AMS Transvaginal Mesh: Pain Is the New Norm

Boston, MADiane doesn’t know how extensive the damages from AMS transvaginal mesh have been, because she can’t find a doctor willing to remove the mesh. “My doctor who implanted the mesh is in denial, telling me there is nothing wrong, but a day doesn’t go by when I’m not in pain,” she says.

“I had the transvaginal mesh implant for pelvic organ prolapse back in 2007. My doctor talked me into it because this wasn’t such an issue with me at the time, but it certainly is now.”

Diane, age 45, is suffering from severe lower back pain that she can only link to the mesh. It is too coincidental that the pain started just a few weeks after the mesh implant and she has never had back problems. “I have lived in pain for so long now that I don’t remember what it’s like not to have it,” she says, crying. “To just have a normal day not hurting would be a gift. If I could simply get in the car to the grocery store, have lunch with friends or take the kids to school, I would be happy. But I can barely leave the house.

“I’m hopeful that a transvaginal mesh attorney, besides filing my complaint, might also help me find a surgeon near me that removes this mesh. I’m really at my wit’s end.”

Becky also had AMS transvaginal mesh implanted in 2007, specifically an AMS urethral sling surgery for severe prolapsed bladder. And like Diane, she is worse off with the mesh than without. “All my symptoms came back, but with a vengeance,” she says. “I have had so many bladder tests, and in the past year, a specialist found that my bladder isn’t emptying - ever. It is staying anywhere from half to three-quarters full, which can cause major issues.”

Added to these bladder problems, Becky is so stressed out and depressed, her quality of life has reached a new low. She is currently waiting for a solution, and not even sure if mesh removal will solve her bladder issues - the damage it caused may be permanent.

It comes as no surprise to Becky and Diane that the FDA is finally reclassifying transvaginal mesh devices - such as the TVT sling - for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) from Class II to Class III, which is typically reserved for high-risk devices.

“If I was told of even the slightest risk, I would never have agreed to have this mesh inside my body,” says Becky.

In a statement, FDA regulators said it had received “thousands” of reports of complications related to mesh for transvaginal POP repair, including severe pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, bleeding and urinary issues if the mesh erodes into surrounding tissues.

Taking into account that 85,000 transvaginal mesh cases have been centralized for pre-trial proceedings in federal district court in West Virginia, and thousands of additional cases have been filed in state courts, the FDA’s “thousands” seems extremely low.

AMS lawsuits and settlements

Unlike other mesh manufacturers such as Johnson & Johnson or Boston Scientific, who chose to battle plaintiffs in court (and for the most part on the losing end), AMS is settling thousands of lawsuits. The company said it will settle more than 10,000 lawsuits for approximately $48,000 per claim through 2017.