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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think if I want a mirena coil removed, it should be removed?

294 replies

Momentumista · 24/11/2016 12:38

I had the Hmm face 'well...no I don't think we'd want to be removing it yet' routine when make appt to ask. Was told 'Come back in 6 months when it's settled'... etc etc

This is not a 'how was the coil for you' thread as I know some people love it and swear by it, but really I know my own body by now and I know how I feel and I was

(a) crazy;
(b) gaining weight while eating the same;
(c) spotty as hell (really nasty acne);
(d) depressed;
(e) migraines;
(f) just feeling really heavy and uncomfortable.

And yet while presenting all of these symptoms I get told they will settle and migraines are not dangerous.

I pulled the bloody thing out myself and am already feeling better (1 week on) and skin is clearing, and lo and behold the jeans I could not get anywhere near done up are now done up. Hmm

I am really disappointed not to have been listened to though. WIBU to take matters into my own hands?

OP posts:
zofranks · 28/11/2016 15:48

don't bloody blame you - I had one out in after the birth of my DD (and after them basically bullying me into it). My weight shot up, my skin was awful, I was depressed, no sex drive etc etc, finally this year DEMANDED they take it out & sterilize me - had that done 6 weeks ago and my god I feel like a different person - my dh doesn't recognise me anymore - first thing I did as soon as I was able was jump his bones, now I want sex toys for Christmas...and they said the coil had nothing to do with the way I was feeling and also put me on highly addictive citalopram - managed to dump that at the same time as the coil too - finally after 4 1/2 years I feel like me again

elliemillie · 28/11/2016 16:27

Graphista

There are a lot of lawsuits in the US and even here lawyers are trying to get women who have them to sue. I am sure it will all fall apart pretty soon but the suffering we all have to endure while Bayer defend the use of the device is horrid.
At this point I don't even care about the lawsuits I just want the awful things out! But even that is an uphill battle

Graphista · 28/11/2016 17:18

It's really disgusting the way governments aren't regulating big pharma properly.

EstelleRoberts · 28/11/2016 18:42

I agree Graphista, they appear to be laws unto themselves, putting out 'evidence' in favour of their products from their own trials, which then get the green light, after which it takes years for information on the real effects of the treatment to filter though, via yellow and red cards. Meanwhile, drs are happily prescribing or sometimes actively pushing these treatments to the detriment of some of the patients.

I'm very sorry to hear about your problems with Essure, Ellie. Given your symptoms arose straight after it's fitting, and assuming there were no other major changes, it would seem to require some impressive mental contortions to avoid suspecting it as the cause. You must be very angry.

Groovester · 28/11/2016 19:44

I called to arrange appointment to remove coil. Can't get nurse appointment before gp approval. Only one gp trained in fitting and removing them. No appointment for weeks...
I've just removed it myself and feel lighter already.
Can anyone advise re: immediate after effects of removal?

Also, thanks to everyone who've posted here. I would have kept putting up with the horror "waiting for it to settle." Knowledge is power indeed. Flowers

expatinscotland · 28/11/2016 21:02

There are plenty of YouTube clips on how to remove them yourself. If they fob you off just tell them you don't want an appointment as you'll remove it yourself. They give you scare stories just tell them you're willing to take the risk because you're no longer consenting to the treatment and they're basically refusing to remove it.

expatinscotland · 28/11/2016 21:05

Groovster there are YouTube clips about what to expect after Mirena removal, just search on how to remove it and they come up.

Graphista · 28/11/2016 21:07

Not necessarily recommending but I do wonder what they would do if all of you wanting them removed and being refused threatened to sue ? Not sure what the legal term would be (malpractice? Negligence?)

They'd be surely facing a potential high cost award against them and losing their career.

IamNotDarling · 28/11/2016 22:15

Thanks Perfumed Blush

Groovester · 28/11/2016 22:23

Thank you expat. From viewing and reading lots it would seem that there are many differing symptoms, much like the mirena itself, I guess.

witsender · 28/11/2016 22:23

I've made an appointment to get mine removed next week...Now to be firm!

Woody67 · 28/11/2016 23:17

My personal experience of the mirena has been very positive. I'm on my third and apart from problems getting the second one in when it was replaced (my cervix went into spasm when it was pulled out, I think it was done too quickly, so they couldn't get the replacement back in)) I've loved it. No periods. No horrible side effects and no faffing about like with other methods of contraception.

Having said all that (for balance), its completely unacceptable that GPs are refusing to remove them if you want them to, whatever the reason. So YANBU!

expatinscotland · 28/11/2016 23:35

They work well for a majority of women, but it seems for those whom they don't work well for, they can produce some extreme side effects that are completely ignored.

RosaliesGinBottle · 30/11/2016 11:35

And they can work differently for the same woman at different times! So doctors need to be aware of that too. As I said upthread, #1 (prekids) and #3 (postkids) have been fine, but #2 (between kids) ... well, my psychiatrist actually suggested I got it removed before he tried medication, and wrote my reluctant GP a letter. Guess what, no meds necessary! It was honestly as if my body could not cope with it at that point.

Original poster
Momentumista · 01/12/2016 13:51

Expat - some cracking suggestions / responses on here to couter the 'being fobbed off' issue: many thanks, they will be so useful for other women. I wish I'd had a few of these up my sleeve. Flowers

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 01/12/2016 14:46

IME, there are some HCPs who like to get off the subject in order to shift the focus, particularly if the patient is female. So just keep bringing it back to the reason why you're there. 'This isn't working for me. I want it out.' 'Can you further explain to me how that is pertinent to the matter at hand?' 'Can you explain how that is relevant to the reason for this appointment?' No need to be rude, just keep going back to the subject.

There have been a number of threads on here, from all female OPs, who will make an appointment to see an HCP about say, a potentially infected ear, or a vaccine, and they'll be bamboozled about their weight or contraceptive choices 'while you're here'. Just practice saying, 'That is not relevant to this appointment. Might we agree to stick to the matter at hand in these compressed visiting times? If I'm concerned about those subjects I'll make another appointment,' and then smile right back.

witsender · 07/12/2016 22:52

Removed! Was told that all the side effects I've had weren't related to the coil, but they did remove it. So we'll see.

meggo1 · 19/06/2018 16:24

This answers why the doctors in the UK are 'reluctant' to take it out:
www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-health/11678916/IUS-hormonal-coil-The-troubling-truth.html
Basically its cheaper for women to have them in and the NHS have to 'hit targets'.
I hope this helps!

Tomselleckhaskindeyes · 19/06/2018 17:09

I had it and I felt that I was in labour had to be put on morphine for the pain. It took ages to get the bloody thing out.

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