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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask...

24 replies

firstforthought · 02/08/2011 13:51

How have you "bit the bullet?"
Today I FINALLY went for the Smear that I have been putting off for years. Never had one and I am early 30s. Some kind of deep seated phobia even pre DC, totally after 4th degree tear. I knew how importatnt it was, so I am proud to say I turned up and completed the test (myself actually, well the the speculum bit)! It did help that the Nurse was great.
What fears have you faced up to?

OP posts:

Wilfimina · 02/08/2011 13:54

Ok so its not in the same league as a smear wd you but I am today tackling the massive mess in the garage! Doesnt sound brave but it appears to be spider central and I really dont like them. What doesnt help is the pooh i keep finding everywhere that I dont know what it is!

Original poster

firstforthought · 02/08/2011 14:00

sounds like a good start wilf, I think you can still be proud of yourself!

OP posts:

altinkum · 02/08/2011 14:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

firstforthought · 02/08/2011 14:24

Altinkum, the Nurse asked would I rather do it myself and it was so much easier! Insert speculum then she did the rest. Somehow I felt more in control. You might want to try that?

OP posts:

altinkum · 02/08/2011 14:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

firstforthought · 02/08/2011 17:45

sorry it is so hard fror you altinkum, at least you are brave enough to do what you have to do! So I think you can be proud of yourself too

OP posts:

GeneralCustardsHardHat · 02/08/2011 17:47

Mine is nowhere in the same league as you brave ladies but I finally tackled the weed patch garden

Original poster

firstforthought · 02/08/2011 18:22

Wish i had a more exciting title as this is not getting many responses!

OP posts:

scotchmist · 02/08/2011 19:34

Ive got one booked for tomorrow at 3.50 ive got a tilted servix and its always agony especially when its done by one particular woman doctor who i think just loves inflicting pain.

TalesOfTheUnexpected · 02/08/2011 20:00

I puked after my first smear test! Mind you, I was only young and it was a bit of a shock. Had to ring my mum to pick me up as I didn't drive at the time. I clung to a lamp-post until she got there.

I did learn to cope with them better and now I have had a hysterectomy...no cervix = no smear tests

Fears I have faced up to, hmmmm. Probably learning to believe in myself and tackle household jobs as a single mum. I've decorated throughout, employed tradesmen for jobs I couldn't tackle and haggled them right down on the price, and I upgraded all my own plug sockets and light switches without electrocuting myself (took me AGES but I DID IT!)

Btw, well done OP on having your test.

chocolateyclur · 02/08/2011 20:09

Well done! I'm 29 and I've never had one - went for one at 20 in London, cited non-consensual sex at 16 etc and got told I couldnt have one until I was 22. It had taken so much for me to get there that I never tried again.

I know I should now, but after a traumatic birth, internal scarring etc I'm in a worse position than ever. Baby 2 is due in December and I keep telling myself I will after that. Time to put my demons to bed.

Oakmaiden · 02/08/2011 20:22

I went onto Equifax today and checked my credit rating.

It was as bad as I feared :(

But now I know what the things on there giving me a bad credit rating are, and am able to start working towards sorting them out.

Oakmaiden · 02/08/2011 20:24

I am very much a "if I just pretend it isn't there maybe it will all go away" person. It is bizarre. Logically I know it is more stressful to never know if my account has enough money in to cover my shopping, but I still refuse to check my balance in the hopes that if I don't know I have no money left then maybe the bank won't realise either.

neuroticmumof3 · 02/08/2011 20:37

I used to be like you Oakmaiden but now I bank online and check my balance regularly. I too put off my smear test, for 15 years! Finally faced up to it and luckily all was fine.

Oakmaiden · 02/08/2011 20:38

Yeah, and I need to get my smear test done too. No reason for having avoided it - just generally never think of it.

itisnearlysummer · 02/08/2011 20:49

I went for a few smear tests as you should. Then I had to cancel one because DS was rushed into A&E and admitted for 5 days.

When I next went to the drs for something he challenged me cancelling it and told me off! When I explained that DS (18months) had been admitted to hospital as an emergency, he said that was no excuse!

I haven't been for one since. And don't intend to any time soon. I also had to really psych myself up for it and this has really affected my ability to do so!

No biting the bullet for me any time soon...

itisnearlysummer · 02/08/2011 20:49

Oh and well done you firstforthought!

Blatherskite · 02/08/2011 21:12

I've got a smear test tomorrow too. I have to have them yearly after having a bad smear and a colposcopy in 2005 (at age 27). My Grandmothers cancer started in her cervix so I feel it's important to go. I too have a tilted cervix so it's always uncomfortable.

I need to ohone round soon and get some quotes for new flooring. For some reason phoning places like that makes me really nervous - which is probably why the floor has been waiting for 2 years and counting!

spookshowangel · 02/08/2011 21:13

they do it with a brush thing now, i was so shocked when i was waiting for the uncomfortable/painful bit to begin (of an 8 yr over due smear) but she started pulling out the speculum and said all done.
turns out i had cn2 lvl abnormal cells had to have a loop excision then got a horrible infection and now have to have smears every 6 months until everything is hunky dory for a good while. so if your putting it off, please dont not really worth it.

Blatherskite · 02/08/2011 21:22

Mine was CIN2 too spooks. My hospital insists on yearly for 8 years afterwards! I'm almost there now.

Although I did still find the brush uncomfortable - but maybe that's because I was hanging with my arse over the side of the bed so she could find my blinking cervix!!

hellospoon · 02/08/2011 22:05

I phoned all the companies we have our bills with today, we owe so much money and it was getting close to being totally cut off, so I bit the bullet and called them all. Took me an hour but iv sorted payment plans and feel a great weight has been lifted now.

Those of you who have had smears - is it the same sort of thing with a spectrum as when you have a miscarriage and they inspect you?

NoobyNoob · 02/08/2011 22:17

Well done for going, it's so important.

After putting mine off, I was told I had CIN3.

I a LLETZ treatment done and a cone biopsy. Not nice, and could have possibly all been avoided if I just went sooner.

LemonDifficult · 02/08/2011 22:19

I started my diet again yesterday.

Still to face the fear of going to the dentist.

Original poster

firstforthought · 02/08/2011 23:12

sorry to hear of all those who had abnormal results. It again highlights the importance of going. I put my fear before the necessity for too long. I have known for along time how important it it, but still could not pluck up the courage.
Well done to all other MNetters who bit the bullet!

OP posts:

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