I had TVT mesh fitted in 2009 at the age of 49 as the Colposuspension I had done for bladder prolapse in 1998 had stopped working. I was told that the mesh was Gold Star and once fitted I could get back to work after a few days and that I wouldn’t have any more bladder issues,. All seemed well until early 2015, where I started to have a stabbing pain in my vagina it was like something stabbing my insides, my GP referred me to Gynaecologist in Perth.

I found out I had mesh erosion into vagina and top of womb, so I went in to have a trim/partial. The following year in 2016 erosion into vagina happened again. I had another trim/partial, but in 2017 it happened again!

After the 3rd trim I started to have pain in my groin, down my right leg, pelvis and lower back, I asked if it was the mesh and I was told definitely not, I was given scans, MRI, various other procedures I was told it maybe MS, Motor neurone, and various other things but all inconclusive. I then started to have fatigue, constant pain, uveitis in both eyes for 6yrs I thought I was going to lose my sight and my teeth started to crumble.

STILL Drs said it wasn’t anything to do with the mesh.

In 2022 I had another trim which only lasted 3 weeks when it eroded again. Moving on to 2023 I finally had an appointment at the Glasgow Mesh Centre, I couldn’t believe they tried to get me to have a 5th trim although they denied this is what they were going to do.

I said No, enough is enough and requested to be sent to Dr Veronikis in St Louis USA. Dr V successfully removed the TVT Mesh in February 2024. The mesh was wrapped around muscle and nerves, so he had to try and untangle them. Remember in 2017 my consult here said it wasn’t possible for mesh to cause nerve damage!

Dr Veronikis is my Hero. I am Mesh-free but still have many hurdles to go. I have nerve damage and bowel problems due to mesh. The thing is I do not trust any Drs in the UK to be able to fix the issue they caused by implanting the “Gold Standard Mesh”.”

I should also say I have not had proper intimate relations with my husband since 2017, I am lucky he understands and we are still close. For many people it is the end of relationships, it is so sad.

I also had to take early retirement from a job I loved so much in 2023, missing out on salary and pension. I don’t receive state pension until 2025, another sacrifice due to mesh. We also need to ask ourselves…what other illnesses would make a government send patients to private clinics in UK and Abroad and pay for all treatment, accommodation food and travel expenses, why would they do this if there was nothing to hide 

 I can’t think of any reason can you!!

Sharon is from the UK.