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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

absolutely terrified of getting this out ... and i know AIBU!

62 replies

airelle · 21/01/2019 13:15

Hi all,

I've had the contraceptive implant for nearly 18 months now. I have previously had an eating disorder as a teenager and have always maintained a low weight (around 8 stone at 5ft 6). I have recently been sensing that my clothes are getting tighter. I plucked up the courage to weight myself over the weekend and I've put on 11lbs without any change in lifestyle!

I am really scared of weight gain - I have purged all weekend because I can't bear the thought of it. I know this is unreasonable and I'm ready to be flamed, but it's just what I have experienced in the past.

So along with the weight gain I've also been massively anxious, moody and CONSTANT periods (maybe 1 or 3 days a month not bleeding).

So I've decided to have it out. I've never liked needles (dont think anyone does), but I am MASSIVELY freaking out. I think because my ex partner came with me to get it I am scared of going alone?

I have diazepam for panic attacks, so I was wondering if this would help?

I also read somewhere about elma cream - anyone got any experiences with that?

I'm ready to be told YABU about the dramatics! So in anticipation AIBU to ask for any positive stories of removal...

OP posts:
FooFighter99 · 21/01/2019 15:48

I second putting the Elma cream on an hour before your appointment as it takes that long to become effective.

Don't over think it, the Nurse knows what she's doing and you'll be in good hands!

Once it's removed, make sure you eat healthily and look after yourself and those 11lbs will drop right off you - please don't purge again as it is not the answer Flowers

Mountainsoutofmolehills · 21/01/2019 17:13

I found the coil to give me long periods, moodiness and exhaustion..... I probably ate more too. I found it being put in more painful than taken out. I'd have it taken out. Goodluck.

Original poster
airelle · 21/01/2019 18:19

Keep going in circles between i can do this I can't do it!!!!! Ahhgggh. Got the cream. Hopefully I'll just get on with it tomorrow Sad never been as nervousm I just don't wanna get there and walk our

OP posts:
Justaboy · 21/01/2019 20:58

Mountainsoutofmolehills JOOI was that one coated with hormones at all which I believe are still in use as opposed to pure copper?

airelle Stop thinking and JDI!!! Just Do It.

Hope it goes well for you:)

One2Three4Five6 · 21/01/2019 21:20

I don't think YABU at all actually.

Had implants for the last 9 years, having it taken out is no more complicated than having it put in tbh, you CAN do this.
Easier said than done when the anxiety kicks in, and believe me, I do understand, but get it done ASAP or you will just keep on driving yourself crazy about it.
Can someone go with you to support you?
If not take a book, or phone to watch netflix on to distract yourself, the Dr/Nurse won't mind, honestly. Just explain the anxiety and they will do all they can to help you.

Also, I can see that you are not in denial of previous eating disorder, but it sounds like you have not squashed it completely, it appears to be rearing up, and again, I understand this all too well. Please take care of yourself and speak to someone, either a friend, or a professional if you need to.

You CAN do this.
You CAN do this.
You CAN do this.

Good luck.

ohwownosnow · 21/01/2019 21:24

@maras2 😂 you've made me chuckle

OP - get the cream. You'll be ok Thanks

BusySnipingOnCallOfDuty · 21/01/2019 21:26

@maras2 Boy, did it relax me?.
So much so I pissed myself as the doctor inserted the speculum OMG this nearly made ME piss myself laughing 😂 but I bet you could of buried yourself at the time.

It wasn't the implant, but I crawled into the family planning and pregnancy clinic with severe abdominal pains from the mirena coil I had had fitted, and they whipped it out fast, no pain relief, because the sooner it was out the sooner the problems would be over.

I'd say that with your diazepam and your elma beforehand, plus the early appt, you'll be able to think the same.

I'm sorry to hear your ED has been a problem again. I suffer too. More so at the other end of the scale, meaning when I do lose weight from purging etc, people don't realise it's not right.

Original poster
airelle · 21/01/2019 21:42

It's really difficult to admit the ED has reared its ugly head again... I know that my weight now is NOT fat at all - in fact, I look healthier and I'm in the bracket of healthy weight now.

So why do I always think of the fat clinging to my hips?? It's ridiculous.

I think this whole situation has encouraged me to return to my GP for more help... I don't want a complete relapse again.

Thanks all for your lovely help Flowers will hopefully update tomorrow with a very positive experience (fingers crossed!!!)

OP posts:
Original poster
airelle · 21/01/2019 21:44

@BusySnipingOnCallOfDuty

My sister has the same problem with her ED and it irritates me so much. Hoping you are getting some help for yours - EDs are a drainer of life (as a very clever psychologist said to me)

OP posts:
Original poster
airelle · 21/01/2019 21:45
  • irritates me so much that people praise weight lose via unhealthy means i meant to say!
OP posts:
Thadeus · 21/01/2019 21:47

Can I just add to be prepared that they won’t take it out!!!
A friend is suffering badly with it and they have said it has to stay it’s course.

Original poster
airelle · 21/01/2019 21:54

@Thadeus my cousin got hers out a few months ago at the same place after just 5 months so im hopeful they will

OP posts:
Echobelly · 21/01/2019 22:09

Removal is fine - they numb the area and you hardly feel a thing. But I don't think the implant is really the issue here...

Calvinsmam · 21/01/2019 22:43

I find family planning clinics are the best for things like this as they do it all the time.

Chasingrainbows10 · 21/01/2019 22:50

I had mine out for similar reasons. It made me gain weight, made my skin bad, felt awful and I bled a lot.

They will numb it for you and you won’t really feel much, but it would be worth speaking to the nurse doing it about your worries before hand.

You could call them and speak to them about it before and ask what you could do to help ready for when you go?

Original poster
airelle · 21/01/2019 22:53

it's at a family planning clinic so that's a good sign!

it's the first appointment when it opens so little time to speak to them Sad i will tell the nurse I am phobic when I go in though so hopefully she will be nice.

my skin has actually improved with it but all the other things outweigh it - especially the constant bleeding. I don't have a partner atm so i think a period off contraception is the best option for me!

OP posts:
MumW · 21/01/2019 22:56

Good luck. You can do this.
Please also ask for help with the ED.

Calvinsmam · 21/01/2019 23:11

I actually love the women at my family planning clinic, they are just amazing at making me feel calm.
The dr is a lovely woman with the most soothing voice (she has an African accent but I’m afraid I don’t know which one) and she has an incredible talent for making you feel like she’s done the procedures a million times and she has it under control, and the nurse is a local woman with a very strong regional accent who just bounces off the dr so well, they have me laughing and distracted and feeling like it was the most normal and wonderful thing.
When you think of all the things they must do and see they’ll be well used to making you feel calm and under control.

Ambs81 · 21/01/2019 23:31

Hi @airelle

I had mine in for 15 months, 14lbs weight gain also!

In 2 months after, I dropped 10lbs!

I am very sqeamish and was worried too, but it was fine - even though the nurse moaned it was in the wrong place!!

You will be fine, get it out - i would never have one put in again.

There was a small bruise but no pain, or blood etc. In those situations I always tell the nurse i don't want to watch/see!!!

Good luck, you will be 100% fine I promise

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 21/01/2019 23:36

You'll be fine Lovely, you can do this. You made a wise decision accepting the first morning appointment. Remember you are in safe hands, these people are highly professional and on your side. I find stressful times like this much easier, if I grit my teeth and follow their instruction. You'll be out before you know it, think of your reward, new clothes ! 🌸

Original poster
airelle · 21/01/2019 23:36

@Ambs81

ahh thank you so much, I hope so! I am more worried about being worried than the actual procedure if that make sense...

did that 10lbs just lose itself or did you need to diet?

OP posts:
Ambs81 · 21/01/2019 23:42

@airelle
i exercise a lot anyway, but conscious of the extra weight I was gaining I was being careful with eating (not dieting as such) but I couldn't lose the weight - maybe 1lb or 2.
Once the implant came out, within a week, it was dropping off - each time i weighed myself it would be another pound off.

The procedure took minutes, I did it on my lunch break and was back at my desk drinking a latte afterwards! It was much easier to get out then it was to put in, so if you were ok with it being fitted the taking out will be a breeze.

Remember, as the family planning clinic they are doing this procedure all day everyday, its completely routine and you will be fine.

Original poster
airelle · 21/01/2019 23:46

@Ambs81

I'm doing it before work so that's a relief! Will buy myself a treat for lunch as well for going through with it... Getting it in wasn't that bad, although it did feel like someone was "stapling" my arm if that makes sense? The woman who put it in was quite abrasive though and didn't check my arm was numbed ...

So maybe that's why I am slightly nervous?!

Anyway focusing on this time tomorrow - implant free yay!

OP posts:
FoxFoxSierra · 21/01/2019 23:50

It's so much easier getting it taken out than putting it in. They will numb it well so you shouldn't feel a thing. I found the worst thing was the sound as it took them a few times to get a good grip on the end so the tweezers things they were using kept snapping which made me jump as I wasn't expecting it.

helpmepleasee · 22/01/2019 00:06

I got mine out 2 weeks ago! And honestly I was so so so anxious. Im such an anxious person and no joke, did not feel a thing. I laughed at myself after - it took two seconds and I almost didn't even go into the appointment because I was panicking right before it!