Contraceptive implant

Re: Contraceptive implant

Claire Kellett RVN — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:10:07 GMT

I also have had the mirena coil put - I had it put in September this yr - gladly I had it put in under ga but only as I was having another gynae procedure done at the same time. I'm really dreading having it put back in now after readin all these posts. the leaflet they gave me @ the hosp stated 'mild discomfort' when having it put in! I've also googled it now and LOADS of people are saying it was aginy to have it put in!! I'm really worried now! My periods went to pot after I had my little boy - before I had him I'd been on the depo injection with no problems at all - other than weight gain - since stopping it I've lost absolutely loads of weight - I've gone from being 95kg to just over 70kg. i've also tried various pills and even nothing at all - but nothing helped with the heavy never ending periods lasting for weeks at a time.

I must admit the mirena coil has worked for me but I am still getting the occasional agonising cramp and some moodiness but they said @ the hosp that it can take up to 6 months to take full effect. Touch wood no bleeding as of yet - although there was initially. Not too sure if I'll go for the option of having it put in again though

Re: Contraceptive implant

Dippy — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:22:56 GMT

Slightly off topic but for Frog and Cat Mad - I had a Mirena coil about 3yrs ago now and it was the most horrific experience I have ever had too. It was meant to be put in during a gynae procedure I'd gone ito hospital for so I would've been under GA but as I have a severe latex allergy, I was first into theatre at 8am (before any latex had been used in there that day) and the consultant couldn't get hold of the manufacturer that early in the morning to check there was no latex in the coil so they decided I'd have to go back to my gp for it a month later. The gp told me it might be "mildly uncomfortable" and all I can say is that she must be a flippin pain junkie if that's mild to her! I passed out three times during and after it being fitted and woke up the third time with an O2 mask on my face, a fan blowing becuase I had so much sweat pouring off me and a bp monitor on my arm. Oh, and a rather worried looking nurse holding my hand (gp gone onto next appt by then!) I lived about 20yds from the surgery at that time and the nurse had to eventually walk me home, doubled over and deposit me on my sofa where I remained for the next few hours. I can only liken the pain to what I assume childbirth must be like. I took so many pain killers that I became extremely constipated for 2wks and have had irritable bowel syndrome ever since. It took about 6mths before I stopped having crippling cramps and general dull aches (although I'd lived with those for years anyway which is why I'd had the endometriosis zapped in hospital in the first place). I would say that after about 6mths, I was only having a tiny bleed for about a day per month which was fantastic after the years of continuous bleeding although now, three years on, I'm just starting to have more regular ones again (although not heavy) and at innapporopriate times but that may be the endometriosis returning rather than anything to do with the coil. It lasts for 5yrs and I already go cold and break out in a sweat when I wonder how the hell they're going to get it back out. I would honestly put my body through a full GA for them to do it if it were an option as it was that painful and if they give me the injection as an option next time, I think I might finally have got over my needle phobia (although I still prefer the thought of having something which can be physically removed, having also had bad reactions to numerous pills over the years).

Re: Contraceptive implant

Fiona Leathers — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:40:52 GMT

[quote user="Claire BearRVN"]

Just had mine implanted this morning

Boyfriend held my hand all the way through, and the staff were fantastic

and yup, I passed out lol

[/quote]

Be prepared for your arm to be sore for about 3 weeks! When I got mine done, I thought my arm was going to fall off!! The bruising is amazing and it will swell and go red, so don't panic! Cold compresses and pain killers.

I've had mine in for 2 months now and so far its been amazing - can't believe how quickly I got out of the habit of taking my pill!

Re: Contraceptive implant

loopylou711 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:38:14 GMT

just the thought is making me feel a little funyy! OUCH!

Re: Contraceptive implant

Claire Cameron — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:33:31 GMT

Just had mine implanted this morning

Boyfriend held my hand all the way through, and the staff were fantastic

and yup, I passed out lol

Re: Contraceptive implant

Mac Feather — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:44:18 GMT

Im actually feeling quite faint reading the coil stories, I have no experience of it or any knowledge of it but it sounds barbaric.

Re: Contraceptive implant

Sally Howe — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:43:16 GMT

I too have loads of gynae probs. Continual bleeding dispite various tablets and injections, fibroids, endometriosis etc.

After a failed hysterectomy they fitted me with the merina coil, that failed after a year. Had another placed that slipped 6 months later. It took the surgeon nearly 3 hours to remove it and lots of lignocaine. If this one fails I'm not having it removed unless they knock me out as the pain and bruising was unreal!

I still have to top up with using provera (tablet version of depo provera) to keep the bleeding at bay.

Re: Contraceptive implant

Ems — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:44:11 GMT

I recently got the contraceptive injection as a change since I ad been with my partner for 3 years. The doctor was a bit useless and had to use the internet to confirm what I already knew about it! I didn't enjoy it, I kept getting random bleeds and my libido disappeared completely :( I've heard this stops after the second injection but I wasn't up for it.

My friend had been on the injection for about 3 years and took a year for her periods to return, after she stopped them. I'm a little unsure about these forms of contraception, I'm all for condoms! I've never had a problem with them lol but thats just from my experience - each to there own

Re: Contraceptive implant

Nicola Smith — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:40:01 GMT

I have problems down there and without hormones I bleed permanently, I have had some major bleeds in the past when I decided to try to do without meds which resulted n hospital visits and doctors insisting I must be having a miscarriage due to the bleeding and pain. I tried every pill in the book which only meant I bled for 3 weeks out of 4! I had a horrid gynae who treated me like a piece of meat and would never discuss my options with me.

I swopped GP and went to see him as reaching the end of my tether, who rferred me someone else. She was marvellous and talked through my options and I elected to try the mirena coil due to tabelst not working properly and giving me side effects eg migraines. She promised if it did not agree with me she would remove it. She found out that due to scarring my uterus is not totally pushed to one side and it is very unlikely I could carry a child if I wanted to due to the state of it, the previous gynae never mentioned this and made out I was being stupid!!!

I have had my coil just over 12 months now and it is fab, I only bleed very lightly for about a week now. Yes putting it in was horrific and I almost fainted but they were extremely good with me and explained everyhting they were doing, but for me the pain was worth the result. No worries of getting a major bleed and leaking everywhere and feel I have my life back. I don't have any side effects that I know of.

I think everyone is individual - what suits one doesn't suit another, but each to there own. For me my godsend was finding a doctor who was human!!!

Re: Contraceptive implant

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:39:26 GMT

[quote user="Bouncyfi"]

Maybe we should all try the good old fashioned Catholic contraceptive.........withdrawal!!! Se how far that gets us!!

[/quote]

what catholic church did you go to?

Abstinence is the Catholic way my dear! I should know I had it beat into my brain at catholic school for 18yrs...

Re: Contraceptive implant

Katie Murphy RVN — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:29:08 GMT

Just to add my 2p worth

I had a coil fitted last year on the advice of a nurse I saw, the old fashioned copper type (coil not nurse!) not the hormone releasing one. She advised that I should avoid anything hormone-y as it may interfere with my hypothyroidism (not sure how accurate that is mind).

So, I decided to go for it, after reading the leaflet which described how "some women may feel some mild discomfort". But, as someone has already mentioned on here, I've not had children which means its harder and more painful to insert. Still, mild discomfort I can deal with...

When I went in, I saw a doctor and a nurse was with me by the side of the bed, which I thought was odd. Well, it began, was horrendously painful, nurse was there to hold my hand and take my pulse, and tell the doc I was turning a pale green colour! I honestly have never felt so much internal pain that I wanted to actually vomit. It was the use of what looked like Allis tissue forceps to dilate my cervix that caused the pain. I also bled a lot afterwards - there was projected blood spray on the bed when I got up and I had the worst, longest, heaviest period for the next 10 days.

On the whole, it has worked out well for me long term, as no pills to forget to take and no possible interefence to my endocrine system. But I would say, the periods I have now come painful and heavy, and long......

Hope no one was eating......

Re: Contraceptive implant

Mac Feather — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:53:12 GMT

Im with Jezza Kyle- 'put sumink on the end ov it!'

Re: Contraceptive implant

Mrs Dot Dot — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:53:09 GMT

Ain't withdrawing what??

Re: Contraceptive implant

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:48:05 GMT

I aint catholic n l aint withdrawing

Re: Contraceptive implant

Fiona Leathers — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:23:00 GMT

Maybe we should all try the good old fashioned Catholic contraceptive.........withdrawal!!! Se how far that gets us!!

Re: Contraceptive implant

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:40:49 GMT

Please understand I'm horribly bitter and jaded at this point and really angry at the NHS for not advising me of the complications and just handing me things with out discussing them or asking if I knew all of the possibilies. They made them look like great solutions with no worries for my future blah blah blah.

I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad about taking them. we all have our reasons, i just said some reasons are very flaky and excuses more so and putting out a warning to be sure you do your research and don't believe ANYTHING your doctor tells you because some of it is bull crap.

Re: Contraceptive implant

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:30:50 GMT

[quote user="STRVN"]

I dont think the pill and the implant are the same, the pill is taken daily at a dose that would prevent pregnancy, the implant as I understand it can stop your natural cycle completely for years, that cant be good for you long term.

I dont know about unwanted pregnancies either, but I though STD's were still quite high in young people, and the implant does not prevent that.

AS to the menopause meds I only say what I say because I have lost someone to cancer who used this. Me I will suffer my hot flushes and mood swings before I will put any hormonoes into my body that it is not producing for itself.

[/quote]

[quote user="niknoks"]

The implant is the same drug as the progesterone only pill, the combined pill which many people take is oestrogen and progesterone, therefor they are the same drugs.

[/quote]

ok so at which point did I say they were not the same drug? I said they were not the same........ there is a difference. Lets hope you paid more attention to the side effects info on your implant

Re: Contraceptive implant

Phrin Vernon RVN — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:23:35 GMT

I suffer from horrendous period pains - mainy back ache, but cramps too. The doc has tried strong painkillers, but they spaced me out and I got sent home from work..

I am now on the mini-pill, as a trial, to see if my body agrees with it, with a view to getting the implant (Docs words not mine).

So far it seems to be working - still get periods, and pains, but much less severe. I am however rubbish at remembering to take it, and the doc informs me that it has to be taken within a 3 hr window each day to work at its best.

I am more than happy to try the implant if my doc reccomends it after the 6mth trial.

Re: Contraceptive implant

Kim Buckley — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:09:40 GMT

My mum has been on the pill since she was 15 years old due to having periods which would last for 3 weeks and it was making her very sick. She had me and my sister in her mid 20's and is now in her 50's and still on the pill. She has never had any trouble.

I think it does depend on the person but I don't think you should make people feel bad about using contraception such as the pill/implant/coil. I am on the pill and I find it works really well for me. I've used condoms along side it and feel I'm just being ultra careful as I definately don't want to have a baby right now. Surely this is being responsible?

Re: Contraceptive implant

Claire Cameron — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:34:18 GMT

[quote user="niknoks"]

I do take contraceptives as i dont/didnt want to ruin my life by having kids at a ridiculously young age, i will have kids when i want to and when i am ready at a time that suits me and not because i have an accident and didnt do anything about it, taking precautions is exactly the responsible thing to do and plenty of people who have been on the pill/implant/injection for many years go on to have children when they so choose.

[/quote]

I agree.

Re: Contraceptive implant

Claire Cameron — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:32:45 GMT

[quote user="Bouncyfi"]Long term effects - well don't ever think too far in the future anyway cos we'll all of die of something, sometime![/quote]

Re: Contraceptive implant

loopylou711 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:21:59 GMT

[quote user="mrs mac"]

At the end of the day we are all different and one type of contraceptive is not going to suit everyone so we all have to try and make the best informed choice that suits our individual lifestyle.

[/quote]

I agree!

But I can see stephs point! Personally am never going to use the pill or implant or anything like that. It's not natural and it is a drug, and you should consider the long term effects on your body. I think a condom is pretty realiable maybe not natural either but you aren't affecting your body in such a dramatic way as you would by long term pill or implant use! I think nikois, claiming that 20 years old are haivng sex and brining kids into the world is a little incorrect. Yes there are people in their teens doing that and it is unfair to brign a child into the world when you can barely look after yourself. But these people are the people who don't use anything and sleep with anyone!

Personally am sticking with non pill use or implant. I would rather ensure that I have kids in the future cos if i couldnt that would devestate me! And not sleeping around and sticking to one partner reduces the chances of both pregnancy and STDs.

But as mrs mac said each to their own!!

Re: Contraceptive implant

Mac Feather — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:07:10 GMT

At the end of the day we are all different and one type of contraceptive is not going to suit everyone so we all have to try and make the best informed choice that suits our individual lifestyle.

Re: Contraceptive implant

Nikki Graef — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:19:17 GMT

[quote user="StephB"]

[quote user="niknoks"]

I have had experience in condom failings before i had my implant, in fact thats the reason i had the implant and have to disagree with the some things are meant to be comment!

When your 20 years old with no money living off parents bringing a child in to the world in my opinion is totally irrisponsible, i didnt want to be one of these people sponging off the government trying to bring up a child i couldnt afford, i want to enjoy my life and have a baby when i can bring it up in the way i want.

[/quote]

If you're 20 yrs old with no money living off your parents then really you should be more worried about growing up and making money and not having sex! or being more protected. the 72hour pill is for accidents. You take the risk of never being able to enjoy your life or have children for that matter when you take contraceptives, especially the high dosed ones. Very few people have children when they 'want' to or when they are 'ready'. It's not all pink clouds and fluffy kittens and the making excuses thing you have going here is exactly how we have so many young children having children. Not taking responsibility for their actions or accepting the repercussions for their behaviour.

It winds me up real bad...

[/quote]

No im not 20 years old im 28 years old in a long term settled relationship the point i was making is that plenty 20 year old kids with no money end up getting pregnant through accidents and condoms splitting and not getting round to getting the morning after pill.

Re: Contraceptive implant

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:07:19 GMT

[quote user="niknoks"]

I have had experience in condom failings before i had my implant, in fact thats the reason i had the implant and have to disagree with the some things are meant to be comment!

[/quote]

It winds me up real bad...