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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to keep avoiding Smear ?

101 replies

RachelRagged · 02/08/2015 10:12

Morning

I keep getting reminders to have a smear test / I KNOW I should get this done but it terrifies me . .actually makes my heart pound, I shake .. and when they say relax your legs ,, they freeze . Any tips at all to control this so I can get it done with ?

PS I do the breathing they suggest , no help.

OP posts:
Original poster
RachelRagged · 02/08/2015 10:35

Yes ,, Yes I will go . I will ring tomorrow for appointment . Would it be best to inform the recepionist I require a valium ? Perhaps Doc could ring me (they do between surgeries) so I can ask him for prescription ??

OP posts:
hooliodancer · 02/08/2015 15:36

You will have to be prescribed the valium- I don't think they just give it to you. I saw the doctor to get it prescribed, I don't think they would do it over the phone unless it's a repeat prescription.

But it really is worth the hassle of 2 appointments. The difference was extreme even taking a very low dose.

Original poster
RachelRagged · 02/08/2015 17:35

Thank You hooliodancer

OP posts:
StarsInTheNightSky · 02/08/2015 18:06

When I lived in the UK I opted out and got them to take me off the list so that I didn't receive any letters or such.

NavyAndWhiteStripes · 02/08/2015 18:24

If you're worried then I think a better option might be having it done at a Gu clinic rather than the GP. They do this kind of thing all the time, so are much better at the speculum insertion than a regular practice nurse.

Sidge · 02/08/2015 18:38

That's rather unfair Navy. I'm a practice nurse and I do between 3 and 8 smears a day when at work.

When I've worked in CASH/GUM I've done less some days and more others.

As long as you get a practice nurse who does them regularly and you are comfortable with, there should be no dramas, but I understand it's not that simple for many women.

mmollytoots · 02/08/2015 19:50

I had my first one in June. I have actually worried about the day it would happen for a Long long time and I have had a baby also.

But it was over before I knew it, I was a little bit shaky but really it wasn't sore. I counted to five and that was it done.

the nurse was so professional and had a wee chat with me after just like everything is normal.

I wouldn't worry also just to add I ask the girl if she always does them, which she does so next time I need one i can make sure she is working that day

when you call up it doesn't help to ask who does the smears.

BMW6 · 02/08/2015 19:50

I got my reminder letter on Friday so will make appointment tomorrow. Not a pleasant experience, but just tell the Nurse how anxious you are and she'll take good care of you.

So important to have this done, and we are so lucky to have these checks.

Remember Jade Goody. Whatever you thought of her personally, it was tragic for her sons that she died so young.

stayanotherday · 02/08/2015 19:59

I hope you can OP. I can't have them either.

iolanthefairyqueen · 02/08/2015 20:12

I was fine with smears until I had an internal examination by a male doctor at our local hospital. He didn't ask first he just said "While I'm here I'll just do an internal...." I'd gone for a check of a small lump on my labia ( which was fine) He hurt me so much I thought I would pass out. The nurse present asked me afterwards if I wanted to make a complaint. I said no as I just wanted out of there. I'm terrified now even though I know I should have them.

AboutTimeIChangedMyNameAgain · 02/08/2015 20:15

I was told to wriggle my toes. Apparently you can't tense up if you're trying to do that.

JohnCusacksWife · 02/08/2015 20:22

You're not alone in disliking smears. Who does? Like most things you dread the anticipation is worse than the actual thing itself. Just take a deep breath, think about something else and do it. The more you build it up in your mind the worse it'll be.

VitaminCrumpet · 02/08/2015 20:26

I don't have smears. I have opted out of the recall database. No more threatening letters. I'm happy to take the small risk. I hope you manage to get your Valium to get through the exam.

HSMMaCM · 02/08/2015 20:30

I spoke to the nurse after I'd had an uncomfortable smear and she was so lovely and even though it was uncomfortable, she really made me feel better.

Linskibinski · 02/08/2015 20:31

Smears are so horrible, I hate them with a passion. But as uncomfortable as they are I still prefer them to the 5 months I spent waiting for my lovely friend B to die from cervical cancer. Hugs to you op for how you feel, but please, just grit your teeth and do it. For your friends if nothing else. You can go it xx SadFlowersStar

Glittery7 · 02/08/2015 20:32

I've heard the call back for false positives is high. For this reason I refuse to have one.

JohnCusacksWife · 02/08/2015 21:36

I'd far rather a false positive that led to further tests then an early and preventable death to cervical cancer. It's not pleasant, no-one enjoys the experience but sometimes you've just got to man up and get on with things.

TheoriginalLEM · 02/08/2015 21:49

please go. i had cervical cancer when i was 27. I was actually about six months to a year late for my smear but they caught it in time and it was treated quickly on an outpatient basis. The consultant told me on my last treatment that had i left it another 6 months it would have been a whole different story.

It baffles me that people refuse smears. I can understand being nervous. it isn't pleasant but it prevents people from dying. I know several of my friends who have had abnormal smears - pre cancerous cells which were removed. Mine was more advanced. Had my friend who was also my gp not nagged me about being lazy about my smear i might not be hete today and certainly wouldn't have had my dd2.

Its not fun but its better than the dentist.

TheoriginalLEM · 02/08/2015 21:53

Glittery if you get a false positive you'll be called back for another smear or a colposcopy ( a pretty non invasive procedure). Yeah it would mean wasting a morning at the clinic but better than missing something that is treatable and waiting for symptoms which by the time they present you are in trouble.

TheoriginalLEM · 02/08/2015 21:57

ime of valium you are better taking 3 that day . have your smear in the afternoon. you wont care by that time! 3 doses spaced apart not 3 at once, you'll be asking the nurse to marry you if you do that....

BeautifulBatman · 02/08/2015 21:58

Jade Goody. Nuff said.

LittlePoot · 02/08/2015 22:00

In case it helps, I had my latest one last week and they've updated their methods since my last. Plastic speculum as someone else mentioned so not cold and not as hard / harsh. And a brush to collect the sample so no more scraping. Was much better, and faster. I was just steeling myself for some pain and then it was all over.

Poppyred85 · 02/08/2015 22:22

Please go and see your GP about it. Explain how you feel and what your concerns are. They may be able to prescribe Valium for you or you may be able to have someone e.g. Healthcare assistant with you when they take the smear. Every practice I've worked in in the last few years use a plastic rather than metal speculum.
I have done both of these things for patients before and I think most GPs would be happy to help with this as it really is so important to have it done. Best of luck.

listsandbudgets · 02/08/2015 22:42

Please go OP.

I avoided them for years and eventually dp took me!! How embarrassing is that? At that point I discovered they really weren't as bad as I was expecting. I did tell the nurse how nervous I was (the fact that dp was almost carrying me into the room probably gave that away!!)

The last couple of times they managed to do it without me noticing. I was lying there with my legs dutifully spread waiting for them to get on with it and they were telling me to get up and put my knickers on Grin

They've changed the way they do it in recent years and its so much more comfortable than it used to be.

FabulousFudge · 02/08/2015 22:52

I'm due mine too. Book one for first thing in the morning, so you don't have the build up all day. Take 2 paracetamol before you go in. Plan something fun to do in the afternoon, as a reward.