Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

To think the Dr's surgery LIED (about Mirena coil fitting)

83 replies

TheRealMrsHannigan · 10/01/2012 11:24

I had the mirena coil fitted yesterday. I was told it would be 'a little uncomfortable'.

It f**king hurt, really REALLY hurt. The only positive I can come up with is that it was quite quick, but I found it really hard to handle the pain and am now dreading having the bloody thing out when it comes to ttc.

Bit of a stupid AIBU but shouldn't the Dr's be a bit more honest and let you know you should be prepared for pain? I fainted afterwards as my blood pressure nose dived and had to lie on a stretcher until I was more stable. Apparently that's quite common too.

Other experiences? Am I just a wimp?

OP posts:

kelly2525 · 10/01/2012 11:50

I tried to have one fitted, the pain was excruciating, worse than contractions, the pressure inside was awful, I felt like I was going to pee or poo, so I jumped off the bed and told them not to bother, I had the injection instead.

Original poster

TheRealMrsHannigan · 10/01/2012 11:52

Jenai I struggled to make it home, it's usually a 5 minute walk but I went so slowly it took 20 minutes I felt very shaky and delicate, the pains seemed worse lying down strangely, even though I was too light headed to walk around.

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 10/01/2012 11:52

Mine hurt like buggery

Must have been inserted in the wrong place then

higgle · 10/01/2012 11:53

Anything that is called a "procedure" will hurt, fact.

iFailedTheTuringTest · 10/01/2012 11:58

Mine hurt, I fainted and vomited. Took to bed got the day, cramps for about a month after.

I am told my cervix 'dosen't Like' being touched.

FlossieFromCrapstonVillas · 10/01/2012 12:01

It's pinchy going in, I grimaced a bit but rode it through. It's my second and this one's in for another five years. Worth it for the debiliating pain I'd have without the Mirena.

switchtvoffdosomelessboring · 10/01/2012 13:03

I didn't think it was any more painful than a smear test. But I did have it fitted a few months after having twins so my cervix was probably rather open anyway.

WaitingForMe · 10/01/2012 13:11

My first effort was abandoned as I was in so much agony. I got a local anaesthetic when they tried again and was fine. I was annoyed the first time as I was pretty much kept in until I could get a lift (fortunately it was a 4.30 appointment so my DH could get me after work) and had to take the next day off work. Even if the chances are small, people need to plan around them. I was apologised to on the spot (unprompted) as apparently our family planning has a policy of warning women.

waterlego6064 · 10/01/2012 13:14

Mine hurt a lot being put in but not at all when it came out.

I don't think it can have anything to do with pain threshold as I didn't find childbirth too awful.

2rebecca · 10/01/2012 13:16

I was told to take a couple of aspirin before mine was fitted and it only hurt a bit. I've had kids though, I think it's sorer if you haven't. also if you tense up your muscles and don't relax it will be sorer and take longer.

psychomum5 · 10/01/2012 13:18

oooh, major sympathy from me.

complete wimp here.....had mine put in under GA (mine was fitted for endo reasons, so had it put in while having treatment for said endo), and then removed under GA last october during surgery for other gynae reasons. I had had it in for nearly 6yrs by then, being too terrified to have had it out at the docs, so they agreed to remove while under.

I am sooo glad for all my decisions now :o

daenerysstormborn · 10/01/2012 13:18

i'm on my second mirena, third coil in total. my first mirena was fitted while laying on my side (curled into the fetus position!), i didn't feel it at all. the doctor who did it said that is the most comfortable way for it to be fitted and has no idea why everyone doesn't do it that way.

Ghoulwithadragontattoo · 10/01/2012 13:19

The nurse warned me it would be somewhat painful and to take a painkiller beforehand. I forgot and actually found it fine. They don't hurt coming out though so be reassured of that. I think it sort of collapses on itself and pulls out easily.

wigglybeezer · 10/01/2012 13:20

Mine didn't hurt, BUT, the GP managed to nick my cervix with the inserter and it bled like anything creating a lovely puddle on the floor (think gushing nosebleed down below!). The GP then had to apply pressure to my cervix with a swab for about 10 minutes, THAT was an unpleasant sensation and made me feel a bit wobbly. Wasn't sore afterwards though and the GP phones me at home later to check i was OK (female GP).

Tamoo · 10/01/2012 13:25

I had one fitted recently under general anaesthetic.

I'd had a previous awful experience with copper coil, nearly fainted, had to lie down in the clinic for ages afterwards and could hardly walk, also got an infection thus it was removed a few days later.

I mentioned this to my surgeon and he said it was common, in his (not so humble) opinion the staff who fit them at GPs and even Well Woman clinics are sometimes 'not best trained' in the procedure.

But he assured me removal is no worse than a smear.

Be prepared for settling in pains, I was necking painkillers for a fortnight.

Scholes34 · 10/01/2012 13:27

Was told it would be slightly more uncomfortable than a smear test and was advised it might be best to take some painkillers beforehand, which I did. Went fearing the worse, but didn't really feel anything. Again, though, I have had three children, so this may have had a bearing on this.

It's difficult for anyone to describe to you how painful anything will be, but to have compared it to something I'd experienced (ie a smear test) was a helpful benchmark, rather than comparing it to how other people judge the pain.

Halbanoo · 10/01/2012 13:28

I had my "installed" nearly 4 years ago and the pain was way more uncomfortable than my c-section. Massive pain and pinching.

I think for most women, the experience is actually not to bad, but can vary based on a number of factors--anatomy, whether or not you've given birth, etc.

I'll happily have it out when it's time but I'm not opting for another just based on my experience I'm NOT doing it again. No way.

On the positive side, I've heard that removal is a breeze---that is, if you aren't one of the "lucky" ones who've had theirs migrate to regions unknown!

Floggingmolly · 10/01/2012 13:31

"A slight bit of discomfort" is medical speak for hurts like hell. "Won't hurt at all" depends on how robust you are, can still be unpleasant for some people with a low pain threshold. It's probably just to prevent people tensing in anticipation and making it even worse than it need be. It's over now, relax

NatashaBee · 10/01/2012 13:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wrigglebum · 10/01/2012 13:33

I had my first one put in before DC and the nurse was very worried as I went a shade of green then totally white, it was agony. Hurt the whole day after too. Was really scared of removal when ttc but barely felt it.

The next one went in ten weeks post birth and I barely felt it, although it was really painful being opened up for them to insert it as I'd had a third degree tear. Again, not at all painful on removal.

Hoping to get a mirena after this pregnancy but I'm having a CS, so I guess it'll be somewhere in the middle on the pain spectrum!

Shodan · 10/01/2012 13:35

Mine didn't hurt at all- but I thought the GP put some kind of anaesthetic up there first? I know we had to wait for a while after the initial swabbing etc. Did I imagine the anaesthetic??

BrianButterfield · 10/01/2012 13:37

Mine hurt like hell, and I'm no wimp - gave birth three months earlier with just G&A and I actually thought having my coil fitted was more traumatic, despite having a very nice GP fit it.

RaspberryLemonPavlova · 10/01/2012 13:39

I had mine changed last week, at my GPS. I had an ibuprofen an hour beforehand. It was a bit uncomfortable, nipped a bit, apparently I have a backward tilting womb. I had some period type cramps and back pain for the rest of the day. That reminded me of how awful my periods had been for the Mirena. I regard it as life-changing, even if it had been far more painful I would still have considered it worthwhile. The contraception part is a useful bonus to me.

The first time I did get headaches for a couple of months, but I am prone to hormonal headaches anyway.

Regarding waiting for the doctor to arrive, since the time I was in doctos surgery for an hour when WITH the doctor, when pregnant, I am very tolerant of waiting for the doctor if he/she is late. You never know what is happening.

Iggly · 10/01/2012 13:41

Why do they suggest the coil over the pill? My GP said i should have the coil but really don't want to!

OTheHugeManatee · 10/01/2012 13:41

I made the mistake of cycling to the clinic before getting mine fitted. WTF was I thinking???

I had to go to the pub for a double brandy and a sit down before I was anywhere near ready to get myself home.

In short, YANBU - if I'd had any idea how wobbly I was going to feel afterwards I would have demanded that DP take the day off to drive me there and back, and then spend the rest of the afternoon feeding me peeled grapes and champagne whilst thanking me profusely for enduring such indignities in the name of our sex life

Flip

1 2 3 4