Extremely nervous about overdue smear test this afternoon

[ChronicallyChill]

I am very overdue my smear test (last one done end of 2018). I went to have it last year and it was so excruciatingly painful that the nurse got very annoyed with me, huffing and sighing and said she couldn't continue. She then started saying because I vape I'm at higher risk of cervical cancer so it's vital I get it done.

I've had two previously, both were very very painful despite smallest speculum being used, seemed to last ages, and I bled heavily after. Internal examinations during pregnancies were excruciating too. I did have a cervical examination last year when I was being swabbed for infections, the GP said I have a cervical erosion. I have severe endometriosis too. My results from my two previous smears were normal but I know things can lie dormant and I'm worried sick.

I've now got two young children and I know I need to get this done. I have an appointment booked this afternoon. My heart has been racing since I woke up, I feel sick and so anxious.

Please can anyone give any tips to get through it? I have to take my youngest with me but I'm hoping he'll be content with cbeebies on my phone for the duration.

I'm also of course anxious about the results, but that's another reason I need to get it over with really.

Thank you.

I’m sorry. Sounds like really crappy treatment from the previous nurse.

I would go in and set the expectation from the get go. Explain your worries and your last experience and say this has put you off coming earlier. Hopefully you come across a nice nurse this time (majority of them really are).

Also take some painkillers 45mins before you go. Ibuprofen if you can and hopefully this should help with the pain. Good luck!

Thank you, I did try painkillers last time, but will try again.

Take painkillers first (cocodamol will be more effective than ibuprofen) and maybe take something to distract you - music, a book or your phone so you can think about something else. Mine was very overdue last summer for a number of reasons and I was anxious too, but the nurse was lovely and my results were fine ☺️

Hand hold, OP, these feelings are the worst. Try and focus on being the other side of it very soon and when you get your clear results back all will feel worth it. Be kind to yourself and tell the nurse on arrival why you are nervous. Let them look after you. Hope it goes as okay as possible for you.

Can you ask for a small speculum? Explain exactly how you are feeling to the nurse. I felt similar and the next time was much better. Good luck.

In the same boat op, mine is next week. They are bloody horrible!! Thinking of you and hope it goes ok.

Nurse was rubbish!! How are you supposed to relax when she's huffing and puffing? 🙄

I’m a practice nurse & do lots of smears - please just explain your fears/anxieties. We get lots of nervous patients for many reasons. Say how unpleasant your last one was & definitely ask if she can use the small speculum. Huffing & puffing definitely not helpful! Good luck 🍀

Paracetamol and ibuprofen in the hour before the appointment.
Other than that, gritting your teeth and breathing deeply is the only approach IME, shite but it is the only option I know of.
Good luck

Take painkillers, explain your fears and sit on your fists if she’s struggling to see your cervix.
Well done for going.
Practice nurse.

As before paracetamol and ibuprofen before.

I didn't have one for 15 years! I was shitting self about result but apparently all okay...

Good luck, get it done for peace of mind.

I’ve had previous painful smears, so much so that I’ve put it off a couple of years. My surgery kept writing to me so I went last week. The nurse was lovely and it didn’t hurt a bit, unlike previous times. I felt annoyed with myself for putting it off. I hope you have a similar experience. It’s never a pleasant thing. Good luck.

I have had multiple smears and only one was horrifically painful - the one where they used the smallest speculum.

Sounds weird? But here is the thing. I'm tall and have a longer canal, so the smallest speculum didn't go in far enough which made it harder for them to find my cervix. When they used a slightly bigger one that was longer it was easy peasy, no pain.

You can try taking pain killers in advance, ask for their most experienced nurse, and talk through concerns. Hopefully all will go well!

Thanks everyone - all done! I feel quietly proud of myself but the nurse was great and got it over with quickly. Going to buy myself a box of maltesers now and try not to be too impatient waiting for results.

Yayy good for you. So glad it went well. Sometimes I think we talk ourselves out of things because we’re afraid. Pleased for you.

Well done, hope you get good results nice and quickly

Well done! I had mine in December and it was a real struggle - the nurse tried a couple of times to get the sample and thankfully it was third time lucky. I'm 62 and my next one isn't due for another 5 years which she said I will have to request if I want one as you don't get called after 65.