I hate when docs say: "This has never happened, you are so unlucky"

September 26, 2013 6:58 AM

I had an appointment for my copper IUD to be removed last night and jokingly said to the nurse practitioner, "I sure hope it comes out easier than it went it". Well...it didn't come out. The strings broke and the 'T' is still in there somewhere. The NP went to get the doctor who said "This has never happened here before - you are very unlucky!". Um yeah, thanks, I know. The doc tried to fish out the IUD with some tool, but didn't have any luck. They both had very sorrowful/concerned looks on their faces and sent me home. I am awaiting a phone call today to see if they can get me in to see someone (anyone) early next week. Fingers crossed.

I'm worried about what happens next though. Reading stories on the interwebs is freaking me out. It sounds like some people essentially get a D&C to get it out -- is that the case? Any similar experiences or relevant knowledge out there? Why did the NP and doc look so damned worried?

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

You'll be fine. Yes, you are unlucky, but no, you're not the first and not the last person to whom this has happened.

You might need a hysteroscopy (camera through cervical opening, some fluid to distend the uterine cavity - minor procedure) and they'll fish it out - this can sometimes be done in the office.

And of course, this doesn't constitute official medical advice.
posted by noonday at 7:02 AM on September 26, 2013 [1 favorite]

Your doctor and NP may look worried because they've never had to fish one out before. They even told you! If you're concerned that they don't have the experience necessary to remove it, you should seek a second opinion, in your nearest-largest city. Don't hesitate to be pushy about getting it taken out by someone experienced that you feel comfortable with, this is your fertility.
posted by juniperesque at 7:19 AM on September 26, 2013 [7 favorites]

This happened to a friend of mine and she had a hysteroscopy; it was not a huge deal but she did have to get some serious rest afterwards.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:47 AM on September 26, 2013

I'm unlucky too, my Mirena strings were cut too short and it was not retrievable even after a lot of fiddling in there by my gynecologist.

So she set up an appointment for an in-office surgical procedure, gave me anti-anxiety medication, numbed (hah, sure!) and then dilated my cervix to go snag it with a scope/small forceps. It was not fun but it was over quickly.

They look so worried because it is pretty damn unpleasant and they might never have done one before. If they don't give you a clear course of action, go ask for a second opinion.
posted by lydhre at 7:47 AM on September 26, 2013

need a hysteroscopy (camera through cervical opening, some fluid to distend the uterine cavity - minor procedure)

If you do, do not hesitate to have them re-pain killer up your cervix if you feel pain. Un-pain-managed manual cervical dilation HURTS.
posted by tilde at 9:06 AM on September 26, 2013 [1 favorite]

They looked worried not because you're in trouble medically but because they hadn't encountered this situation before and it was stressing them out! You'll be okay. They're probably just stressed because they want to help and weren't able to right away. Facial expression management (acting classes?) should be a big priority for medical professionals for exactly this reason. Sorry you're in this stressful situation, but you're going to be safe. Pamper yourself a bit! Being in stressful medical situations is a perfectly good reason to be extra gentle with yourself and have wine, Netflix, whatever.
posted by c'mon sea legs at 10:08 AM on September 26, 2013 [1 favorite]

This is not that uncommon, and it's also not any kind of medical crisis/emergency. It's no big deal if you can't get this scheduled for another month or whatever (except I'm sure it's a big deal to you! It's just not medically a big deal.)

It may be a bit uncomfortable - possibly triggering some bad menstrual cramps - but totally not a "big deal" procedure.
posted by latkes at 11:15 AM on September 26, 2013

This happened to my housemate. She said she had a removal in hospital under general (probably twilight sedation). She mentioned it in passing as an annoyance but nothing difficult, painful or traumatic.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 3:24 PM on September 26, 2013

Is there an FPA near you?
They've probably done TONS more IUD insertions and removals, which is why I got it done there instead of at my Doctors. I'd contact them and see if they can do your removal as well.
(Unless this is your FPA, in which case you are out of luck)
posted by Elysum at 5:01 PM on September 26, 2013

I suspect the look that you read on their faces as worry was actually a look of dismay and guilt.

I am a doctor and I know had I been in their shoes, I would be tearing myself up for having screwed up the procedure. I would have been asking myself what I did wrong to cause this to happen, or why I did not have the skill to be able to fix it once it did happen. This guilt would compound as I saw your anxiety and distress increase and I realized that you were going to need to have a more invasive procedure done and that it might be my fault. Healthcare professionals don't like doing things that cause their patients pain.

It may not have had anything to do with the skill level of the NP or doctor, you might have just had a faulty IUD or removal tool or something - I'm not saying it was actually an error they committed - but I'm willing to bet that they felt at least partially to blame for your predicament.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:31 PM on September 26, 2013