To think gas and air should be made available for smear tests?

[Strawberrytallcake]

or do I just need to man up?

I want to say YANBU- but I've not had one. I know I need one, was overdue before I had DS.

I stupidly thought after labour/birth that a smear wouldn't seem so bad- now it seems worse. I ended up with forceps, epis and 3rd degree tear. Scar tissue still uncomfortable, esp with PMT and it feels tight/stretched still when we have sex. I still have flashbacks about DS's birth (11 months ago) particularly a rough and very painful internal and theatre- despite the epidural I still felt the forceps going in? Being on my back in a medical type situation, the idea of the whole procedure terrifies me... In fact I'm getting teary and panicky just typing about it now :( So actually I'm not sure gas and air would help that much tbh.

Do you get G&A as pain relief in an ambulance?

You do get G&A in ambulances, I had it when ds was born in one

yabvu considering how many cuts are being made in the NHS. if you'd be willing to pay the full cost, fine. Otherwise, grow up. No one likes smears

YANBU - after being prodded and poked endlessly during fertility tests I have a ridiculous hatred of smears and would happily be knocked out for them if the option was available. I'm such a woose I had to take DH in with me for my last one - the nurse thought I was a total loon. I have absolutely no idea why I thought having him there would help but the nurse offered to have a feel of his prostrate while he was there which made me feel a bit better. Naturally he didn't take up her offer.

OH dear, ive just had my letter through saying im due my first smear.... dreading it a little more now!!

Don't dread it. They shouldn't hurt and they can save your life. Being as old as time, I've had loads of smear tests and at worst suffered a moment (literally a moment) of discomfort.

Unlike the time when they couldn't get the coil out...

I booked one a couple of weeks ago and didn't go

It is bad of me, but some days I can't even touch metal things with my hands, especially if it is cold (I am mentally weird) so how I am expected to deal with that is beyond me. Plus it brings back memories of horrible midwives and bad births.

Isn't it like boob scans anyway, where the actual benefit for the majority of people is under debate?

Please don't anyone be put off of having a smear by this or any other thread.

Yes it can be uncomfortable and yes for some it can hurt a bit

But bloody hell think for a second about having agressive cancer that could have been caught early by an uncomfortable smear test.

How much would that hurt?

We're made of tougher stuff than putting off a smear test because it can sometimes hurt, aren't we?

sense please just go for a smear

It may bring back bad memories of medical staff but believe me, if you have cancer and it's not caught in time, you'll be seeing a lot more medical staff...and not for something as pleasant as having a baby.

Plus, the last time I had a non pregnant internal (somehow pregnant ones are not as bad - I can do blood tests when pregnant or breastfeeding too. Maybe the hormones do it, or the instinct to put your baby first?) the doctor told me off, because the speculum kept flying out. Apparently I wasn't relaxed. Well, it wasn't relaxing, was it?

Gas and air should be available for straightening partly healed fractured arms.
It was on the other side of the hospital.
Never thought I'd have to teach a 6 year old birth type breathing exercises
However, the doctor knew what he was doing, it's beautifully straight. She didn't have to have another GA and she lost the cast in time to go to Disney.

I think if they had a drop in it wouldn't be so bad, but booking three weeks ahead is just daft. I get worried about going to see my mum if I have that much notice!

(Maybe they should have special clinics for mental people? Or even just special clinics full stop. I don't want to be chatting with the next door neighbour or the woman that does my MILs hair before having a smear test.)

Then please draw on that same instinct of putting your baby first and book a smear and go to it.

You'll feel a million times better once it's done and actually, you may feel quite silly for worrying over nothing.

Either way, I'm sure you'll get one done at some point in your life...so why not sooner rather than later if it can save you from death?

You are talking (typing?) to the woman who had to try for three days to have a blood test, and eventually had to be sedated, when she was seriously ill and needed medication that could only be given after a blood test before she could stop being locked up. I'm banned from having lithium (which would be the best drug for me) because no doctor on earth believes I would turn up for the blood tests (tbh they are right)
I can't chew on one side of my face without pain because I can't even bear the thought of a dentist putting their fingers in my mouth, and I have a mole that keeps bleeding that I can't bring myself to even talk about to a medical person. Smear tests are the least of my worries tbh. :(

Still, I think I could do it if I kind of bolstered myself and just went for it, if there was a special place and no (or very little) appointment waiting time. If it was a short waiting time of maybe a week I could maybe do it with tranquillisers (which I sometimes need for going out of the house or even leaving the bedroom, so it wouldn't be a big deal I'm sure to prescribe them when I'm not actually having an episode) Somehow I don't think that is an option though.

Actually I can understand with the waiting times as my dh only got me into the dentist (after a 10yr long fear of them) but pretending we were popping to the shops and parking outside the dentists office!
Dh had obviously briefed the dentist as the next time i turned up he told me it was just for a clean... he yanked two wisdom teeth out...I no longer have a fear tho :)

To all smear-test avoiders (not judging - been there got the tee-shirt) the sense of utter relief when you get it done is UNBELIEVABLE. I was waking up in the night thinking 'OMG my smear is three years over due, I probably have cancer etc, etc, etc'. For one minute of embarrassment and very minor discomfort (if any) it is SO WORTH DOING.

Senseof - my mate did it with tranquillisers, only proviso being that she had to have someone with her (legal thing I think). Of course no one needs know that you have had tranquillisers so if you'd rather go alone then that needn't be an issue. Can you just present yourself at the docs for the mole and the smear in one go on an emergency/on the day appointment? Take someone with you - it's a distraction if nothing else. While you're at it seek out a dentist who specialises in dental-phobics - I find it very liberating to present myself to a dentist who prides themselves on treating folk who are scared and challenging them to treat me (I'm petrified) - see it as their problem not yours.

Weirdly I think there is a real connection between fear of a smear and fear of dental work - for me it's about a lack of control/invasion. But when it comes down to it I'd rather face the fear straight on than avoid it and have the niggling worries in the middle of the night (plus tooth pain). Good luck. :)

Not actually that bad in my experience, nor was laser treatment for dodgy cells though I still hate it. Having the coil fitted was much worse...apparently my face was a lovely shade of green after that.

But I am a big wuss, even after two c sections I avoid the dentist..why?!

I avoided smear tests for 13 years..but I do go now.
I've never personally felt any kind of anaesthesia was necessary, perhaps if there's a 'get a grip' pill...that would be handy

Worra I often think that you come across as strident & pig-headed. Sometimes you sound like you're my mother.

You talk about this with a passion that none of us could miss, so I will book that test, I will think beautiful thoughts (dinner at West Beach in Bournemouth) and whatever the outcome I'm sure that in one way or another I'll have cause to raise a glass to you.

I've made excuses for so long, despite a close friend dying from a disease that maybe could've been curable.

still think you're pig-headed tho'

How very worrying that so many seem to be avoiding smear tests. Please go if you are due one and tell the nurse beforehand how worried you are and they will be able to help you or even discuss with your GP.
No one warned me how painful coil insertion can be. I can honestly say I have never experience pain like it EVER. I could not drive home and sat in the car shaking with shock.

God NO!
Dont anyone EVER not have a smear. DONT put them off.

Honestly, If I can do it just about anyone can.

I know things are very difficult for those who have suffered sexual abuse so I cannto speak for them.

But I have a severe anxiety disorder related to medical stuff. Really bad. I turn from a normal (ish) fairly lairy type into a total wreck if I have to go near the GP. I once had a panic attack because my midwife was on the bloody phone to the hosptial

I am getting therapy and my first goal is to go to the optitians and then the dentist (see how rubbish I am?)

BUT I always get my smears done, always.

I DO take a valium but that is to manage my anxiety about the environment NOT the procedure.

It can be painful for some women but for the majority it really isnt and it is quick. The relief you feel when it is over is fantastic too. Much better than the niggling worry if you keep putting it off.

Please dont not go. Please.

I lost my DD to cancer (not cervical). She was so brave. She was only 14. How can we - big grown up women- wuss out of a simple smear after all she and her little friends were forced to go through?

I think its fine to discuss the subject and even to have a moan and a joke about smears.

But no-one shoud be put off having this simple, quick test by this thread. There are not than many cancers that can be detected before they develop. Why wouldnt we take advantage of it?

(hope that didnt sound like a rant, it came out in a bit of a rush)

I totally agree mrsdv, I am scared but I will go.

I think those scared need to take mrsdeveres post into mind.

I put mine off for 2 years stupidly, but went last week I was petrified before but honestly it was fine and now I realise how daft it was not to just get it done straight away!