AMS Transvaginal Mesh Far From “Miracle Fix”

Houston, TXWhen Rebecca’s doctor suggested that AMS transvaginal mesh could treat her urinary problem, she didn’t think twice.

“He made this transvaginal sling sound like a miracle fix, but the miracle only lasted a year,” says Rebecca.

After Rebecca had a partial hysterectomy in 2010 she was diagnosed with Pelvic Organ Prolapse, or POP. Her doctor referred her to a urologist and because her POP was severe, she had an AMS sling implanted right away. But when the symptoms recurred, Rebecca thought it was her fault. And she trusted her doctors.

Before TVM complaints became public and subsequent mesh lawsuits filed, countless women like Rebecca didn’t consider the mesh to be the problem. For instance, Valerie complained about pain over and over again to her gynecologist. She was prescribed a vaginal cream, thinking it was due to vaginal dryness. “Of course that did nothing to relieve the pain and to make matters worse, my incontinence came back. There is nothing good about this mesh and I can’t understand why some makes are still on the market,” Valerie told LawyersandSettlements.

Rebecca even blamed herself at first. “I am very active. I thought I had damaged this transvaginal mesh sling because of so much running and jumping,” says Rebecca. “And this happened before transvaginal mesh complications were made public. I had to pee a lot but I always felt bloated - I couldn’t empty my bladder.”

Rebecca eventually went back to her urologist, and asked if there could be something wrong with the mesh. He told her the mesh was fine, her bladder was fine. So why was she now experiencing abdominal pains? And her urinary problems were getting worse.

“I had to cut back on activities and it was very embarrassing at work, having to pee all the time,” Rebecca explains. “These symptoms are very life-degenerating. And doctors don’t tell me how to fix the problem. All I can do is trust them - what else can I do?

“My family and friends know I had this mesh surgery and they know all about transvaginal mesh side effects,” Rebecca adds. “I joked that I was having a hammock inserted in my stomach, but it’s no joke now. I kept putting off this issue but now the pains are getting worse - I should have dealt with this mesh as soon as I suspected it was causing pain.”

Rebecca could search for a urologist who specializes in transvaginal mesh excision - some women who have filed complaints with LawyersandSettlements also reported some success with mesh removal. She has also filed an AMS transvaginal mesh claim.