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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:

Pigsbum1978 · 23/04/2018 11:36

I am following this thread with interest as I have an appt on 10th May for a coil fitting and am 99% certain I'll go for the copper due to the lack of hormones. I had the implant until around 2 years ago when I developed ovarian cysts, I don't enjoy the 'flat' feeling that I get with the mini pill/deco injection and can't take the combined pill due to migraines.

I assume the negative side affects I've had previously would be possible with the Minera...is that the case does anyone know?

Original poster

LittleRen · 23/04/2018 12:19

I think the Mirena is comparable to the mini pill as it contains levonorgestrel but it’s a much smaller dosage... I read 20mcg per day compared to 350mcg on mini pill (don’t quote me on that!!) and as only minimal amount enters blood stream you would hope you wouldn’t get same negative effects. It’s a tough one isn’t it... my apt is in 4.5 hours and I still haven’t decided copper or Mirena. The heavy periods are the only thing scaring me about copper!’

OP posts:

Pigsbum1978 · 23/04/2018 15:31

It's difficult isn't it Ren... good luck for your appointment today. I know at my appt that I don't have to decide til I get there and they discuss the options with you.

RoadToRivendell · 23/04/2018 15:34

I found it grim, but I'm squeamish.

CollyWombles · 23/04/2018 15:49

I had the mirena coil, didn't feel a thing during insertion. At the end of the five years, I had to go to hospital to get it out as the strings couldn't be found. It took twenty minutes for the doctor to grab it with forceps and pull it out. Tiny bit uncomfortable but nothing to write home about. I also have a retroverted uterous, the doctor said it was pretty much tilted all the way.

I'm going to see about having the copper coil this time as I want to avoid the hormones.

Original poster

LittleRen · 23/04/2018 18:17

Went for the copper... waited an hour and nearly walked off (husband and three boys in the car waiting). I honestly didn’t feel a thing... probably because I have had three babies! Fingers crossed it all goes well from here...

OP posts:

RoundaboutSnail · 23/04/2018 21:22

Glad it went well OP.

vilamoura2003 · 24/04/2018 08:19

How is it today OP?

Original poster

LittleRen · 24/04/2018 09:13

@vilamoura2003 Good so far feel totally normal.. almost seems too good to be true so I am going to check the strings later to make sure it’s still there . Had the tiniest bit of spotting last night but nothing today... maybe some very light cramps but I am taking pain relief as per the instructions so that could be masking it!! Everytime I go to the toilet I am expecting it to fall out... I know logically it shouldn’t do but still seems weird!!

Definitely recommend a sexual health clinic as they are non biased really - my GP was really pushing the Mirena and didn’t even mention the copper brushing over it when I mentioned it, but the family planning lady said the copper is great but doesn’t work for everyone so stay open minded about changing to the Mirena but totally supported me with the copper.

Thanks everyone for the help though it definitely helped me not to cancel the appointment and wuss out!!

OP posts:

Original poster

LittleRen · 25/04/2018 12:04

I just tried to feel my strings and I can’t feel them.. having quite bad cramping but no worse than period cramps. Should I be panicking now??

OP posts:

vilamoura2003 · 25/04/2018 18:13

No - chill and count to 10. The more uptight and anxious you are I would think the worse it will be. Just take some ibuprofen and treat it like period pain - maybe hot water bottle. Hopefully will settle down, lots of people say it takes a few days to settle down

Original poster

LittleRen · 25/04/2018 22:25

Feels slightly better now. I still couldn’t feel strings so got DH to do it and he has confirmed they are still there so I feel much better. I know this is ridiculous as I have had three kids and just need to get over it but routing around my cervix for the strings really freaks me out... I just can’t do it properly

OP posts:

vilamoura2003 · 27/04/2018 18:40

@LittleRen - has it all settled down now?

porridgeandsaucepans · 27/04/2018 19:05

Got the Mirena fitted three years ago now, (it was my second coil). It hurt a bit going in but not too bad, it's pretty quick. Afterwards I got crampy pains but that went after a day and then it completely settled down. After about 6 months my period stopped except for very slight spotting each month, so this has been amazing. My sister got the copper coil at the same time and in her words 'now has a tsunami for a period' and absolutely hates it. For me, apart from the first 24 hrs no side effects at all.

Original poster

LittleRen · 27/04/2018 19:57

@vilamoura2003 all good now thanks no cramping since Wednesday! I am due my period any day so I guess that will be the telling thing... whether it becomes horrendously heavy or not! Fingers crossed not.

OP posts:

Original poster

LittleRen · 02/05/2018 19:59

Just thought I would come back with an update as I know some other people on here were also looking for experiences. I have my period, it’s been very light and on/off for a few days, barely there.. I think yesterday you could say it officially started but not heavy at all, just normal. I think it might be longer though. So not so bad so far!

OP posts:

Ladiesfirst · 02/05/2018 20:16

Had copper coil pre kids - hurt quite a lot with heavy cramping afterwards. Periods 2 days longer than usual and much heavier . Husband had various incidents ‘bumping’ into the threads and he ended up witb a few unexpected pricks! Now have Mirena as have wonky periods. Have to saya not convinced. Acne like a teenager, boobs a few cups sizes bigger making existing clothing too tight and gained about 6lbs in 2 months. This is exceptionally unusual for me as have weighed within a few pounds for twenty years including after two kids in the past 4 years. So considering removal and funding something else to deal with other issues.

Pigsbum1978 · 10/05/2018 09:29

I've got my fitting tonight so will update later, I still think I'm going to go for the copper coil and I've not really had any positive experiences with hormonal contraception...😬

Pigsbum1978 · 10/05/2018 21:13

They couldn't get it in! I have to wait for an appointment with a gynaecologist to do it instead which will apparently be MONTHS!

Original poster

LittleRen · 10/05/2018 21:33

@Pigsbum1978 oh no poor you!! Have you had kids? Where did you go for it? With me they had to use the 5 year coil as it was smaller.

OP posts:

Pigsbum1978 · 10/05/2018 22:00

No no kids which I know can make it more difficult...I went to the local family planning clinic as my GP doesn't offer coil fitting.

They tried the 10 yr first which she explained was slightly larger and said there was no hope of getting that in so went for the 5 year and still couldn't. They even got another Dr in to have a try. Half of Glasgow's sexual health team have been jabbing at my poor spasming cervix to no avail!

On the plus side, although it wasn't fun at all it was only slightly painful and not unbearable and I got a smear and STI check done, seeing as they were down there anyway

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