Chamber and committees

June Mackay submission of 19 July 2021

PE1865/PP - Suspend all surgical mesh and fixation devices

I ended up with mesh due to having Urinary stress incontinence.

I had my first pelvic mesh implant procedure/TVT done in 2008.

I have been experiencing chronic pain straight after the procedure was performed. The surgeon did not inform me of any complications that could occur with the said procedure. He said it was a quick procedure which is done under local anaesthetic/epidural and the recovery period was short.

After the procedure when I was back in the hospital ward the surgeon came around to see how I was doing. I explained to him that I was experiencing severe pain in my groin on the left side. He did not believe me, told me it would the pain would settle down prescribed me some pain relief medication and discharged me. That same evening I was rushed back into hospital due to being in severe pain. The surgeon still did not believe me and said the procedure I had did not cause the pain. I felt under valued and dismissed by the surgeon. I spent 5 days in hospital.

The aftercare I received was awful. I attended an outpatients clinic for a check up. I explained to that same surgeon that I was still in severe pain and he again was dismissive of my concerns. I did ask if I could get the mesh removed but he honestly told me that it was not going to happen and the pain I was enduring was all in my head. I had 3 years going back and forth to my then GP and the Gynaecologist with no help. All I kept getting told was that the procedure I had did not have side effects/complications.

It took 3 years/2011, a different GP and a different Gynaecologist at a different hospital to actually believe me. I then had an investigative procedure done which showed that the mesh implant was in the wrong place and was too tight, causing it to have perforated my Urethra. This had to be repaired and the mesh had to be cut but the Gynaecologist/surgeon could not remove all the tape due to it being embedded around my nerves and tissue. I then had to have another mesh implant procedure/TVT done due to Urinary stress incontinence. Again I was not informed of any risks/complications that could occur during this procedure.

Everyday I am in chronic pain. I attend a Chronic Pain Clinic every 4 months for a pain procedure called Pulsed radiofrequency into both sides of my groin and I also go to two hospitals for a pain procedure called Intra Vaginal Steroid Injections. These two procedures help relieve the pain for a short period.

My life has totally changed. I had to give up my job. I was a Store Manager in the Retail Sector but due to my work being very physical I could not do it due to being in chronic pain after the mesh. My personal life was affected, my partner's penis was being cut during intercourse and intercourse was very sore, so we no longer have a sex life. I am very restricted to what I can do ie; unable to work, housework, day to day living, walking, driving, which I now have a Disabled badge. I am on pain medication.

I do not feel I/we mesh survivors are really listened to and supported enough.

I could go on and on about my life after mesh and how i was treated as I have so much more to say.

I felt I needed to submit my story as it is important to have my say and support this important petition.

The first petition by Elaine and Olive, I feel the Government have not followed through on recommendations suggested to them by various bodies involved in the Mesh scandal.