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When Husbands Hurt from Pelvic Mesh
May 9, 2016 | Mesh Medical Device News Desk
The following article was penned by the article of a mesh-injured woman who lives in Canada. Many men feel debilitated alongside their wife as they watch them struggle with daily living. -
Lana Keeton’s Disaster Recovery Fund
May 9, 2016 | Mesh Medical Device News Desk
If you have been involved in the pelvic mesh issue for any time, likely you have talked to Lana Keeton. The tough talking Texan walks the walk and talks the talk. A former steel broker, Keeton helped gather the 2008 FDA Safety Alert about pelvic mesh and again for 2011 when the FDA finally came out and said mesh complications are “not rare.” -
Pelvic organ prolapse
May 9, 2016 | Jamaica Observer
By Dr Anna-Kay Taylor Christmas
Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition in which the organs of the pelvis (uterus, cervix, bladder and rectum) start to drop down into the vagina. It is caused by a weakness of the supporting pelvic muscles that act as a hammock to hold these organs in place. It is very common, especially in females beyond the stage of menopause.
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When Husbands Hurt from Pelvic Mesh
May 9, 2016 | Mesh Medical Device News Desk
The following article was penned by the article of a mesh-injured woman who lives in Canada. Many men feel debilitated alongside their wife as they watch them struggle with daily living.
Thank you for all you do. Some men decide to leave.
Hooray for those who choose to stay!!!!
Thank you very much to the man who chose to share his words here.
“Hi Jane,
“I see your looking for a few articles from husbands what are looking for things like how we feel about your love one being debilitated hurt in pain every day and having to take over most chores.
“Feeling guilty as your supposed to look after your wife and protect her from being harmed and not knowing something like this could never happen as it was just a half hour surgery or so which was supposed to improve your wife’s life. Feeling horrible inside knowing you can’t take away her pain watching your wife become somewhat dependent on her pain killers and knowing that even with them it’s still not taking the pain away.
“Going for a walk as your wife needs to go either if it’s raining thirty below or whatever the weather might be and you sometimes have to make her go as she has to bring down her blood pressure knowing if she doesn’t she will just get sicker and sicker. Thinking back of all the good times before she had mesh put in and everything your wife and yourself did together now you just try to get through the day in a positive way which some days are harder than others, the bad days always hurt the both of you, as you know she is truly hurting inside and out, and knowing this just hurts as much.
“It saddens and breaks my heart when you can see that she thinks she’s just being a burden to you but you see it coming and put a stop to it and assure her that you truly truly love her and you will always love her and you will always be there for her no matter what.
“It’s so hard some days I really get it now when my wife said she was just beat and tired before she had the mesh put in and removed. When she came home from work, made supper, did whatever by taking care of her family and you took it all for granted. It just makes me feel that I have so much more gratitude toward her as I’m so tired some days now. Getting old I guess.
“It does wear you out in so many ways being a husband of someone who is a victim of mesh, not just physically but mentally and emotionally too as you are always worrying about what will happen next. Will she be able to handle it? How much more can she take as she’s been through enough as it is.
“With the new symptoms of her heart issues now this was one of the scariest times just waiting to see what is causing her heart to have palpitations. I know how strong willed she is but to see that she is worried scares the hell out of me."
“I know the night when I took her to the walk-in and she was sent to the emergency room and after being there for hours they wanted her to stay the night. They had a bed for her, so just being down the road being in a small town we decided it best if I just went home and got a few hours sleep. I went home but I didn’t sleep as I was so worried, I cried in my pillow trying to be quiet so my sons didn’t hear me. I don’t cry much but I found my self crying and asking to have her pain put on me and asking why.
“It’s hard to be positive some days but you have to try. Life throws you a curve ball sometimes and it all depends on how you handle it, and if your married you got married for a reason it’s because you loved that person, so if you get thrown this ball and your loved one is hurt, be there for them, care for them, give them words of encouragement. Don’t just get up and leave because things are not the way you want them to be.
“Yes, it’s been hell but at the same time it’s taught us a few things in life and yes I do feel lucky in ways to cherish the today’s as you don’t know what the tomorrow’s will be.”
Thanks,
D.
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Lana Keeton’s Disaster Recovery Fund
May 9, 2016 | Mesh Medical Device News Desk
If you have been involved in the pelvic mesh issue for any time, likely you have talked to Lana Keeton. The tough talking Texan walks the walk and talks the talk. A former steel broker, Keeton helped gather the 2008 FDA Safety Alert about pelvic mesh and again for 2011 when the FDA finally came out and said mesh complications are “not rare.”
She has testified at the FDA expert panel meeting in September 2011, she has been called to consult inside the FDA on transvaginal mesh. She’s been a medical device expert and has helped hundreds if not thousands of women find their way with doctors and lawyers when there was NO information out there, through her organization Truth in Medicine.
Now Lana needs your help.
Exposure to formaldehyde flooring for several months has left her extremely sensitive to any chemical exposure. She finally figured out the source of her malady and has left the apartment, her belongings are ruined. While sleeping on the couch of a friend, her dog, Bebe, fell in the pool and drowned. Her dogs were her life.
She is at one of the lowest points in her life.
Lana has started an emergency fund, which is not easy for someone who is proud of all she has become. Many of you giving very little will help a lot.
Lana will look for a cleaner place to live and basically start over. Thank you…
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May 9, 2016 | Jamaica Observer
By Dr Anna-Kay Taylor Christmas
Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition in which the organs of the pelvis (uterus, cervix, bladder and rectum) start to drop down into the vagina. It is caused by a weakness of the supporting pelvic muscles that act as a hammock to hold these organs in place. It is very common, especially in females beyond the stage of menopause.
It may cause no symptoms and may only be detected on routine examination by the doctor. Symptoms vary based on the organ that is prolapsing. The most common symptom is the sensation of a lump ‘coming down’. There may also be backache, heaviness, or a dragging discomfort inside the vagina. These symptoms are often worse if there is standing (or sitting) for a long time, or at the end of the day. These symptoms often improve on lying down. If it is more advanced, then a bulge or fleshy lump may be felt or seen coming down the vagina. If very severe, a part or all of the womb may hang outside of the vagina and this carries the risk of ulceration of infection of the exposed portions.
If the bladder is prolapsing, it may cause symptoms such as:
•Passing urine more frequently
•Difficulty in passing urine or a sensation that the bladder is not emptying properly
•Leaking urine when coughing, laughing or lifting heavy objects
•Frequent bladder infections (cystitis).
If the bowel is affected, it may cause lower back pain, constipation or incomplete bowel emptying. Sometimes patients complain of having to push back the prolapse to allow stools to pass.
Sex may also be uncomfortable and there may be a lack of sensation during intercourse.
If ulceration or infection occurs, there may be abnormal bleeding or an abnormal vaginal discharge.
Pregnancy and childbirth are the most common events that weaken the pelvic floor muscles. The risk is increased if there was a large baby, assitance was needed in the delivery (forceps or vacuum), and prolonged labour. The risk also goes up with an increasing number of deliveries. However, prolapse can still happen in someone who has not given birth or had only C-sections, although the risk is lower.
Other things that can weaken the pelvic muscles include being overweight or obese, constipation, persistent coughing or prolonged heavy lifting. After hysterectomy (surgical removal of the womb), the ligaments that support the top of the vagina can also become weakened and cause the top of the vagina to prolapse. Some people, however, have a natural tendency towards weak pelvic muscles. Prolapse therefore commonly happens due to a combination of factors.
Prolapse is detected on vaginal examination. The doctor should insert a speculum (metal or plastic instrument inserted to separate the vaginal wall to show the cervix) to see which organs are prolapsing. The exam can also be done on the left side or standing in addition to get further information.
If you have been diagnosed with prolapse, you should see the gynaecologist for assessment and appropriate follow-up.
Apart from the physical exam, the doctor may order a urine culture to ensure there is no infection. Special tests called urodynamics are also occasionally ordered if there are symptoms of urinary incontinence.
Next week, we will discuss the ways in which prolapse is treated and how successful the different treatments tend to be.
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