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Original poster

Implant Removal Help!

23 replies

Flo4567 · 04/09/2020 12:59

Hi guys, first time posting on here so bare with!

We are hoping to start TTC as soon as possible really. At the start of lockdown I was due to have my contraceptive implant removed. Obviously my appointment was cancelled and there are no more clinics at present and I have just been put on a waiting list with no idea when they will be resuming & I have been told as there is no clinical need for mine to be removed (no pain or not expired) I won’t be a priority.

Obviously everyone’s health and safety is paramount so I completely understand why these clinics aren’t running but I just wondered if anyone had been in a similar situation to me or has any advice about getting it removed?

(I have tried contacting a sexual health clinic and a private clinic who both have extensive waiting lists)

This has been ongoing for months now and I'm really starting to get down about it, I feel like it's my body and I haven't got a choice about anything. Fed up!!! Angry

OP posts:
habibihabibi · 04/09/2020 13:04

Did you try Marie Stopes ?

ttc97 · 04/09/2020 13:20

@Flo4567
Hey OP! Sorry that you're going through this😞 I know first hand the frustration it causes when you want it out so badly and yet nobody seems willing to help.

I had excruciating pain around the site of my implant for around 6/7 months, to the point that when I moved my arm it was agony. I called around various places.. A&E, doctors, sexual health clinic.. all refused to see me even though it was causing pain. I got to the point that I was actually genuinely researching how to remove it myself... 🤢

In the end the sexual health clinic managed to get me in a week later, bumped me up the list and 'removed it' it took 45 minutes for the nurse to find and remove the implant.. turns out it was embedded half into muscle (hence the ripping agony) and half into scar tissue from the implant before this one..

I know this will be controversial and I'd NEVER usually condone or do doing anything like this, but given the circumstances and the fact that it's YOUR body and your right to have a foreign object removed when you would like it to be (I know this is hard with covid times...) would you maybe be able to make up a slight little 'white lie' 🙈 and say it's causing some discomfort..? Maybe they will see you a little sooner?

As I say.. I really wouldn't dream of doing this usually, and given the circumstances etc but it could help in having it out sooner for you?

(Please don't judge) I just know first hand the annoyance of having the implant when all you want to do it have it removed, sadly unlike the pill etc it isn't as easy as just to stop taking it 😞

My circumstances were genuine but I'm wondering if this could perhaps help? Xx

Original poster
Flo4567 · 04/09/2020 17:33

@ttc97 thank you so much for this.

I am honestly over it, it's really starting to affect my mental health it's getting me so down and I don't understand why I literally have no choice with my body. I'm also at the point of wanting to take it out myself.

I am not judging whatsoever I completely understand what you're saying. I have thought about this but don't know if I've got the balls to say it and even if I did they probably wouldn't believe me anyway! 

@habibihabibi is this something that abortion clinics offer?

OP posts:
ttc97 · 04/09/2020 17:37

@Flo4567 I really do feel for you - it's bloody awful and I know what you mean about feeling as though you've got no say in the situation.

Personally I would just do it, they can't exactly 'tell' that you are in pain or not, and a lot of women find that they press up against nerves etc in the arm and therefore are painful, then move slightly (which is normal) and they stop hurting. You could go down this route, I think it's awful having to wait for this to be taken out, I really do understand the pandemic etc had put a stop to this.. but the fact you can now go out and get a piercing / tattoo etc but still CANT get a foreign object removed from your body just baffles me xx

jakeyboy1 · 04/09/2020 17:52

The implant is well known for having bad mental health effects it certainly did for me. I would say you are getting effects and they are getting worse.

Alternatively private GP?

I went to one yesterday for something I've been speaking to about on the NHS for years, literally action taken in minutes.

Slumcat · 04/09/2020 19:53

Where are you based regionally, I’m a SH nurse and we are certainly removing implants

Original poster
Flo4567 · 04/09/2020 20:51

@Slumcat I'm in Worcester! I have mentioned I am willing to travel throughout the county and can't be seen without an extensive waiting list and my GP aren't even doing a clinic at the moment

OP posts:
RMarieClaire · 04/09/2020 21:03

OP that is outrageous, I'm so sorry. Can you try a private clinic? If not I would just keep demanding an appointment and tell them that it's affecting your mental health - they put it in they have a responsibility to take it out. Threaten to take it out yourself!

Clouless · 04/09/2020 23:01

@Flo4567

Hello. I'm so sorry to hear that you are having rubbish time due to being unable to have your implant removed.
I've faced a similar problem due to lockdown so felt the need to reply! No one seemed to understand how frustrating it is not being able to take control of your own body! Although obviously I understood why there were restrictions initially, I really struggled to cope with the fact that I couldn't have my implant removed yet people could get tattoos again!

We decided to start ttc during lockdown due to the changes in circumstance and I thought that it would be easy to get my implant removed- quick call to my GP and maybe a few weeks waiting for an appointment.... but no. Turns out my GP never offers the service (I've moved since having it put in) and the sexual health clinic stopped all its appointments for months. They have recently started taking them again but only for earlier cancelled appointments or emergencies. I'm neither and don't have any real problems with my implant, plus it is only due to expire later this month, so they repeatedly kept telling me to 'check the website and ring back kn a couple of weeks.' I felt like I was wasting their time.

After getting really down about this, I rang round other clinics in nearby cities and managed to finally speak to a nurse who made me an appointment for 2 weeks time (tomorrow!) .

Sorry for the ramble- I just wanted to let you know that you've not been completely alone in the struggle, as I felt I was. Try ringing other sexual health clinics? Good luck! X

Fainey · 06/09/2020 15:31

I was in the exactly same position! Mine was due out in March but kept being told to call back each month, and when I did they just said no can do. There wasn't a waiting list either just advised to keep calling back! It was really starting to get me down. Even sexual health clinics in surrounding areas wouldn't give an appointment.

I eventually found a private sexual health clinic in Birmingham and paid privately for removal last week. They had loads of availability and I didn't have to wait for an appointment.

TorysSuckRevokeArticle50 · 06/09/2020 15:36

My GP is doing them again, I had mine removed and replaced last week.

Why have they said they can't do them?

The experience was a bit different, had to wait outside till I was called into the surgery, then used the self weighing machine to do height, weight and blood pressure.

Nurse had on a cap, full paper boiler suit, mask and gloves but otherwise it was just a routine appointment.

habibihabibi · 06/09/2020 16:35

I got an implant removed with Marie Stopes. They do private contraception services of all types I believe.

Original poster
Flo4567 · 06/09/2020 23:03

@habibihabibi

I got an implant removed with Marie Stopes. They do private contraception services of all types I believe.
How much did this cost if you don't mind me asking xx
OP posts:
Original poster
Flo4567 · 06/09/2020 23:04

@Fainey where did you go? I grew up in Birmingham so there to see my parents quite a lot so might be a shout for me!

OP posts:
Bertyb7 · 06/09/2020 23:09

Sorry you are having so many problems getting it removed. Mine was due to be removed in May and ended up getting it out privately (Fleet Street Clinic in London). It cost £155.

habibihabibi · 07/09/2020 05:03

Around £120 last year.

Fainey · 07/09/2020 09:35

I got mine removed from Clarewell Clinic in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham for £150.
A really positive experience actually, really professional, I was in and out in 20 minutes.

DNpink82 · 08/09/2020 13:43

@Flo4567 have you had any look getting it taken out? I had mine out on the 11th August at an nhs sexual health clinic, I just rang said I wanted to ttc and they made me an appointment for a week later and mine had only been in a year. Where do you live? I am 38 though so they're obviously aware my time is running out 😬🙈

Original poster
Flo4567 · 11/09/2020 19:34

Thanks for al your help everyone!!! I finally put my foot down and having it on Tuesday!!! Grin

OP posts:
RMarieClaire · 11/09/2020 20:21

That's great news!

Fainey · 11/09/2020 20:49

That's such good news! Grin hope all goes well! x

DNpink82 · 11/09/2020 22:59

@Flo4567 you need to push for it, we only decided to try in July after our Bali holiday got cancelled and mine was removed 2 weeks later, there was no waiting list and I was seen pretty much straight away. I'm glad I had it removed sooner rather than later as it's been out 5 weeks and still not had a period so think it's gonna take months for my cycle to get back to normal x

DNpink82 · 11/09/2020 23:01

Sorry just realised I've already posted a reply, I've had a drink 😬

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