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Not listened to

Posted By Kulficat

"Not listened to"

About: Crawley Hospital / Gynaecology

(as the patient),

I had an Hysteroscopy to see if I had a polyp as I have very heavy periods. Before the procedure the consultant advised having a Mirena fitted. I explained that I did not need a contraceptive, I have read about side effects that I am not happy about and I did not want something inside me for five years.

I asked about other ways to stop heavy bleeding but was told this was the best option. I did say I would stick to having to take tranexamic as this is only needed when I am bleeding.

Twice before the procedure the consultant advised me to have a Mirena fitted and then after the procedure they told me twice more to go to the doctors to get it fitted. It seemed as if they were a sales consultant rather than a medical consultant!

It was only two days before the procedure that I had read an article from asking why are GP’s so keen to push the Mirena contraceptive onto people? ! If I hadn’t have been prepared for this I would have probably come out of there with a Mirena that I would not have been happy with. I feel like the consultant did not respect my wishes what so ever.

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Responses

Response from Julia Spindler, Ward Manager, Crawley Surgical Short Stay Unit, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust 6 years ago
Julia Spindler
Ward Manager, Crawley Surgical Short Stay Unit,
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Submitted on 29/09/2017 at 11:41
Published on Care Opinion at 11:42

Dear Kulficat,

Thank you for taking the time to raise your concerns regarding the care you received whilst under the care of the Gynaecology Team here at Crawley Surgical Short Stay Unit. I would like to be able to look into this further for you. Could you email me at the address provided below so that I may take this further for you?

We hope that you are recovering well from your procedure,

Kind regards

Julia

mailto:Julia.spindler@sash.nhs.uk

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Bill Kilvington, Assistant Director for Women and Children's, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust 6 years ago
Bill Kilvington
Assistant Director for Women and Children's,
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Submitted on 29/09/2017 at 15:09
Published on Care Opinion at 15:25

Dear Kulficat,
I am sorry that you are unhappy with the outcome of your consultation and the advice given. Please do contact Julia as if necessary she can arrange an appointment with another consultant for a second opinion.

However, I wanted to re-assure you that the use of a Mirena coil for very heavy periods is often best practice as a first line pharmaceutical treatment.

It is of course entirely your choice which method of treatment you opt for and only you and your consultant can know the details of your own condition, but I do want to point you towards the clinical evidence about the use of Mirena for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).

Firstly, there is a very helpful leaflet published by the British Fibroid Trust and this can be found on-line here http://www.britishfibroidtrust.org.uk/Factfiles/Mirena_BFT_A4_Factfile_1.pdf

Secondly, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence provides advice for patients with your condition.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg44/ifp/chapter/Treatment-and-care-for-women-with-heavy-periods

If you click on the page link for drug treatments you will see that the first treatment to consider is the Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. This is a Mirena coil.

As I have stated, only you can decide what is the best treatment for yourself, but I did want to ensure that you have access to authoritative clinical advice.

Whichever course of treatment you opt for, I hope that you achieve the relief of your symptoms that you are seeking.

Best wishes

Bill Kilvington

Associate Director - Women and Child Health

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Kulficat (the patient)

Dear Bill,

Thank you for your quick response, I am baffled though and I wonder if you actually read my post?

The Mirena coil might well be an option for heavy periods I was not disputing that. I was explaining that it should not be pushed onto me when I have already said no. I cannot understand why your response is also to direct me to a link telling me the positive aspects of having a coil. The Daily Mail is certainly right to ask why is it being pushed onto women, your response speaks volumes in terms of selling this product! There are other options and the Mirena coil certainly can have side effects which is why I am having to say no once again!

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