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Original poster

Desperately trying to have my Mirena Coil removed

104 replies

AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 13:48

My Mirena has expired, I'm on the GP waiting list to have it removed but that's now been paused again due to Covid, the family planning clinics have no appointments for the foreseeable and are also cancelling clinics and if I want to go private I need to have a GP referral.

So as it stands i'm on the phone to the GP to ask if they'll refer. The private hospital only does the removal if it's for medical reasons, because my strings can't be felt or seen directly and I'm having abdo/pelvic/back pain they said they'll definitely see me.

Cross your fingers all that the GP is able to refer. I'm two minutes short of finding forceps and a miner's helmet!

OP posts:
coatofmanycolors · 06/01/2022 13:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the request of the user.

jackiebenimble · 06/01/2022 13:56

I can entirely sympathise it took me 9
Months to get mine replaced. A lot of frustrated time on the phone! And passed from pillar to post. In the end i got a weekend appointment out of area.

All for trying to be a responsible adult and not have an unwanted pregnancy!

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 14:05

Alternatively get the wires snagged in a tampon and yank it out yourself.

Oh my!! Ouch!!

*I can entirely sympathise it took me 9
Months to get mine replaced. A lot of frustrated time on the phone! And passed from pillar to post. In the end i got a weekend appointment out of area.

All for trying to be a responsible adult and not have an unwanted pregnancy!*

It's so difficult!

I'm a theatre nurse and I'm also at the point of asking someone, ANYONE, if they'll get all up in my business and take the goddamn thing out Grin

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AnxiousWeirdo · 06/01/2022 14:16

I'm 11 months overdue to have mine out, i really can't afford to get pregnant "meantime". I already have a condom baby 🤦

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 14:21

Aw no!! Its nigh on impossible to be seen.

Got through to the GP, Dr I seen isn't in today so the next day she's available and that I'm available to spend time waiting on the phone is next Wednesday so need to call back then. Apparently she'll do me a letter that I can send on to the private clinic. The private clinic says to use email but apparently the GPs dont like too.

Urgh, I just want it out.

OP posts:
Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 14:21

To* Blush

OP posts:
AnxiousWeirdo · 06/01/2022 14:23

Ah I really hope you can actually get seen and get it out!, It's awful having something in your body that you don't want to be there... especially when you're running the risk of an unwanted pregnancy as a result! Good luck op 🤞

Willthewashingeverend · 06/01/2022 14:23

Would Marie Stopes remove it? I'd give them a call as I have a vague reflection that they do things like that too.

OneGlamMama · 06/01/2022 14:24

I had a 4 month wait to get mine removed when it wasn't agreeing with me.

So I just pulled mine out. Wasn't as bad as I thought.

But yeah... maybe don't do that. Grin

Probablymaybe19 · 06/01/2022 14:28

I was told by my GP that the advice has changed recently, and they are actually now ok for 6 years. Timing of this changed coincided with lockdown unsurprisingly! Mine has been due to be changed now for just over 10 months and I am booked in for a couple of weeks to a private hospital (NHS funded) to have mine changed as there are complications. Am keeping fingers (and other body parts) crossed this is not delayed any further!

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 14:29

@OneGlamMama

I had a 4 month wait to get mine removed when it wasn't agreeing with me.

So I just pulled mine out. Wasn't as bad as I thought.

But yeah... maybe don't do that. Grin

What the hell!!!

...may I have step by step instructionsGrin

OP posts:
Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 14:30

@Probablymaybe19

I was told by my GP that the advice has changed recently, and they are actually now ok for 6 years. Timing of this changed coincided with lockdown unsurprisingly! Mine has been due to be changed now for just over 10 months and I am booked in for a couple of weeks to a private hospital (NHS funded) to have mine changed as there are complications. Am keeping fingers (and other body parts) crossed this is not delayed any further!
Fingers crossed you get it done. Good luck!
OP posts:
LaBelleSausage · 06/01/2022 14:30

Another person who removed their own

It had partially migrated downwards and I had non stop bleeding for 5 months until I just went for it, so it was probably easier than it might have been.

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 14:32

I checked the Marie Stopes site and it looks like they only provide contraception following abortion but I'll dig through a little more as I just scrolled through the available services, might be hidden in a wee nook (like my coil)

OP posts:
Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 14:34
OP posts:
UnicornPoopsRainbows · 06/01/2022 14:35

Not medical advice but…you could DIY it

WingingItSince1973 · 06/01/2022 14:36

Crumbs I better book now then for 2022! Mine will need removing then. I've been sterilised anyway do wouldn't worry about pregnancy its there for my horrendous bleeding each month and has worked a treat. I needed to have mine done at hospital as couldn't get it in at the docs, have a tilted womb. Would I need to go back to the hospital? Hope you get it sorted soon. If they've changed the time to 6 years I would be a bit dubious, would that extra year still prevent pregnancies as much as the previous years? X

WingingItSince1973 · 06/01/2022 14:36

@WingingItSince1973

Crumbs I better book now then for 2022! Mine will need removing then. I've been sterilised anyway do wouldn't worry about pregnancy its there for my horrendous bleeding each month and has worked a treat. I needed to have mine done at hospital as couldn't get it in at the docs, have a tilted womb. Would I need to go back to the hospital? Hope you get it sorted soon. If they've changed the time to 6 years I would be a bit dubious, would that extra year still prevent pregnancies as much as the previous years? X
I meant 2023 🤣 I'm still on 2021 time!
Theneverendingcleaningcycle · 06/01/2022 14:39

It is incredibly frustrating. A year it took me. Mine 'got lost' multiple people tried to get it I was on the waiting list for it to be done under anesetic (god knows how long that would be). I cried to the gp who referred me again to a clinic that specialised in hard to reach coils. They got it. I was so happy. I was also having non stop periods and pain.
I swear I'll never have anything I can't control myself in future.

Teacaketotty · 06/01/2022 14:42

I didn’t have any luck with the GP but my local sexual health clinic removed mine around this time last year.

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 14:44

Its terrible seeing how many others are having problems. As I'm having abdominal, pelvic and lower back pain they referred me for ultrasound to see where it is.

Apparently if they ultrasound and can see it where it's meant to be they'll just leave it and refer back to GP for removal, but as they've stopped again it could be months and months.

I've not had a single bad side effect from it and was planning on getting a new one put in but definitely not now, I don't want to be in another position where I can't remove something from my body I no longer want.

OP posts:
Weloveyotodaily · 06/01/2022 14:45

One of my friends removed her own and another somehow managed to suction it out with her moon cup (apparently it’s easier during your period as your cervix is a little open anyway) although it’s not recommended and you should definitely get someone qualified to do it! I believe it’s reasonably common in America where you need to pay to have it removed in some cases and there are Facebook groups with directions so I’m told….

DropYourSword · 06/01/2022 14:46

I had one that partially migrated out that I deliberately then removed, as I was in pain and the GP I’d gone to see was utterly dismissive.
I have also accidentally removed the second one I had when I caught the strings whilst removing a menstrual cup.

It doesn’t actually seem to be that hard to do! Getting the bugger in is way trickier.

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 14:47

Also with the 6 years I asked a friend as she's a fellow nurse but a practice nurse who's far more more clued up that me on contraception. The guidance they follow says it's over 99% effective in the five year period and then 98% effective in year six.

Still, I want it out and will think of using either condoms or the mini pill, but definitely something I have control over from now on.

I just worry about where it is and if it's what's causing the pain, I don't think my ultrasound referral will come under as urgent so could be weeks/months before that too.

OP posts:
FinishWhatWeStarted · 06/01/2022 14:48

Please don't pull. I went to have mine out and it was embedded. I had to see a specialist to get it removed.
Can you definitely still feel the strings?