Vaginal mesh leaves me ‘unable to walk’ – it feels like ‘my insides are being slashed’
WHEN Anna Collyer had transvaginal mesh fitted in January 2015, the procedure helped combat her mild incontinence.
But six years on, the 53-year-old has been left in excruciating pain and is housebound after she claims the implant slashed her insides.
Urogynaecological mesh, also known as transvaginal mesh, is used to treat stress incontinence, where women leak urine when they exercise, cough or sneeze.
The mesh is designed to stop this but Anna says the complications are so horrific she would 'rather wet herself' after having it fitted in 2015.
Controversial vaginal mesh operations have been offered to women since the late 1990s.
But, in 2019 the treatment was stopped amid safety concerns. Between 2007 and 2015, more than 92,000 women in England had implants fitted.
An estimated one in 11 is believed to have suffered agonising side effects, ranging from perforated internal organs to pain while having sex, or while walking.
In April 2021, Anna, from London, started to feel something sharp inside he abdomen, describing it as being like a razor cutting into her flesh.
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In June 2021, she was admitted to hospital for pain relief and says that medics told her that it would be ‘unusual' for the mesh to cause issues six years after it had been fitted.
She was discharged but returned two weeks later in horrendous pain and had an emergency operation to remove part of the mesh – which was in danger of perforating her internal organs.
Anna, who worked as a healthcare assistant had to leave her job in April because of the pain and says she can no longer walk or stand for more than ten minutes at a time.
She’s desperate to have the mesh removed but is currently on an NHS waiting list, which could take up to 12 months.
In the meantime, she is to afford private treatment.
I was a fun-loving person and I don’t feel like me anymore. I’d rather be wetting myself
Anna Collyer
Anna says she just wants to get her life back and feels withdrawn and isolated.
She added: “I was a fun-loving person and I don’t feel like me anymore.
“I’d rather be wetting myself.”
Vaginal mesh works like a net and aims to support weakened organs.
Anna has now had part of it removed and is currently using weekly slow-release morphine patches to help her manage the pain.
What are vaginal mesh implants?
Vaginal mesh implants has been a common treatment in the UK for women who experience pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence.
This means they suffer from leaking urine when they cough or sneeze, or have difficulty having sex.
Typically those who seek treatment for this are over the age of 50 who have had several children, are overweight or suffered a vaginal tear.
Around 1500 people have undergone vaginal mesh implants every year in the UK, until they were halted in England - they were already halted in Scotland back in 2014.
Younger people suffering from incontinence are told to complete pelvic floor exercises to help tighten up.
But if this unsuccessful, doctors will recommend an implant to support the vaginal wall.
The mesh is a synthetic and biological material inserted to support the vaginal wall and/or internal organs.
By securing the mesh inside the vagina at an angle between the urethra and bladder, it allows for better shape to allow the woman to be continent.
The mum is desperate for a permanent solution and wants to warn other people about the potential dangers of the implant.
She said: “People should be aware because the damage that has been done is horrendous. I think it’s absolutely awful that it is still being used.
“The mesh hardens and becomes so sharp – and it’s lethal because it can damage your organs.
“I’m one of hundreds of women affected but there are also a lot of men as it is used for hernias too.
“So many people have been affected.”
Anna said more doctors need to be trained on how to remove the mesh and claims that many doctors can put them in but that not many are able to remove them.
'FURTHER RISK'
Treatment is set to cost Anna anywhere between £16,000 and £23,000 - so far she has raised £7,300.
She added: “I think it’s disgusting that you have to fund it yourself.
“I had a consultation with a private specialist who compared removing the mesh to like taking chewing gum out of hair.
“There is a risk of damage in removing the mesh too. I want to get my life back. I want to go back to work and enjoy life again.
“I have no life at the moment – I’m just at home and can’t walk for more than 10 minutes because the pain just gets excruciating.
“Hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
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A spokesperson for Epsom and St Helier hospitals said: “We are sorry to hear Ms Collyer is unhappy with aspects of her care.
"While patients undergoing this procedure receive a pre-operative consultation we would welcome the opportunity to meet Ms Collyer if there is further support we can offer.”
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