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Original poster

Push needed to book a smear please (I find them rather scary!)

58 replies

TambaTheDragonSlayer · 21/08/2006 10:42

After the last thread about them on here (about 6 months ago) I finally booked one and actually turned up at it....

But the results came back inconclusive and they asked me to re-book which I promptly forgot to do...

So they sent me another letter giving me an appointment time and date. But I got scared and didnt go...

Another letter arrives asking me to book an appointment....

I find them painful and they scare me so I really dont want to go. Im 23 - is it still important to have them when you are young?

Need a shove in the right direction please and some reassuring words about how they arnt always painful and my nasty one must have been a one off experience....

OP posts:
Dottydot · 21/08/2006 15:54

Tamba - you have all my sympathy and I need pushing too - I'm 37 and have only had one done - when I was 18... It was horrible, made me bleed and has put me off them for life. In fact I tried to have one done a few years ago by a lovely sympathetic practice nurse and she couldn't do it - I was too nervous and it was too painful.

Sigh. Tell you what - if you go I will?

LucyCat · 21/08/2006 15:57

Go on - I'm going next Wednesday - how does 2 years go so quickly?!!!

it's gotta be done, after all once you've given birth you have no pride - it seems like the whole hospital came to have a look at dd1 being born

mummyhill · 21/08/2006 16:29

They tend to use disposable speculums now which aren't as uncomfy as the metal ones. They also send them off slightlydiferently so it doesn't matter if there is a little blood on the sample they can still get an accurate result.

GO GET IT DONE.

Cam · 21/08/2006 16:52

Tamba, please go, I had cervical cell changes when I was only 25 requiring (non-painful) hospital treatment, which if I hadn't had a smear would have become cancerous.

Please do it and report back?

Kitty74 · 21/08/2006 17:04

Hi Tamba, I'ma lurker here and I've just read your thread. I am TERRIFIED of internals of any sort. I have given birth to 2 girls and each time the MW found checking me very difficult. With DD1 they actually waited till my epidural was in .
So I really understand how you feel about this. I had unusual bleeding about 6mths ago(all was fine) but needed a smear. Anyway the long and short of it was I was absolutely terrified and my GP (a lovely lady) offered entinox during the procedure.
In the end it was there, along with a lovely nurse but they both put me at ease and I got through it. Could this be a possibility for you?
Hope that helps sorry about the long post

Original poster
TambaTheDragonSlayer · 21/08/2006 17:04

Thank All

The appointment is Friday

OP posts:
pinkpyjamas · 21/08/2006 17:06

Thanks for posting, Tamba. Your message spurred me to book an appointment - have been putting it off for a couple of years, TBH. Going next Tuesday, and glad I read this thread - I'm terrified despite three pregnancies!

DollyP · 21/08/2006 17:42

Well done Tamba. You will feel so good when it's done - what's your treat going to be?

Dottydot, have you booked yours yet?

Original poster
TambaTheDragonSlayer · 21/08/2006 17:55

I have no idea am totally broke so treat will have to wait i think.

Over to you Dotty!

OP posts:
Pinotmum · 21/08/2006 17:58

I have one booked for next week. I am supposed to be tested annually but becuase of my Gp's booking system I can never get an appointment so basically didn't bother. I then got a letter from the GP saying as they hadn't heard from me or seen me in 3 yrs they would remove me from the register. Well I have been in for coughs and colds so that was bollox. I have made an appointment now but feel a bit peeved!

lizziemun · 21/08/2006 17:58

Tamba

Yes you do need to go, but you know that.

I used to find them realy painful and i would also bleed, until i had an older nurse do it who told me that mine is round the wrong way so it is slightly more difficult to get the cells, but as long as you tell them they can do it differently and the last one i had after dd i didn't bleed or hurt.

Tell the nurse that the last one you had hurt and that you bleed and ask her to be more gentle.

i hope this helps.

DollyP · 21/08/2006 19:24

Tamba, can you treat yourself to a nice long bath, glass of wine, early night etc ? Always good, esp if accompanied by a trashy magazine!

Dottydot · 21/08/2006 21:57

Oh God... I did say that, didn't I? Will book one tomorrow. Has anyone found taking paracetamol beforehand a help? (or a large gin..?)

DollyP · 22/08/2006 19:04

I'd do rescue remedy before and a large gin for afterwards!

LIZS · 23/08/2006 10:12

Booked mine , but nurse away for another 2 weeks. Bit worried now cos it won't probably be midcycle but then as I have a Mirena coil it is hard to tell anyway. Does it make a difference ?

meowmix · 23/08/2006 10:30

Glad you booked it Tamba - its so important.

As long as you don't actually have your period it doesn't matter when really tho mid cycle is optimum.

Can't stress this enough - these things are essential as cancer of the cervix has no symptoms in the early stages. Yes they're unpleasant but the alternative is a lot lot worse, as I'm unfortunately beginning to find out.

oliveoil · 23/08/2006 10:33

I did a thread recently on smears, they have a plastic doodar now instead of that horrid cold metal instrument of torture.

Twas in and out (iyswim!) in mins.

Will find my thread.

oliveoil · 23/08/2006 10:34

my May thread

LIZS · 23/08/2006 10:43

I find it is the metal "prop" that hurts more than the actual smear.

bnm · 23/08/2006 10:47

TAMBA DO IT. I hate hate hate them too and for my last check had to have it re-done three times until I finally got the date right and got a really nice nurse who seemed to fully understand what I was going through and made a big effort to get it right for me. Less than two weeks later I was feeling great relief so DO IT NOW!!!!

alexw · 23/08/2006 11:29

Going for mine this afternoon - Dr wouldn't prescribe the pill again until I'd had it done! Have not had pill for 6 months now (hoping to get it again today). Worried that following botched stitches it will hurt (20 months on and sex still does

NotActuallyAMum · 23/08/2006 11:32

Tamba please don't back out of this

My sister's SIL (DHs sister) died 2 years ago of cervical cancer aged 41 leaving two boys of 8 and 11. She had never been for a smear - simply refused to go because she "didn't want some stranger sticking things into her bits"

I agree they're not pleasant, but it's literally a couple of minutes every 3 years

mummyhill · 23/08/2006 11:43

Just had the all clear for mine so that's me done for next three years.

Keep you appointment please Tamba. A friend of mine allways has a ;arge glass of wine befor going for hers regardless of the time of day. She is certain that the nurse thinks she is an alchie but it is the only way she can cope with it iyswim.

fattiemumma · 23/08/2006 11:45

Hun you MUST go.

yes it is incredibly scarey but its far less so than the consequences of leaving it.

i had a smear test that came back as positive for pre cancerous cells. i have had various treatments over ge past few years and quite frankly if i hadn't i wouldn't be here now.

My nan died of cervical cancer. her death could have been prevented if she had been to regular smear tests.

they are frightening, embarassing and bloody uncomfortable.....but a lot less so than a coffin!

mummyhill · 25/08/2006 09:49

Good luck today Tamba. Please keep the appointment hun. See you soon.