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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To cancel my smear test today - do you go for yours?

266 replies

Wheresmyappetite · 30/05/2018 09:02

I feel panicky and sweaty with fear at the thought. I have two days of hospital appointments this week and just don't think I can face another one today. It was due at the start of the year, so thinking about rescheduling in a couple of months.

I do have vaginismus which means penetration really fucking hurts unless I'm aroused and enthusiastic, which obviously is the complete opposite of feelings you have during a smear.

Do you go for yours bang on when it's due? Is it pathetic of me to cancel?

OP posts:

twotallgiraffes · 30/05/2018 09:04

Please don't cancel. It's so important to have your smear test done. I always buy myself a nice bar of chocolate for afterwards and I lie back and think of that while it's being done. Once it's done then that's it for 3 years. No more worrying. Go and do it.

baxterboi · 30/05/2018 09:05

I'd really go if I were you, I go to mine on time but had a very unlucky friend years ago who suffered with cervical cancer so it gave me a kick up the arse.

ShatnersWig · 30/05/2018 09:05

It was due at the start of the year. We're about to hit June, which is half way through the year.

I know it's not pleasant, but nor is learning you have a serious problem a few months, a year down the line, and it's been discovered too late because you kept putting it off.

Please don't cancel.

LartenCrepsley · 30/05/2018 09:05

I always go, not least because of family history of precancerous cells showing up on smear tests.
Having a smear is crap. But you really should go. Have you discussed your difficulties with a nurse or GP?

Quickerthanavicar · 30/05/2018 09:05

Treat yourself to something lovely after, but please, please, please go.

PotteringAlong · 30/05/2018 09:06

No, I don’t cancel because I’d rather have it than the alternative of not having it and something being wrong.

Please go. It’s really, really important

Mrsdarcyiwish10 · 30/05/2018 09:06

I go for mine, even though I have it, I had more than usual for a while to to them finding abnormal cells but back to even 3 yrs now, I don't say it to scare you though.

I am quite tiny inside (tmi) so they use the vey smallest items for inside, you could ask for this.

IggyAce · 30/05/2018 09:07

Yes I book an appointment as soon as the reminder arrives. You have already put it off once and are nearly 6 months overdue.
I know it's not the most comfortable test but it's time to put your big girl pants on and go, it could save your life.

GothMummy · 30/05/2018 09:07

Ask your GP for a sedative, I have been given diazepam as a one off for this reason.

MrsJayy · 30/05/2018 09:07

It isn't pathetic to cancel I have a tilted womb and the cervix is facing the wrong way smears hurt I understand the apprehension but I do go. If you are not up to it reschedule don't cancel and not make another appoinrnent

MrsExpo · 30/05/2018 09:07

Please don’t cancel. I don’t know how old you are OP but I got a positive test at 31 and that test probably saved my life.

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 30/05/2018 09:08

Sorry op but yes it is pathetic. Smear tests save lives. It's over in a few minutes. Please please please go, they are so important..

ForkIt · 30/05/2018 09:08

Do they understand your difficulties? Do you trust the nurse?

If can’t go through maybe go and discuss how had it is and ask for the GUM clinic or find out about referrals elsewhere?

FaithEverPresent · 30/05/2018 09:08

YWNBU to postpone to a day when you’re feeling better (I get burnt out from too many appointments). Don’t cancel though. Make sure the nurse doing it knows about your difficulties in advance.

My friend died from cervical cancer so it’s close to my heart.

Akire · 30/05/2018 09:08

I tend to put off as long as possible but never cancel actual made appointment. You could see it as 3 medical things this week or 3 medical things done and out the way, whohooo!

lutjanus · 30/05/2018 09:09

It's normal to not want to go and feel apprehensive.

It's up to you but if you reschedule you'll just have to go through the same anxious feelings again in a few months. Plus as you've already put it off a few months already its better to have it now so any issues can be spotted early.

Take paracetamol an hour before you go. I have similar issues and I have always found the nurse very patient. They've seen it all.

Hope your other appointments go OK too.

Bowlofbabelfish · 30/05/2018 09:09

Please don’t cancel. It will make you cancel the next one too.

Explain your concerns to the GP - they can use a smaller speculum, use different positioning, give you a mild sedative etc. They do see this a fair amount and they do have ways of dealing with it.
Of course it’s not pathetic to feel like that, but it is wise to have procedures in place to deal with it.

CaptainBrickbeard · 30/05/2018 09:10

Would taking paracetamol in advance help with the pain? I always think it’s best to get it over with; delaying doesn’t make it any easier.

Original poster

Wheresmyappetite · 30/05/2018 09:10

I was thinking about getting something from the GP to relax things but I won't be able to see a GP today. It's a nurse appointment.

Yes I always tell whoever is doing it that I have vaginismus, and everyone is always nice but there's nothing they can do to prevent the pain of ramming something in when my body is not cooperating.

OP posts:

Idontbelieveinthemoon · 30/05/2018 09:11

When I had DS1 is was 24 and hadn't ever had a smear before. 6 months post-DS1 I had a routine one, no complications or symptoms, which showed I had dyskaryosis. My consultant was brutal and explained to me that had I not had the smear, within 2 or 3 years those cells could have easily progressed into full-blown cancer. In my early twenties. I had no HPV, no family history of cancer and was incredibly fit, running marathons and swimming for my Uni team.

Cancer is an absolute cunt. It doesn't care how old you are or how you take care of your body. It doesn't care if you have children or not, it doesn't care about the rest of your loved ones you could potentially leave behind. It just does it's evil thing.

Go and have your smear. It's discomfort and - in your case - pain. But a minute or two of pain versus something far, far worse isn't a contest. Please, please have it done. Those smears save lives every day.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 30/05/2018 09:11

Go but ask them to use lubrication.

CaptainBrickbeard · 30/05/2018 09:12

Also, if it was due at the start of the year and you want to put it off longer - will you just find another reason to put it off again? I don’t think it’s a good idea to delay when it’s already significantly overdue.

Piffle11 · 30/05/2018 09:12

I know it's awful, and physically and emotionally uncomfortable - but go. My friend skipped one and at the next one they discovered cancer. She had to have a hysterectomy, some lymph nodes surgery thing (not sure what) and is on hormones for the foreseeable future. She has never felt 'right' since. She was 36. The fallout from her missed smear was far more far reaching and painful than a smear test. Go.

lamerde · 30/05/2018 09:13

I do have vaginismus which means penetration really fucking hurts

I’m guessing cervical cancer hurts like fuck too. Strap your big girls pants on and put up with the pain for two minutes

CrispbuttyNo1 · 30/05/2018 09:14

I had mine last week and the nurse was absolutely lovely. I have a tilted cervix which makes it difficult and painful but she advised me to clench my fists and put them under each buttock and it did seem to make the process a lot easier.

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