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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
itsgettingwierd · 07/06/2021 16:38

The thing is they could get it out before July.

There is absolutely nothing stopping them but they'd have to rearrange stuff. What they're saying is your feelings aren't important enough for us to prioritise.

Usually when you ask for something in 2-3 weeks time they tell you to ring nearer the time as apts aren't released so far in advance!

LondonStone · 07/06/2021 16:55

You’re absolutely right, it is ridiculous. There are so many threads (mine included) all saying the same thing. They are quick to put them in but not to willing to take them out. There’s been posts about how they make ££ from insertion but not from removals, not sure how true this is.

I had the same issue with removing mine last year. It was late September and I appreciate COVID made things more complicated but the NHS quite literally point blank refused to remove it.

I told them I was TTC (a lie but I didn’t care at that point) and I was told ‘we don’t recommend trying for a baby during these times’.

A lovely person here on Mumsnet gave me the name of a private clinic and they removed it the next day.

Bubblemonkey · 07/06/2021 18:09

I tried to remove mine myself. Surprisingly, the gp removed it the same afternoon 🤨

itsgettingwierd · 07/06/2021 18:17

It's absolutely medieval that they revise to remove a device from someone's body they don't want there.

TeaSoakedDisasterMagnet · 07/06/2021 18:26

Complain to PALS and make sure you stress that you tried being honest about your side effects and got no response so had to resort to saying you were TTC to be listened to.

L0V315 · 07/06/2021 18:41

I hope that you have it asap op, I am so sorry that you are feeling like shit and that you are not being listened to by your gp.

Fucking disgrace.

L0V315 · 07/06/2021 18:42

*out

Psuedoshoes · 07/06/2021 18:47

This is disgraceful. I really hope you get sorted soon OP Flowers

Andi2020 · 07/06/2021 18:54

@dntsleepingdragons my dd17 has both implant since July last year constantly bleeding on pill now for 3 months and keeps making her sick.
I told her to stop the pill yesterday to see if things settle.

swapsicles · 07/06/2021 19:14

Its easier than I thought to remove it, I had the mirena coil and only had it in a few weeks.
Not recommended obviously, especially if its been in a while, a friend of mine had to go to surgery to get hers removed as it was embedded, and not even the specialist nurse could do it.
Fingers crossed you get sorted very soon though, its a horrible feeling.

CupoTeap · 07/06/2021 19:45

I think you should make a complaint it is completely unreasonable to leave you like this. Speak to the practice manager about how to make a complaint.

Hope the urgent care can help you tomorrow

Totallydefeated · 07/06/2021 22:17

I’m so sad to her you’re going through this, but not shocked in the slightest. There have been numerous threads on MN about this shocking lack of respect for women’s bodily and medical autonomy. You’d think we were still in the 1950s, with this kind of paternalistic, misogynistic ‘doctor knows best’ bullshit.

OP, you’re going to have to get very tough and very firm.

Tomorrow first thing, I would ring and INSIST on speaking to the practice manager, as you have an urgent complaint.

Explain that you are very perplexed, as you have explained on numerous occasions that you no longer wish to have this implant and have been given an unacceptably long wait to have it removed. This despite the fact you have explained that it is causing your mental health to deteriorate, and you cannot understand why they are choosing to make you suffer for much longer.

I would then say something like ‘for the complete avoidance of any doubt, I want you to note on my medical record right now that I no longer consent to this medical treatment and I informed you of this on X date (first date you rang), ie I no longer consent to having this implant in me. I want it noted that I have explained to the GP that this medical device is having a deleterious effect on my mental health. I want it noted that I have been refused removal for a two month period, and my autonomy is being denied. I find it utterly ridiculous and unacceptable that this medical practice has been put on notice that I am suffering from iatrogenic depression, because of medical treatment I no longer consent to, but the practice GPs are refusing to respect my autonomy by removing it in a timely manner. I expect an appointment to be found for removal within the next seven days. Otherwise, I will be complaining to NHS England that you are denying me my medical autonomy and actively causing me mental and physical harm. Please put my request on my medical records and also document your plans to address it’.

Any attempt to placate and fob you off, and I would just ask ‘are you still refusing to remove this device, despite me telling you it is causing me harm and I no longer consent to having it? Are you really telling me that you denying me my right to autonomy?’

I’d be very surprised if you don’t get traction after that, as you are rubbing their nose in their breach of medical ethics and their liability if your mental health were to significantly deteriorate because of their failure to act in a timely manner.

As a pp says, if they really wanted to, they could find an appointment much sooner, either by using one reserved for emergencies (which this now is, given their outrageous disregard for your health and autonomy), rearranging other things, or doing a bit of overtime. They can make it happen, they’re just choosing not to. Make it clear things will get uncomfortable for them unless they change their tune pronto.

It makes my blood boil that women are subjected to this unacceptable behaviour.

Good luck.

AGirlCalledJohnny · 08/06/2021 01:16

Exactly right Totallydefeated - you don’t sound like your username btw!

Totallydefeated · 08/06/2021 10:54

Grin I choose that name whilst in the middle of lockdown, when I was drowning in homeschooling while simultaneously trying to earn enough money to keep a roof over our heads (self-employed, but not been going long enough for govt financial assistance). It doesn’t describe how I deal with GPs or other officialdom!

L0V315 · 08/06/2021 11:08

Totallydefeated has very good advice Star

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