to find trying to deal with my GP surgery a complete nightmare?

[greygeese]

Nearly 6 months ago went to GP for advice re contraception and was encouraged to go for the depo injection. First one was ok, since the 2nd I have bled constantly, anywhere from slight spotting to a full on period. I've had one day's grace in the last 3 months. Went to GP after the first couple of weeks who prescribed tranexamic acid (didn't stop it) and suggested I should wait for 3rd injection which should resolve problem, or I might need to go on the pill as well. Last few weeks it's been getting worse so last week I went back and saw another GP at same practice who has put me on Norethisterone (finally stopped bleeding, hurray!) and said no, that's nonsense you can't be on pill and injection at same time, you have to choose, but that my best option would be the coil, and that to have that I have to a) come back for a swab in the next 7-10 days once the bleeding had stopped and b) that I have to go to another surgery 7 miles away for the coil to be fitted…

Wasn't impressed with this, but in talking it through with my partner he is of the view that I don't want another 3 months like the last 3, and it's better to get the coil now than risk a repeat, and having to wait 3 more months post injection to try another method.

So, I have an appt with GP booked for Sat, I originally booked this 3 weeks ago (before I managed to get an emergency appt next week) so rang up today - now the bleeding's stopped - to check it was ok to use that for the swab.

Apparently not. GP's can't do swabs, only the nurse, and her next appt is 16 days time. By which time I will almost certainly have started bleeding again, and my injection will have run out (currently have an appt for injection 3 in 2 weeks time, which is nearly 13 weeks since my last one).

GP never mentioned I needed to see a nurse not a dr! and was well aware when my next injection was due, but didn't seem to see any problem with getting the coil before then, although clearly it's going to be impossible. Am a bit at a loss now, and feel like all I can do is have the injection, which I suspect will just put me back to Square one :(

There are no other local surgeries with spaces (otherwise I'd take my chances) and the family planning/contraceptive advice clinics in our area are only for under 25s (I found this out prior to seeing my GP back in May when I spent weeks waiting for an appt…)_

YY Red Which is why the Pill can be stressful if you suffer from IBS.

grey i cant believe its got to be a bloody letter in 2014 Do send it by registered post and keep a copy.

If you are in London, you have a wide choice of family planning clinics, some of which are open late evenings or at weekends. There are certainly lots in central London and AFAIK you don't need to live in the borough to access these services. I know it isn't ideal to travel for healthcare, but it's an option.

Some are for under 25's only but many are not. Try the FPA website.

Forgive me for not RTFT and I'll probably make an arse of myself but options are:

1. Getting a prescription online for birth control - I had to do this before. I'm a smoker and the GP recommended I didn't take the pill I was on because of this. You can still buy what you used to use online.
2. Since 2010 after DS was born we've been practising withdrawal method purely because we don't want me on the pill and also it works for us.
3. Because I didn't RTFT why can DH/DP not get the snip?

Fpc will give you contraception Probably not helpful at all.

OP, I'm starting to think it might be worth your while to go outside your area to sort this out. At most if you went for a ring, patch or carried on with the depo you'd have to present every 3 months but depending on the method it might be as much as 10 years.