Has anyone had a recent CV test or knows about them? Trigger warning.

[TestWorries]

Has anyone had a recent CV test and would be able to tell me about how it's actually done? I have read that it's a swab in the nose and the back of the throat but there doesn't seem to be any more detailed info online. I can't see that there are any other alternative test methods either.

Trigger warning
There is no way I could let anyone use a swab in the back of my throat/mouth due to previous rape/sexual abuse. For example I couldn't let my GP use a tongue pusher down stick (I don't know what they're called properly).

It isn't a case of its unpleasant but it's for your own and everyone's health (as no doubt some people will say) so just take a deep breath and get on with it - I physically would not be able to do it. I think I'd have to be restrained which obviously would make it worse. Even diazepam wouldn't make it bearable (have tried in the past).

Has anyone had a recent test and could tell me what happens or does anyone know if there are alternative test methods?

I seriously considered not leaving the house to avoid a situation where I might have to be tested, but I live in a family and as strict as we are on hygiene the risk is there anyway. Plus this could be around for years.

It feels so stupid. I'm more worried about having to have a fucking test than catching it (and I'm in the shielding group).

I could really do without anyone being a twat about this (as I've seen on similar threads where people can't wear face masks). I just want to know if anyone has any more detail about the test or knows about other methods. Maybe someone has the same issue.

PS Long term MNer, NCed for this and not a troll with hairy hands.

Yeah I have

It is a swab in the throat, and then up the nose

So I would say it would be hard for you to do

You have to push it quite far back and a lot of people gag

Couldn't you have one delivered to your house and diy?

Oh quick replies.

I don't think I could do it myself. Anything that would have a possible gag reflex is a definite impossibility. Fucking hell.

I know someone who had one and they had to do it to themselves. Could you cope with that?

Sorry, cross posted with you.

I’m not 100% sure, but I think I’ve seen on tv people do their own test so you would be swabbing yourself. Would that be any better?

Even doing at home is gag worthy, which is what we didn

I had to do me and my two kids. They both gagged, I didn’t.

My dh had to do his and he gagged too.

I have done a diy one and found it made me gag. It wasnt too bad but from what you have described you may find it difficult.

Unless you work in a high risk professional like healthcare, there's a good chance you won't need to ever have a test.

I have done the home test. As op above have described it well.
If I was in your situation I would just do the nose only.
If I was convinced I had it but the rest came back negative I would continue to act as if I had it and take the necessary steps.
If members if your household hasn't it then I would just assume I do too.
If you HAD to go to a test centre maybe you could advise the nurse there or request a blood test.
I think I've read other countries have saliva tests so maybe the will come to the uk soon?
I'm sorry for your awful experience x

Sorry for mistakes - I'm on my phone and apparently can't type well anymore

I genuinely can't see what I can do then.

If it's at home (and the irony of this would make me laugh if it wasn't so fucking shit) I could possibly trust DH to do it as I wouldn't have to explain anything like I would to someone else I didn't know and I know he understands. I'm honestly not sure I could physically let him do it though and I know it would make him feel awful for him to cause me distress like that.

I have read that people who have had to do the test on their children have been told it’s ok to just do the nostril bit? Maybe you could ask about that. There is also a lot of work being done on a saliva test so fingers crossed that comes through soon!

It's 5 seconds each side of the throat and each side of the nose.
I've had 2, the first time I gagged the second time I didn't.
I've not heard if there's another way.
If there's no choice and you have to have one, they might be able to sedate you?

See that's the thing @AntiHop I know the chance is small of actually catching it, but the problem is, due to the reason I'm shielding I couldn't just ignore it if was a possibility. I know they'd make me be tested.

(And if any smart arse says well you'd prefer that to the feel of a ventilator you can fuck off I know I'd be sedated for that and hopefully wouldn't know about it)

Thank you all for such quick and nice replies so far though.

If you need a test you can arrange for one to be delivered to home. There is a video here about how to do it but as they are working on a spit test maybe don't think too much about it unless you actually need one, you might be worrying for nothing.

Don't assume that at at a test centre someone else administers the test. I went to one of the drive through test centres in London and still had to swab myself.
It worked ok, I honestly wouldn't get too nervous about it.
I did a home test prior to that, but it was inconclusive, this is why I had to go for another one. The hardest bit about the home test was folding the flipping return box!

Would you really have to have a test? Couldn't you just self isolate for 14 days if you get symptoms?

I took part in the Imperial College/NHS/ipsos trial a couple of weeks ago and had to do a throat/nose swab, but firstly a saliva test, so I think they are thinking about swab issues. When I received my kit and information pack they included a link to a YouTube video which you might find helpful, I certainly did. I am sorry this is an issue for you.

There will be other tests along soon and you don't need one at the moment, right? Then I wouldn't think too much about it til it happens. By then, the saliva test, or a blood test, might well be possible instead

I had one and it was absolutely fine, I did it myself using the mirror. Are you able to do things like brush your very back teeth yourself? Because if so then if you are next brushing your back teeth you could see if you can bring yourself to sweep the toothbrush a little further back. It's only like that, really, and when you are controlling the process yourself you feel more in control

I have similar triggering issues with the masks and suffocation fears. It's all a bit shit really.

I had one done two weeks ago as I was going into hospital. I did gag a bit but it wasn't too bad. I have to have another in a couple of weeks as I am going back in.

It was done by nurses and took about 10 seconds for throat and both nostrils. Made my eyes water slightly.

I would think swabbing both nostrils only as a previous poster suggested would be sufficient in your case. I had to swab my 3yo last week and did nostrils only and it was viable fortunately, so we didn't have to retest.

Apologies, just re-read your post. I also wonder whether self-isolating would be better in your case.

That video was really useful @OddBoots thank you so much. I definitely could not let anyone do that, or do it myself.

The nose bit is fine. I could do that.

I've tried diazepam sedation for something similar before (I think I went up to 20?g) and it didn't work. GAs are fine but I think that might be overkill! I can't drink unfortunately so I can't even down a bottle of vodka which would be my other thought!

I think if there was a chance I had it, I would have to be tested due to my shielding condition, and I know I would want to know anyway, I just can't do the swab.

I suppose it's silly to worry now, when the situation may never happen. I just like to be prepared for everything.

@TheLegendOfZelda Sorry you have similar shit to deal with too. The face mask threads for people in our situation have been so upsetting, so I was really worried about posting this but luckily you have all been lovely!

I can carefully brush my back teeth and (obviously the dentist is out which is a whole other thread, sigh) but anything a bit beyond with the chance of gagging, let alone actually gagging, I wouldn't be able to do.