Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Losing my shit over my smear test

78 replies

LEMtheoriginal · 02/08/2018 15:22

Please can someone talk me down?

Its been 4.2 weeks ffs and im losing my mind. I have severe anxiety and im on AD's.

I called my gp practice. Apparently it was processed on the 31st july and i should receive a letter within the week.

I kniw there is something wrong and im not coping.

Im falling apart here trying to read into the womans tone of voice or the fact that it took so long to process. I know i must be positive for hpv as i was cin3 in 97.

Im back on three yearly smears but i know there is something wrong and im not coping

Please help me

OP posts:
MarthaArthur · 02/08/2018 15:23

Ok op. Deep breaths. If something was wrong they actually contact you sooner. Mine was also late and came back clear if that helps you?

KellyBailey · 02/08/2018 15:24

Mine took ages to come back, I was told 2 weeks it was at least 4. All clear. Maybe the labs are just busy?

PotteringAlong · 02/08/2018 15:24

It took 6 weeks for mine to come back about 4 months ago and it was all perfectly clear.

ThePrioryGhost · 02/08/2018 15:24

You poor thing, OP. Health anxiety is terrible Flowers

Someone with more knowledge will be along soon i’m sure, but I was always told by my doctor that its bad news that gets delivered quickly - they don’t hang around with a dodgy test result. Really hope it’s the same for you 🤞🏻

ClandestineAdulation · 02/08/2018 15:24

What makes you think something is wrong? My results once took 6 weeks to come back and everything was fine, there was just a backlog. Flowers

MarthaArthur · 02/08/2018 15:25

If there was something its highly likely to be minor and something easily dealt with. I have health anxiety badly so I know how scary the wait is.

Verbena87 · 02/08/2018 15:25

A slow response does NOT mean something is wrong - in fact in my experience if the nhs is worried things can move surprisingly quickly.

I know it’s difficult but I think you need to just try and focus on decent self care and not think about your smear until you get your letter.

HollowTalk · 02/08/2018 15:25

I agree with the PP - bad news will arrive quickly. If there's nothing for them to say, they won't rush that response.

Why do you think there's something wrong?

Lalaisloopsy · 02/08/2018 15:26

If there is something wrong its more likely they would contact you sooner than later and if it's serious they would try to call you. I had cervical changes and was phoned I also work in a GP surgery and can tell you from experience no news is great news

Glowbug59 · 02/08/2018 15:27

I’ve been told 9 week wait for my results

lunamoths · 02/08/2018 15:27

It's currently about a 10 week delay in my area although mine was longer ago than that and I still haven't heard anything Hmm

Berniethecrabisthebest · 02/08/2018 15:27

Waiting for mine still got told 6 weeks then rang the doctors and now it’s 10 weeks Confused

Rainshowers · 02/08/2018 15:27

Mine took ages too. I’m not sure where you live but when I chased it up they said there was a backlog in processing results and it was taking an extra couple of weeks. Think it was about 5 weeks before my letter came.

MetalMidget · 02/08/2018 15:28

My smear test took quite a while for the results to come through - I was warned in advance that there was a national backlog though, so it could take 6-8 weeks instead of the usual one or two. It's probably the same here (certainly sounds that way if they only started processing a few days ago), just they didn't warn you. :(

Hope it all goes well!

Babdoc · 02/08/2018 15:32

OP, it’s peak holiday season. The lab is probably short staffed with people away, and the usual backlog will be even longer. Routine screening isn’t an emergency needing a rapid response. Just forget about the whole thing and enjoy some nice summer activities to take your mind off it. Besides, if you’re only on three yearly smears, it doesn’t sound like you’re considered high risk, as you’ve been clear since your previous history.

sagasleathertrousers · 02/08/2018 15:35

I got mine yesterday THREE MONTHS after I'd had it. Can you call your GP and see if they have the results?

Melamin · 02/08/2018 15:36

There was a bit of a backlog before the summer - so probably worse with everyone going off on holiday and having time off with their children.

BiddyPop · 02/08/2018 15:39

It's holiday season.

And there is a huge additional strain on lots of labs due to extra smears being done in Ireland.

UpstartCrow · 02/08/2018 15:39

I know its not much consolation but if it were a serious problem they would have phoned you and had you back in before now.

Original poster
LEMtheoriginal · 02/08/2018 15:42

Thankyou so much for this i am so grateful. 10 weeks? I would go insane.

I am worried because ive had abnormal bleeding however that was investigated with ultrasound and swabs and was put down to my mirena coil. Ive since had a new coil and they dismissed my request for a smear. My bleeding is periods which had stopped and with the new coil is regular. If there were macroscopic changes they would have seen them on us surely?

OP posts:
VickyEadie · 02/08/2018 15:44

As others have said, 'bad news' means they get back to you fast. Why would they hang on to 'bad news' at all?

Original poster
LEMtheoriginal · 02/08/2018 15:46

They said it had passed through processing on tuesday so i am still in limbo

OP posts:
FairyDogMother11 · 02/08/2018 15:48

I was told six week wait for result minimum when I had mine done a couple of months ago Flowers

Absofrigginlootly · 02/08/2018 15:48

There was a story in the news about smears taking extra long to process let me see if I can find it

Original poster
LEMtheoriginal · 02/08/2018 15:49

My friend got hers in four weeks. You have all calmed me down thoigh. Thankyou x

OP posts: