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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is ridiculous?

90 replies

Cerry · 25/05/2021 17:52

Really struggling at the moment. I had the contraceptive implant put in around 4 months ago and since then I have not had a day where I'm not bleeding, heavy like a period. I also feel incredibly low, unmotivated and really down and crying most days.

But I'm really struggling to get anyone to take this horrid thing out of my arm.

I finally managed to get hold of the GP and they are saying they can't get me in to remove it until the end of July despite the fact they were quick enough to put it in.

I honestly don't know how to cope for another 2 months. AIBU to think a 2 month wait is ridiculous when a patient is experiencing these symptoms?

OP posts:
romdowa · 25/05/2021 17:58

I had this 18 months ago. Nobody would take the stupid thing out, I was bleeding for 6/8 weeks at a time and I was exhausted. I ended up changing gp surgery just to get it out quickly. Sexual health and my original gp just kept bouncing me back and forth. I was tearing my hair out.

Original poster
Cerry · 25/05/2021 18:01

@romdowa

I had this 18 months ago. Nobody would take the stupid thing out, I was bleeding for 6/8 weeks at a time and I was exhausted. I ended up changing gp surgery just to get it out quickly. Sexual health and my original gp just kept bouncing me back and forth. I was tearing my hair out.
It sounds ridiculous but I've honestly been googling how to get it out myself I'm that desperate. I've even told them this and they just don't say anything and repeat that's the next available slot. Sexual health clinic won't do it either.
OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 25/05/2021 18:02

You poor thing. My mum had a terrible time with hers, faced the same reluctance to take it out and ended up refusing to leave her GP surgery till a doctor did it. I’m not recommending that but I’d make a hell of a fuss. This sexist bullshit is enraging.

Who else can you contact?

Babbly · 25/05/2021 18:03

Try taking an iron supplement. The constant bleeding will leave you feeling down and drained regardless of any issues with the contraceptive. Unfortunately, no advice on how to get them to get their arse in gear to remove it but this might help a little bit in the meantime.

Original poster
Cerry · 25/05/2021 18:03

I don't understand how they can put it in so quickly (had an appointment two days after I asked) but removal takes months...

I've been looking private but I just don't have the funds Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Cerry · 25/05/2021 18:05

@AnneLovesGilbert

You poor thing. My mum had a terrible time with hers, faced the same reluctance to take it out and ended up refusing to leave her GP surgery till a doctor did it. I’m not recommending that but I’d make a hell of a fuss. This sexist bullshit is enraging.

Who else can you contact?

I've actually been considering this sort of thing. Like making an appointment for something completely unrelated and just breaking down in their office!
OP posts:
EasterEggBelly · 25/05/2021 18:05

I bled pretty much every day for around 6 months and then nothing. I’ve had it 3 years now and not one period in the last 2.5yrs. It’s amazing. For me the 6 months of bleeding was totally worth it.
Just saying this to give you some hope?!

I was also warned they wouldn’t take it out in the first 3 months because I was expected to give it that long to adjust. This was for the mirena and pre covid.

romdowa · 25/05/2021 18:05

I told them the exact same and I even contemplated going to a n e to beg them to remove it, it was seriously affecting my mental health. I had a day off and rang every gp for miles to see if they would remove it , I even looked up private clinics and was willing to pay for someone to do it. I'd never have anything like that placed in my body again.

PlanDeRaccordement · 25/05/2021 18:06

That’s actually shocking you’re both going (or went) through this! Have you thought of contacting PALS and doing a complaint? Or perhaps contact closest female MPs office and try that route?

Theunamedcat · 25/05/2021 18:06

This is why some women resort to removing it themselves and why I refused to have any form of semi permanent contraception the doctors asked me to try a coil I asked if it would be removed if I got side effects they said no we like you to try it for 18 months to two years I declined

Original poster
Cerry · 25/05/2021 18:07

I was also warned they wouldn’t take it out in the first 3 months

Surely it's wrong to refuse to take something out of our bodies if it's causing us distress though? That's not okay imo and I was told no such thing when I had mine put in.

It's the mood as well as the bleeding. I honestly feel depressed (I suffered from depression badly a few years ago and can feel myself getting to that point again).

OP posts:
User7312019 · 25/05/2021 18:08

I had a horrific time with the implant and I was only a teenager at the time and faced the same reluctance to remove it. Eventually during an appointment my mum went with me and said either you take it out of her arm or I will. Funnily enough the nurse was able to do so there and then.

If you can’t get this to work demand to be prescribed the contraceptive pill for the two months until you can have it removed, this will reduce the side effects of it.

Original poster
Cerry · 25/05/2021 18:10

I was on the phone to them earlier literally in tears saying I feel so low, want to remove it myself, can't do it another 2 months and she just ignored me basically and repeated that's the only slot they have.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cerry · 25/05/2021 18:11

Looks like it's a common issue.

I'll look into some of the suggestions in the meantime.

I might have to ask my Dad if I can borrow some money for a bit to get it taken out privately if I can find somewhere to do it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cerry · 25/05/2021 18:11

Thank you

OP posts:
MirroredWindows · 25/05/2021 18:11

Do you have a sexual health clinic in your area? They are often easier to get into than the GP and would remove it.

I had it also and it was horrific. Never ever again, worst decision I ever made having that implant.

hennybeans · 25/05/2021 18:13

I really feel for you! I have read so many stories like this that I refuse to have any contraception put in my body that I can't control. The disregard for women's health is shocking.

You probably just need to phone again and again and email and keep pestering without relent. But it shouldn't be that way.

Original poster
Cerry · 25/05/2021 18:13

I've tried sexual health clinic and they just refer me back to the GP because it's 'minor surgery'.

OP posts:
DNTSleepingDragons · 25/05/2021 18:15

My go just prescribed the pill for me, took it for a month alongside the implant and it stopped all bleeding xx

Original poster
Cerry · 25/05/2021 18:17

I just want it out tbh, I don't want to be prescribed the pill or anything like else alongside it, I just want it out Sad (obviously I can try that in the meantime though I guess).

OP posts:
stayingaliveisawayoflife · 25/05/2021 18:17

I had to pay £150 in the end to have it taken out. I was seriously anaemic and couldn't keep bleeding all the time. I just kept being told to wait as it would change. It didn't!

2020nymph · 25/05/2021 18:20

@stayingaliveisawayoflife

I had to pay £150 in the end to have it taken out. I was seriously anaemic and couldn't keep bleeding all the time. I just kept being told to wait as it would change. It didn't!

That's awful.

The treatment of women's health shocking. 😠

CoffeeCakey · 25/05/2021 18:20

There needs to be a campaign to change this. They are so quick to put them in and I can understand them wanting to give it a couple of months to settle down but I'm horrified they can be so hesitant to remove them.

HighlandCowbag · 25/05/2021 18:26

You could try telling them you want it out to try and conceive maybe? My sister did this when they refused to remove it and she was concerned over side effects and long term health issues (she had just had cancer treatment and wanted to be chemical free as much as possible). They wouldn't take it out because she was concerned but they did take it out when she said she was ttc.

Precovid tho so things may have changed.

Original poster
Cerry · 25/05/2021 18:27

I hadn't thought about telling them I was TTC, I can try that. Thank you

OP posts:
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