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Original poster

smear test under anesthesia?

44 replies

winterspinach · 06/04/2023 14:42

Hi, I’ve had two almost smear test but they hurt so unbelievably bad that the poor nurse had to stop. She was very lovely but I am extremely nervous about foreign objects entering me even when I try to relax. So i was wondering if i could request to have a smear test under local anaesthetic? is it possible and has anyone done it?

also before anyone decides to say “just do it, it’s important and suck it up” which i’ve had in the past. I have tried, believe me. I wish I could do it ease but its not possible within extreme pain :(

OP posts:

MamaNomore · 06/04/2023 18:19

I've been given pessaries to try and make my smears a bit easier. The last one was very nearly given up on (it really was unbearable, though I tried) until the nurse found a dolls' house sized speculum, then I could hardly tell it was happening.

If that hadn't worked the next step was for a doctor to try, failing which under general anaesthetic.

I'm going to buy shares in tiny speculums - they're the way forward.

Octopusmittens · 06/04/2023 18:24

Op may I suggest you ask you GP to refer you to the Women's health dept at the local hospital. They have a special chair which can help you to get into a good position for the test. They are also very experienced as they do gynae exams day in and out. My friend had problems at the GP surgery but said it was so much easier at the W H dept. All the best.

WashAsDelicates · 06/04/2023 18:30

Diazepam makes a massive difference. GPs have never refused to prescribe it for me, though some prescribe 3 x 2mg and some will only prescribe 1 x 2mg.

IME 3 x 2mg diazepam 45minutes before the procedure makes the procedure tolerable and not memorable. So, even if it hurts, you're not distressed because you forget that it hurt.

If the GP will only prescribe you one 2mg tablet, take it together with 2 x Syndol (specifically the one with Doxylamine Succinate in it). Same calming effect, less 'don't care' effect, excellent pain relief effect.

Both of these may result in you needing to be collected afterwards. You will definitely not be able to drive, though you should be able to walk fine.

WashAsDelicates · 06/04/2023 18:45

And insist that they use the smallest speculum from the beginning. I have had nurses insist that they start with the standard one, promising me that they were experts and I would be fine, and that they would swap to a smaller one if necessary.

No.

No and no and no.

Your body, your concerns and your consent.

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 06/04/2023 18:48

I think valium is definitely the better option here.
I had a local for my MVA after mc and its very invasive, moreso than a smear imo and quite painful.
As others have said though, maybe the self swab could be a good option?

WashAsDelicates · 06/04/2023 18:52

Another thing that helps is having another nurse hold your hand and chat with you while the procedure is going on. It takes your mind off it a little, and her contact with your hand gives you a different physical sensation to focus on.

The distraction of physical sensation can be very useful. Last time I squeezed an Acupressure Bracelet in my other hand and focused on that sensation.

Prescottdanni123 · 06/04/2023 19:05

I got referred to hospital for gas and air because I had 3 failed attempts due to pain and because I was that nervous as a result. I was also sat upright in a chair instead of laid flat with my knees up. I didn't feel any pain at all. I didn't know the speculum was in until the nurse told me she was about to start opening it.

lipikar · 06/04/2023 19:07

6namechang3 · 06/04/2023 15:57

So if you are HPV negative and either monogamous or sexually inactive you don't need further smears?

No because HPV can lie dormant

cornflakegeneration · 06/04/2023 21:28

HumphreyCobblers · 06/04/2023 18:07

I just do the swab test now. I will not put myself through a painful smear unless I start testing positive for HPV.

The issue I have with the new system is that I had to have treatment for CIN 3 - and I was negative for HPV. So what happens to women in my situation?

blebbleb · 06/04/2023 21:31

tiredpuppymum · 06/04/2023 15:00

An injection of local anaesthetic into your cervix would be incredibly painful!! Much more painful than a smear test.

It doesn't make sense to me, and I'm happy to be wrong!! But it doesn't make sense that you'd want a needle to be injected into your cervix but can't tolerate a swab being brushed on it.

Am I understanding right?

It's not at all. I had one for miscarriage surgery recently and didn't feel it at all.

HumphreyCobblers · 06/04/2023 22:35

Cornflakegenerarion - I would probably have continued to attempt smear tests if the actual sample was being checked. But no way am I going through smears (which are painful and traumatising for me) for no reason.

cornflakegeneration · 06/04/2023 22:45

HumphreyCobblers · 06/04/2023 22:35

But this is what I mean.... if this system had been in place when I had this particular smear then my sample would have been thrown away without checking it. And I ended up having to have quite invasive treatment. So what happens to these women now?

TheJudgeandJury · 06/04/2023 22:48

Im sorry this isn't really to do with the thread and I hope OP gets the help she needs but I was reading the thread asking if OP was monogamous or not sexually active.

Does having sex with the same person lower the changes of HPV? I just thought if you had sex then you needed the smear.

ukholidayseeker · 06/04/2023 22:49

FlounderingFruitcake · 06/04/2023 14:57

I’d just do a self swab HPV test. The NHS doesn’t actually look at smear samples anymore if the initial HPV screen is negative so it’s basically the same thing. You can get one online from Boots or Superdrug for £50.

I was going to say this too..!!

stillherenow · 06/04/2023 22:57

HumphreyCobblers · 06/04/2023 18:07

I just do the swab test now. I will not put myself through a painful smear unless I start testing positive for HPV.

Same here . And then it would need to be done under GA. The pain last time was not tolerable. Menopause !

LunaTheCat · 06/04/2023 23:04

OP it sounds like muscle spasm.. I am a GP of 30 years… I have done loads of smears. Ask for some lorazepam or diazepam.. works a treat.😉

ArianahX · 07/04/2023 00:02

I use lorazepam for having a smear.

qqq82 · 07/04/2023 07:54

TheJudgeandJury · 06/04/2023 22:48

Im sorry this isn't really to do with the thread and I hope OP gets the help she needs but I was reading the thread asking if OP was monogamous or not sexually active.

Does having sex with the same person lower the changes of HPV? I just thought if you had sex then you needed the smear.

Hpv can lie dormant for years , decades
Then it can flare up
So you could have sex with your partner when you first get together and have negative smears for years and then maybe 10 years later a positive one when you've both been monogamous
I know this from personal experience from having issues after having been single for years then suddenly having a flare up and from being in a monogamous relationship and having a flare up after pregnancy

BooksAndHooks · 07/04/2023 08:00

I definitely wouldn’t be attempting if it was this difficult when they don’t even check the smear. They should simply be offering the HPV swab as a first call and then only calling those who are positive back for a smear. It’s ridiculous that they are carrying out an invasive test to everyone and then not testing the sample.

So in your shoes I would be buying an HPV test and only attempting a smear if it’s positive.

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