AMS Transvaginal Mesh Good for Depends Makers

Pittsburgh, PACathy is among thousands of women implanted with an AMS transvaginal mesh who might find some financial relief from the latest American Medical Systems mesh settlement, but she says that no amount of money can compensate her for five years of pain. And it won’t help her non-existent sex life.

“I had the transvaginal mesh surgery done in 2009 and I’ve been in pain ever since," says Cathy. “And right away sex was painful, for both me and my husband. I can’t even remember the last time I had any sexual desire, so we are filing a transvaginal mesh claim for loss of consortium as well.”

Attorney and physician Shezad Malik agrees with Cathy. He said that no amount of money can compensate the pain and suffering so many women with transvaginal mesh implants for urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse have endured. And to make the mesh complications even worse, Cathy’s urinary incontinence is worse than ever.

“I can barely afford to keep myself in panty liners and when I leave the house for any length of time, I have to wear ‘Depends,’ like diapers,” Cathy adds.

Thousands of AMS complaints had already been filed before Cathy was implanted with the mesh. One year before her surgery, the FDA had received more than 1,000 complaints from transvaginal mesh complications, including AMS products.

By April 2014, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation reported over 16,000 AMS mesh cases alone coordinated in federal court under U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin. And one month later, AMS agreed to settle approximately 20,000 mesh claims for up to $830 million.

Cynthia’s complications echo those of Cathy. For the past two years she has tried to find a surgeon to remove the mesh, to no avail. “I have had several pelvic exams and each time the doctor says nothing looks wrong,” Cynthia says. “So why can my partner feel something sharp when we have sex, and why am I in so much pain?” And like Cathy, the transvaginal mesh actually made her incontinence worse.

“Sometimes I can’t make it to the bathroom. I am not even 50 and need to wear Depends. I’m also depressed because of this. Now I think my partner and I will break up. I don’t blame him. Why would he stay with me if I have to wear diapers and we can’t have sex?”