I mentioned in my last post that I was to get my Mirena Coil replaced as it had been 5 years in January since I had had it fitted during my last laparoscopy.
My appointment was today. I was nervous about it but not because of the procedure itself really. This would be the first time I would be conscious for it but I wasn't especially concerned about that. Without sounding dramatic, I'm pretty good with pain.
I had researched what the procedure involved so I knew what to expect. The only thing I was really nervous about was it not going as planned, for whatever reason. I was looking forward to getting it out of the way and not having to think about it again for another five years.
The place where I was having it done was somewhere I hadn't been before and since I have the sense of direction of a broken compass, I made sure I got there in plenty of time.
One of the things I had been preparing to do before the procedure was to take some painkillers, after some kind advice from a friend who had had the procedure done before. Yep, I forgot 🤦🏻♀️
Since the procedure involved having someone rummaging around my nether regions, I had been extra judicious with the FannyFresh™️. I mean, it's just good manners on such a short acquaintance.
The nurse collected me and she was very friendly and put me at ease very quickly. I gave her a potted history of my conditions and explained that I had the coil to help manage my Endometriosis symptoms rather than as a contraceptive.
I explained that because of my various conditions, but especially the Vestibulitis, that I was as sensitive as electric eels down there and they said they would look after me.
So, I got my lower kit off and got my feet in the stirrups and let the rummaging commence.
The nurse was very kind. She kept me informed throughout of what she was doing, such as needing to check the position of my uterus with a finger before doing anything else.
After that, the speculum went in. Was it painful? A little. I was familiar with that though because it's what happens during a smear test.
The next part involved inserting some small forceps to tug the strings that are attached to the coil and pull it out. The strings are supposed to just dangle outside of the cervix.
You guessed it, the strings weren't there. She tried several times to try and coax them out. She used some long tweezers and when that failed, an instrument that she described as a "serrated ruler".
No joy though. Cue "I've got no strings" playing on a loop in my head.
Apparently, it's not uncommon for the strings to end up tucked up inside the cervix but it meant I wasn't going to get my replacement coil today.
So, what happens now?
I have to wait for an appointment for a scan at the hospital to check the coil is still in there. If it is, I'll need to rebook and I'll need a slightly different procedure to get the coil out which will involve needing anaesthetic on my cervix, then I'll be able to have the new coil put in.
If it's no longer in there - and honestly I think I would have noticed if it had come out - then I'll just need to rebook and have the new one put straight in.
So yeah, it's not been ideal. I'm annoyed and deflated. It's through no fault of the nurses though. They were both lovely and and made everything clear every step of the way. It's just disappointing to have basically gone through part of the procedure for no reason.
It wasn't hugely painful at that point but it was obviously still uncomfortable. Offering your pubic region up with your feet in stirrups like some weird sacrifice, to a stranger, not high up on my bucket list, strangely.
It could take weeks or months to get an appointment for a scan. Then I'll need to get another appointment at the clinic. When booking for my appointment today, I tried to make an appointment in January but all the January appointments were gone and I had to ring at the beginning of February. This time though they said to call after my scan and explain that I had had a scan to check the status of my coil and they would prioritise an appointment for me, so that's good. More rummaging is in my future.
It is what it is. No point in mithering about it now. I'm pretty confident that if it had gone as planned, it would have been fine. The pain at that point was manageable, and having nice nurses is definitely a big plus.
I wanted to explain in some detail about what happened because I know I have some readers that have wanted some advice about the coil. Obviously it hasn't gone as planned for me today but it hasn't put me off getting it done.
And, now I've been to the clinic once, I'll know exactly where I'm going next time!
One thing I came away feeling sure of today though ...my lady parts still hate me.
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