who knew her, she had her whole life ahead of her and we are devastated by her death. We remain a close and loving family who will always remember the happiness she gave to us during her lifetime.”“Charlotte was much loved by all who knew her, she had her whole life ahead of her and we are devastated by her death. We remain a close and loving family who will always remember the happiness she gave to us during her lifetime.”
Foster, from Newport, Shropshire, was prescribed Dianette by GP Sarah Cumberlidge in August 2015 to combat acne and as a contraceptive. Cumberlidge told the inquest she had advised Foster if she suffered problems such as shortness of breath or chest pains she should contact the surgery. Foster, from Newport in Shropshire, was prescribed Dianette by GP Sarah Cumberlidge in August 2015 to combat acne and as a contraceptive. Cumberlidge told the inquest she had advised Foster if she suffered problems such as shortness of breath or chest pains she should contact the surgery.
Over Christmas and new year Foster complained of chest and back pain, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. On New Year’s Eve, her ribs hurt and she couldn’t lie down or breathe properly. Over Christmas and the new year Foster complained of chest and back pain, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. On New Year’s Eve, her ribs hurt and she couldn’t lie down or breathe properly.
She and her mother went to see her new GP, Sunil Simon, at a practice in Newport, Shropshire, on 4 January. She and her mother went to see her new GP, Sunil Simon, at a practice in Newport on 4 January. Her mother told the inquest in Shrewsbury that Foster complained to Dr Simon of pain in her back, right leg, of tightness of her chest and of being unable to take a deep breath.
Her mother told the inquest in Shrewsbury her daughter complained to Dr Simon of pain in her back, right leg, of tightness of her chest and of being unable to take a deep breath. “He did not seem to listen to her,” Foster’s mother said. “He told her her problem was mechanical and that she should go for a massage or a spa day. I feel he should have immediately stopped her from taking the pill and investigated her for a pulmonary embolism.”
“He did not seem to listen to her,” said Foster’s mother said. “He told her her problem was mechanical and that she should go for a massage or a spa day. I feel he should have immediately stopped her from taking the pill and investigated her for a pulmonary embolism.”
On 22 January Foster suffered a cardiac arrest at work and was taken to the Princess Royal hospital in Telford. She was pronounced dead on 25 January.On 22 January Foster suffered a cardiac arrest at work and was taken to the Princess Royal hospital in Telford. She was pronounced dead on 25 January.
Dr Simon told the inquest he had had “no concerns” that Foster had been suffering from a pulmonary embolism when he saw her.Dr Simon told the inquest he had had “no concerns” that Foster had been suffering from a pulmonary embolism when he saw her.
He told the coroner: “I did not note any signs of respiratory distress or shortness of breath. The cause of her back pain was mechanical.” He added: “When I observed Charlotte I did not observe that she had shortness of breath.” He told the coroner: “I did not note any signs of respiratory distress or shortness of breath. The cause of her back pain was mechanical. When I observed Charlotte I did not observe that she had shortness of breath.”