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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be pissed off and angry that fitting a bloody coil is so much aggro?

28 replies

lottielou39 · 10/04/2012 12:01

So, I've been for the pre- coil checks, swabs and they were fine. The doctor told me to book a triple appointment at the end of my period to fit the Mirena. So I tried last month but both doctors trained to fit coil were away (holiday and jury service) and so I booked an appointment for the end of this week, but my period hasn't started yet -which is normal for me as I have irregular periods and did explain this to the GP. I phoned the receptionist and she just wanted to get me off the phone, (after cancelling my triple appointment)
He said he'd only fit a coil at the end of a period.
So I thought I might have better luck with our local FPC; phoned them. They can see me tonight, but I'd have to have the pre coil swabs again (I already had it done a couple of months ago, but they wont have access to my medical notes apparently) and they can only fit the coil once a week on Wednesdays at my localo hospital.
So, I'd need a fucking speculum shoving up my fanjo for the 3rd time in recent weeks (had a smear last week, where they couldn't do coil at same time, no doctor available) and feel like saying Fuck This, I'll find another contraceptive cos the coil is not going to happen.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

OP posts:
bekspolo · 10/04/2012 12:04

Don't give up, best thing I ever did was get a coil. Took my body months to get used to it, but well worth it!

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 10/04/2012 14:50

I had exactly the same problem. I wanted a coil but they could only be fitted on two days in the week, yet you had to be on a period. I normally like our book on the day appointment system, but doing it or a coil was just ridiculous. I ended up using other contraception.

Original poster
lottielou39 · 10/04/2012 16:09

it's a total pita. I really want the coil, but three children (hence the reason I want it, lol!) and life and irregular periods, make me think it's not going to happen unless I learn how to insert one myself

OP posts:
catsareevil · 10/04/2012 18:02

I had this hassle too. The GP practice said that I had to phone up when on a period, and wouldnt let me book in when I thought it would be, or just abstain from my period to whenever they could fit it (and they were patronising Hmm ). After 3 times of phoning up and being told that I was too late to get an appointment I went to the FPC, who were much more helpful.

CarpeNoctem · 10/04/2012 18:28

Hmm.. I'm not sure whether you really have to wait until you have your period to have the coil fitted, especially if you have kids. I have no children (and have never had a miscarriage or abortion) so have a nulliparous cervix and am on Mirena number 3. The first one was put in during a period, but by the time it needed replacing 5 years later my periods had stopped completely. Same story for the next replacement. A friend of mine switched to Mirena after years of the injection, and she was also not having periods when the coil was put in. I would speak to the doctor about it if you can- some prefer to put it in during a period, but it can definitely be done when you're not bleeding.

Can you get copies of your swab results from the GP surgery to take to the family planning clinic so they don't have to repeat them? They may be able to print them off the computer for you.

I agree with bekspolo - don't give up! I had a hassle getting the first one put in (GP initially refused as I had no previous pregnancies and instead tried to fob me off with the pill).. ended up having to bunk off school and walk to the Brook clinic in the pouring rain.. I've never forgotten that afternoon! It was well worth it though and I have never looked back.

TattyDevine · 10/04/2012 18:45

I hate this rule that some GP surgeries tend to adopt. To the best of my knowledge, they have the "on your period" rule to "guarantee" you are not pregnant. Never mind the fact that you might be experiencing an implantation bleed from actually being pregnant.

How about letting the woman take responsibility and if she says she is not pregnant because she has been taking precautions, believe her, or let her sign a disclaimer? I understand there may be a liability thing but actually the fact that the woman is bleeding guarantees nothing.

DumSpiroSpero · 10/04/2012 19:11

Sounds like our local surgery - you don't live on the SE coast by any chance do you?

It's worth pursuing it - I've have mine for 7 years and wouldn't go back. At least once it's done you've got 5 years aggro free!

JazzyButtons · 10/04/2012 19:35

I had the copper coil fitted last month, had no hassle, phoned my family planning clinic, told them I wanted to book an appointment to get the copper coil, got an appointment for 2 weeks after and got a check, and it fitted at the one time. Nobody ever said anything about needing to be on my period, had no problems or hassle.

As an aside though, when should I expect my period? I've had the coil just over a month now and no sign of it yet. Had stomach cramps on and off ever since I got it fitted, is that normal? Sorry for slight thread hijack...

loubielou31 · 10/04/2012 19:43

The reason I was told by the doctor that fitted mine for doing whilst on your period is that your cervix was already slightly open already and this could make the procedure a bit less painful, (not much though) Buy some buscopan It's brilliant for cramping type pains, my doctor gave me some saying paracetemol would be almost pointless.

gobbledegook1 · 10/04/2012 20:08

I went through similar rigmarole, having to make an appointment to discuss having one then making an appointment to have the swabs done then waiting a week for the results then making another appointment towards the end of when I eventually got a period (highly irregular) in the hope one of the 2 qualified doctors could fit me in on one of the 2 days they are available. A week and a doctors visit later I ended up in A&E having it removed - they may test for every STI going but they don't test for a bloody copper allergy do they!! What a waste of all that hassle!

wedoNOTdothat · 10/04/2012 20:43

I had this problem. Worst thing was once the sodding thing was fitted they then wanted to check it in 6 weeks.

That appointment was due in January, oops

MsWeatherwax · 10/04/2012 20:49

You don't need to be on your period but it can make things slightly easier and although GPs are often trained to do it now perhaps they are not confident with doing it another time. The FPC are usually good as they have lots of experience. Would your GP be prepared to tell FPC on the phone that swabs were clear?

Alternatively I would probably lie and say I was on my period. If anything said would then say, oh, it's been a bit light flow today.

Original poster
lottielou39 · 10/04/2012 20:58

if I'd known that getting a coil would involve so much hassle, I wouldn't have bothered. I'd naively assumed that I'd trot along to the docs, tell him that the coil is my contraception of choice and he'd get one out of his drawer and shove it up there.
How wrong was I?

OP posts:
HipHopOpotomus · 10/04/2012 21:53

Blimey what a hassle you are having. I went to family planning - got coil fitted and then smear done at the 3 week check up. Piece of cake!

The Merina is bloody marvellous for me and I hope you. Stick with it - the worst must surely be over Grin. By far the best method of contraception I have encountered.

HipHopOpotomus · 10/04/2012 21:54

The lady at FPC was amazing - insertion took seconds and was painless

McFluffster · 10/04/2012 21:56

Men wouldn't put up with it, would they?

I wimped out of getting one after reading a few threads on here...

budgieshell · 10/04/2012 22:15

So glad it's not just me was thinking everyone at my surgery hated me. Had swab, came back had an infection so anti-biotics, had to then wait to have another swab to make sure everything was clear, then was told I needed appointment with nurse and doctor. Made appointment with nurse for a thursday (the day they choose) but could not make appointment with doctor until the first of the month. First day of the month arrives, phone to make appointment with doctor only to be told doctor can't do it on a thursday.
Have to have long conversation about appointment being made by them and how to book it again without the same thing happening again. Receptionist put me on to someone else and had to explain all over again.
Just getting an appointment with doctor and nurse at the same time was hard enough, never even asked me where I was in my cycle.
After 3 months finally got appointment had to wait for over 1 hour.
This was second coil thank god my last (age).
Worth having though.

WilsonFrickett · 10/04/2012 22:21

I'd persevere with the FPC. they did my first one and it was really easy, am due to have mind replaced next week at GP and it's taken ages and been a real hassle. Also, at the FPC that's what they do all day IYSWIM. So they are better set up for it.

fortifiedwithtea · 10/04/2012 22:25

I had no idea it was that difficult to get a coil. I've had the same one in for the last 8 years. I know it should have been replaced after 5 but it was so bloody painful being inserted, I'm thinking well if ain't broke don't fix it Grin.

I had no choice, was at gynea out-patients cos of fybroids, at the right time of the month. Doctor told me I was going to have a coil (alternative being hysterectomy). And if that nurse is a MNer I am sorry about crushing your hand Blush.

Skillbo · 10/04/2012 22:30

As others have said you don't need to be on your period...

I had one fitted two months after ds was born, ebf so no chance of a period but i really wanted it and found the pill just made me bleed... Perhaps my cervix still hadn't recovered from my large sons birth - ewwww!

Do push for it as so far, worth the hassle so far and the thought of no contraception worries for 5 years...

Didn't help the doctor left the thread a bit long though - my walk home ended up with me turning round back to the surgery and getting it snipped - fun

calendula · 10/04/2012 22:34

My GP referred me to a gynocologist (GP is a wimp and doesn't like doing gyn stuff Wink)

Gynocologist checked for pregnancy with a urine sample and internal ultrasound.

Was told that the coil couldn't be fitted if I was on my period - higher risk of it falling out.

LittleFiendSusan · 10/04/2012 22:36

Ha, went to have coil fitted after DH and I decided we weren't going for DC3,only for them to try 3 times and fail as my cervix wouldn't open.
So,went on the pill. Pill didn't work,hence am now 19+4 :o

TIDDLYMUM · 10/04/2012 22:39

Agree a great method, till you come to have it swopped or removed and the Bloody thing isn't there!!! Had half the surgery rootling round your net hers and then have to be booked into what I am sure is the local STD clinic for a scan- but having to wait eight weeks for the appointment!!!!!

And breathe.........

TIDDLYMUM · 10/04/2012 22:40

Your nether regions!

TattyDevine · 11/04/2012 19:48

Such hassle. Wish I hadn't had mine removed. Thought it was making me in a bad mood all the time. Turns out I was depressed. Still in bad mood all the time Grin (for me anyway, I'm a cheery happy go lucky sort generally)...