Urethral Sling Release - Bladder Spasms, Back and Rt Abd Pain

After 8 months of UTIs, bladder infections/bleeding, underwent release of urethral sling by a urogyne (not original surgeon). Contracted MRSA from hospital as a result of the procedure and now I have to disclose to every HCP that I have a hx (had to miss large family gathering because I was contagious at time). To add insult to injury, original gyne who put the urethral sling in has basically abandoned me once he referred me to urogyne. He never followed up, became increasingly irritated with me when I would call to keep him updated, had no idea I was having sling release. I had been with this gyne for over 15 years. I did every single thing he asked of me. I was never told that any of this was a possibility prior to original surgery. This was supposed to be a simple “20 minute simple surgery, I do it every day”. I was never fully informed of the post-op complications and now I stuck with a sling that I think I may be rejecting. Besides c/o of UTIs and bladder infections which resulted in bleeding from bladder every 3-4 weeks, also experienced severe bladder spasms that would drop you to your knees, while I was still with original gyne. I am extremely hurt that he just dropped me to the curb, but I am not stupid and I am sure that all of his ducks are in order by now, so to speak.
Had sling release 4 weeks ago by urogyne. What I need know: Has anyone had a urethral sling release and if so, do you continue to suffer from UTI/bladder infections, constant back pain, right or left abdominal pain, occasional pain during bowel movements and bladder spasms that I compare to what it must be like to be in labor (have never had children) but I have had to stop in the middle of a store and lean against a isle (without looking obvious). The pressure is so intense that I just want to bend over and bear down. I have started to time them and the last one lasted for five minutes . I told all of this to both physicians. I am so out of hope that I just do not know what to do at this point. I was discharged last week for dehydration. During the admission my kidneys were in distress. My bladder was outputting 350cc but retaining 450cc, ended up with foley cath at midnight and a CT at 2a because by creatine kept going up. I was discharged with a Foley cath for a week. My employer is becoming fed up, I am becoming fed up and at this point my back, right hip, right and left abdominal pain and bladder spasms are started to break me. Any suggestions, experiences would be greatly appreciated as I cry driving to work, sit with a heating pad 8 hrs a day and cry on the drive home, lay on a heating pad until I fall asleep. Even if I am emptying, the pain remains and I cannot understand why? (Sorry for the length.) P.s.: I cannot financially take on many more medical bills, this is so grossly unfair.

I am so very sorry for how you have been treated, and the pain you are going through I too have a ureathral sling, for little over a year now and I think I am starting to have some issues with it. what happened with yours before this surgery what symptoms Is what I am referring too. I also have a rectecelle which i have had to revise 3 times now. I am thinking of taking it out I have all the pain in all the areas you do I am trying to figure out which sling is bothering me I now go to a uro/gyno and he has done me good so far I to had a horrible one before. I would if I were you to see if they couldnt give you some something for the nerve pain, like galepin I am on toviaz for the bladder urgency, I take fluvoxate for the spasms up to 4 times as needed. I have an interstim in all for the bladder. I think if you could arrange it to see a specialist. to try an relieve some of the pain. or maybe a pain clinic. I know how it is to be off work and have to work right there with you. and you are so right it is so unfair we go for relief and end up with more issues. I will pray for you and please keep in touch and if you dont mind to let me know about your symtoms of te urethral sling problems before surgery. Thanks Rhonda

Many women have had slings removed by a CA urogyne who specializes in mesh removal. It sound like you need removal to me. You can do a search on this site for the women who had slings removed and e-mail them privately for the doctor's name and city. I would recommend finding a doctor that has removed MANY slings and is able to remove the "arms" of the sling. This is very difficult surgery and most doctors won't do it. If you are having an allergic reaction to the mesh, it is important to remove all of it. Try to get it out asap. The longer you wait it seems the more damage to your body.

Good luck. I had mesh removal many years ago and am so happy I had it removed. The surgeon who removed it did not take out the arms. I am not allergic to the mesh, so I am not reacting to what's left in me.... but I wish all of it had been taken out. Who knows what happens as we get older and tissues thin.

Good luck.

Hi Rhonda - thanks for the response. Not quite sure of your question in your last sentence. Do you want to know what my syptoms were prior to my sling release? I'm glad to share if that is your question, but I want to be sure that is your questions. The only way that we are going to educate ourselves to educate each other. Let me know your questions. Thank you for your prays and you and all are in mine and my tears as well.

Yes I was asking what your symptoms were prior to your sling release?

Three weeks after my hysterectomy and initial urethral sling insertion I began to experience UTIs which lead to bladder infecions and bleeding from the bladder as determined by a urologist. The bladder spasms began and I was given Rapaflow, macrobid and antiobitics for over 6 weeks, no better. Waited another 4 weeks, no better. Went for a second opinion by another urologist who was not eager to go in and release the sling because of it is a complicated procedure and wanted to be put me on a medication similar to Rapaflow due to urinary retention which was causing the infections. No one could tell me why the bladder spasms. So many UTIs and bladder infections, I stopped counting. Finally after 7 months I was referred to a urogyneologist who specialized in slings who immediately recognized as did the urologist that the sling was initially inserted too tight. I did ask my urogyne at what point was the decision made to simply remove the entire sling? He wanted to wait until 6 weeks post op to see if my bladder would begin to empty on it's own. However, again, the back and abd pain is not resolving. I have no idea if I am emptying. Was told by a urology nurse that I should not intake any more tha 48oz of water/fluid a day? That was 7 days after I was discharge for dehydration, that just does not seem like enough fluid for someone who was to the point where my kidneys were in distress. What a mess. Anyway, those were my major symptions. I was straight cath'd so many times in 7 months as well as having to endure a cystscopy that those also caused infections. Hope that this helps and that your situation gets better. Keeping you and everyone else in my thoughts.

Thank you I am not exp any infections alot bt do now have a daily discharge, leaking, and tons of pressure and pain. each time I get told te IC is in a flare and that bladder is swollen etc. I also get uner ulcers inside the bladder but this feels like the rectocelle and or urethral slings is bothering me I have pains in the vagina, rectum into my leg. some are so intense I cant take it, dont want to stay on meds my whole life. I am thinking maybe its erosion hate that thought. I have had the rectocelle tweeked 3 times but the pain is in the upper vagina abdomen, leg, and buttock. ok TMI sorry. I too am at my whitts end. I dont know what to do anymore Thanks for the info and I so hope you get answers and help. again stay in touch Rhonda