It’s been 5 months since emergency surgery for my ectopic and I’m still angry about it - more angry about the fact that I’m pretty sure it was down to a badly fitted coil but I’m assuming with this 12 years ago I won’t have any medical notes to look at or to attempt to take this further. Has anyone attempted to look back and find there medical notes?! Google says there stored 8-10 years usually
Dear LTQKVS,
It would depend upon where you had the coil fitted. Medical records at a hospital or your GP surgery are life long and kept for a certain amount of time after leaving the country or death. You can request notes through your GP surgery or speak to the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) at your local hospital for their notes. If it was fitted elsewhere, I would speak to that service.
You mention that you are feeling angry and more angry about your experience. Receiving medical records may or may not provide you with the answers you are looking for and may not help with your feelings of anger. Ongoing and unresolved feelings like this can become me more heightened.
We at the Trust believe that talking through what happened and your emotions as and when you can helps the healing process. We operate a helpline service and there’s no pressure whatsoever but if you would ever like the opportunity to speak over the phone to someone who has been through a similar experience, do feel free to call, details are below. We can take things at your pace entirely and you are free to ask any questions that are on your mind. You can talk about the ordeal you have been through and express your feelings to vent and let off some steam. We can exchange emails too, if you prefer that route. We’ll simply be here for you, however you wish and for as long as you wish.
In addition, you can ask to see a GP at your practice and ask them to explore ways in which you can get help and this can include referrals for “talking therapies” or counselling. We have information on our website about finding counselling services.
The charity Mind may also be of assistance. They have local centres and support groups and can offer services on a means-tested basis or sometimes free. You can find your local centre following this link if that may be useful too: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/local-minds/
Many women experience feelings of isolation after an ectopic pregnancy - I did, too. It is a frightening experience. Like you, I reached out to the Trust for support and I will be here for you to lean on for as long as you need.
Sending much love and warm hugs,
Karen x
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I had an ectopic and previously had a copper coil for 10 years. I have always thought my ectopic could be something to do with historic coil use. But whichever professional I ask, they say coil has nothing to do with fertility or ectopic.
Thank you Karen I am in therapy at the moment but if I feel I need more help I will make contact. It’s nice to be amongst others that understand.
Sally - I think it’s really interesting and I can’t help but believe it has had something to do with it but I nearly passed out when mine was fitted and bled for three weeks until I had it taken out. Would be interesting to know how many others have had one. I do know one person who had an ectopic with the coil still in place.
Regarding my notes there is nothing on my notes just that it got removed I’m going to write to NHS England to complain and see if they can find my notes it’s looking likely I won’t get my proof 
or an answer but I can at least try x