Having copper IUD today - can't take any painkillers

[Chezombie]

Hi there,

I am having a copper IUD fitted this afternoon (I know, bit late to be asking this but I suffer from really high anxiety and didn't want to read any horror stories on the internet).

My issue is although I was advised to take two paracetamol or Ibuprofen before the procedure, I am not able to take any of this stuff.

Long story short a few years ago I got addicted to over the counter painkillers that contained codeine. These mixtures were both Ibuprofen and Paracetamol.

I abused these medications for a long time before finally seeking help for the addiction, but by then my body had decided to violently reject both of these drugs. I also suffered a two year protracted withdrawal from 'legal high' benzodiazepines, and any and I mean ANY medications can rev up these withdrawal symptoms too, making me very ill and bedridden for several days, which is not something I need or want right now, I am trying to rebuild my life.

Neither of these medications have ANY painkilling effect on me either, they simply do not work. I don't know if this is from abusing them or what, but the last time the hospital gave me two paracetamol for a chest infection, I violently threw up all over the room and for several hours afterwards.

I don't fancy being sick all over my partner's car or all over the poor person fitting my IUD.

Will this be an issue with them when having it done?. I have a low pain threshold too, so I will have to rely on my own strength and have him there with me while it's done if he is allowed to stay with me.

[Galen70]

Dear Chezombie, paracetamol and ibuprofen are not addictive in themselves. The codeine can be . There is another agent you could try, diclofenac, but this would require a doctors prescription. It is also a non steroidal and non addicitive. Hope all goes well.

[Chezombie in reply to Galen70]

I know this, but they make me really really unwell, it's like an allergic reaction. Paracetamol really upsets me stomach, like having a sickness bug, and Ibuprofen does pretty much the same thing. Please bear in mind that during my addiction I took multiple overdoses of both of these medications because the over the counter mixtures contained codeine too. My body can't tolerate them. I can't take NSAIDS at all now due to the risk to my stomach and kidneys, plus I don't really think they could do this procedure on someone who was being violently sick at the same time, no thanks.

They were unable to do the procedure because I was in too much pain.

What is someone in my position supposed to do? Just suffer? I tried this way but it caused my whole body to tense up and they just couldn't do it. It caused my cervix to clamp shut too.

Nobody understands this reaction thing, you'd understand a peanut allergy very well, but not this =/

It's a self inflicted allergy I know, I was so stupid but I can't change the past.

[Galen70 in reply to Chezombie]

It is possible to inject lidocaine into the cervix during a coil insertion. And in some cases an IUD or IUS can be inserted under general anaesthetic, although this is rare and usually only done during a surgical termination of pregnancy. You need to discuss with your family doctor about what you can take for analgesia if you cant take paracetamol or any form of NSAID. NSAIDs can certainly cause GI ( tummy ) upset , but they are only a risk to your kidneys if taken at high dose or for long periods of time. You can also take omeprazole to protect your stomach lining if on an NSAID. If you cannot take any NSAID, paracetamol , or obviously codeine due to your previous issues, im afraid your options are quite limited.

[Minipill]

Hey I've had a copper coil fitted and no I don't think you not taking any paracetamol ect will be an issue. Really that's more for the cramping you will get after its fitted it won't prevent any pain actually getting it put in. They gave me an injection that made my cervix numb when they fitted it so I didn't feel any pain so you could ask your doctor to do that and then use a hot water bottle for cramps after its been put in.