Transvaginal Mesh Victim Thanks LAS and Attorneys

December 18, 2012, 2:30PM. By Jane Mundy

Benton, ARPeggy’s gynecologist said that nothing was wrong with the transvaginal mesh she had implanted to treat mild incontinence, but she couldn’t even urinate without using a makeshift catheter. “I was at my wit’s end until one of your LawyersandSettlements (LAS) attorneys called me and suggested that I see a urogynecologist,” she says.

“I'm so grateful that all of this has led me in the right direction and partly that was because of you talking to me last year, so I want to say "I Thank You Too" for talking to women and helping them with resources that are available,” says Peggy (not her real name).

“I spoke to the law firm’s medical assistant on several occasions,” Peggy explains. “I told her that my doctors kept saying nothing was wrong and the mesh wasn’t too tight. But I was that 1 in 300 women who come home with a catheter after getting a TVT Sling. After the catheter was removed I couldn’t urinate unless I was completely relaxed; if I pushed, the mesh would lock up and I couldn’t ‘go’ at all. This is the cruelest punishment you can inflict on me because I already have an overactive bladder.

"The medical assistant explained that urogynecologists know more about mesh complications and incontinence than a regular gynecologist. Luckily I found a specialist in my insurance provider book. I didn’t need a referral and it was covered by my insurance. Just last month the specialist told me that I have pelvic organ prolapse."

(About a year ago Peggy had a hysterectomy, which resulted in ‘leakage’ every time she coughed or laughed. Her gynecologist suggested she could get the problem fixed with a transvaginal sling implant at the outpatient clinic. Ever since, Peggy has had to use makeshift catheters, such as a straw or Monistat insert, to urinate.)

The urogynecologist tried to treat Peggy’s transvaginal mesh complications without surgery first by giving her medication to relax the mesh. Then she inserted a round device that was supposed be permanent and replace Peggy’s having to use a catheter, but it didn't have the effect she had hoped for.

“She performed a urinary prolapse and inserted a mesh sling release and I am better now,” Peggy reports. “I’m not ‘fine, thanks’ because I am still worse off than before I had the initial TVT implant, but if this is as close as I ever get I'll take it. I understand that the prolapse was part of my problem but if she hadn't snipped the mesh then I would still not be able to pee normally.”

Peggy adds that she hasn’t been intimate with her partner yet--she is going to wait another few weeks. Meanwhile her attorney is in the process of filing her claim.

“You led me in the right direction--you said an attorney would get in touch with me and I am grateful,” adds Peggy. “It is just unfortunate that it takes transvaginal mesh lawsuits to stop these manufacturers from making defective medical devices.”