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Original poster

SMEARS - I bloody hate them

83 replies

SPARKLER1 · 30/01/2006 10:05

Just been for my 3 yearly routine smear test this morning. Even after having two children by vaginal delivery, it never gets anyless embarassing or uncomfortable.

Last time I went I found it very uncomfortable and ended up bleeding slightly afterwards.
This morning it REALLY hurt and I have bled quite badly. Nurse had to give me a pad to wear home. (sorry if TMI).

I've been told that the results may come back inconclusive as the blood may cover the relevant cells taken. So I may need to go back for another. Great!

OP posts:

TambaTheTemptress · 30/01/2006 10:07

That happened to me too!

Does everyone bleed or do you think its cause the doctors been a bit rough?

Mine came back inconclusive so Im supposed to make an appointment to go back.

Original poster

SPARKLER1 · 30/01/2006 10:08

The nurse told me that most people do bleed so it's quite normal. I'm bleeding a lot this morning so it's making be worry that something is wrong.

OP posts:

robinpud · 30/01/2006 10:08

I hate them too- esp as I have to go to the hospital for mine as I am a peculiar shape! That means they shine a big light on you and you have 2 nurses as well as the doctor. Just love those days... not
Can't imagine still having to have them into your 70s...

Original poster

SPARKLER1 · 30/01/2006 10:09

It's mad isn't it? I had that exact conversation with my friend this morning and the nurse. You'd have thought they would have invented a way of testing in a more dignified and less painful way by now wouldnt you?

OP posts:

TambaTheTemptress · 30/01/2006 10:10

Its the sight of the huge metal thing that makes me wince!

And its always cold... I always get so paraniod its going to make a slurping noise as it comes out

(After I had ds1, I had a smear and she closed it to early and it pinched and made me bleed!!!! ouch!!)

Original poster

SPARKLER1 · 30/01/2006 10:12

I haven't looked at the instrument so don't know what it looks like - probably best it stays that way.

OP posts:

Original poster

SPARKLER1 · 30/01/2006 10:16

I'm off to sulk now. I think I deserve to.

OP posts:

WharfRat · 30/01/2006 10:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

SPARKLER1 · 30/01/2006 12:47

Niiiiiice!

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 12:48

Smears are MUCH better than getting cervical cancer.

Dinosaur · 30/01/2006 12:49

I hate them too Sparkler, and I hate them more now than I did before I had my kids.

ediemay · 30/01/2006 12:56

she could have at least opened a bottle of wine and offered you some chocs

I do sympathise Sparkler, I used to have miserable smears. My (female) GP does them now and she is amazing - painless for the first time. I have told her that when she retires I will go to her house!

tribpot · 30/01/2006 13:00

I've certainly never bled during a smear, and would be most unimpressed by having some of your experiences. I don't think saying "oh well that happens sometimes" is really acceptable, could you ask for someone else to do it?

However, as expat says, it's better than having cervical cancer. A friend of mine was diagnosed after a routine smear and has had to have major surgery which unfortunately hasn't worked, so now is looking at a course of radiotherapy that's going to destroy her fertility permanently Not really what you want to find out four months after getting married.

blueteddy · 30/01/2006 13:01

Message withdrawn

Hausfrau · 30/01/2006 13:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cod · 30/01/2006 13:03

Message withdrawn

expatinscotland · 30/01/2006 13:04

Take paracetemol an hour before the appointment. TELL the practitioner you're nervous, have a history of painful smears, etc.

If you have a good practitioner, it really shouldn't be painful.

hornbag · 30/01/2006 13:07

I've got to book one in -just had the letter to remind me.

Only had last one about a year ago but there was some debate as to whether results would be accurate as I was still partly breastfeeding DS.

Anyway last years was mortifying as nurse who did it was a mum from DDs nursery -hadn't known beforehand that she works there. If that wasn't bad enough she had real problems and had to get me to lie in all sorts of weird positions.

Came out of there very hot and bothered vowing to change nursey/surgery/move towns etc!!. This time I'll make sure I book with the other nurse.

Nightynight · 30/01/2006 13:30

I hate them too.
no useful advice, but loads of sympathy from me

Original poster

SPARKLER1 · 30/01/2006 13:32

bleeding is just starting to ease off now - four hours later.
I'm feeling really P off about it now. Going to phone the surgery in a minute to find out the name of the nurse. Won't be letting her do it again. Not sure if it was her or not last time.

OP posts:

Ellbell · 30/01/2006 13:50

Oh, loads of sympathy. I hate them too.

Tamba - cold is better than what I had once... the nurse tried to warm it up for me (which was a nice thought) by running it under the hot tap. Trouble is, it was absolutely boiling when she inserted it (she had gloves on, of course). OW!

Last time I went, though, I don't know what happened, but I suppose I must have been a bit tense (I know I was a bit tense, as the nurse had just gaily dismissed my ever-so-slightly irregular periods as 'probably the beginning of the menopause') and the nurse couldn't get the speculum out. I was desperately trying to relax, but my innards had the thing in a death-grip. It was hideous, and it felt like it was up there for ages, though it probably was only a minute or so before I managed to relax enough for her to get it out. Horrible though

festiveface · 30/01/2006 13:54

Ellbell that sounds awful!
Last time i had it done i bled and the nurse said it was because i had a cervical erosion.

mummytosteven · 30/01/2006 16:14

my first smear was hideous. second smear was much much better - I explained to GP what had happened first time round, she did a quick internal to check where my cervix was (turned it was in a funny position because of having a retroverted uterus) and smear was fine, no bleeding, only mild discomfort. would echo expat - make sure you explain your previous awful smears next time round.

JoolsToo · 30/01/2006 16:26

never bothers me I have to say

TinyGang · 30/01/2006 16:26

I hate them too and I think they hurt. They're not agony, just arrgh - like getting a bit of silver foil in your mouth stuck to a filling type of shudder. And I feel a prat too - even though you're not supposed to.

I was told I had some sort of erosion as well and went home and really worried about it. Apparantly it's normal, but can be the reason why you bleed.

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