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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:
RedLipClass · 06/01/2022 18:56

OP, I'm in Scotland and I got one put in and had a lot of bother with pain, feeling a constant urge to urinate and a strange urge to push. My GP said they take nothing to do with the coil or implant and the sexual health clinic were refusing to take it out for me. So I cried on the phone and said I've looked on google and if you don't get this out of me I'm going to pull it out myself. The receptionist went quiet for moment then said "I'm going to put you on hold for a minute and I'll get back to you". She came back and told me to start making my way to the clinic they would fit me in between appointments to have it removed.

Could you do similar? You've said it's causing you pain but could you exaggerate a bit on the phone and see if that gets you any further with them? It's awful that we even have to go to these lengths but if it's causing you pain then something must not be quite right and they're obviously in no rush to help you as things stand.

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 18:59

@FlamingGoat

I had mine out and a new one put in three weeks ago with a weeks notice though the sexual health clinic. Try them maybe?
I called them again today as their site hasn't been working, they said there's no appointments for the foreseeable but I could call up everyday after 9am for a cancellation.

We used to have a great clinic a 15 minute drive away and I'd been going there since I started the pill at 16. Had implants inserted and removed, the coil inserted there, it was a fantastic clinic. They closed it down about two years ago and merged all the services into another clinic about an hour's drive away.

I said I was willing to drive up to 50 miles away for an appointment (I think 50 was the furthest you could choose on the site) and theres zilch. I've been checking since about October/November as my coil was due out on December.

Have a friend who's been trying daily also as hers is due out next month, it's been impossible between fully booked and then cancelled clinics/working through the backlog.

OP posts:
Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 19:04

@RedLipClass

OP, I'm in Scotland and I got one put in and had a lot of bother with pain, feeling a constant urge to urinate and a strange urge to push. My GP said they take nothing to do with the coil or implant and the sexual health clinic were refusing to take it out for me. So I cried on the phone and said I've looked on google and if you don't get this out of me I'm going to pull it out myself. The receptionist went quiet for moment then said "I'm going to put you on hold for a minute and I'll get back to you". She came back and told me to start making my way to the clinic they would fit me in between appointments to have it removed.

Could you do similar? You've said it's causing you pain but could you exaggerate a bit on the phone and see if that gets you any further with them? It's awful that we even have to go to these lengths but if it's causing you pain then something must not be quite right and they're obviously in no rush to help you as things stand.

Oh that's awful, so sorry that happened, I'm glad you've had it all sorted now. It really is shocking that we have to continually push, push and push again to be seen or treated.

When I originally wanted it in I couldnt get an appointment for months until I said I was 12 weeks post partum when they asked for all my details and then suddenly I was able to go in the following day. So odd.

I've booked the appointment for the private clinic now and paid the deposit so I'll go there for it, it's costing me £180 but I'm at the stage where I don't care now, I've used savings to get the thing out.

I googled after so many on here said they were able to take it out but I couldnt catch the strings properly or else it would have been out tonight.

Shocking that we're driven to pulling out coils ourselves!

OP posts:

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cloverleafy · 06/01/2022 19:09

I'm another who removed their own. It was a few years ago but GP wouldn't take me seriously that it was playing with my mental health (as well as still bleeding/spotting near continuously for 5 months), so wouldn't let me book to remove it. So in the end I yanked. Probably a bad idea, but I felt more like myself again within 24 hours.

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 19:24

I'm thinking the strings must be cut really short on mine because I had a good try and there's no way I can get a grip of the strings. Very frustrating as it would save me the £180 to go private.

OP posts:
NotJustACigar · 06/01/2022 19:46

Mine has been in for around 8 years. A couple of years ago I was referred to a gynecologist about it because of the way it's placed I apparently would need general anaesthesia to get it out. However last time I had general anaesthesia I had a bad reaction to it (needed a shot of adrenaline as my heartbeat was slowing down too much). So basically there's no safe way to get it out apparently. The gynecologist said it's fine, it can just stay in there, it won't cause any problems. But I'm skeptical and would like it out!

If anyone knows of a private clinic that might help with hard to remove coils please could you let me know? @Theneverendingcleaningcycle you mentioned a clinic for hard to remove coils would you be comfortable sharing the name of the clinic please?

Theneverendingcleaningcycle · 06/01/2022 19:54

@NotJustACigar

Mine has been in for around 8 years. A couple of years ago I was referred to a gynecologist about it because of the way it's placed I apparently would need general anaesthesia to get it out. However last time I had general anaesthesia I had a bad reaction to it (needed a shot of adrenaline as my heartbeat was slowing down too much). So basically there's no safe way to get it out apparently. The gynecologist said it's fine, it can just stay in there, it won't cause any problems. But I'm skeptical and would like it out!

If anyone knows of a private clinic that might help with hard to remove coils please could you let me know? @Theneverendingcleaningcycle you mentioned a clinic for hard to remove coils would you be comfortable sharing the name of the clinic please?

It was Cwmbran in South wales. It was run under the normal family planning clinic. It's got a very good rep though as my GP had actually used it herself as the same thing happened to her. I'm sorry for people going through this. I think it needs to be discussed more when put it. I've told all my female friends.
coolcahuna · 06/01/2022 19:57

I've just been through all this drama as well . It had been in 5 years and they they couldn't see the strings. So I got referred for an ultrasound. All fine he can see it and then 2 years later, I finally had it removed by a consultant in hospital. I'd been chasing it for a year and it was only when I completely lost it that they booked it in

Took 2 seconds to come out. Strings obvious. Apparently GP could have done it 2 years ago . They've tried to convince me to have another one. No way ! I'm never having something like that again when I have no control over the removal.

NotJustACigar · 06/01/2022 19:58

Thank you very much @Theneverendingcleaningcycle

Policyschmolicy · 06/01/2022 20:08

I had an appointment this week to get mine out as it’s overdue but the threads are not reachable so have to go back in a month to get it removed under ultrasound. I’ve got on really well with it and am considering a Kyleena coil next but it is such a hassle to get it out and that’s wrong. I’d happily pay to get it out but that’s not easy to organise either!

Jeffreyson · 06/01/2022 20:13

I won't be having another one, not ever. When I wanted mine removed, it couldn't be found. It started to get very painful and eventually I convinced them to ultrasound me, it had perforated my uterus and was in my 'pouch of Douglas'! Nope I'd never heard of it either!

Had to have it removed under GA. I'll never have one again the pain it caused.

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 20:16

@coolcahuna

I've just been through all this drama as well . It had been in 5 years and they they couldn't see the strings. So I got referred for an ultrasound. All fine he can see it and then 2 years later, I finally had it removed by a consultant in hospital. I'd been chasing it for a year and it was only when I completely lost it that they booked it in

Took 2 seconds to come out. Strings obvious. Apparently GP could have done it 2 years ago . They've tried to convince me to have another one. No way ! I'm never having something like that again when I have no control over the removal.

Awful!!! There is absolutely no way I'm having another one put in, never again. I can't believe just how difficult it's been for others on here get it out. There will be an absolute ton of people in a similar situation too I bet.

I've been so chuffed the last five years with how well the coil has worked for me but this has put such a negative spin on the whole time and it's just not worth it anymore.

OP posts:
BoodleBug51 · 06/01/2022 20:16

Do you have a private GP service nearby?

We've started using one near work, it's £70 an appointment, nearly always same or next day, and you get 30 minutes with a GP who listens.

Nuffield/Winfield hospitals offer them as well as independent surgeries.

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 20:21

@Jeffreyson

I won't be having another one, not ever. When I wanted mine removed, it couldn't be found. It started to get very painful and eventually I convinced them to ultrasound me, it had perforated my uterus and was in my 'pouch of Douglas'! Nope I'd never heard of it either!

Had to have it removed under GA. I'll never have one again the pain it caused.

See I'm worried about needing a GA and the nurse and GP were absolutely certain they couldn't see any strings.

I can definitely feel them albeit I can't pinch them. If they're saying it's not the coil then I haven't a clue what it is I'm feeling, I've been checking monthly for the last five years and had checked what my cervix felt like beforehand so I'd know the difference.

I'm hopeful the consultant gynaecologist I'm going to see privately will whip it out in a flash, but I'm doubting myself now, that it really isn't there and I need a GA. I'm an anaesthetic nurse and I think knowledge of the situation doesn't always help!

OP posts:
Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 20:22

No private GP service unfortunately. The Nuffield is who I contacted originally but they wanted the GP referral. I've found another private clinic though an hour's drive away who'll do it for £180, booked in there at the end of the month thankfully.

OP posts:
Hippychicken1 · 06/01/2022 20:25

I removed mine myself
I thought my DH was lying when he ahem said he could sometimes feel something
But I managed to remove mine - obviously wasn’t put in correctly and my GP refused to believe me until I ceremoniously placed it on her desk 😂
Didn’t hurt to remove either but I think that’s because it was put in wrong

MaybeHeIsMyCat · 06/01/2022 20:27

I would find a helpful colleague Grin
Mine partially expelled and a&e removed it

AnxiousWeirdo · 06/01/2022 20:31

My god the amount of women that are pulling these out themselves! I don't know whether to shun you or commend you 😂😂 I have to admit I'm ever so tempted but the thought of some complication and pulling half of my uterus out by accident frightens me 😅

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 20:37

@MaybeHeIsMyCat

I would find a helpful colleague Grin Mine partially expelled and a&e removed it
On tomorrow's to do list! Grin

I have the appt booked with the private clinic at work but if someone was happy to remove it I'd be happy to lose my deposit for the clinic.

OP posts:
Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 20:39

@AnxiousWeirdo

My god the amount of women that are pulling these out themselves! I don't know whether to shun you or commend you 😂😂 I have to admit I'm ever so tempted but the thought of some complication and pulling half of my uterus out by accident frightens me 😅
Haha! I feel this would be me too, I'd be rocking up to a&e with a coil and half of my intestine wrapped in a tea towel knowing my luck.
OP posts:
Ducksareruiningmypatio · 06/01/2022 20:39

@Hippychicken1

I removed mine myself I thought my DH was lying when he ahem said he could sometimes feel something But I managed to remove mine - obviously wasn’t put in correctly and my GP refused to believe me until I ceremoniously placed it on her desk 😂 Didn’t hurt to remove either but I think that’s because it was put in wrong
I wasn't believed when I could feel the loop the strings were attached to poking through my cervix! Angry I pretended I was TTC to get them (clinic) to take it out, then used condoms until I could get my GP to put in another one because "My relationship ended" I was so annoyed I had to lie. This was pre covid so fuck knows how I'd have managed it at the moment. I'm not above waterworks and threats of self removal though.
BobbyeinArkansas · 06/01/2022 21:24

I’ve had mine in since April 2014. Pregnancy aside, does it really matter if you don’t get it removed?

Original poster
AColdDuncanGoodhew · 06/01/2022 21:47

@BobbyeinArkansas

I’ve had mine in since April 2014. Pregnancy aside, does it really matter if you don’t get it removed?
Its been causing pain since October last year combined with the fact it may or may not be the strings I'm feeling as they couldn't be seen visually, otherwise yeah I wouldn't be bothered about getting out and would just use other protection.
OP posts:
Anewdress · 06/01/2022 22:21

Wow, I can't believe it taken so long! I must have got lucky. I had my Mirena removed due to chronic pelvic pain. My GP surgery so fittings and removals every other week, so I could have got an appointment with them very quickly. However, as my strings weren't visible I had to have it done with a Consultant. However, this just involved a call to my sexual health clinic and they booked me in 2 days later.

JuneJan · 06/01/2022 22:32

I hated mine and gor the GP to take it out after enduring it for 7 months. No referral required, 2 seconds to extract it.

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