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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Coil Fitting

121 replies

LittleRen · 15/04/2018 10:40

Sorry I am posting here for traffic really but it is kind of an AIBU. I have an appointment to get the coil fitted tomorrow AM, still not decided which type (any advice there - I don't have heavy periods and don't like extra hormones so my current preference is probably copper). My Husband was hoping to work from home so he could come with me but he is just too busy in the office now so he can't, although he has said he will if I really need him to, but I am not that bothered. However I have heard some horror stories about people going into shock after, feeling faint etc and I am worried I won't be able to drive home.

Generally I have a pretty high pain tolerance, have had three babies, so I wasn't too worried but now I have a niggle in my mind about the whole thing.

Have any of you had such bad experiences with the coil fitting that would mean you wouldn't have been able to drive home?? I have waited a month for the apt, and to rebook would be late May unless I go private but the places that offer it privately seem to be so limited.

So AIBU to go on my own, or do I need someone there? Mum can't come as she is minding my two youngest. It's about a 20 minute drive.

PS DH will be getting the snip at some point but it's just too final for us right now.

OP posts:

SinkGirl · 15/04/2018 11:14

Mirena was one of the worst experiences of my life. Had hours of intense contractions every day and took a year to get it removed in the end as it required a GA. I was under for insertion too so can’t comment but I would try a copper one first personally if you don’t need the hormones.

NeeChee · 15/04/2018 11:14

Mine (Mirena) wasn't too painful for the procedure itself, but I had to have a local anaesthetic because I have a narrow cervix apparently, I've had no children.
The doctor who fitted it also told me I have a retroverted uterus. I'd had numerous ultrasounds and internal exams before this and no-one had ever mentioned it.
I did have cramping for a couple of days on and off, but it just put it down to my weird shaped womb getting used to a foreign object.
It hasn't stopped my periods, but they've gone from very heavy to very light. So much so that I forget about them most if the time.

SleepOhHowIMissYou · 15/04/2018 11:16

Another Mirena fan. On my second one and, after an initial period-like bleed with both fittings, I haven't had a period now for nearly 10 years. Recommend Mirena absolutely.

Fitting is comparable to a smear test, not pleasant but not painful, same sensation.

MumW · 15/04/2018 11:16

I'm on my 2nd Mirena - 1st expelled without me noticing.
I took paracetamol, codiene and iproprofen an hour before my appointments.

Periods didn't completely stop but were very light with the first one. I'm having a few issues with the second, fitted 6 months ago, - continuous break-through bleeding and have an appointment this week to investigate. I was told it might take 3-6 months to settle down. I have it for fibroids so that may be something to do with the issues.

MultiGrey · 15/04/2018 11:28

For me fitting was no different to a smear.

At our surgery they make you stay lying down for twenty mins checking your BP regularly as they told me the opening of the cervix for insertion can lead to a drop in BP and then fainting.

I had a mirena. It’s been great for my heavy periods / migraines.

MojoMoon · 15/04/2018 11:42

Fitting Mirena was like a smear test. I did get bad cramping period pain type pain a few hours later on both occasions which meant needing to curl up with a hot water bottle. But it didn't kick in for a while so I was fine travelling back (tube and bus rather than driving).

Teacuphiccup · 15/04/2018 11:45

Mine was fine but I felt very sorry for myself and wouldn’t have wanted to drive.
My dh didn’t come though and it was fine.

Beyond11cisRetinol · 15/04/2018 11:47

I pretty much have no periods now, get maybe a day or two of spotting every few months.

Mine is just coming to the end of its life now, and I'm weighing up getting another one - despite not needing it for contraception any more

snozzlemaid · 15/04/2018 11:48

Mirena fitting was fine for me. I drove myself home after no problem.
Had the numbing gel on my cervix and only felt a tiny pinch. I didn't take any painkillers and had no cramps after at all. I just had a bit of spotting each month at first, which has now stopped so no periods at all now.
I love it and will definitely have another after.

Original poster

LittleRen · 15/04/2018 12:07

Thanks everyone so much for the advice. I have decided to rebook for 17th May, just incase... I don’t want to be stuck feeling too rough to drive home, like someone said there is no way of knowing how I will react. It’s a bit of a pain waiting and hopefully it won’t give me too much time to wimp out and cancel.

Any other feedback on Mirena v copper would be really helpful though, it’s great to hear experiences as I am undecided.

Thanks again

OP posts:

mirime · 15/04/2018 12:37

Any other feedback on Mirena v copper would be really helpful though, it’s great to hear experiences as I am undecided.

Is it only for contraception or are you having it for other reasons as well?

I have the Mirena to try and alleviate the weird hormonal symptoms I've been having some having an ovary removed. I didn't have a great time way back when on the mini pill so I'm trying the Mirena. The fact it's a contraceptive is a bonus.

My sister has had both and is sticking with the copper coil, but it's just a contraceptive for her.

pinkmagic1 · 15/04/2018 12:49

I have had the copper coil since October and would recommend it.
Fitting was like a longer, slightly more painful smear but nothing too bad. I was fine after, no cramping and drove myself home no problem.
I bled on and off for a couple of weeks after, but have now settled into a regular cycle.
My periods were virtually non existent on the pill and have obviously returned. Other than the first one after the fitting, they are no worse than before I had my children. In fact they are slightly lighter which I know is not everyone's experience.
I really like being hormone free and not having to worry about remembering to take a pill.

EverythingsDozy · 15/04/2018 12:59

I have the copper fitted. I don't get on well with hormonal contraception.
I never had heavy periods before, they may be slightly more heavy now, but not to the point where I've really noticed.
I read online loads of horror stories about getting it fitted but, in my experience, it doesn't hurt at all. At first, it was a little pinch, then a bit of cramping. Absolutely nothing I couldn't tolerate, and I'm usually a right wimp when it comes to stuff like that.

eggcellent · 15/04/2018 13:05

I've had the copper one twice, love it. Felt a bit faint the first time, but was fine in 5 minutes and drove myself home. Did you give birth vaginally? If so then I've heard it's much easier, as the only painful bit is when they clamp open your cervix. I also didn't get any cramping after but they said they could happen. Would definitely recommend the copper, I'm so relieved to be off hormones

CaptainCabinets · 15/04/2018 13:08

I fainted and threw up when I had the Mirena put in but I haven’t had any babies. It stopped my periods for two glorious years but that came with a side order of BV every month

bimbobaggins · 15/04/2018 13:21

I’m getting mine removed at the gynae dept tomorrow as no strings visible, also getting new one.
Going myself as it didn’t cross my mind to take anyone but also no one to go anyway

Original poster

LittleRen · 15/04/2018 13:27

@captaincabinets sounds lovely!! I suppose the benefit ultimately outweighed the downside for you though.

@mirime Purely for contraception. I have only had two periods since having third baby in Jan, first was horrendous and long, never had a period like that before. The second was so easy I barely noticed it so I am not sure what my periods will settle down to. Before we decided on number 3 I used daysy which is basically a fancy basal thermometer which works out your fertile times and uses an iPhone app to give you the info, I loved it as it’s as accurate as the pill when used correctly but number 3 has tipped me over the edge in terms of forgetting things and I just can’t get into the habit of taking my temp first thing - so I need something more reliable.

OP posts:

mirime · 15/04/2018 14:58

@LittleRen personally I'd probably try the copper coil then. It was what I intended before everything went weird as I didn't want to use hormonal contraception again.

My GP said in her experience more people have the Mirena for menopause symptoms than for contraception, and my symptoms are all very peri-menopause.

shouldnthavesaid · 15/04/2018 15:03

I had it under anaesthetic then had such a bad reaction - howling, on all sorts of pain relief, fever, flooding, vomiting and blacked out twice - that I spent the night in hospital. I'm a rarity though and have since been told they think something probably went wrong in fitting!

Singlebutmarried · 15/04/2018 15:08

I’m on mirena #3 now. They’re brilliant.

Slight mishap last fitting tho as the nurse caught one of my lips in the twisty bit of the speculum and didn’t realise.

So apart from a twisted lip it was fine. 😂🙈

DairyisClosed · 15/04/2018 15:10

I had a copper coil fitted shortly after giving birth 2 or so months. No only did I not go into shock, I didn't even feel any pain. I would suggest just going and then calling him if you need him.

HulaMelody · 15/04/2018 15:10

When I had the mirena put in, it was sore momentarily but after that I walked home (2 miles).

Follyfoot · 15/04/2018 15:26

Just in case the phrase 'clamp open your cervix' alarms anyone, they dont do that. Not sure which bit of the process you are referring to, but they definitely dont clamp it open.

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 15/04/2018 15:28

I have a copper as I don't like hormonal birth control and it doesn't like me! I love my coil and would recommend.

I have a really low pain threshold and I don't think the doctor found it easy to fit but I found it fine. One moment of pain at insertion and then some period cramps a few hrs later. But I was up and shopping at Spirit of Xmas within about 2hrs of having it done and stayed out all day so it was v bearable. Just take a pain killer.

My periods were heavy anyway but it didn't put me off and other than 2 horror floods they've been bearable although not painless. I would definitely get another, the only problem I had was persuading the FPC to give me one as I was 23, hadn't given birth and they would rather I had a Mirena despite my hormonal birth control issues. When I went in to be fitted I was not impressed to find a Mirena ready to go and I'm glad I checked as I'm sure it wasn't an "error". Just be sure to be very clear on which ever you choose.

Laineymc7 · 15/04/2018 15:28

I had mine done 6 months ago and did not feel a thing. It’s similar to a smear. Mild cramping after and that’s it. You won’t need anyone with you. I had the mirena and think it’s great. Good luck

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