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Original poster

Copper coil gone AWOL

16 replies

Bstansfield · 12/04/2019 17:56

Ok so my coil has gone AWOL. I went for my smear test and they weren't able to find any trace of the threads, even after having a rummage with that little pipe cleaner device they have. I knew i couldnt find them but i had booked in for a smear so i waited.

The nurse that did the smear looked REALLY worried which tbf did freak me out a bit, but i've been going over it a lot in my head. I've had a lot of very sharp stabbing pains during periods but talking to the GP they just said the usual take painkillers etc. Period pains shouldnt double you over and knock the wind out of you! Also seriously heavy bleeding. I was scared i had perforated and now i think it could have and I've convinced myself that the coil is somewhere in my abdomen, especially as the past week i have been having lots of pain in my stomach which I never get.

Anyway I've got to ring up to book an ultrasound on Monday, god knows when that will be and found out its an internal ultrasound which I'm not happy about :(

No idea when the appointment will be, wanted to go private but health insurance wont cover it because its a "result of a contraceptive device" so I've got to wait for NHS times :( don't get me wrong I've been treated fantastically by the NHS, but I'm TERRIFIED about this thing roaming around in my body somewhere. I just want to know where the hell it is, and i know fo sho that its not fallen out! I'm in a reasonable risk category for perforation, I was breastfeeding at time of implantation and am post C Section.

It might still be in situ, but god knows...

Does anyone have any similar experience? Does anyone know how long I might be waiting for the ultrasound, and then the x ray, and then the other stuff...

xxx

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 12/04/2019 18:20

This happened within my mirena and I got an ultrasound and xray and it was still in place so they left it there for several more years. It was tricky getting it removed when it expired though so I had to get it out under general anaesthetic

autumnboys · 12/04/2019 18:23

This happened to me - it was eventually safely located. Did they advise you to double up on contraception for now?

autumnboys · 12/04/2019 18:24

Sorry, the investigation into it was covered by our BUPA.

GreenEggsHamandChips · 12/04/2019 18:27

Yes one went awol and i just didn't know. Went to get it out and it was gone.

The next went came out during sex. Blood everywhere and much pain. They ultrasounded straight away and a couple days later. It was just gone (who knows where). Thankfully no lasting damage, just a lot of pain at the time.

I didnt go for another coil after thatHmm

Original poster
Bstansfield · 13/04/2019 18:13

Yes, advised to double up contraception wise, though fertile period had been and gone with essentially unprotected sex during it!

OP posts:
PacmansGapingMaw · 13/04/2019 18:15

Wait what this is a thing that happens??!

dementedpixie · 13/04/2019 18:17

Sometimes they come out, sometimes they migrate through the walls of the womb, sometimes they are still there but the strings go through the cervix and can't be gripped to remove it

Chummly · 13/04/2019 18:20

GP ballsed up putting mine in.. She went through the uterus wall, into the pouch of Douglas. She didn't know she had until I went back a week later in agony. She had a look, couldn't find the strings and said I'd have to wait 6 weeks for a scan. DH went mental and I got one that afternoon! Cue ultrasound/x-ray, MRI and removal under GA the next day. Would never ever have a coil again.

NaturatintGoldenChestnut · 13/04/2019 18:23

I had one perforate and had it to have it removed under GA. They asked me if I wanted another one put in whilst I was out. FUCK NO.

Original poster
Bstansfield · 13/04/2019 23:01

When yours perforated NaturatintGoldenChestnut did you have a lot of pain?y first period after DS had me in agony, the pain was sharp and I bled a lot, but the doctor was just saying "you'd have a fever from infection it won't be that" do you think it could have perforated? I ring Monday for an ultrasound appointment, glad to know hitting the roof might mean I don't wait 6 weeks!!! 😂

OP posts:
NaturatintGoldenChestnut · 13/04/2019 23:03

YES! Lots of pain.

Original poster
Bstansfield · 14/04/2019 19:58

Really hope it's not that but I'm definitely suspicious, and also starting to get really worried I'm pregnant cos I've been craving meat (like last time) and feeling sick (like last time)

OP posts:
Original poster
Bstansfield · 15/04/2019 09:45

If anyone is following this thread, managed to get an appointment for 10 days time! V happy

OP posts:
SPR1107 · 29/04/2019 22:10

How did the appointment go?

furrytoebean · 29/04/2019 22:15

Oh no, I clicked on this thread to read the ‘don’t worry strings go missing all the time’ comments as the exact same thing has happened to me. Getting my scan on Thursday Confused

Original poster
Bstansfield · 30/04/2019 12:48

Appointment was an external ultrasound with very full bladder, and they have located the coil where it should be, not pregnant, just strings are somewhere so they have to go a digging!
Need a refferal from the doctor to go and get it removed which can either be with local or general anesthesia, I'm going to ask for general though because I'm terrified I would wince and an instrument would go somewhere it wasnt supposed to... Much happier to just go under!
And I think it's fairly common to happen furrytoebean , a friend of mine also had the same thing!

OP posts:
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