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Antonia McCulloch submission of 26 July 2021

PE1865/FFF - Suspend all surgical mesh and fixation devices

I am would like to add my support to petition PE1865: Suspension of all surgical mesh and fixation devices.

I previously had the tape inserted for both bladder and bowel prolapse. I had problems with that then I was told mesh is best thing since sliced bread, you will be back at work in a week. I was not told of any complications which could arise. I never got back to work. Aftercare was shocking. I was told it can’t be taken back out.

Eventually the surgeon asked what I wanted him to do about it. I said, it’s obvious, fix me. He said ‘No, I can’t. You have to live with it.’ He then sent me to the head consultant who told me same thing.

Propylene mesh turns to the hard plastic then erodes and fragments go into parts of your body. I was in excruciating pain as soon as I woke from theatre. Two days later the mesh cut through my vagina wall.

Since then I have had over 30 surgeries relating to this awful death sentence of mesh. It also eroded into bowel and I have permanent colostomy then it eroded into bladder I now have permanent catheter.

Aftercare is not good. As I have problems and infections with catheter all the time, I have asked for surgery to give me another stoma but been told no as I have too many complications with the mesh and my chronic pain. So nothing else can be done for me.

I always have infections, use walking stick, and aids in house. I am on disability, have extreme chronic pain, extreme fatigue, even having a shower or getting out of bed makes me exhausted, I have to go for another lie down.

The pain never goes away, it feels like sitting on a cheese grater. I am housebound as in too much pain. I am on so much medication, which actually does not take the pain away.

How the Scottish Government can even think about lifting suspension of the mesh confuses me. No way when myself and others are left with disability and unable to work anymore. Maybe the Scottish Government needs to have the mesh inserted to themselves. Then they will realise what it is like to have an existence without a life.

I can’t lift or visit grandchildren.

My submission of this petition is for the Scottish Government to stop the use of mesh because more people will end up like myself and others. If you stop using it completely, no one else can have their life ruined.

I actually I don’t have a life now, so why doesn’t parliament pass a bill that I can end my life with dignity, instead of having suicide thoughts.