slemslempike: (x: Red Flag)
slemslempike ([personal profile] slemslempike) wrote2009-06-03 01:20 pm
Entry tags:

The icon is technically inaccurate but I still like to use it.

Ooooooh. Ow.

My coil fitting was this afternoon. This should have coincided with the heaviest day of my period, and I was worried about this to the extent of posting in [livejournal.com profile] theladiesloos for advice. Obviously, therefore, my bleeding stopped entirely, leaving me to wonder if that would cause problems. Now, however, I am bleeding reasonably profusely, and being reminded of my utter inability to position pads correctly. So that's nice.

It was not tooooo awful. Usually when I've had something done and they say to lie down for a bit afterwards I do it for a little bit just to show willing and then leave as soon as possible. Today I very quickly wished that I'd lain down for longer, as shortly into the "now sit in the waiting room" period I was desperately trying not to be sick on the floor and sticking my face into the fan. I feel better now, but my cramps are still just enough that I can will use them to justify retiring to my boudoir for the rest of the day and reading.

The HCA was very nice and let me hold/crush her hand and talked to me distractingly. I had taken nurofen plus beforehand, and then the doctor gave me local anaesthetic. I made the mistake of looking at the needle before it went into my vagina. GOSH. The anticipation was worse than the actual injection, though that was not terribly pleasant. Then the sound thing went in and was one of the least enjoyable experiences I've ever had involving my genitals. But that, and the actual insertion, did not take very long at all, and once all the paraphenalia was removed all that remained was the cramping, which is pretty much a medium-bad period pain level. I think the sickness and shaking was mostly reaction to the local anaesthetic than pain.

I bought a chocolate brownie dessert thing from M&S and I am going to finish reading Time and Tide Wait for No Man - Dale Spender's book about the early years of Time and Tide magazine. My main knowledge of Time and Tide comes from the Provincial Lady, I am looking forward to changing this.

[identity profile] antisoppist.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 12:34 pm (UTC)(link)
You got local anaesthetic? When I was showing signs of agony I just got "oh... you must be very sensitive" and had to make do with my nurofen. I am not looking forward to getting it replaced in however many years' time it is.

[identity profile] slemslempike.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 12:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, I was told to take ibuprofen beforehand, which I thought was instead of the local aneasthetic, and then when I showed up they said they would give me the injection. I think it's because doctors tend to have problems finding my cervix (I really don't know why - I've never had any problem). I got the impression it was standard for women who hadn't had children.

[identity profile] medland.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I thought that they only gave coils to women who had had kids. Shows how much I know!

[identity profile] slemslempike.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I think maybe they used to not? I'm not sure - no-one raised that as an issue other than saying that it might be more painful to insert as a result.

[identity profile] huskyteer.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
YOWZER. I'm glad I have a thingy in my arm instead. Plus I can gross people out by getting them to touch it (once I'd got over being grossed out by it myself).

[identity profile] whatho.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 12:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Ow. Ow.

Ow.

Well done.

[identity profile] iliketea.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 12:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Ow ow ow ow OW.

May I ask you a terribly stupid question and enquire as to why you went with the coil as an option?

[identity profile] braisedbywolves.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I am largely without reference points, but still impressed by your bravery. I shall endeavour to find a way to commemorate it.

[identity profile] slemslempike.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Not stupid at all! And there is little I like better than talking to people about my innards, so I am more than pleased to answer.

When I was on the pill/implant before, one of the side effects was a loss of libido (although it might have been related to other things), and I don't much fancy that again, so I wanted to avoid any hormonal methods. I'd looked at other things like the diaphragm and the sponge, but they have relatively low efficiency rates, whereas the coil is technically more effective than sterilisation. And really, even this short time after the insertion I've forgotten most of the pain, and it (barring any problems) should last for ten years, which is all to the good.

[identity profile] slemslempike.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:06 pm (UTC)(link)
That was my favourite thing about the implant - "feel this! look, it wiggles around and everything! I'm a CYBORG!".

[identity profile] slemslempike.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I do worry slightly that I have a very mild form of Munchausen's*, as I don't mind medical stuff in the slightest, and really like telling people about it in the hopes that I will receive sympathy. So this is going quite well.

*I don't actually think this at all, but this didn't stop me from making a joke about it to a doctor once, which was even more embarrassing that it would otherwise had been since she then failed to find anything wrong with me.

[identity profile] iliketea.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:08 pm (UTC)(link)
And does it interfere with menstruation patterns at all (either worse/better) or not? (I guess you possibly don't know that yet, in terms of how it works for you, but am hoping there will be discussion on this matter forthcoming. Yay innard-chats.) :)

[identity profile] whatsagirlgotta.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I am now feeling very protective of my nether regions, not aided by proofing instructions to medical students on how to conduct vaginal examinations.

[identity profile] slemslempike.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I am VERY brave. The HCA said so and everything, I am slightly miffed not to have been offered a lollipop. I am using my laptop as a very effective heat pad.

[identity profile] antisoppist.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah. My cervix obviously can't remember that I have had three children. You'd think it would, really.

[identity profile] leedy.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"Do not use any gardening implements..."

[identity profile] slemslempike.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know how it'll work for me yet - they say that it will take a few cycles for your uterus to adjust fully to having the IUD in it (and there is a possibility that it might come out in my first period, which I do NOT want to happen). One of the known side-effects in some women is heavier periods, but I thought that I would risk that. My periods were VERY nasty when I was younger, but more recently they've been mostly fine, so I'm hoping it won't be too awful.

And yes - I imagine that you can stay tuned for more on my bleeding patterns!

[identity profile] slemslempike.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:16 pm (UTC)(link)
What do they tell them? Is there anything you're having to resist changing?

[identity profile] slemslempike.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:17 pm (UTC)(link)
ARGH!

[identity profile] iliketea.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay, am glad. Thank you for info and sharing and such like. :)

[identity profile] huskyteer.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I thought Howard was going to pass out. Comedy gold.

[identity profile] whatsagirlgotta.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
No, not as such. Its just the image of a bunch of students queueing to have a look! One of the things I have discovered is that there is an actual job involving letting students examine your lady parts - gynaecology teaching assistants who train students on themselves. There does not seem to be a male equivalent.

[identity profile] irrtum.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 02:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Well done, ouch, well done. What a procedure!

[identity profile] slemslempike.livejournal.com 2009-06-03 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I think I had heard about that ages ago. It must be a very strange job, though lots of fun trying to discomfort the students.

Page 1 of 3