Are smears still being done just now and how long do the results take?

[ssd]

In Glasgow specifically, I have health anxiety and want a smear done, am over 50 , but very worried about how long results are taking just now and how long I'd actually need to wait to get a smear done.

Any advice?

That's good news @WaxOnFeckOff

I'm currently in the process of getting counselling. I've had cbt which didnt work and tried setraline which didnt agree with me. It is awful as you say, its all consuming when I've got it,like now. Hellish, I'd do anything to get shot of it.

@Whymustyoubringinthebirds

I got mine a few weeks ago, was told 6 weeks for results but it was about 1 and a half weeks later I got my results

Are you in Scotland?

Its awful the difference in how long people are having to wait for results in different areas. It's the waiting I cant bare. I phoned a private clinic in Glasgow, they said they cant guarantee when you get the results due to covid. I can imagine most private places are the same just now. I just find it all so incredibly scary and overwhelming..

Sorry to detail but how long did you try the sertraline for? It can be really horrible for the first few weeks but if you can get through them it really is life changing.

I've always found the smear wait a challenge. I'm sorry you're feeling like this.

I only stuck it a wee while, it made me manic and the gp said to come off it, I'm reluctant to try anything else, I've never felt so awful.

Yes that sounds familiar. I was advised to take two weeks off work and power through. It was easier then as I didn't have kids.did manage it and it was worth it but I can see why people wouldn't it couldn't.

England had letters to book but gp say not doing smears because of covid

I had mine at the beginning of October and got the results at the beginning of November. Unfortunately I needed more tests and was given an appointment the same week as my results.

@MrsPnut

I had mine at the beginning of October and got the results at the beginning of November. Unfortunately I needed more tests and was given an appointment the same week as my results.

Was this in Scotland ?

Sorry, meant to say hope you're ok @MrsPnut

It was in England, but in the most useless rural county in the country. I’m having treatment now and will be OK soon.

I had mine last week, I’m in Aberdeenshire. I was told to expect my results back in 2-4 weeks. The nurse told me they no longer check for abnormal cells but for hpv infection. If it came back negative then I wouldn’t need to go back for 5 years (I’m 45) but if it came back positive then not to worry but I would then need yearly checks.

I can't help you re waiting time but just wanted to say I've been there and so sorry you're going through that just now.

Just had mine today (Perthshire). Nurse said they were advising 6 to 8 weeks, but getting some back within about 10 days.

My friend is going for one on Tuesday. She got her letter last week.

I've been referred to different hospital departments last week. Not sent in as urgent referrals and already have appointments for 2 of the 3 clinics. Things are moving.

I'm in Glasgow.

@seepingweeping, that's good to know

I’m in Grampian and had one before new year, and got the results three weeks later. I did not get a letter but knew I was due one so phoned my GP and asked for one.

@Vodkafairy75 your post explains why I now have to wait 5 years instead of 3! Thanks, wish I had been told at the time!

Thanks everyone

So is it just the same service as before, with maybe longer waiting times? I thought I read somewhere if you are called back they only do a colposcopy for a certain level now whereas before it was done for less worrying symptoms. This panicked me. I dont know if its due to covid or a change in procedures.

I've had a colposcopy before and it was done quite easily, it seems now the criteria has changed?

England - had mine last Monday and was told 4-6weeks for results, got them back in the post 8 days later! (Maybe if less being done, which is worrying, results can be quicker than normal?)

I had mine done in June and results were back in a week. Ditto mammogram.

I had mine done in November in the Glasgow area and was told it would be a six week wait but was less than two. x

I've just seen online that superdrug sell HPV home test kits that have a turnaround of 1-2 weeks...is this the same as a smear?

Central Scotland here and had a smear test early Dec and had the results back a couple of weeks later.

I’ve also had 2 referrals recently for potentially serious conditions and had appointments through very quickly. In one case referral was on the Tuesday, appointment letter received on the Thursday (Christmas eve) and the appointment was on the 8th Jan. So from my n=1 anecdata sample, the system is working pretty quickly.

I went on Christmas Eve. Got my results 20 days later so just under 3 weeks. Although the delay was due to Christmas and postage delays.