How do I broach this with smear nurse?

[Hidingtonothing]

My smear is 2 years overdue and it's taken me this long to pluck up the courage to go, it's booked for Thursday. I had a really bad experience with the practice nurse at my previous surgery but had been quite happily (well sort of!) going to my local family planning clinic until they closed it, this will be my first smear with a practice nurse since the bad one.

Is just saying I'm nervous enough? It really matters that this goes well because I know I won't be able to go back if it doesn't and there is nowhere else. I don't want her to think I'm tarring all practice nurses with the same brush but at the same time I am worried the same thing will happen again.

I know it's not fully rational but I always felt reassured that the FPC nurses did the same thing day in day out so they knew what they were doing, and that was backed up by my experience, I've never had such quick, easy smears. So I'm trying to figure out how much or how little to say, feel like there's quite a lot resting on it.

Thank you, it's in an hour and the nerves are building now! Gritting my teeth and doing it anyway though 😬

Good for you, Hidingtonothing! You know you are doing the right thing. Will keep my fingers crossed for you that it goes well.

You'll be okay, hiding. I often ask doctors and nurses to do things quickly because I'm nervous. They are understanding! I can't cope with the prolongedness either.

Remember deep breaths, as twee as it sounds, and it'll help keep you calm. And plan a bit of a treat for after!

Have a chat with then before you start to see why it was a horrible experience. I did this with a female doctor - turns out my cervix is a different angle to the norm and that was why it was so painful. Sorry for the too much info but she told me to tell all future nurses to aim for my bum and I have never had a problem since. They put a pillow under my bum sometimes and it helps.

I find the speculum absolute agony because my cervix is tilted. I always tell the nurse when I'm going for my smear, as sometimes they think I'm being a bit silly when there is a genuine reason.

I think it's totally fine to tell the nurse you've had a painful experience at a previous smear.

Nice calm breaths @Hidingtonothing

I always tell them I am not an easy customer and often cry. It's not just you op. Treat yourself after x

Leaving now, am doing ok Thanks for all the tips, will report back x

I'm back, they were running late so had 40 minutes to work myself up before I went in, which I put to full use 🙄 Was a bit teary by the time I got in there but managed to get a brief explanation out and they (there was a student nurse as well) got it straight away so we cracked straight on! It was every bit as quick and efficient as the FPC and we even had a laugh about how everyone hides their pants when they've taken them off I was stressed by the wait but have come out feeling positive and, most importantly, I will feel able to go back there next time. Thanks for the support

That’s a great update. Good for you for arranging it and seeing it through despite the wait beforehand!

Kudos for the self care!

I recently had mine done, a year late. Better late than never eh.

Amazing news OP, you should feel proud of yourself

Good news! My last was very painful but the nurse was having difficulty seeing my cervix. But she was very respectful and asked several times if I wanted to continue. I think you had a one off bad experience. Now you’ll be able to have the next one without too much stress!

Fantastic result!!!!

Going to try really hard to imprint this experience over the bad one in my mind now. Want to just be able to go, without this level of anxiety, next time it's due. Am having a bit of a life-overhaul at the moment and trying to learn new ways of dealing with stuff, it's going well (if I do say so myself ) so I'm hoping it works for this too.

Bit nervous about the results now, mainly because I was so overdue I think, so will be glad when they've come through. I'm glad it's done though, and that they understood and did what I needed. Telling them was the right call, in case that helps anyone else who might be putting it off

Well done OP. I hope you weren't ambushed by the student nurse and they asked your permission to be observed before the procedure.

They absolutely did Panama I'm happy to say. The student nurse was lovely, she fetched me from the waiting room and we'd chatted on the way so I was a bit disappointed when I realised she wasn't doing it tbh, I definitely wanted her to stay

Well done, Hidingtonothing! I'm glad it worked out for you.

Well done.