TOT bladder sling terrible surgery

[maryatbeach]

I had a bladder sling operation on March 11, 2005 at Mrytle Beach. I was told I could drive in 2 days and would be back to normal in a month. Two weeks later, I developed this terrible burning and saw the doctor for a post op and he said some of my stitches had come loose and he put me back in the hospital to sew them up and he also replaced the sling again -- all on March 25, 2005. Since that time, I still have the terrible burning. I can not sit because it feels like something is stabbing me. I can't sleep because of the burning. I am going to several doctors to be checked out again. I've been to 3 urologists and 2 gynocologists which say I am healed up. So, now I think it may be nerve damage and will never go away. It has been 5 months. Am on my way to Mayo Clinic. Has anyone else experienced this kind of pain. I am so sore all in the front of my female parts. Please understand the burning is not from the bladder -- I do not have any infections -- the burning is all in the entire area. I do not have IC.

I would appreciate hearing anything that others may have experienced like this.

[DawnsRuby19]

Have you tried going to a pain clinic? My mother who has severe nerve damage from a car accident has had several surgeries at a pain clinic where they numb up some of your nerves and if the treatment works, then they continue to do it every few months or so. So far it has worked for her. The scary thing is that with the procedures they go in through your spinal column. I know that there are different nerves for all parts of your body and maybe if you found the right doctor they could pin point which nerves are giving you all the pain. I hope all gets better for you and if you ever need to talk, just send me a message. I am usually always on or near my computer. :hugs:
-Crystal

[ICNDonna]

When I had severe pain following a surgery, I found a doctor who decided the best thing to do was exploratory surgery to find out what was wrong. What he found was that all of my abdominal organs were tied together with adhesions. He snipped the adhesions --- in spite of the pain from the surgery, I felt better within days. Now they can take care of adhesions with laparoscopic surgery so it's much easier.

I do think you need to either go back to your doctor, or find one who will pursue this with you until a solution is found. I know I had severe pain for many months before I got rid of the adhesions. That was over thirty years ago and they have not returned.

I had a sling put in about a year and a half ago and recovered very quickly.

Donna

[suzzie]

I have had a bladder leakage problem for most of my life. Over the past three years it has become so bad that I find it hard to deal with. I have seen a DR., he suggested the sling. After reading about others that had the surgery I canceled. Partly because of what I read and partly because the Dr. didnot take time to answer my questions. I know something has to be done. My life is on hold right now. I have quit my job, because I was in the bathroom about every 30 mins and still leakage occured. I don't get out much because I know the first thing I have to do is locate a bathroom where ever I am. If anyone knows of another solution, please let me know.

[Babs RN]

I have severe incontinence--sitting up quickly, sneezing, bearing down, lifting my 5 year old--I also have severe IC. I am either facing a sling or bladder and urethral removal because my urethra is trashed.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[dg2901]

I had the Monarc Hammock placed March 2004 and havent had any problems.

[jseven]

Has anyone had the tape kind through the vagina? I'm considering that one.

[Katie14]

I had the TVT done. The incidence of complications is low but as my doctor stated to me if you're one of the ones that does have complications it's a BIG deal to you. I had a good surgeon and I figured I wouldn't be one of the ones that had problems. Well I did. I had terrible frequency and urgency starting about a week after and felt like I had a UTI all the time.

My doctor said that everything pertaining to the tape placement went well and the surgical area healed well. He did tell me a few weeks after that he saw glomerulations in my bladder when it was filled during part of the surgery. He suspected the frequency/urgency was due to IC versus a complication of the surgery. Would I do it again? Ask me again in a few months! It is nice to not have the leaking problem. I'll always wonder if the surgery caused a flareup of undiagnosed IC?? I had suspected that I might have IC before the surgery because of symptoms I had. At that time my doctor didn't think my symptoms were severe or constant enough.

I'd ask your doctor if he thinks that the surgery could cause a flare up of IC.

[jseven]

Thanks, that's why I have put it off for two years cause I don't need one more thing wrong in my body.

[ICNDonna]

My sling was put in vaginally.

Donna

[pomeranianic]

I had a prolapsed vigina and bladder. In Nov 2004 they did a bladder and virginal tape surgery.
I had leakages of my bladder. Before they did the surgery I had no problems with IC or vulvodynia or PFD.
Now I suffer so badly from it all. Last week I had to get an ultra sound of ovarian cyst. The Dr that did the surgery always wants to check me out real good inside my vigina wall to see how his surgical work is holding up. I hate this he always hurts me so bad. He said he found a stitch coming threw. He made me lay on that table with nothing to block pain cut me inside remove the stitch and a piece of the sling tape with my flesh. Then he stitched me up. I was baling. I will never go back to him again. I took me long time to heal from the surgery. Longer than it suppose to take.
If I knew this would have caused me to get this other conditions I would have not done the surgery at all.

[IC SARAH-CPP]

That sounds awful. I am so sorry you are going through this. I have no experience with slings, so I am afraid I can't help there, but I wanted to send BIG hugs to you.
Hang in there
Sarah

[MalMoss]

[QUOTE=Katie14]I had the TVT done. The incidence of complications is low but as my doctor stated to me if you're one of the ones that does have complications it's a BIG deal to you. I had a good surgeon and I figured I wouldn't be one of the ones that had problems. Well I did. I had terrible frequency and urgency starting about a week after and felt like I had a UTI all the time.

I had a similar experience as Katie: I had TVT done 12/22 all was going well until 1 week after when I had extreme urgency and pain. Dr. felt I had a flare of IC - which I've never had before. Was told I had to change my diet and my life. Because I'm a nurse - I am stubborn and decided to do a little detective work. There have been some interesting coincidences since my first trouble with IC:

1) during last year I've had 4 allergic reactions to an unknown substance that resulted in Steriod Dose-pak and antihistamines. Along with UTI's.
2) went to URO for UTI's - dx with IC placed on long-term antibotics. After a while I was placed on Elmiron.
3) symptoms went away - only leaking remained.
4) Had surgery for TVT for leaking - no more leaking!
5) - lastly - my allergic reactions were from Sulfites!

All my symptoms have been related to Sulfites - was found out after 3 sips of white wine - (which I've had before) during that first week after surgery. Became totally congested - broke out in rash all over body. Then IC flare (1st one) and I hope last. Finally, the only med that worked was a antihistamine - Atarax. 50mg and it totally knocked out my bladder spasms.

I told the nurse this and she was shocked. They all wanted me to change my life and place me in a category that didn't make sense to me. I never had any symptoms before except for leaking. Then all of the sudden UTI's frequency after these reactions occured.

Now I watch out for food preservatives and I can eat all of my favorites as before. Just be wary of food preservatives. I think there is more to this than we know.

I think there are some interesting side effects from the TVT that maybe no one mentions - but it has gotten better over the past 6 weeks. But an occasional "pinch" or "paper cut feeling" where the tape was sewn in is all I have now. And it is better than 2 weeks ago.

My best wishes to you all - Please be your own best patient advocate and do your research! When you keep your journals - go back and look at possible connections to what was happening at the time of your symptoms.

Interesting add: I am also entering menopause - that started about the same time as the other symptoms. So you really never know.

Blessings - Malissa

[jimmiesgirl]

Oh my god after eading these posts I am scared!!!! I am scheduled for a sling on Feb. 20th and haven't heard anything good about it! plus I know at age 40 I will most likely have to have it done again later in life! How do I know if the sling is the right choice~ I have read about burch, and tvt procedures it's all so confusing! Plus I really wonder if the gyno that did my hysterectomy should be blamed for all that is happening to me, I never had any trouble with my bladder or urethra never ever until after my hyster now I have IC, a messed up urethra, and 2 types of incontinence I just am so confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ICNDonna]

It's normal and natural to be nervous about any kind of surgery. I have a sling and had no problem with the surgery. It just feels better to not have my bladder protruding out of my vagina --- and I am able to totally empty my bladder instead of having residual urine there to cause infections.

Would I do it again? In a second!

Hugs,
Donna