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Original poster

Really horrible smear test

15 replies

glastocat · 09/08/2010 15:12

I had a smear test this morning and it was awful. And what's worse is that I tensed up so much that the doctor thought she wasn't able to get a sample, so I'll have to go back. It was uncomfortable rather than painful, but I thought at one stage I was going to puke - I think when she was checking the strings on my coil. Anyway, if I have to go back she says next time I can have some Xanax which will relax me. I still actually feel a bit weird about it, I trust this doctor 100% but I still feel a bit shaky about it three hours later. :( Anyone else feel like this? It seemed to go on for ages too, I'm sure the last time I had a smear it wasn't nice, but was over quite quickly. This time she had a real rummage! Ugh!

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alphabettyspaghetti · 09/08/2010 16:30

Hey, I dont normally post on here but couldn't not reply as I am the exactly same position! Finally got to see gynae this morning to investigate possible endo. Anyway as I havn't yet had a smear - as nurse couldnt find my cervix - he said he would do it. It was horrible. SO painful. Am sat here crying with a hot water bottle. Not fun at all. Hugs x

alphabettyspaghetti · 09/08/2010 19:42

How are you feeling glasto? Hope you are less shaky x

Original poster
glastocat · 09/08/2010 20:15

I'm feeling a bit better now, I think she must have whacked my cervix though as it was really sore! I used to find smear tests a bit of a doddle, but this really shook me. :(

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BelaLugosiNoir · 09/08/2010 21:15

If you do have to go back and have another one, see if you can go to the practice nurse, as they usually do most of the cervical screening tests.
If they're having problems with access/finding your cervix then it may be posteriorly placed - lying on your side may help - sawyer would be able to tell your more.

alphabettyspaghetti · 09/08/2010 22:31

It was the practice nurse that couldn't do mine before. She got herself all in a state because she couldn't do it and she was causing me so much pain. I think I need to work on my position Hmm although I suspect the pain was linked to my suspected endo Sad as the very nice gynae consultant today said it was more than just that I was tense or whatever.

loopyloops · 09/08/2010 22:33

If it makes you feel better, for my first smear I was so tense that I broke the contraption and she had to fish it out, then didn't get a proper sample and I had to go back. I went to a different nurse the second time. Still freaks me out now to be honest.

whomovedmychocolate · 09/08/2010 22:39

I still loathe them but mine have been much better since I started saying 'I really find these uncomfortable so I am going to count down slowly from 30 in my head and when I'm done, please make sure you are too' and honestly if you just shut your eyes, breathe deeply and let them get on with it, it does help.

I think it's like blood tests, it's only a small prick but if you look and focus on it, it seems to hurt a whole lot more?

Original poster
glastocat · 09/08/2010 22:42

Jeezus loopyloops that's awful! On the plus side you'd probably get a great job in Amsterdam shooting ping-pong balls, you must have a fanny like a steel trap! Grin.

It's still sore. I think she used an ice-cream scoop instead of a spatula. Angry

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Original poster
glastocat · 09/08/2010 22:48

I don't mind blood tests at all since I had a baby and was a human bloosy pincusion gor a week or so. And she was rummaging around for at least five minutes, thirty seconds would have been fine!

alphabettyspaghetti that sounds awful, I really do sympathise.

I'm off work with anxity and depression at the minute, I'm guessing that didn't help matters for me.

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Original poster
glastocat · 09/08/2010 22:49

bloody pincushion

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becklet · 10/08/2010 21:35

I'm the same - weirdly, I never used to mind them at all. After I had the kids, they are now ridiculously painful! I have to have two valium before I go, and then the nurse gives me a sick bowl cause I always throw up! It's not the speculum that bothers me, it's when they actually take the swab - the only way I can describe it is how I imagine men feel when they're kicked in the balls - that deep ache! And I have to have them every 6 months at the mo, which is even worse! Sad

I feel your pain glastocat, I always feel shaky for hours afterwards, hope you are feeling better now!

MissInterpret · 10/08/2010 21:39

Oh dear, really horrible for you glastocat, loopyloops and others Shock

I've not had the delight of one since having DD but now am trembling at the thought! Sad

winnybella · 10/08/2010 21:39

Wow. When my gyneco does them, it takes her literally 5 seconds max. It's only a little scrape, I don't even feel it.

How can it hurt so much? Sorry, not trying to belittle your horrid experience, just a bit perplexed.

winnybella · 10/08/2010 21:41

And I actually do have a sensitive cervix (sex not always comfortable in certain positions etc).

Original poster
glastocat · 11/08/2010 12:10

becklet, that's exactly what I said to my husband, that I thought it felt like his description of a kick in the balls! I was sore all day, and I can still feel it a bit two days later. I nearly puked too, it felt like she was tugging something inside me. Ugh ugh ugh!

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