HELP!! Mirena has gone missing...

[HenriettaPye]

I've had the mirena for 4 months. It's not been agreeing with me- heavy bleeding, headaches, spots, moodiness, weight gain etc so I went to the doctor today and told her how much I hate it so she said I would be best to have it removed.

I stripped my bottom half, let the doctor have a rummage around and then she broke the news that she can't find it and I have to be referred to gynaecology now

So could be one of two things

1- It may have come out without me realising, meaning I have been having unprotected sex and could possibly be pregnant

2- it's got lost inside my body

Has this happened anyone else? What happens next??

[bellsandbutterflies]

Yes, I had this with mine. The NP tried, I had to come back another day for the GP to try. I was referred to gynae and was able to get in to see the consultant who looked after me in pregnancy. He was able to whip it out, so I didn't need surgery. It is less accessible at certain points I. Your cycle dependent on what your cervix is doing. Use condoms for now, given that there is a small chance it has punctured your womb and gone walkabouts. Hope they can find it for you soon.

[isitme1]

Snap
Was going to go for mirena but not now!

[pumpkinsweetie]

I was going to have this after my baby is born, don't think i will after reading this thread. Glad i stumbled upon it, time for dh to get the snip me thinks...

[ilovepowerhoop]

I am now waiting for an appointment for my trans vaginal scan which can take a few weeks. I will not get referred to gynae until after this scan.

[SpottyDottie]

I've posted on another thread but my mirena is MIA too. Or rather at the moment the threads are. I've had it two weeks! I hope when they scan me the reason there are no threads is because it has gone! It's my third one and ok, I have other gynae problems, I don't want it anymore.

[comeonbishbosh]

Seems crazy to refer to a gyney consultant before doing an ultrasound. Is it worth going back to your GP for a 2nd opinion? At the ultrasound appointments I had they seemed (suspiciously) used to hunting for mirenas!

[HenriettaPye]

Thanks comeon, sounds like you are having a bit of a nightmare with it! These are the bits they don't tell you before they put it in

They haven't even mentioned a scan to me, just that I'm being referred to gynaecology! I've no idea what they will do. I feel the side effects from it too (mainly grumpiness and headaches) however I have a 3yo and a 1yo so that may contribute to those! Add in the stress of this missing blooming coil and it's no wonder I'm grumpy!!

I'm seriously considering going to a&e and saying I have severe abdominal pain and a missing coil in the hope they will rush it through and scan me there and then to find out where it is. But I'm also scared incase they say 'ok, we need to operate then' eeeekkkkk!!!

[comeonbishbosh]

Hi Henrietta, that all sounds a bit crap especially waiting times :(

I've had a similar experience, though all proceeding a bit quicker! Mind you, it's been quite a saga since mirena fitted in April. Threads not found at 6 week check up, ultrasound appointment at hospital (not found), x-ray (found, but without a very specific location!). Then GP referred me back to the top chap at ultrasound department to have another go at locating it, no joy.

Then got referred to gyny consultant, who didn't do any examination just heard the backstory and referred me for keyhole surgery. So now I'm booked in, general anaesthetic and day patient only. They will stick a camera up first to have another look (I'm not optimistic, it seems like the world and his wife have already already checked it out in that direction). If that doesn't work then it'll be three holes in my abdomen, and should be found and out! They advise a week off work post op, but since I'm on maternity leave I think a week in work might be more relaxing. (hollow laugh).

Hope it doesn't get to this with you, in the ultrasound dept they seem quite used to finding them (stuck around pelvic bones, on bladder?!) I'm at the point now where I just want to be rid of the whole mess up one way or another.

Ive had some quite acute cramps (though increasingly intermittent), and certainly feel like I've had some of the other reported side effects of feeling low and very crabby - though of course that could be sleep deprivation of having a small baby and a toddler. Luckily, that combo has also taken care of any need for contraception...

Good luck with it all

[HenriettaPye]

Unfortunately that only covers England, I'm in Northern Ireland

[HenriettaPye]

Will do that Brett thank you!

[brettgirl2]

Google nhs waiting times. There is a search engine that allows you to check waiting times for different hospitals. I searched ffor gynaecology in my area. Closest hospital said 3 months 2nd closest said 5 weeks. Do the same then go back to gp and ask to be referred to a different hospital.

[HenriettaPye]

Yes apparently that's an 'urgent' referral from gp, due to the headaches I've been having. I was expecting to have to wait 2 or 3 weeks, not 5 months

No unfortunately can't get it removed in family planning clinic as it's somehow gone missing inside me

[BabylonReturns]

Can you not go to your local family planning clinic? I had mine put in there, and though it didn't work for me hello ds1 they do take them out there too?

January seems an awful long time to wait - assuming you're not pregnant?

[ilovepowerhoop]

p.s. I wasnt referred to Gynae but just to a radiology department at the hospital - they did the scans and then report back to the GP

[ilovepowerhoop]

January - thats ridiculous! Are you being referred by your GP?

[HenriettaPye]

Lucky you only having to wait two weeks- I rang up today to chase my appointment and was told I won't be seen until JANUARY at the earliest!! I'm the same, I do still think it's up there somewhere as little bleeding and I am getting horrendous headaches which is why I need the blooming thing out!!

[ilovepowerhoop]

the hospital I was at today (30 miles away from home!) will send a report to my gp and then I have to speak to the gp to get them to refer for the trans-vaginal scan. They said it can take up to 2 weeks for the report to get to the gp though.

I think the coil is still working anyway as I have very little bleeding, etc - just dont like the thought of it floating about in there though with no way to get it out again without lots of rummaging about.

[HenriettaPye]

Oh dear Ilove, nightmare! I have been using extra protection anyway, just incase!! Do you have to wait for this other appointment to come through now?

[ilovepowerhoop]

had my ultrasound and because they couldnt see the coil properly I had to get an x-ray as well. The x-ray shows that the coil is in my pelvis but not necessarily where it is supposed to be. I have to go back to my GP to get a trans-vaginal ultrasound scan arranged to pinpoint exactly where it is. Have been advised to use other contraception in the meantime. The hospital I was at today dont do the trans-vaginal scan so will have to go somewhere else for that. Am tempted to tell them that once they find it they can take it back out!

[HenriettaPye]

Oh let me know how it goes. I'm STILL waiting

[ilovepowerhoop]

at hospital waiting for my scan. Think I am going to pee myself if they dont hurry up! Already had to pee as nearly wet myself in the car on the way to the hospital

[ilovepowerhoop]

my appointment is on Monday at 10am and I have to drive about 30 miles to get to the hospital. I have to have a full bladder so that will be a fun journey!

[HenriettaPye]

Glad they found it, I'm still waiting for an appointment

[TwoStepsBeyond]

Good news! I'm sure they have their ways, could they not tell you while you we're there?

[thefemaleJoshLyman]

Had my scan, mirena still safely there. How will they get it out in 3 years?