To think the nurse fibbed?

[sheetspread]

Had a smear this morning and while making conversation with the nurse, mentioned that I'd had difficulty with the speculum when my coil was being fitted.

After she'd finished up she said all the usual about there being a wait of up to 4 weeks for results, but that my cervix looked normal and my coil strings were definitely in the right place.

I was in a huge hurry leaving so almost didn't process what she'd said until I was out of the door but - I don't have a coil in anymore! I haven't for years! Indeed have had a vaginal scan, a second baby (and so multiple more scans!), a caesarean section etc since the coil exited my body. I definitely haven't had another fitted in some kind of fugue state. I'm completely baffled by why she'd say that about the strings when there can't have been any visible because they're not there. Is there any way there'd be something in there anatomically that might give the appearance of coil strings? I'm stumped!

I am livid on your behalf. The utter gall of it.

@Kevinscousin this is why I ask for copies of all.test results and medical.reports. They lie. When dd was unwell I asked for her thyroid to be tested. We saw the GP and I asked for the results. I was told all fine, nothing to worry about. I asked for the TSH reading. "Oh I haven't got that one". He didn't like being challenged about telling us the results were fine. They weren't fine but it took an endocrinologist to re-run tests and diagnose.

Only last week the GP called me to make an appointment for bloods. The only bloods requires were thyroid. When I opened my eyes there were three vials. I asked what tests.were being done and was told a full screen, including liver, kidney function, fbc. I had not consented.

The prevailing lack of respect for patients is shocking.

Roses, this also happened to me. Had a blood test to confirm iron levels and double checked with the HCA who took the blood that this was what they were testing for. She had a look at her screen and confirmed, but said kidney function was also going to be tested. I declined this (as tbh had too much going on at the time to risk a further kick in the teeth-sensible or otherwise) and she assured me she had taken this off the paperwork. As I left I confirmed that I definitely didn't want this done. When I rang for results a few days later, guess what? Iron levels fine and kidney function fine...

I had a smear test recently, the nurse said she could see the strings of my coil.
She also said as I was over 55 the coil could stay in forever.
Also.she found a polyp that needed a scan.
Later that day, my GP rang to.say she had read my notes and the coil could definitely not stay in me forever and needs to come out.
Also she said there is no scan for polyps, they are just removed and tested.
She apologised that I'd been given conflicting information!
If I was you op I would phone the surgery and explain what happened.

🧐🧐

Can’t they get things wrong.

if asked about periods in 2024; I’ll say well you asked that one a year with no bother, why am I answering now. (Didn’t listen in 2023 why start now)

*Appalled. 'Appall' in past tense is 'appalled'.

@Thirtiesphysio I don't think you fully understand what gaslighting really means.

Huh? I've read this 3 times and I still don't understand any of it?

I think doctors do tell you what you want to hear. /fob you off. I would ring back and explain what was said and ask for notes to be checked. And possibly an examination. I'd be concerned there was something there.

Argh how frustrating for you. I would definitely ask for a clarification. If it was a slip of the tongue/getting you confused with someone else, then great, all settled and sorted and she can reassure you and apologise. If she's seen something else then that needs investigation. It's highly unlikely you have had a coil inserted without your consent.

Before my routine smears commenced, I had to have a smear and colposcopy at 16yo. When I went for my first routine smear and explained this to the nurse she kept telling me 'it won't have been a smear, it'll have been an STD test' over and over again, despite me telling her I had post coital bleeding, and had had to have a colposcopy and it was all very nerve wracking as I'd been so young, blah blah blah, still didn't believe me until I was about to leave and she asked me what I was doing for the rest of the day... 'oh just going back to work to finish my clinic, I'm a midwife...' 'oh maybe it was a smear test you'd had before then...' 🤦🏻‍♀️

Because some coils contain metal and some metals are a serious problem during MRI scans.

Some IUDs, I mean.

I'd call the surgery and ask to speak to the nurse today whilst it's fresh in her mind

@JollyJellyBelly I watched the phlebotomist put the vials in the sharps bin!

CWM Taf Health Board have a whole leaflet on having a coil fitted at your c-section.

So does Bradford Hospital.

And Kingston.

Whittington call there’s a ‘Patient Guide” (posh!).

May it’s a pretty new thing being rolled trust by trust?

@AlfietheSchnauzer Good grief. Woman gets poor medical treatment and you post three times to question typo’s, grammar and English?

Oh great so the info that Ops cervix looked fine could also be completely false. She shouldn't be saying things in autopilot after a medical procedure when giving a patient information.

My friend had this and it was a really bad case of lumpy thrush. She was on chemotherapy so her immune system was compromised.

Some of the medical care others have experienced is worrying.
when I had my middle child I was in HDU towards the end of the pregnancy as I was so unwell, midwife decided they didn’t want me to get up to go to the toilet anymore as I was so wobbly due to all the medications and painkillers I was on so were putting a catheter in, (back then all catheters were latex as standard and I have a bad latex allergy, red wristband, written in my notes etc) I started saying that I was burning, I was so sore and felt swollen etc and she didn’t believe me, I was in agony, 3 hours later my mum came in and I told her and she realised immediately what was wrong, she demanded they take it out and go and locate a silicone catheter for me, the poor midwife’s face when she realised what had happened. I’m always terrified of the same happening again whenever I’m admitted into hospital now, which is a frequent occurrence due to declining health, so I make sure to repeat myself far more often than necessary that I have a latex allergy.

& my hospital have done this as standard for at least 2 years, they offer either coil fitting or tubes tied (not sure of the medical term, sorry. Sterilisation?) during an elective c-section (not sure about emergency), but if you have a vaginal birth you have to wait at least 6 weeks before having a coil fitted here. (Although my gp surgery told me 3 months, conflicting info from what I was told at discharge after last baby!)

I wonder if she may have seen a polyp. Have you experienced any bleeding in between periods or associated with intercourse? Maybe make an appointment a GP with an interest / experience in obs and gynae.

Wow oh my goodness

I would call. Explain what happened and ask for a different nurse.

I’ve had three c sections all done in different hospitals. First and second were emergency, we were both dying. Third was an emergency but more planned as in it will be in the next few days as things deteriorate.

The final one I was offered the coil. I considered it and declined the Merina but said I was researching the copper coil as it was less hormones and appeared to be better for moms who wanted to breastfeed. I asked if it should be delayed until the six week check and was told it wasn’t necessary.

My condition deteriorated and section was done the following day. Lots of intervention for babe and I.

Three times I was told I was having a cool fitted. Three times I refused.

I am now soo worried I’ve had one fitted as three years on my periods at still super irregular and unpredictable.