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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:
Absofrigginlootly · 02/08/2018 15:51

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-45005079

Onaplain · 02/08/2018 15:52

I'm a veteran of many, many, many smears and the wait for them. I had early stage cervical cancer in 2011. Bad news travels a lot faster than good news, so I honestly don't think the wait, though it feels horrible, is an indicator that anything is wrong. If anything, it's positive.

Also, FWIW, you may no longer have HPV. I'm currently under close monitoring from my hospital as I have a high risk HPV infection for the first time after my treatment. However, my consultant tells me it's very common for an HPV infection to clear up on its own (over a period of time), and having it in itself does not necessarily result in cell changes.

But if it helps, I completely understand the anxiety. I have anxiety issues too, and a history that makes me nervous, so I know that people telling 'it's probably fine' isn't necessarily that helpful. But it is probably fine! Flowers

Notevilstepmother · 02/08/2018 15:53

I don’t think she would know if it was bad or not. Flowers

Duskqueen · 02/08/2018 15:54

It took me 6 months to get my results back, then literally the next day I got a letter saying I needed to go for my smear test. I was like WTF?

SoyDora · 02/08/2018 15:54

I was told 6 weeks and mine took 10. I have had cin3 in the past too and was just back on 3 yearly smears.
I was told it there was an issue they would have contacted me sooner and the long wait was a good thing.

MustBeThin · 02/08/2018 16:04

I had my smear this week and was told the results can take 2-10 weeks Shock I hate the wait too. I doubt they will get a result because I bled while she was taking it so I will probably need to have another smear. Sad

Does anyone else always bleed when having their smear? When I had my first ever one 3 years ago I needed to have it twice because I bled the first time and they couldn't get a result, then I bled the second time but fortunately they managed to get a result. I always find them extremely uncomfortable too, was quite painful this time and the nurse said I have strong stomach muscles Confused and that it'd be easier if I had kids.

CremeDeSudo · 02/08/2018 16:10

Yep, no news is good news.

For my last smear I had to go to the colposcopy clinic and I received my letter really quickly.

Even if it's positive it's not necessarily anything to panic about!

Helloisitteaurlookingfor · 02/08/2018 16:18

I had my smear yesterday and was told to expect to wait 12 weeks/3 months to hear as there is such a huge backlog. Unfortunately there just is a huge wait at the moment.

I've also had to had treatment twice for severe abnormalities from previous tests so I know the fear of something going wrong.

I hope you have help foe your anxiety Flowers

Potplant2 · 02/08/2018 16:19

I’m another who had mine in May and was told 6 weeks for results, queried it when the results didn’t arrive in that time, and was told there was a backlog. Result (clear) eventually arrived after 9 weeks.

Karigan198 · 02/08/2018 16:21

A delay is a positive thing. Means they aren’t worried.

User12879923378 · 02/08/2018 16:39

Like you, I was told 6 weeks, waited 6 weeks and was then told that actually it was 10 weeks. All clear.

My friend who had an abnormal smear got the call days after her smear. I'm sure you're OK. I also had the Fear so I do get it but there's nothing you can do but wait.

applesauce1 · 02/08/2018 17:12

I agree with PP who said that slow news is probably good news as bad news travels fast. I had precancerous CIN3 cells and those smear results came back to me very quickly.
Even if the news isn't good, cell changes are way more common than you'd think. Many of my friends, including me, have had biopsies and successful LLETZ treatments. Treatment is quick, and sensitively and professionally dealt with. Thank GOD for smear tests and our NHS.
Again, slow news is probably good news!

Buggeredpelvicfloor2013 · 02/08/2018 17:14

Try not to worry I'm in same boat, had mine 23rd May and still waiting. Chased and they won't do anything. My friend had hers 22nd June and got it back two weeks ago 🙄

romany4 · 02/08/2018 17:16

Don't worry

I had my smear test on 14th May. I got my results on 10th July!
Apparently there is a massive backlog. The smear nurse told me this at the appointment though

somethingfromnothing · 02/08/2018 17:22

I work in a lab and there are big backlogs everywhere!

WrongKindOfFace · 02/08/2018 17:23

I had mine recently and was also told there is a backlog. I think it took about five weeks although I was told to expect six to eight weeks.

WrongKindOfFace · 02/08/2018 17:24

Actually no, it must have been about seven weeks.

Original poster
LEMtheoriginal · 02/08/2018 17:25

This is reassuring. Thankyou

OP posts:
GreenIce · 02/08/2018 17:26

MustBeThin I have exactly the same issue and bled everywhere after my last smear. I also found it extremely uncomfortable and horrible, she couldn't find my cervix and honestly I nearly passed out it was so awful..oh and I have had three kids so it made no difference for me.

I understand the anxiety waiting for the results OP, mine was two weeks ago and I'm nervously waiting for the post every day.

PurpleFlower1983 · 02/08/2018 17:29

I was told 2 weeks and it was 6 weeks. Try not to worry.

Freddiepurrcury · 02/08/2018 17:34

Please try not to worry. I went through the same with mine this year- took forever to come back. Like others have said, if there is bad news they contact you ASAP.

Original poster
LEMtheoriginal · 02/08/2018 17:37

mustbethin i sometimes bleed after smears i didnt this time. However it hurt but i knew it would when i saw who was doing it Hmm shes lovely but she always hurts me. I tell myself she is making sure she gets enough cells!

I am a little calmer and feel better for reading this.

Thing is its my annual leave and i wanted to book a holiday for the last week - from next week. If they call me back how likely will i need to go in two weeks time? I dont want to tempt fate.

OP posts:
OWWO · 02/08/2018 17:40

When I had mine I was told it could take up to 16 weeks for the result to come through and not to panic if it did...

Original poster
LEMtheoriginal · 02/08/2018 17:43

When i had cin3 my GP called me although she was a personal friend. I ead precancerous cells and a biopsy. Two lots of letz treatment and i was fine. If i remember rightly i took it all in my stride and wasnt the slightest bit bothered as so many people i knew had the same thing.

For some reason im just ultra worried about this one. I didnt have anxiety back then. I feel pathetic

OP posts:
Scoleah · 02/08/2018 17:52

I had mine back today (had smear last Tuesday) I was shaking so much as this was my first and didn't think I'd hear back so soon! Took my 15mjns to pluck up the courage to open it, but was all clear. Hope you get to hear from yours soon OP!