Hi, I suffer from stress incontinence. I haven't been doing my pelvic floor exercises as much as I should but it's getting a real problem now. I love exercise, I teach classes and also am training to become a Personal Trainer so really need to get this problem sorted. I went out for a run yesterday and couldn't stop weeing. It's getting really embarrasing. I also have to hold myself before I go to the toilet to avoid wetting myself. Has anyone else been this bad and have you thought of the surgery? And if so, was it successful? I'm awaiting a private appointment but it's not until end of April. Please help!! Any advice would be great. I'm a woman in her early 40's and had two vaginal deliveries 10 and 8 years ago....
Hi I am so sorry you have a problem. I would advice you not to have a TVT mesh sling or tot as it is plastic mesh that cuts threw you like a razor. Doctors to sharp to offer this as they make more money out of it. If you are offered this Google "TVT MESH SLING COMPLICATIONS". Ask your doctor
how many implanted,
how many full tapes have you taken out.
Will I suffer later with urge incontinence
Can it cut threw my nerves and organs
He best web page to go on is
Messed up mesh
Home page has what the Scottish goverment has done and other things that doctors can do. Hope this helps xx
Hi, a local friend had this operation and hasn't had any side effects or pain from it. I'll wait and see what the consultant says. Think I need something effective more than exercises now though x
Hi Davina
Sorry to hear of your problem.Check out that you dont have a UTI which makes
things worse.
Pat
Hi, I have exactly the same problem to the extent that even fast walking makes me leak! I have tried a bulking agent (Bulkamid) which worked very well for a few months but then the effects wore off and I was quickly back to square one. I am now considering the TVt surgery but I am concerned about the mesh, which I know has a bad reputation for side effects. I understand that it is possible to have the operation using your own skin or donated skin, which has fewer problems. It's something I will discuss with my urologist on my next appointment. I wish you luck with whatever course of action you choose because this problem really interferes with life¬!
It's a very cruel condition isn't it. I think I'll opt for the operation. My friend had it and it's turned her life around. I'm trying to cut down on alcohol and caffeine which aggravates the problem. Good luck!!!
Hi Davina, I think this is a very common problem and by now an easy solution should have been discovered. My yoga teacher gives us pelvic floor poses which are very easy and even fun to do. Also, here in Canada, I've heard of 'bladder tuck' surgery which is supposed to cure this bothersome, embarrassing issue. Good luck in finding a solution. 🌹
Hi I had the TVT mesh in 2013 as I had chronic mixed incontinence and had no life what so ever. Lived with it for years and made me a recluse. I got offered the tape in 2013 and jumped at the chance December 2013 for a normal life with Botox injections afterwards for the urge incontinence. I have been a&e no one new how to treat me for my pain my gp had never hurd of it I was on my own. i am waiting for a op now 450 miles a way from were I live as it is cutting threw a nerve, tests show there is fibres in my bladder wall of the mesh and what ever else it's done that can't be seen until they go in. The pain is so bad I am on a nerve blocker and pain killer and morphine. It has been suspended in scotland and I think it should be in the uk until the mhra has finished the investigation on how much damage it can cause. After 6 weeks it goes hard and is meant not to be removed there are a only a few that can remove them. It can shrink, erode, cut threw the vaginal wall, nerves, bladder, womb, uretha, and a lot more and the pain is worse than the Sui. I wash i never hurd of it never mind had it.
I would try all the alternatives to surgery before you make a decision. My SUI started in my early 40's and I too was very active so wanted a quick solution as I felt that it really impeded my lifestyle. I had the TVT - they promised me it would make me a new women, it certainly made me a different woman, but for all the wrong reasons. On the other hand, my friend (a fitness instructor) had the TVT and she has had no problems whatsoever. I declined a 2nd tape. Do lots of research, you will be surprised at how many women have suffered problems with these tapes. Google TVT Mum, there is lots of information on there. Don't make a hasty decision, as I found, it's possible to end up with more problems than you had to start with and you can't turn the clock back. I have found a surgical solution to my problem but that too presented further problems, although it did cure my SUI. Good luck x
Hi Claire
I'm sorry this has happened to you. I must admit I've not heard very good things about the mesh. Did the Botox injections work for the urge incontinence as that might be a good option for me?
Thank you x
Thank you Debbie for your comment. I really haven't heard very good things about the tvt mesh. I'm so sorry you're suffering. Can you not have it removed?
I'm definitely going to research in to whatever the specialists advise. Strangely enough it seems to get better as it's not all the time. The incontinence always seems to happen during times of stress.
I hope you manage to get some good advice and get something resolved.
Thank you for taking the time to comment xxxx
I have now had the TVT removed - half of it had sliced into my bladder, it sat there for 2 years and the hospital told me there was nothing wrong! I had to go private to my pain diagnosed and the tape removed. The part that was in my bladder was easily removed but I was advised not to have the remaining part removed as it was deeply embedded and removal could be difficult and dangerous, so that remained for the next 5 years. When I had my Colposuspension op, the surgeon said he would remove the remaining tape if possible - it turned out that it was in his way so he had to remove it to perform the operation. I'm glad it's out - I was worried about where it might erode to next! With regards to you not having the SUI all the time, I found mine was significantly worse for a couple of days before and during my period - I think that has something to do with a drop in hormone levels. The consultant told me it would get worse after the menopause too.
Thank goodness the surgeon could remove it. Very frightening for you.
Yes, I think the SUI is worse before and after periods and also if I've had a night with alcohol plus caffeine too.
I just have to be careful and wear a pad I guess when I think I'm going to leak during exercise classes etc.
Hi I don't know if the Botox works that was the next step. But I do know that the urge inconinence is a lot worse since I had sling. And I didn't think it could get any worse. Inconinence nurse said there is only the patches left which go on your buttock and refuse them as of all the pain in the right buttock and leg. But can't have Botox until the mesh is sorted out. But I do know it needs doing every so often every so many months not sure how often though. Xx.
If you do talk to your surgeon about removal there is some questions you really need to ask.
Have you ever removed a full tape before?
If so how many successfully?
Can you advise me of a surgeon that can remove all the tape?
Can you do it key hole surgery?
Miss natalia price is taking mine out threw key whole surgery in Oxford. But there is a 3 half month waiting list.
Hi was just wondering how you got on with your consultant appt? Are you in the UK? I am booked to have the op next week, feeling a bit worried now!
Hi mary. Was there any pain after bulkamid op? I am offered withe tot or bulkamin however I m very confused between the 2. I read bulkamid success rate is 30-40% however in tot there are other complications like pain in thighs or growing tissues around it
Hi mary. Was there any pain after bulkamid op? I am offered withe tot or bulkamin however I m very confused between the 2. I read bulkamid success rate is 30-40% however in tot there are other complications like pain in thighs or growing tissues around it
Hi sneha - no pain but, to be honest, I can't recommend it as the effects lasted less than 2 months! It's a procedure you have to keep having done which is a bit pointless.
I personally wouldn't have either TOT or TVT because of the many problems associated with both of these. In August I had a colposuspension, which is a major operation supporting the bladder. It's the best decision I ever made because I am now totally dry and there were no side effects at all. It's around 3 months recovery time but worth it for a permanent solution. Urologists are starting to recommend it more and more these days but many still try to steer patients towards TOT and TVT because they are much simpler and cheaper procedures. Maybe mention it to your urologist. Good luck!
Hi mary, Thanks ever so much for all the information. I really appreciate your help and information. Did you go private or through NHS? Can you recommend your urologist or doctor you went to please?
Kind regards
Sneha