Chamber and committees

Norma Roberts submission of 19 June 2021

PE1865/E - Suspend all surgical mesh and fixation devices

I would like to submit my personal experience to this petition.

I had vaginal mesh inserted in 2012 for a diagnosed cystocele causing a vaginal prolapse. Following this surgery, I was told that the surgeon had also implanted posterior mesh as he felt I also had a rectal prolapse. Obviously, this is not a procedure I consented for as it was not diagnosed on examination. Immediately following surgery, I complained of groin pain which I put down to the position of the leg supports.

In November 2013 I went off sick from work due to horrendous pain and struggling to walk. I was a senior theatre nurse in a Glasgow hospital and had over 30 years nursing experience. I was eventually medically retired as I was unable to continue my nursing profession and there was no other role for me.

In 2015 I underwent a procedure to “snip” the anterior mesh as it had tightened and was causing extreme pain and mobility issues. Eventually, in 2016, I underwent mesh removal. The vaginal portion was removed but was difficult to reach due to previous snip. The anchors remain in situ as does the posterior mesh.

I now have bowel issues and have been diagnosed with diverticular disease. Whether this is connected or not, I’ve no idea. Having been a nurse I’ve conducted a lot of research and have been horrified at the evidence I’ve found with regards to mesh, it’s construction, the autoimmune problems it causes and its connection to cancer. The mesh removed from myself showed large cell inflammation which cancer experts claim has a direct link to cancer. I’m now living with this ticking time bomb inside me with no way of knowing what my future holds. I attend hospital? regularly for painkilling internal injections. These are barbaric as I have to be carried out awake. What the longer-term plan is no-one seems to know.

I fully support this petition as I believe this horrendous material has no place inside the human body and its use needs to stop. It was never tested to be used in humans and states on the information sheet that it is not for permanent implantation.