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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:
expatinscotland · 09/12/2007 20:25

i used to feel it was undignified and i only did it because in teh US it is necessary to get a repeat prescription for your BCP every year.

but then, after having undergone colposcopy, biopsy and loop, and the agonising wait in between tests and for results, i can think now, 'omg, what if i hadn't gone! i'd not only have no dignity, but maybe even no uterus, no health or no life!'

Slacker · 09/12/2007 20:29

If this motivates you to go back...I didn't go back for a repeat smear after an insufficient one, didn't have another for about 3 years, and was then diagnosed with CIN3 which turned out after cone biopsy to be stage 1 cancer. (All fine now)

So go back for a repeat, it's worth it.

XmastimePelvicfloorsandwine · 09/12/2007 20:36

I haven't discussed it with anyone no Expat.

Everyone else probably feels like i do too i know.

I will go back but will have to psych myself up to it.
Oh and wait until my legs are bruise free as the nurse just went on about how bruised i was.
I bruise easily like a peach.

expatinscotland · 09/12/2007 21:01

they are there to help you, pelvic!

no one will think your feelings are silly, and if they do, you want my mobile, cuz you just send 'em to me!

just a quick word with the nurse, 'im so nervous. i feel humiliated and undignified by this and i bruise easily' should do the trick.

but as Slacker pointed out, it's so worth it to go back!

just put a thread out here, when it's time for your repeat appointment, and we'll just kick you arse back onto that couch!

XmastimePelvicfloorsandwine · 09/12/2007 21:03

lol

Thanks expat,you are kind ,especially since you are having a tough time of it yourself

OverMyDeadStuffedTurkey · 09/12/2007 21:07

oh god, I'm terrified of smear tests! I've only had one once before, over 3 yrs ago now, and the docs keep sending me reminder letters, which I bin.

I know I should go. I'm glad I'm not the only one with this irrational fear, but even the thought scares me

TinyTimLivesinVictorianSqualor · 09/12/2007 21:11

I'm with expat and slacker here.
I dread to think what could have happened if I hadn't gone along for mine. CINIII cells, in hospital within weeks, colposcopy and then a LEEP there and then I was absolutely shitting myself, had also been ttc for about 6months to no avail and had severely painful periods, was convinced I had cancer.
Thankfully I didn't and I know everytime I have a smear from now on I will be just as nervous (I was convinced this time that it wouldn't have been clear and they would have told me to terminate my pg).
It is horrid, I agree but the procedures that would have to be followed if anything wasn;t caught in time are much more evasive.

constancereader · 09/12/2007 21:14

Please go - I was truly terrified (after some very traumatic experiences) but an understanding doctor helped me through the process. I really was extremely phobic, so much so that I had no internals during my labour. But I got there in the end and it was FINE, with no pain or stress. Ask for a double appointment and explain your fears before hand. Good luck.

camillathechicken · 09/12/2007 21:15

me too ! i have to go for a repeat smear in April due to abnormal results, it never occurred to me that i would have anything other than a normal result, but am so glad that if there is anything going on, it is so , so ,so , so early that should anything need doing, it can be done. i would rather have the indignity of smears every 6 months than the having to tell my children that i was seriously ill 5 years down the line, because that could be the reality. far more horrible and sad than a few minutes in the doctors. your practice nurse should be able to do the smear and will be extrememly professional

mine was a doll ! i had to lie on my left side, so i was saying about how it was a good position to give birth in, and she was telling me about how she used to be a midwife and she blathered on which really took my mind off it!!

take someone with you to hold your hand if necessary, if all is well, you don;t need to go back for 3 years

it is so , so important.

expatinscotland · 09/12/2007 21:19

Pelvic, I'm always here for a virtual kick in the arse/handhold, you know.

Especially when it comes to smear tests!

YOUR FEELINGS ARE NORMAL!

It's not a frozen margarita and an endless supply of torilla crisps and tasty salsa on a hot summer day, after all.

But at least there's no hangover after a smear test

TinyTimLivesinVictorianSqualor · 09/12/2007 21:22

I think smear tests and the risks posed when people don't have them can all too easily be swept under the carpet in the 'Oh, I'll be fine' frame of mind.
Unfortunately our momentary loss of dignity can override our fears.

lizziemun · 09/12/2007 21:29

I got the all clear yesterday, so all done another 3yrs.

I don't want to frighten anyone but it is important to get it done. I have a friend who's wife died of cervical cancer 6mths after having their DC. SHe had always put of having a smear test. Unfortunley the cancer wasn't found until she had her Dc, but it had already spread and it was to late for any treatment.

MerryAnnSinglemas · 09/12/2007 22:35

that's good news lizziemum !

MerryAnnSinglemas · 09/12/2007 22:36

I meant about your smear results, not your poor friend's wife - that is v sad

MerryAnnSinglemas · 10/12/2007 16:42

think of me tomorrow !

Babyramone · 10/12/2007 18:35

This a great thread.
My friend who is only just 27 is going in to hospital this week for a hysterectomy (sp)because she has cervical cancer.
She has no children and is devastated
She had been for smear but as bled while getting was sent away and not recalled til to late.
So please please get the smear test any who are nervous.
It's easy honest

jellyjelly · 10/12/2007 18:41

i had a letter a couple of weeks ago thanks for the reminder. Will book one now

Babyramone · 10/12/2007 18:41

Lizziemum that is so sad

camillathechicken · 10/12/2007 22:26

any more for any more !

camillathechicken · 10/12/2007 22:27

so sorry to read that babyramone

should not have added the grin , i didn;t see your post until i posted my reminder bump

MerryAnnSinglemas · 11/12/2007 11:02

well I've been this morning and have to report back that is was very uncomfortable because my cervix was far back - the last two smears were fine ie. not uncomfortable but this time the nurse had to faff around with the big speculum,then the small one,then the big one - she eventually got a sample and I'm hoping there are enough cells to test so I don't have to go again. Don't want to put anyone off though as these things happen and the cervix can move, but majority of times all is in the right place and it should be very quick and pain free..it was before for me and she said that next time I'd probably find it is fine. Do go though - it's really over in minutes.

TinyTimLivesinVictorianSqualor · 11/12/2007 11:46

My last one was horrible aswell, they had to do a brush test as well as a normal smear, but getting those results through sying it was all clear were well worth it!

MerryAnnSinglemas · 11/12/2007 11:52

just remembered lulumama's first post with the tip to lie on your left side to find cervix - will bear that in mind if I need to go back...

jinglebells2shoessmells · 11/12/2007 11:56

wish me luck as I have mine tomorrow.

MerryAnnSinglemas · 11/12/2007 11:58

good luck jinglebells