How old is too old for a copper IUD and other woes

[Nr6]

I have had my copper IUD 12 years now. After 8 years I asked at my surgery when it would need to be replaced and was told "we will let you know". I am still waiting. Only I am not! I had near constant UTIs for 4 months now, and weird interim spotting, and have a feeling it's caused by the coil. Everything feels sore. I asked for it to be removed/replaced this week, but was told the waiting time is 4 months to receive an appointment 20 miles from home. My surgery do not remove at all.
I looked at private options (£125 for someone to tug a string!) and everywhere it says the lifespan is 5-10 years, and that new copper Ts are only licensed for 5 these days. What changed? Others say if inserted before 40 years old, it's 5-10, if after 40 they can remain. I'm 48.
None of it makes sense. I feel I have some ancient rusty festering Titanic anchor in there that just needs to go asap.
I might just pull the strings myself.

Can you not pay the £125 to have it removed privately? That seems like the sensible and quickest option

I'd rather do it myself. I find £125 extortionate for what should be a 3 minute procedure. I also feel that going private (I am even insured, but gyne stuff is not covered!) to bring us all closer to an American system, where you cannot get healthcare if you cannot afford it. So on principle, no.

Have you called your local sexual health clinic? Might be worth checking out.

Then do it yourself?

But you've got nobody to blame but yourself if your amateur doctoring goes wrong.

Thanks, that's what I did and it was a success, got an appointment in 2 weeks now. Women over 25 still need a referral (why?), but got that and they were kind.

I will think hard whether to have it replaced, though. "Can be taken out anytime" as on the NHS website is not quite accurate.
It's a rather upsetting feeling not to be in charge of your contraception, and have others decide the timings for you, I learned.

Well yes, I prefer to avoid yanking out the entire apparatus along with the coil.

Sorry OP but I did laugh at rusty anchor