Anyone else overdue a smear?

[HarrietJones]

Just reminding everyone.

I've been waiting for my period to return post dd3 & now I've got to make an appt.

V anxious but posting here to force myself into it.

Anyone joining me?( not literally )

[BelaLugosiinStripes]

25goingon95: if you had a test in 2008 (and you're now 25) then you would be called about 6-8 weeks before the "anniversary" of your last test.

A suggestion for those who have difficult to locate cervices - your GP can refer you to gynae or colposcopy. Although it sounds drastic, the staff are used to seeing cervices everyday and have different couches so may be able to do something differently.

[LaVitaBellissima]

Frantic you are most welcome, and have one more
Wish I had some advice but I don't, just sympathy, I had 10 weeks of bleeding post c section birth of my twins, had a huge bleed one day (genuinely thought I was dying!) and went to A&E only to be inspected by 3 seperate people, it was awful I was also told I had a strange shaped cervix . It is a very vunerable position to be in, horrendous that you were held down, and a female GP, she should of been reported!

Grumpy I used to work around the corner from the Royal Marsden hospital and Jade Goody came in one day during treatment, I wished her my best and she was very humble and polite, when someone is so young, you really don't think it could end up as it did. Smear tests really increased though due to the campaigning she did, I hope it continues.

[Fuchzia]

I had the same experience itsnicetobenice. After some really traumatic experiences before DS with much pain and distress ending in a colposcopy because they couldn't get a clear result I was amazed by how much the process has changed. Maybe things are a bit different down there post baby but I hardly felt it at all and I would urge you to go. the nurse was really nice because I was very scared and crying beforehand she suggested that I should rebook and get a vailium from the gp before coming. I would have considered this but thought it would make it an even bigger deal for me so gritted my teeth and did it.

[Kalypso]

I have mine booked for this Friday. The letter - third reminder - came last week and a sudden uneasy feeling made me book it there and then. DS is 16 months and I was due for a smear when pregnant, so it's a long time overdue. Two days ago I started spotting. Period not due for over a week. I'm scared :( How long does it take for the results to come through?

[BelaLugosiinStripes]

Hi Kalypso
Most areas are meeting the 14 day turnaround target (that's 14 calendar days not working days!) from date test taken to date of receipt. Some areas (including where I work) are getting close to most in 7 days.
Don't worry about a bit of spotting, the liquid based tests are able to remove blood from the sample. Do tell the sample taker though so they record it on the request form, as it's useful for people reading the sample to know as we sometimes see the cells shed from the endometrium (womb lining) in the sample.

[HarrietJones]

Glad to see others are booking appts.

V much hoping that we don't have the clunky metal thing here, that's what makes me freak out

[bigbadbarry]

I'm on my third reminder but I am still bf and my periods haven't come back. I'd ring and ask but I don't want to have that conversation with the receptionist. Does anybody know if I should just go anyway - I don't want it to hurt if my cervix is away hiding!

[BelaLugosiinStripes]

You can definitely go even if your periods haven't restarted. Main thing as with the spotting is to make sure the sample taker/nurse writes it down on the request form. Makes life easier for us in the lab knowing stuff about hormonal status, the sample picture makes more sense then. :)

[LittleMissFlustered]

I have never had one. I am scared witless. I may call the surgery after my baby is born and enquire as to the cell collection method they use. If it's the metal shears of doom they can chuff off, plastic swirly thing I may just be able to cope with.

[PaperView]

I c an't say i have even looked at what they use....plastic swirly thing?

[bigbadbarry]

Thank you Bela - but will she be able to, ahem, reach? (I had a very painful experience in the past).

[BelaLugosiinStripes]

Most places are using plastic speculae.
They should be all using the swirly fronded plastic brushes to collect the cells. The cells go into a vial with preservative in it and then sent to the lab for processing. The cells are placed on a slide and are dyed to make them easier to look at. Then they are read by a primary screener, then quality controlled before the result is issued. Any sample which might be abnormal gets fully re-read or screened by another two people (a checker, then a consultant).
The result goes electronically to the same office that you got the invite letter from, and they enter it onto the national database and then send the result letter to you.

[BelaLugosiinStripes]

pic of the plastic broomy thing

bigbadbarry - well they should be able to, it might need to try a different position, or putting a pillow underneath you but they should have a reasonable idea of what to try (disclaimer: I am a lab person and work with clinical people but don't take samples myself!).

[BelaLugosiinStripes]

PS that is a close up pic btw :)

[25goingon95]

25goingon95: if you had a test in 2008 (and you're now 25) then you would be called about 6-8 weeks before the "anniversary" of your last test.

Ah thankyou bela. Think it was in november 2008 so should hear something end of sept/oct then...eeek i don't like going either but would never put it off, it is too important.

[frantic51]

But, plastic broomy thing doesn't look any more pleasant than the sticky thing they used to use before and they'll still need to use the "metal shears of doom" to open you up enough won't they? [pathetic, wimpbag, crying emoticon]

[notsoqueenofclean]

Please go and get it done!

I know its not pleasant, but I had mine done in November (7 years overdue) and had abnormal cells that had to be treated. Received the letter on Christmas Eve telling me so spent the whole of Christmas and New Year convincing myself that there was something seriously wrong.

It's been treated now, but I'm on six monthly smears for the forseeable.

It's really not worth the stress.

Oh, and no metal duck-billed platypus used here

[valiumredhead]

That looks like a chimmney sweep's brush!

[AngryFeet]

I never fuck about with stuff like this. I don't find it that unpleasant and it could save my life. Sorry ladies but you need to get over yourselves and get it done. How much would you regret it if you develop cancer and could have stopped it in it's tracks?

[Meglet]

frantic Ask for a referral to the colposcopy clinic at the hospital. IME they are much more gentle than a GP doing it. Can you get a friend to take you and get some diazepam from the GP?

Angryfeet is right .

FWIW I ended up having a hysterectomy at 35 as I had so many dodgy smear test results, and I never missed a smear by a month. Better a smear and dodgy cells caught early, than dead.

[mrsmillsfanclub]

I had an awful smear test in my early twenties and didn't return for one for 16yrs . Thankfully when I did eventually get it done I was ok. I haven't missed one since. The procedure was far better this time-plastic spatula and clamp.
I can think of more enjoyable ways of spending 10 mins but I know it can be a lifesaver. Get gp to prescribe a one off dose of valium. You won't care if the entire Moscow state circus is trying to have a look up there!

[DontNickMyMilk]

I had mine done last month and only took a week for the results to come through. Have to confess I'd waited for the 2nd reminder as never got round to it. I dislike the process a lot, particularly as the first one I had after DD hurt - nurse did a swab at the same time and turns out I had an infection. Two birds one stone, one lot of embarassment two tests. This time I had plastic thing too. Remember going as a student (I'm old enough to have been called for my first smear at 20, rather than 25) and as it was the beginning of the holidays, loads of equipment had been tidied up. Cue frantic nurse running round looking for equipment, trying to get hot tap to run hot to warm metal thing up... Lightened the tone I think.

If you've got the reminder, please go. If you have real problems, find someone who understands.

[betterwhenthesunshines]

frantic51 Sounds like you've had a dreadful time. My last smear was also with a new plastic thing - not as bad as the old metal cranker. But I also have had problems with 'tightening up' really badly. I hust have to ask the GP to go REALLY slow and sometimes they have to stop, take it out, wait and then start again. It helps if you're not under any time pressure so ask if you can book a doube appointment.

Would also recommend asking for a sedative. When had my first coil fitted it was the MOST painful thing, the GP nearly gave up and I was terrified about having it replaced 5 years later so I asked for a sedative and it did help.

[tiredfeet]

I went a few weeks ago, periods still haven't returned since ds. I didn't realise that was an issue? I had had two reminders but they werte fine about it, just glad I'd come

Well done for booking yours hj

frantic words fail me, a big hug from me too. Agree a sedative might be a solution maybe?