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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the implant has affected my mood all this time?

51 replies

Bonheur88 · 13/10/2019 18:18

I’ve had the implant for 2 years. Prior to that had a range of pills etc. with no real problems but wanted something long term/more reliable.

I just don’t feel like I’ve been the same person since I got it put in. But my life has also changed quite a lot, relocation, major job change and relationship with DP (that had started just before I got the implant in). It has been a pretty stressful couple of years for various reasons but I am wondering whether a lot of the sadness, stress, anxiety and irritability I have felt is due to this thing in my arm rather than anything else?

I frequently feel snappy at DP, less able to ‘cope’ with situations (I’ll cry as soon as I am angry/worried), dwelling on things more than usual (although I’ve always been a worrier) and generally less of a ‘positive’ person when I’ve always seen myself as positive.

What makes me think it could be the implant rather than a mood disorder is the fact that I’ll have these sad evenings or fly off the handle at something and once I’ve had a cry or focused on something else it’s like the mood just lifts.

It’s not even like physically I’ve got on great with the implant - I’ve probably spent more time spotting/bleeding that not. My skin is oily and more spotty.

The only thing that has stopped me getting it removed is my massive fear of pregnancy. Although really DP and I are in a good financial situation, we aren’t married (and no urgent plans to be) and I really don’t want to have a baby before I am married. Nothing against those that do, it’s just something i feel quite strongly about. I don’t think I’d be able to enjoy sex as i’d be so paranoid about the condom breaking!!

But would I be sensible to see how I go with getting this thing out of my arm and relying on condoms for a bit?

Has anyone had the same symptoms with this bit of plastic and felt much better once it was out??

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Original poster
Bonheur88 · 13/10/2019 18:20

I’ve also been plagued with recurrent UTIs which never happened before - could this be linked?? Maybe I am just over hopeful!

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AudacityOfHope · 13/10/2019 18:22

When I got mine in, I genuinely felt at times as if I was going mad. I was so angry and irritable and irrational. It faded over maybe 4-6 months though. It sounds like it's impacting your life a lot; if I was you I'd think about removal.

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 13/10/2019 18:24

Mine caused serious mood swings and depression. I ended up bleeding over 20 days each month. I paid to have it removed quickly.

Original poster
Bonheur88 · 13/10/2019 18:25

Thanks @AudacityOfHope - I actually think it’s got worse but I’m not sure if that’s maybe due to the hormones or what! Interesting to know. Do you still have yours?

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EchidnasPhone · 13/10/2019 18:27

Sounds like me!! It was horrid. Almost wrecked my life it messed with my moods and made me irrational it also made me bleed continuously for months. The relief within 2 weeks of having it removed was immense and I could start getting my life back.

seaweedandmarchingbands · 13/10/2019 18:28

I think a lot of women find their bad moods being blamed on their implant. The other thing that changed round about that time? Your DP. Is he lovely? I’m not suggesting he isn’t. However, I know a few women who are with men who aren’t, and their bad moods are always them ‘going crazy because of the implant’ too.

SpaceDinosaur · 13/10/2019 18:30

I had the implant for years and years.

Then the NHS moved to a different (cheaper) version and I spiralled into an anxious, depressed mess. The NHS refused to remove the implant because "it couldn't be that"
So they drugged me, treating the symptoms.

9 months into this shit show I told them to remove it or I would pick the damn thing out myself.

I was myself again within 7 days

PennyRoyal · 13/10/2019 18:30

Much the same for me. Continuous bleeding and moody/angry as hell as well as teary and all round bleurgh. Was made to wait almost 6 mths before they'd remove it Angry

Ohnoherewego62 · 13/10/2019 18:31

Turned me into the antichrist.

TheQueef · 13/10/2019 18:33

I had a bad time with it.
Then I couldn't get it removed.
I ended up at the GUM clinic threatening to take it myself unless they did it NOW.
I was like Charles Bronson in a bad mood. Blush

Original poster
Bonheur88 · 13/10/2019 18:34

@seaweedandmarchingbands fair comment but although we’ve bickered a lot since I’ve had the implant, it would be interesting to see if that lessened!

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Original poster
Bonheur88 · 13/10/2019 18:35

@PennyRoyal how long did you have yours in?

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seaweedandmarchingbands · 13/10/2019 18:37

It would. But with your rational head on, what’s he like? Are you bickering over crap, or are you objecting to things you dislike?

CatsOnCatnip · 13/10/2019 18:41

I’ve purposely avoided the implant because every woman I’ve known who’s had it has had trouble, non-stop bleeding, mood swings etc. I’ve struggled enough on the pill giving me a personality transplant.

In my next life I’d like to come back as an average man.

StopSayingPickyTea · 13/10/2019 18:45

Mine did this. I caught myself fantasising about driving my car into the sea at one point, as I had nothing to live for (I absolutely did, and had no previous history of depression) it also sent my arm numb and I had many, many UTIs. I begged them to take it out and it was like taking a pair pf sunglasses off, the sky was blue again

PrincessHoneysuckle · 13/10/2019 18:47

When I worked at a gp surgery one of the common appointment requests for nurses was to "get this thing out of me" speaking about the implant.Its very common that it gives bad side effects

AudacityOfHope · 13/10/2019 18:50

Yes I do @Bonheur88 it should have been removed a couple of years ago but I honestly just forget it's in there now BlushBlush

Ravenrob · 13/10/2019 18:53

I was so angry and irrational with mine in. I also bled almost constantly for eight months before they'd remove it. Worst experience ever.

Soontobe60 · 13/10/2019 18:54

I felt almost suicidal with the implant. I had it put in at my 6 week post natal check which was with a consultant because I had a severe PPH. I told him I would never want another child and wanted to be sterilised. He said I'd have to go on a very long waiting list so have this done in the meantime. I've never been so awful in my life. It was like I was in a rage permanently. When I went back 2 months later I realised I'd signed up for a trial (this was 24 years ago). Was told I'd have to have it in for a year. At my 6 month check I saw a female consultant. Still having the same symptoms. Within 2 weeks she had put me on her private patients list for sterilisation and implant removal. The change in me was so noticeable within a week of removal.

Original poster
Bonheur88 · 13/10/2019 19:10

@seaweedandmarchingbands I’d say bickering over crap mostly that when I look back I realise probably isn’t important or worth getting worked up over - but equally I am snappy and get DP worked up in response as he gets defensive. He is by no means perfect obviously and he does some things that are just stupid/illogical but I would like to be able to discuss things without crying every time I get frustrated! He’s supportive and loyal but just has some odd quirks that wind me up. Does that make sense?

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Original poster
Bonheur88 · 13/10/2019 19:11

I am shocked at how bad so many of us have felt on this! I am not blaming every low mood or stress on the implant but knowing that it has caused this for so many people does make me wonder.

How to get over my pregnancy fear though and rely on condoms??

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seaweedandmarchingbands · 13/10/2019 19:11

I suppose it does. Get it taken out. See what happens.

Original poster
Bonheur88 · 13/10/2019 19:11

@StopSayingPickyTea so you got lots of UTIs too?? Did they stop when you got it out?

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Original poster
Bonheur88 · 13/10/2019 19:12

@PrincessHoneysuckle that’s fascinating!!

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Original poster
Bonheur88 · 13/10/2019 19:13

@CatsOnCatnip god me too!!! (Coming back as a man!)

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