To ask for anaesthetic for coil fitting?

[LMBoston]

Long story short: I had a termination two years ago at the age of 42 after years of thinking I couldn’t have kids. It was a surgical TOP with no anaesthetic (just gas and air), and I have to say it was brutal, physically and emotionally. Anyway, they didn’t do it properly and I was rushed back in a month later for removal of retained POC...as the surgeon so tactfully put it, “I’ll finish what they started!”

I was so poorly and upset that when they pushed me to have a Mirena fitted while under the GA I said yes — if I’d had time to think I would have requested the copper coil; I’d already had a Mirena in my twenties and bled constantly for a year before giving up and having it taken out. Same thing happened this time! I persevered for 7 months but have since been using condoms...until one failed and I had to go for the MAP!

I’m now practically celibate at 44 at the due to fear of getting pregnant again. I’d really like to try the copper coil (my GP said it’s the hormones in Mirena that cause the bleeding) but I seem to have developed a stupid fear of anyone messing with my downstairs since the botched termination! I have even delayed my smear. It’s most unlike me — the earlier Mirena fitting was grim but doable, and I thought I could handle the “awake” abortion but it has left me traumatised (without wanting to sound overly dramatic).

I’ve got an appointment in two weeks to discuss the copper coil with the GP. I don’t want any kind of hormonal contraceptive, and I’ve considered a diaphragm but the doctors aren’t keen it seems! I know it’s probably overkill but could I request a GA for the coil fitting? I’m happy to pay privately for it but can’t see anywhere locally (East Yorkshire) that offers this. I’m just terrified of the fitting and I know it sounds daft :(

I had a hysterectomy a few weeks ago (NHS) and one of the ladies in the waiting room with me was in for a coil fitting under GA. Not daft at all, definitely worth asking about.

My sister had the coil fitted under GA. I'm sure if you insist on it, or explain why you want it done under GA to your GP that they will understand and agree to it.

I had numbing cream applied when I had my coil fitted - definitely go for it. It’s your body, your choice and your right. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

I had a coil fitted and it felt like nothing. A little prod and a vague gentle pulling sensation for a moment, and that was it. I've never been pregnant or had a termination so my cervix was "virgin territory". It didn't hurt at all. I got a mild period cramp a little while later.

TL; DR it's up to you but I wouldn't think it was necessary.

I've seen mirenas put in under GA, I think this is justified as it is a treatment for fibroids or endometriosis.

I think you'll have a really hard time trying to find sometime who will give you a GA just for contraception, when there are so many alternatives.

I have had the same procedure as you with just G&A and yes it was really very brutal

I have also had 3 coils inserted and Can I reassure you it is not like the termination. It is more like a smear. It is much less painful and very quick. The section that is uncomfortable is when they hold your cervix open but this doesn’t hurt. After the insertion you may have mild cramping.

You could ask for GA but I would think you mean sedation? a general anaesthetic is a big deal and very risky. Sedation is much less risky

@Scaredofthecity

Usually this is part of another treatment no? Not just the procedure by itself? It is a 5 minute procedure, I would have thought the risks of GA were very high!

I had a coil fitted and it did not require a GA, totally unnecessary in my opinion and I am very sensitive to pain.

@PookieDo I’m so relieved (if that’s the right word) that it wasn’t just me being a weed re the termination. It was bloody awful! for you too x

Sedation might be good but again I guess it’s a hospital rather than clinical procedure? I managed to have the first Mirena fitted ok, it’s just I’m now ridiculously scared of speculums! And all that comes after them...

I think I’d best just put my big girl knickers on — or take them off, actually — and suffer it. Thanks all, and apologies that I’ve reposted this thread further up. Tech gremlins suggested this post had failed!

Coil insertion under GA will cost the NHS upwards of £1,000, and that's not taking into account the potential for complications. Would you consider taking a mild sedative instead? Local anaesthesia can be used also.

Sedation such as diazepam could be prescribed by your GP for you to take beforehand.

No it isn’t you. I was shocked by how I felt. I don’t know if you want to be reminded but it was really heavy handed? Does that make sense? A lot of shoving and felt quite rough. It really really really hurt afterwards.

I would perhaps book an appointment to go talk to the nurse/clinician who would be doing the insertion and talk to them about your worries before you make any big decisions. Have a good chat with them and see if there are any other options (the implant?)

Having had both types of coils, neither agree with me either to be honest and I was sterilised last year whilst I had fibroids removed. After the GA I took 9 HOURS to come round properly (I think they may have given me some fentanyl too but this has happened to me before when I had my wisdom teeth out) so I am not the best person to ask about GA as I do not like it at all!

Coil fitter here - sorry you had a terrible time when you have your top. Coil fitting (as you rightly remember) is no where near as bad and over very quickly.
GA is not without risks so I would suggest you try and have one fitted without first. Go to a sexual health clinic and explain your worries to the fitter. They should have someone in there holding your hand whilst they speedily put the coil.

Diazepam is a good shout to be honest but you could not drive home afterwards

I would. I've had the procedure twice now with the numbing and it was very painful and traumatic- i was very upset afterwards.

@PookieDo yes, I said to my mum afterwards that it felt almost medieval in its brutality! I was prepared for it to be unpleasant but not THAT unpleasant. Perhaps the fact that I haven’t had kids didn’t help?

I had fentanyl after the second procedure and that was something I wouldn’t like to repeat! How people take that shit for fun I don’t know

@NoBaggyPants I’ve even looked at having it done privately — whack it on my credit card! — but nowhere seems to offer it. I don’t want to take the piss as I know how stretched the NHS are (although I guess I’ve saved them money from not having kids lol). Diazepam sounds like a good option. That and a massive glass of Rioja and two codeine an hour before?! Only half-joking...I will ask the GP when I see her.

I really do feel ridiculous being so wet about all this. Ffs.

I had a bad experience having my coil fitted. The nurse got it fitted on he 4th attempt and by then I was in a lot of pain and had a lot of pain afterwards. I went to a consultant and they suggested local anaesthetic so I have booked in to have that done. I’m getting it done next month.

Having a coil fitted was one of the worst experiences of my life - it hurt like hell, and I was in so much pain for 3 months afterwards. After that it settled, but I am terrified of it now, so the GP said if I have it done again I'd have to take Diazepam.

I hear you about fentanyl but it kind of made me into a zombie state where I couldn’t move speak or open my eyes but I was aware of people talking and I gave no fucks about anything at all whatsoever. It wasn’t until after I came round from it that I thought WTF was that?!! At the time I didn’t care 😂 but I was day stay and they were still trying to get rid of me at 10pm!

Some diazepam could really relax you and may work in this situation, so it could be an option. I’ve had diazepam for back pain and again, it kind of just makes you care less about what is going on 😂. Back hurts, care not much.
I also had it once for a very bad nosebleed in A&E and wanted to hug everyone

Had mine replaced a couple of months ago. Original one went in okay. A bit sore and cramp but okay.

This one was HORRENDOUS. I nearly passed out. It took 20 mins of poking around, I'm agony, tears streaming down my face before doc gave up and rebooked for next week.

Same bloody nightmare second time. Luckily got it in after 20 mins.

Have the GA. I've had two 'traumatic' back to back births and usually pretty stoic with pain and stuff. I'd have a GA if I could next time!

Would you consider the Depot instead. 1 injection every 12 weeks and no periods is an added bonus.

I put on two stone with that.

Had maintained weight for years (other than when preggo) up to that point.

Also..was a right faff going to docs every few months. I'm a strictly once every few years to the doc kind of gal

I know you said you don’t want hormonal contraceptives but isn’t it worth a go given how you feel about the coil?

I take cerezette the mini pill. My horrendous periods have stopped and I get no pmt. it’s fantastic!

If you do decide to go for the coil, diazepam and someone to drive you might be the way to go.

Do not go to your GP to get your coil fitted.

I had a nurse who fitted my previous coil- she was terrible. It took her 20 minutes for her to find my cervix and God knows how long to get the coil in. Never again.

Had another coil out in (as I took my previous one out) by a nurse at the sexual health clinic and it was quick and painless/ ish. I was done within 5 minutes.

I wouldn't get the coil fitted under GA. I would just take strong painkillers a few hours before the fitting.