‘I am no longer me’ – Pelvic mesh victims to get apology from Government

Pelvic mesh has historically been used to treat prolapse and incontinence in women, but some were left with internal damage after it was found to stiffen and erode, sometimes cutting tissues and organs.

Now, the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, chaired by Baroness Julia Cumberlege, which reported last week, has set out recommendations to support women affected by the treatment and reduce the risk of harm in the future.

Clinical negligence specialists at Sheffield law firm Taylor&Emmet, who are currently fighting for compensation and justice for dozens of women adversely affected by pelvic mesh, including two from Sheffield, welcomed the news that the dangers were finally being recognised.

Legal executive Suzanne Atter said: “I have seen women suffer severe pain for years, without support, because there has been a reluctance to acknowledge their mesh might be to blame.

“The mesh implanted into one of my clients causes her severe pain every time she sits down. Consequently, she lost her job and her family home and now relies on her young daughter financially.

“I hope this lady and the thousands affected by this scandal are not made to wait much longer. The sad reality is, however, many will suffer with some of the hardships pelvic mesh has caused for the rest of their lives.”

Following the release of the report, Sheffield Heeley MP, Lousie Haigh, who has previously spoken publicly about her own experience of women’s health, demanded that the government and NHS take the issue more seriously.

In Parliament, last year, she described the dismissive way that doctors treated her when a cyst on one of her ovaries ruptured and caused an infection. She rushed to A&E in excruciating pain but was then sent away with painkillers and told that ‘cysts rupture in women all the time’.

She has now joined the review’s authors and campaigners in calling for the government to appoint a patient safety commissioner.

She said: “It seems that women’s health issues get less attention precisely because they only affect women.

“All too often when women seek treatment for their pain, they are shrugged off and told that they simply have to put up with it, take an ibuprofen or two, and carry around a hot water bottle. This must change.

“A patient safety commissioner should be appointed with the priority of closing the gender pain gap and ensuring that women’s health is treated much more seriously in the NHS.

“We need more research, better treatment, and greater discussion of women’s health. And, above all, we need to believe women when they talk about their pain.”

For information about the Taylor&Emmet’s work with victims of pelvic mesh, phone 0114 218 4000 or visit www.tayloremmet.co.uk.

RACHEL’S STORY

Rachel formerly worked as an account director for a multi-national IT company, responsible for a team of 500. She would travel down to London or abroad from her home in Derbyshire, being away from home at least 3-4 days a week. Sadly, Rachel had to give up work as she felt that she was no longer able to cope with the travelling and activity levels required for the job. Due to the painkillers she takes she feels that her mind is ‘not sharp enough’ to cope with this type of work anymore as she is in constant pain. Since giving up work she has moved to Scotland.

‘I Am No Longer Me’

She said: “Since this little piece of blue plastic was put in my body during a quick operation to fix my incontinence, I have suffered immensely with chronic pain that takes my breath away. Pain that never goes away. Pain that ruins my life.

So many tablets to take to just try and dull the pain. Many added, some changed but did they help... No. We are still trying to find a magic formula.

Painkilling injections that traumatised me, causing an emotional breakdown. But I put my big girl pants on and went back for more. Anything to help me regain my life but, for me, there is no joy to be found in these, just a little light relief, dulling that never-ending pain.

As time goes by, my life has deteriorated beyond belief. The tablets cause brain fog, my memory affected when it use to be so sharp. So many different symptoms, so many different problems, all severely impacting on my life.

Gone is the closeness I shared with my husband, the physical side of our relationship doused with too much pain, the flames put out. Hugs and cuddles are all we have now but I think myself lucky, I still have him with me.

Gone is my job. The dresses and business suits, the high heels, the globetrotting, the closeness with my international teams, the training, the development, the professionalism, the interactions and my voice listened to. All these things doused with pain that made it impossible to continue.

My self-esteem is gone. The pain eating into every part of my life. My weight and figure ballooning. My body reacting to all the onslaught it faces. The other illnesses I have caught - my immune system has gone haywire. And still that horrible pain.

Everyday life changed. Thinking about what I can do and having to ask for help with things I can’t. Trying to do something and the frustration of not being able to do or worse still, to start and not be able to finish.

My ability to enjoy my life and my hobbies gone. Not being able to do simple things like walking the dogs in the beautiful peaks. Not being able to walk with my camera, hunker down to photograph wildlife. Not being able to tend to my beautiful garden. Just being left to try and scrape enjoyment from easy things associated with these hobbies and even these make me suffer for my cause.

I get on with life as best I can. I keep going and don’t give in. However, the real truth is I have lost my sparkle, lost my independence, lost my joie de vivre.

But the worst thing of all, I am no longer me.”

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