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Original poster

@*@*@*@ Right, who is putting off their smear test? @*@*@*@

677 replies

Lulumama · 15/10/2007 17:03

Have just been for mine

not the funnest way to spend 10 minutes, but hey! don;t need another one for 3 years...

also, here's a tip if the nurse has trouble finding your cervix, mine seemed to have wandered off, lie on your left side..

was over and done with very quickly and with complete and utter sensitivity and discretion.

i know it is a bit yuck, but it is important, and you can always take a friend with for moral support.

so, if you have been meaning to book in for yours, get it booked !

OP posts:
hennipenni · 02/05/2008 17:46

Thanks Boys, that does make sense now and I hope it is the only reason.

beanaz · 03/05/2008 23:28

I haven't read through the whole post, because to be honest I didn't have the patience lol. I've never had a smear (22, not 45 or anything, so not TOO bad), and have absolutely no idea what to expect... can someone be brutally honest and (if possible) impartial please??

SparklyGothKat · 03/05/2008 23:43

I have been putting mine off... I was booked in for one last jan. but then I fell pregnant in the dec. and was miscarriaging when the date arrived. Then I fell pregnant with Callum. Its been 10 years since I had one.. I am so ashamed.. I keep getting reminders and I keep meaning to book it, and I then forget. I will defo. book one for after Ds1's operation in 2 1/2 weeks

MargaretMountford · 04/05/2008 18:27

beanaz - it's not so bad really, just undignified ! Pick a day mid cycle to book. The nurse will perhaps take your bp,weigh you and ask a few general questions. Then you just hop on the couch after removing underwear,trousers etc - if you have A sKirt you could keep that on, but you should have a sheet or something to hide your modesty !
yOU'LL BE ASKED TO LIE DOWN WITH YOUR KNEES bent and asked to just flop your legs apart...it helps to raise your bottom up slightly I think. The nurse then gently puts the closed speculum in ( plastic and not cold these days - she'll have put sone KY jelly on it) and opens it once she's located the cervix - see past postings on this thread for good tips to make this bit easier.Then a little brush is inserted to take a few cells from the cervix and that's it. Probably just slight discomfort but that should be all. Try to relax and breathe out.It's over in seconds and you'll feel so pleased that you've done it ! hope that helps

VictorianSqualor · 04/05/2008 18:42

beanaz, if you've ever had an internal whilst pg (nto bsure if you ahve children) then you've practically done it already, it's almost the same, 'cept instead of fingers it's a speculum and brush.

Please don't worry, it's over within seconds, a minute at most, and is Very important, I had my first at 25 and had abnormal cells, I dread to think what may have happened if I'd put it off much longer.

VictorianSqualor · 04/05/2008 18:44

hennipenni, I went straight to colposcopy after my abnormal smear, maybe it's just the way they do it in some places, also during my colposcopy they decided to do the LEEP (remove part of the cervix that ahs the abnormal cells) there and then, no return appointment or anything, if anything I think I prefferred it that way to coming back and forth, meant it was over and done with.

Original poster
Lulumama · 11/05/2008 19:46

well, i am having my repeat smear at 08.40 tomorrow morning, what a way to start teh week !

have decided if results come back abnormal a second time, i will ask for a referally , privately if neccesary, to gynae for colposcopy.. do you think that sounds reasonable?

OP posts:
MargaretMountford · 11/05/2008 20:26

thinking of you tomorrow with fingers crossed

MargaretMountford · 11/05/2008 20:26

and yes, sounds sensible and reasonable - good luck !

Original poster
Lulumama · 12/05/2008 06:57

thanks, will have 6 week wait for results again, that is the worst thing , i think

OP posts:
CocodeBear · 12/05/2008 07:44

Lulu, I've had a repeat smear before because of abnormal results - it was just a case of the original test not having got enough cells for a clear result. So please don't worry.

MargaretMountford · 12/05/2008 09:09

how was it lulumama ?

Original poster
Lulumama · 12/05/2008 12:17

hello thanks for asking .. it was fine.. cervix is very posterior, which i knew, so needed looooong speculum and had to lie on my left side {you needed to know that ! } nurse said cervix looks normal, no inflammation so if anything is wrong it is at a microscopic level. if it does come back abnormal, then i will be referred to colposcopy straight away. actually feel much better about it all now.

OP posts:
MargaretMountford · 12/05/2008 13:42

oh that's good news lulumama - well done for going too

MargaretMountford · 19/05/2008 17:41

*

MargaretMountford · 25/05/2008 14:33
lackaDAISYcal · 25/05/2008 14:51

Can't believe I'm on MN constantly and have not seen this yet

Five plus years since my last one and I actually got a letter from the GP asking me to sign a disclaimer

In my defence though, since the last one I've had two mcs, one pregnancy and am pregnant again. I actually turned up for the last appointment (after the scary dosclaimer letter) but the nurse wouldn't do it as I was uncertain about whether or not I was prengnant. I read on an NHS website that they aren't normally done in pregnancy unless overdie, but my MW said nonsense!

Should I ask my GP? I've aready had abnormal cells (CIN II) and was having repeats every six months until the one before I had DS and was told I was back to three yearly. I've had one normal one since then but am pretty scared what they may find sometime early January which is the earliest I can have it done.

Original poster
lulumama · 25/05/2008 14:55

i would speak to your practice nurse about that. especially if you have had abnormal results in the past

OP posts:
Original poster
lulumama · 25/05/2008 14:56

some info here re smear tests and pregnancy

OP posts:
iMum · 25/05/2008 14:57

iMum stands up red faced

Ive never had a smear, ive always managed to be pregnant or just post pregnant.

Im pregnant again now!

Original poster
lulumama · 25/05/2008 15:02

ye gods !! you must have one... ask your MW about sorting one out and read the link i posted

OP posts:
MrsCarrot · 25/05/2008 15:03

oh, yes, do all go and get it checked

I am a worst case scenario (there's always one!) but I've just had a hysterectomy three weeks ago for early cancer and I've always had all my smears and coloposcopy in the past.

I had a rarer type that moves quicker and is harder to pick up but they found it early because of the screening programme.

So I guess it is not exactly worst case as I am ok now, fingers crossed, but it was quite bad. So go and get it done.

lackaDAISYcal · 25/05/2008 15:04

Thanks Lulu

The practice nurse said ask MW as the smear would need to be done by MW due to being pregnant. I think I will chase this up, but then again, if they wouldn't do any treatment until after the baby is born, is there any point in having the worry of abnormal cells hanging over me for the next six months?

OTOH, it'll be eight plus months before I can have the smear done, if I need to wait three months after the baby is born (I thought it was eight weeks)

Original poster
lulumama · 25/05/2008 15:04

thanks for posting MrsCarrot

OP posts:
MrsCarrot · 25/05/2008 15:05

thanks, I wasn't sure whether to or not, didn't want to be the voice of doom!

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