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Original poster

To think my doctor should take my mirena out when asked???

244 replies

ScienceIsTruth · 26/11/2018 16:13

Just that really.

Went to see consultant today as still bleeding constantly 2 years after having mirena fitted for heavy periods, although not as heavily.

Asked them to remove it as it's not really helping and the side effects (no libido, etc) are really getting me down, and they've basically refused.

They want to try me on another hormonal medication for 6 months first, whilst keeping the mirena in (because I had trouble when it was put in!).
But there's a waiting list for this medication as it's an injection they have to do, and I'm looking at least an 8 week wait.

OP posts:
Athena51 · 26/11/2018 19:34

I didn't get on with the Mirena at all, when I asked the GP to remove it, I booked an appointment and they did it for me with no problem. It's your body and it's your decision.

Original poster
ScienceIsTruth · 26/11/2018 19:48

Wow! Thanks for all the responses! Still reading through them all, but to answer a few questions, etc:

I've had it since beginning of 2016, after 8 months of constant, often heavy, bleeding with flooding, etc. They found endometriosis and so lasered that away at the same time. At first it made no difference, but they kept telling me to give it time(up to a year). It's not flooding Very often anymore, but it's still pretty much constant(around 22+days out of every month), which is a pain.
I have no libido AT ALL and my moods are awful, real pmt, which I didn't have previously.
Originally, they tried to insert it at the clinic, but although I'm usually fine with stuff like that, the pain was so bad I actually passed out. I think that's why they won't remove it, because they don't want to putt me under, but I told her I really want out out now, and they I don't want it anymore. She basically said: "No, we won't do it now, in 6 months we'll see you again and if the injection is not working and you're still having problems, then we need to go to next stage of carrying out ablation, & we'll remove it whilst we're doing that".

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 26/11/2018 19:58

that is DISGUSTING they need to remove it now.

Original poster
ScienceIsTruth · 26/11/2018 20:04

I went to see a gynaecologist simply because I'm fed up of still bleeding almost all the time. The mirena isn't helping me enough to warrant putting up with the side effects, so I wanted it taken out and to try something else.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScienceIsTruth · 26/11/2018 20:08

I'm actually really considering taking it out myself. Might have a few drinks first though, as pain relief! I was quite upset when they refused, and asked a few times if they could take it out now, but no. Now, I'm also a bit angry. Surely, it is my decision as it's my body!

OP posts:
dontalltalkatonce · 26/11/2018 20:19

What is the injection? If it's Depo, it's likely to make your PMT even worse.

WinterfellWench · 26/11/2018 20:19

OH GOD be careful OP!

You may damage yourself.

Please try and go to a walk in clinic first!!!

I am really sorry for your suffering, and as many posters have said, stuff like this is the reason I would never have anything like this.

I know someone who had the contraceptive implant, and she hated it, as it gave her migraines, mood swings, and 3 periods a month! So she went back to the doctors and they would't remove it as they wanted her to 'give it a year!' Hmm

As has been said, how DARE they treat women like this? You can bet men would never be treated this way. Women are treated like shit compared to men, (by the medical profession.)

WinterfellWench · 26/11/2018 20:20

They WOULDN'T remove it (not would't) obvs!

eatingtomuch · 26/11/2018 20:21

Please don't OP. My doctor refused and I went to the walk in clinic and they did it for me. No appointment was needed I just sat and waited. Try that first x

bluetongue · 26/11/2018 20:23

I feel for you OP. There’s nothing worse than the constant bleeding. I had it with the mini pill but at least that could be stopped.

Recently I tried a different pill and it didn’t agree with me at all. Weight gain, ridiculous hunger and horribly sore breasts. If I’d had to just ‘put up’ with those symptoms it would have been infuriating.

ShovingLeopard · 26/11/2018 20:34

This is quite disgusting, and falls foul of the REQUIREMENT they have to ensure your autonomy (google Beauchamp and Childress). I would write something along the following lines.

"At our appointment on X, I asked you to remove my Mirena implant. You appeared to refuse.

I am writing to put it on record, and make it quite clear, that I no longer consent to having the Mirena implant, and am requesting its removal at the earliest possible date.

As you will be aware, now I have rescinded my consent to this treatment, failure to remove the Mirena device in a timely fashion will breach the requirement to ensure my autonomy as a patient.

I would welcome your reply, with a date for an appointment to remove the device, at your earliest convenience, and certainly no later than X."

I would be amazed if you get no joy from that (you are likely to get a lot of back-pedalling along the lines of you must have misunderstood what he said), but if you do, then straight to PALS.

SittingByTheFire · 26/11/2018 20:57

I thought I'd add my story in here.

I was actually quite happy with my coil, although blacked out for about 4 hours after it was put in.

Wanted it removed as ttc. Went to gp and was refused an appointment because all the gps were male and it 'wouldn't be appropriate' to give me an appointment about contraception. The fact that I was happy with anyone medically trained was irrelevant.

Went to the fp clinic and booked an appointment. Now I understand that they have to go through questions so in principal that would be fine. Asked when I last had sex etc, then kept going on about how I could get pregnant from that if she took it out now etc. She seemed very insistent and kept offering map. Eventually I agreed so I could get it over with, obviously I wasn't actually concerned about getting pregnant. Then she goes on about how the coil is better emergency contraception and refuses to remove it despite me saying it's fine! I also refused the std checks simply because I didn't need them (appropriate box ticked etc).

So since she's not going to do it I get up to leave and she says 'no, we'll do an internal exam before you go'. I say that it's not necessary as she's not going to sort it and I'll just come back next month. But she insists and actually blocks the door gesturing to the bed! By this point I'm getting distressed and just meekly agree thinking that it'll be the quickest way out.

So she's rummaging around in there and gets a funny look on her face, goes off to get a colleague and then one of them makes a snarky comment about down there and the other sniggers (all about something perfectly normal - but made me out to be some kind of freak). When it's eventually over and I'm getting dressed she tells me she took swabs for the tests anyway (the ones that I declined) and actually comments that she'd done it without me noticing.

The worst part of it all was that I had to go back there to actually have it removed because apparently it was the only place in the county that would do it. (Tried and failed several times to remove it myself before I ended up in tears in reception and got seen by a lovely nurse.)

Sorry that went on a bit, clearly needed to get it off my chest.

SittingByTheFire · 26/11/2018 21:02

Also according to my midwife the cost benefit turning point is only 6months but that was irrelevant as it was my body and if I only wanted it for a month that was fine too as my needs were most important.

I guess it depends on if you're comparing to the cost of pregnancy or other contraception (but still irrelevant).

fizzthecat1 · 26/11/2018 21:22

I'm actually really considering taking it out myself. Might have a few drinks first though, as pain relief

No OP! Don't do it, you could damage yourself. I don't even know how you'd do that as when mine was removed it was so painful.

fizzthecat1 · 26/11/2018 21:24

OP maybe tell them that you'll be taking it out yourself if they don't it to scare them into doing it. (Don't actually do it though)

Badgersmummy25 · 26/11/2018 21:35

I had the same issue. Had mine put in by private gyny, but then had huge mood swings and loss of libido, so asked to get it removed. My gyny said no she wouldn't, so I had to then wait a couple of months and go back and tell her I was going to try for a baby, and only then did she take it out! I obviously then didn't go on to have a baby, but it was really wrong to have to lie in order to get something taken out of me that I didnt want.. Crazy times

Mummaloves · 26/11/2018 21:35

When I wanted mine out after months of bad skin and pains, I just rang my drs surgery and asked to make an appointment with the nurse for a cool removal. Not a consultation - a removal.

overagain · 26/11/2018 21:40

YANBU. And this is one of the reasons I won't have a contraceptive that is completely under my control. How dare they refuse to remove it!

Original poster
ScienceIsTruth · 26/11/2018 21:51

I did actually say: ""Look, it's not working for me, and at the end of the day, it's a foreign object inside me releasing drugs, and I'm already on enough meds without carrying on with one that just isn't working." "Also, the side effects are really impacting myob me and my relationship and I'm far too young to want to give up sex permanently!" (I've just turned 46).

She just wasn't interested, I think because of the issues I had having it put in.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScienceIsTruth · 26/11/2018 21:58

Also, they've said this new injection will override the mirena(dampen it's effects), so it's not as if it will be doing anything for those 8+ months (2 month min waiting list for injection, then 6 month countdown will begin)

OP posts:
dontalltalkatonce · 26/11/2018 22:14

Did they bother their arses to tell you what drug the injection is, or just assume you're too stupid to know or care? I would actually complain formally about this GYN and again, either see the sexual health clinic or write the letter quoted to this misogynistic doctor. This is all about consent. You no longer consent to this. It's unlawful to force you to continue treatment you no longer consent to, much less expect you to put up with more.

Ontheboardwalk · 26/11/2018 22:34

I was under medication from the hospital to control my menorrhagia.

My locum GP TOLD me he was taking me off the drugs and would give me the coil. I told him repeatedly no the drugs work and I’m really uncomfortable with the thought of a coil in me.

I took me complaining to the senior GP for me to continue with the hospital diagnosis. He still at my practice telling women who knows what and it annoys me

Sheitgeist · 26/11/2018 22:36

This is awful. Do kick up a stink. I've had a mirena and the implant in the past and both were taken out as soon as I requested it.
Reading these posts makes me realise I was lucky. I thought at the time it was just normal; why wouldn't they take it out?
I feel now I should warn my daughters.

Noodella18 · 26/11/2018 22:57

This sucks op, can’t believe they wouldn’t remove it when you asked.

I was too impatient to wait for an appointment so I pulled mine out myself - no pain at all. Not advocating this approach, just telling you so you are informed of all options.

JillyArmeeen · 26/11/2018 23:03

I'm gonna bet my life savings that Robert97 is a man Hmm
This thread is horrifying. Its disgusting that we are not listened to.
Thank God my implant has caused me no problems other than a bit of weight gain.
Depo made me bleed constantly, and thinking about it the nurse did talk me into having the last one even though I didn't really want it or need contraception.

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