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Original poster

Shit- just got roped in to booking my smear

97 replies

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 11/02/2019 20:20

I’m dreading it already and it’s not until the end of the month.

I swore I’d never have one again. It’s probably been 5/6 years since my last one. I just hate the thought and feeling panicky already.

I suffer with GAD so this may have some impact on how I’m feeling.

Any positive stories/ thoughts/ advice please. Sad

OP posts:
ladyme · 11/02/2019 20:23

Tell them at reception that you are a nervous patient and they will look after you when you go in

Felicia4 · 11/02/2019 20:24

I understand your anxiety about smears. Well done for booking one though.
My DH comes into the room with me and holds my hand and talks to me during. Really makes a big difference. Do you have anyone who could go with you and reassure you during the test?

BifsWif · 11/02/2019 20:26

I agree, tell them when you get there and they’ll understand.

Well done for booking your smear, I had pre cancerous cells at 23 (old enough to have started having smears at 20!), and had to have them every six months for three years and then yearly for another two years. Fingers crossed all is ok and you can forget about it for another few years.

PepperSteak · 11/02/2019 20:29

Can you have a nice treat to look forward to afterwards like a coffee or a new book on your kindle?

ShouldHaveListenedInBiology · 11/02/2019 20:31

Well done, that’s really brave 👍🏻 Deep breaths and really concentrate on your breathing, can you practice some meditations beforehand? And definitely let the nurse know you’re feeling nervous. It really doesn’t take long at all, plan a nice treat for when you’re done. And give yourself a pat on the back.

Girlsnightin · 11/02/2019 20:31

Well done for booking. Agree with telling the nurse you are nervous. Just think.once it's done you can forget about it for 3 years.

Felyne · 11/02/2019 20:40

One time I went to the doctor with serious food poisoning (D&V, mostly D). She noticed my smear was overdue and told me she would do it then and there. She knew as well as I did that leaving me to 'book an appointment later' would never happen...
So I hoifed myself up on the bench and, bearing in mind the reason for my visit in the first place, somehow it got done and I didn't disgrace myself. It was not very relaxing though when you can't trust your bottom to behave!

MrsJane · 11/02/2019 20:42

Well done!

I used to be bit nervous but after two dcs and the world and his wife looking up there, smears don't bother me one bit now. It really is so quick.

Be honest with them. Tell them you're really nervous, ask them to take it slowly. Take a deep breath and relax your whole body as they do it. That really helps.

It'll be all over and done with before you know it.

Katinkka · 11/02/2019 20:43

I had pre cancer at 18 and had to have them zapped. It’s so important!

Redcrayons · 11/02/2019 20:47

Well done on booking the appointment. my last one was 2 years overdue Blush. I hate hate hate having it done.

Just think, This time next month it will be done and you don't need to think about it again for ages.

Annunaki · 11/02/2019 20:53

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LtJudyHopps · 11/02/2019 20:55

Have something to look forward to afterwards. I was so nervous my blood pressure rocketed! But it was honestly fine, I was expecting pain, bleeding, feeling uncomfortable all day after. I barely felt it and went back to work completely fine Smile

lanbro · 11/02/2019 20:56

So pleased you're going! It's not pleasant at all but so very worth it. In the last decade I've had at least 15, if I hadn't gone for that first one I might not have been here...

Try and relax, remember, the nurse has seen more fancies than you've had hot dinners, and it will be over before you know it

Proudpeacock · 11/02/2019 20:57

Well done! Mine is tomorrow. I am definitely not looking forward to it but it will all be over in a few minutes and I don't have to think about it again for 3 years. I have also promised myself a piece of cake afterwards.

januaryblues21 · 11/02/2019 21:02

Just go and do it and think nothing of it.

I've had cervical cancer and it involved: 8 operations, 30 rounds of radiotherapy, 6 rounds of chemo, 3 procedures where there attach rods to your cervix and zap them followed by 3 monthly examinations worse than smears for 5 years. Plus infertility and very early menopause.

If I'd had a smear sooner, I probably would have had a bit of lasering and all back to normal.

Not trying to scare you but smears are well needed!

UgliestGirl · 11/02/2019 21:17

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happydays00 · 11/02/2019 21:20

Tell the nurse you're nervous and try to just keep as relaxed as possible and take deep breaths.

I had my last a couple of months ago and it was so much better than previous ones! It was a plastic speculum (rather than those terrifying metal contraptions) and despite my cervix being high I literally barely felt a thing. Honestly @GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat , I felt a bit silly with how anxious I had been!! I really hope you have the same experience as me this time!!

MsVestibule · 11/02/2019 21:24

@ugliestgirl I don't get that - you read an article in a newspaper 10 years ago and that's stopped you from ever having a smear test again, even though you've had them regularly until now (so at least two in the last 10 years)? Am I missing something, because that doesn't make sense to me Confused.

UgliestGirl · 11/02/2019 21:26

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TheJobNeverEnded · 11/02/2019 21:29

@January Flowers bloody awful what you went through, and at the end of the day it is these kind of stories people need to hear. 5 minutes of embarrassment and discomfort compared to what you went through.

I had mine last month, was an absolute walk in the park (have had some very painful ones in the past before learning to prop myself up on my fists.)

I had the most amazing nurse who was incredibly skilled and she put me completely at ease. It was over so quickly too. I think it just feels like forever.

Well done for booking it. You can do this.

PurpleDaisies · 11/02/2019 21:37

When you say you were “roped in to booking it”, what do you mean? You’re an adult and you can choose to have one or not. It’s a valid choice not to if you don’t want one.

BernardoTeashop · 11/02/2019 21:43

Come on ladies. There’s not the slightest thing to be worried about. It’s over in seconds, the nurse will have seen it all before and it could save your life

raindancemumma · 11/02/2019 21:44

A friend of mine always made sure she wore a pair of outrageously funny of socks to her screening. The conversation about the socks massively deterred from the physical side and that made it all much easier for her, and the nurse!

raindancemumma · 11/02/2019 21:45

Slight typo, sorry Blush

PurpleDaisies · 11/02/2019 21:46

Come on ladies. There’s not the slightest thing to be worried about. It’s over in seconds

That’s not a helpful comment. Some women find them very painful. It’s not always over in seconds. There’s a risk of over treatment of changes that would have resolved on their own.