Does anyone have any experience of a coil being fitted after an unsuccessful attempt?

[withaspongeandarustyspanner]

I went to have the mirena fitted today, but the Dr wasn't able to (awkward cervix, apparently).

She suggested that I go to the family planning centre. I have an initial appointment, but receptionist said that appointments for fitting are not available until October. I promptly, and uncharacteristically, burst into tears (having it to alleviate weird periods, sometimes fortnightly, flooding etc and all I could think is having two more months of that). I have pulled myself together now.

But has this happened to anyone? And did you go on to have it fitted successfully later?

This happened to me. My first attempt was unsuccessful for the same reasons. I then moved house so it has been a while but two months ago they successfully inserted one. Try and see if you can get an appointment around your period. Icky, but the doctor prefers it.

The one thing I would caution is that if you are like me and have a bit of a kinky (heh) cervix, they might still struggle to get it around the bend. Take painkillers half an hour before you go.

That's what she said it was - a kink in my cervix. I had taken pain killers. And I'm about to get my period - I was really dreading that I'd have it for the fitting. I mean, I just don't want anyone messing about down there when I've got my period - eew.

Anyway, I've got to start the whole procedure again at the Family planning centre now - another chat with another nurse. I should be able to get all my notes to take so I don't have to do the swab thing again.

It may sound eww but it's the best time as your cervix is more open and less kinked. I'm guessing you don't have DC - I'd get used to nonchalantly showing doctors and nurses all your bits and body fluids if I were you. The doctors don't care about all the blood and clots :)

My gp couldn't find my cervix - I went to a sexual health clinic - New Horizons - (part of a walk-in clinic) where the guy who had taught my gp did it in no time at all. Just needed a longer speculum.

I have 4 DCs - all of them delivered by my aunt (who is a midwife, btw) and I can still look her in the eye after some very intimate moments . I'm just not keen on anyone poking around down there when I'm in full flow.

Hopefully, I won't be too much of a challenge for the FPC.

Did either of you have any side effects? I've been reading about weight gain, mood swings and migraines..?

I had an unsuccessful attempt pre-dc, and then one where the doc got the speculum attached to my cervix and had to have help to get it off (oh how we laughed...). But then the next one was with a different doctor and I didn't know she had done it - practically painless; and I was expecting it to be awful so I was very tense. If you get a different person doing it it may be a totally different experience.

No side effects here, except no period - hurrah!

Weight gain, mood swings, bad skin, hair falling out, sore boobs.... but to scare you :) mine hadn't settled yet.

It seems to be one extreme or the other, then - either people get the lot, or they get nothing and the desired effect of no periods.

Once it settled, was everything OK, Fickle?

My gp told me last week the coil couldn't possibly be causing my weight gain. I must admit giving him the full force of my "Really? I've got a few hundred women who would disagree" look

It was fitted as part of my hrt though so anything like weight gain, mood swings etc are all put down to perimenopause. I bled to various degrees for six months, but now hardly have any loss at all.

Same here! I went to family planning clinic to have mine fitted and foolishly agreed when asked if a student doctor could be allowed to fit it supervised by doctor. THREE failed attempts later - yes three! - I got the giggles (lucky to have a high pain threshold) and the 'proper' doctor fitted it no problem. I also have a kinky cervix that tilts backwards apparently (who knew!). Tried my GP once who failed miserably but family planning were fine.
I had unbelievably awful periods - flooding, awful pain and lasting for 2+ weeks - all gone since having it fitted! Downsides - a few spots (never had them before) and tender (as in anyone attempts to touch them and they die!) breasts for a couple of days.
I know it doesn't suit everyone, but works well for me. Good luck.

I've not had mine in for long enough to settle yet. On the plus side, I've not been bleeding or spotting all that much and my last period was nowhere near as painful or as heavy as they normally are.

Well, I started all over again at the FPC and appointment with a doctor in October for fitting. I asked the nurse about the side effects and she did say she didn't really know of anyone having many (I'm concerned about the mood swings and the hair falling out most of all I think), but later she did admit that a colleague had experience the hair thing, but she was a bit cagey about those symptoms now (I realise she probably go into too much detail). She did say they will happily take it out if it doesn't suit me. I hope that is the case and I don't have to really fight for it. I might burst into tears again, or something. And that would be embarrassing.

I'd say give it at least 6 months before you decide whether or not to keep it. The first few months are when the hormone levels are highest and it should get better after then.

Hope things work out for you :)