Mirena Coil under GA/Sedation

[InAMess2023]

I suffer from severe endometriosis and have had five laparoscopic surgeries over the past 17 years. I still suffer and always have suffered with severe pain due to this and due to several ovarian cysts. I genuinely believe that I have a very very high pain threshold.

The only thing that I have found that has helped slightly was the Mirena coil, I had two in succession that lasted for 8 years in total, but had the last one taken out during my last op last year as I wanted to give my body a break - big mistake! Periods haven't been as painful as I was expecting but have been every 3 weeks or so with serious PMT!

I was reluctant to try anything with oestrogen due to family risk of breast cancer so was put on the mini-pill/POP which has led to constant pain and bleeding and issues with my mental health. So I'd really like to try the coil again...

Only problem is that due to my endometriosis and also having a tilted uterus (as well as not having had children) inserting a coil is agony - when tried originally it had to be removed immediately and so ended up having to be put in as a day case under general anaesthetic. I really had to push for this and I also felt like I was being laughed at the entire time I was in there for being 'pathetic' - I genuinely wouldn't have asked for it if it wasn't needed.

Sorry, long winded way of asking whether anyone has had any experiences of having a coil inserted with some sort of local anaesthetic or sedation (or maybe even some diazepam, etc.)? I only seem to be offered zero anaesthetic/sedation at all or having to go through the full referral to gynae again and treated as a day case surgery.

Thanks.

I have a local anaesthetic for mine and go to my local hospital for it.

I was offered Gas and air or diazapam in outpatients for coil fitting (i refused everything because I was breastfeeding, should have gone with gas and air), due to tilted womb and damage caused from traumatic birth. They'd tried in gp practice but couldn't do it so sent me to a specialist clinic. This was about 13 years ago but they definitely had options. I'm not sure I'd want the risks of a general anaesthetic though.

I’ve only ever had a mirena fitted under GA when I was having another gynaecological procedure (day patient). I had absolutely no sense of being laughed at. I explained very clearly why I could not have gynaecological procedures without sedation, asked for it to be put prominently on my notes and said I wouldn’t be discussing it further. (And have found the coil great, after years of bleeding.)

I had one fitted with a local today, by a specialist at the hospital but I had to wait 14 months. I was very apprehensive but she said not to compare to previous attempts as it's a whole different ball game. Different bed, instruments etc and she spends a while day a week doing tricky cases rather than the practice nursery doing a few a month.
It was a great experience (as these things go) and I felt no discomfort until the coil itself was inserted. I have been in quite severe pain since though.

I had my Mirena fitted under GA. I just explained to my GP that I wanted to be sedated, they referred me to a gynaecologist who took my history and requested a day procedure. The appointment took less than five minutes and I never felt that she thought anything of the request. It took months to get the gynaecologist appointment though and another few months before I had the insertion. I think more noise has been made about how painful these procedures are so this time you might have a better experience.

I've had 2 - first was sexual health clinic. Practitioner literally did coil all day every day, her speciality. Local anaesthetic and didn't feel a thing. Everyone else I know getting one I told to go there not GP that fit a few occasionally. I was in for laparoscopy under GA and had coil replaced at same time. Also fine.

Thanks all who've responded so far, it's good to see that I should have options that I can discuss (and not going to let them fob me off since they ARE available!)

@Bagthepaperandshred I've had 13 GAs over the years due to the endo and damage after a car accident (plus one cosmetic procedure) so I'm not overly worried if that's the alternative option. But I would give it a try if offered gas and air!

@Logainm I wouldn't mind so much if it was during another procedure but I definitely felt like an inconvenience... I'm not likely to have another lap as I'm toying with the idea of a hysterectomy so not sure I'll have this option

@Pigriver hope it eases soon! I'm totally prepared for the pain after as I've had it each time before but it's helped so much when it settles. Luckily work allow me a couple of days off and are understanding - it's just getting it in in the first place that's a problem!

Not GA but my local centre (coil fitting/sexual health) does a well, I call it the difficult patient clinic and they know what I mean!
It's a double appointment and you can have local anaesthetic gel or injection and I think they might offer gas and air

My friend went privately to a place and had anaesthetic too