To think that the surgery should tell me that Mirena has run out?

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

Just went for a smear test. Inquired about how long I’d had the Mirena as it felt like ages. Obviously it’s not the most pleasant experience so had put it to the back of my mind.
It’s been 6.5 YEARS! No one told me when I had it put in that it was my responsibility to check the dates. I’ve had no periods. Thank goodness I haven’t become pregnant in that time- would have had no idea.
I’ve been to dr for various bits and pieces over last year and a half. They’ve sent letters and texts for other different things.
AIBU to ask that they could have mentioned it? So annoyed.

Hahaha of course it's your job to know when it needs replacing. Goodness me!

Does anyone think anything is their responsibility anymore or Is everything always someone else’s fault?!

I'm grateful for this post, it's made me go back through my calendar and set a 5 year reminder for mine!

It can be hard to remember 5 years ahead but you are supposed to check the strings monthly so that's a reminder about coil maintenance. I can see how unwanted pregnancies can happen if people just forget they have them at all and don't check they're in place and in date.

If the NHS is so cash-strapped, annual check-ups would save money in the long run

Actually across the whole population, they don't save money or lives. In select groups they do - which is why the NHS offers comprehensive annual checkups to people in those groups - diabetics for example.

I got a card with all the relevant info on it. I keep it in my bedside drawer and look at it intermittently.
Letters for smear tests are not sent out by the GP, it's a national screening service.

I’ve got one due out in 2021 and I know that because it was put in when I had my last child. BUT five years is a long time and many people love chaotic and difficult lives where they would not have the same phone or diary or purse for five years. Hell loads of women don’t have a secure tenancy and are forced to move many tines in five years. I think it’s a valid concern that those women are the ones who can least afford an unplanned pregnancy not privileged women like me.
It most definitely should flag up as overdue on the GP computer when you attend for other reasons.

You are being ridiculous and need to take some personal responsibility.

Jeez, would you want a text everyday to remind you to take your pill???

I had a coil for years, had it changed regularly but when I had it removed for the last time, they found two up there, one was a museum piece apparently.

It is your responsibility that said my vet texts me every month to remind me to worm my dog. If only private healthcare was as cheap, friendly and flexible as my vet insurance and healthcare plan (£44 a month) I would buy it.

@steff13

Annual check up? No such thing, smears are 3 yearly

@steff13
I've lived in the USA and annual check ups are so drs can make money, there's actually good evidence that 3 years is optimum for women's health, FREE at the point of delivery, annual exams were $30 copay 15 years ago, goodness knows now

FFS! YABVU.

Just had a hot flush reading this. Searched Drawer Of All Important Things. Found card. Still have time. Phew! thanks for the reminder.

omg... learn to be an adult, are you serious?

Do you have any idea how much extra work that is for staff? It's your responsibility. Keep the card you are given in your purse and make a mental note of the year.

Oh come on. Yes, 5 years is a long time, but no one expected you to remember the exact day of the week/time of day/what you were wearing etc. Just a general month or season surely, which shouldn’t be difficult for the average person to recollect. And if it is, contact your practice to confirm.

I work in a surgery, and none of our staff are trained in coil inserting...so all patients go to the sexual health clinic, which there is two lo actions for in our city. It would be impossible to keep a check on each and every person, who doesn't even carry these out here.

Smear and mammogram reminders are not sent from the surgery, so this can't be used as a comparison. The reminders come automatically from the health authority for all females in the country that fit into the age brackets, so is actually much easier than to go through individual records.

I'm sorry but something like this is fully your responsibility. It's no one else's responsibility to ensure you practice safe sex. In future, add it to your calendar with a yearly reminder

They should give u the batch number and the date in which was inserted and then it's ur responsibility

I had one done privately in 2015 and didn't get a card reminder although I think in the discharge paperwork it said 5 year follow up. I don't use it for contraception. It would be easy to forget.

I’m on depo so need to set Calender for 12 weeks once I’ve injected and let dr receptionist know what date I inject and she sends me repeat out to do on time. It’s MY responsibility to let her know so she can ask dr in good time so I get my injection not hers.

Suggestion;

If you run a paper diary write it in the bank of diary to carry forward to next year

If unity run an electronic calendar, write it in for 5 years time

If you run neither, pick one...

I would wrote in on my calendar.. For example. Of had done June 21st.. And put 5 yrs in brackets.. Then when I buy next years calandar and transfer over birthday etc I'd then transfer that and put 4 years in brackets.. And so forth..

But in fairness I'm a bit ott and worry so much about missing anything.. I mean anything.

Yabu. It's down to you, if not to track it accurately then at least to have some clue about what's going on in your body. Surely at some point in the last nine years it would cross your mind that it had been AEONS since your coil was inserted and that you might be overdue a new one.