Anyone waiting on smear results want to join?

[butterflykiss00]

I just thought it would be nice to have a thread on people waiting for smear results

I've just had my first one and currently waiting two weeks , I'm quite anxious as they found cervix ecropian and I've been having bleeding after sex

Anyone interested in joining for a hand hold and to support each other?

Had mine over a month ago and still waiting for results phoned doctors yesterday and they said currently an 8 week wait for results- if the UK at an all time low for smear tests why are the results taking so long

@emily199027 I did the same after I was too, I stupidly even found a page where people linked extrusion/erosion to early cancer because I have that ,
www.jostrust.org.uk/forum/jos-trust-forum/cervical-erosion-linked-cervical-cancer

@Oct18mummy I agree! I'm just annoyed that they set up the campaign to encourage more people but don't hire more staff or set up more labs

@leftright have you had your smear yet?
I found too many pages on things that I didn't even class as a symptom...like leg pains.
I also have on and off cramping, back pain and a lot of discharge (a lot more than normal) and my periods are very heavy...I have to wear maternity pads 😩 all of these have been happening for I'd say the last 6 months but thought it was just my body. I've only just realised they could be all connected.

@leftright exactly! It’s worrying as 8 weeks for someone with a serious situation that could need dealing with is too long a wait

@emily199027 I changed my username back, yea I had it two weeks ago still waiting for results, I am having discharge and spotting , spotting after sex and random cramps that don't last long but keep coming, there's also a smell to the discharge and I've had clear infection results from some swabs.

@Oct18mummy it is far too long ! Even if it's CIN1 it's still a result you would worry about , a totally clear smear is better, and then they'll rob you off by saying they'll watch and wait . I hope I get a clear one , when it actually gets done 😐

What gets to me the most is the fact that if people had a smear for just routine and didn't have symptoms they wouldn't mind waiting for results but we are having symptoms and are having to wait, should be fast tracked if symptoms are present !

@butterflykiss00 I was hoping it would be fast tracked with the symptoms I've got which sound exactly the same to yours! 😕
I was considering going private for it...but unsure of how long the results would be!

@emily199027 I was hoping too, and I'm not sure about private but surely they would do it quicker?
I'm sick of waiting for a letter now, I'm only 25 and have been having symptoms for 3/4 years really just not the bleeding after sex, I had requested a smear years ago but I wa told no because of my age, I'll be very angry if there is something sinister going on and it could of been prevented !!

*was

I had my smear on Tuesday. It was overdue because I was pregnant when it was due last autumn

I've not had any worrying symptoms except for some cramping between ovulation and my period but I do suffer with anxiety so I'm quite scared waiting for the results. They said I should have them in 3 weeks

@butterflykiss00 that's terrible you've been asking and they said no because of your age! I'm 28 (29 this year) and have 2 children. I had a c section last year so thought some of the symptoms could just be recovery from that but I'm not so sure

Hi ladies, can I join you.

I've just had mine this morning. I hate the anxiety of waiting!

Nurse said I have a cervical etropian? Think that's how she said it and apparently is to do with the fact I take the combined pill. She said it's like a graze and can cause bleeding after sex or just random bleeding but sometimes women don't even know they had one (Like me) apparently absolutely nothing to worry about but if it does cause any issues they can just laser it to stop it bleeding.

@polkadotpixie I know how you feel, the waiting is horrible , try to not think about it as much (easier said than done) I hope you get good results ❤️

Aww I have 2 children now too but I had vaginal births, I'm not sure about c section recovery but either way the symptoms we are both having can't be right!

@hannah1992 hi Hannah, I'm the same with the ecropian, but I'm not on the pill, the nurse just said she'll send the smear away to check it is just ecropian and nothing else because it wasn't that red compared to normal ecropian, we're all here to help each other through the waiting or the diagnoses and of course your welcome here x

Thanks butterfly.

Hopefully the fact you have had the jabs will work in your favour. I think lots of different things mimic the same symptoms as well but as we are all rational human beings we jump to the worst case scenario first.

I haven't had any symptoms of anything but I'm still in for an anxious few weeks. I wish j could adopt the, don't worry until there's something to worry about mantra but my brain doesn't work in that way

@hannah1992 yea it feels like having the jabs are my only hope that it's all ok atm, I'm the same but I think mentally you always picture the worst so it isn't such a shock

Unfortunately, the reason why people are waiting for their results for so long is because the publicity campaign was launched at the same time as many lab screening staff are leaving more here
With the change to primary HPV later this year, there will be a reduction in labs from 50 to 9. Many staff won't be able to relocate to the remaining labs so are looking for work elsewhere. PHE knew all of this and choose to go ahead with the campaign, as they are really want to improve the number of women attending for screening.

If you have symptoms then your GP or nurse should be doing investigations for them - a "smear" test is for screening, not for diagnostic work ups.

An ectropian or ectropion is completely normal. It's an area where the cervical "skin" is thinner and as such, gets inflammed and bleeds more readily. At puberty, the increase in oestrogen causes the cervix to increase in volume, pushing outwards. This moves the more delicate endocervical (canal) area to be exposed to the harsher environment of the upper vagina. Imagine pouting your lips outwards all the time, and how much you could hurt the squishy inner part of your lips.
This thinner area also is where they think HPV is likely to get into the body and infect, as it's easier there.

When you go for your test, they should give you an update on how long the results are taking. If you haven't heard back, then give the practice a call and ask them to check. Some labs have had more problems than others with staff leaving. As it takes over 2 years to train some to an entry level post, it's difficult to get extra staff quickly. Currently many labs are receiving 20-30% more samples than usual.

@BelaLug0si thanks for that info it's really useful for us on here, the reason I have to wait before I can get any other tests is that they would rather rule out anything sinister first and with the symptoms cervical cancer is a small risk here

I'm really starting to get worried now, I just need the results soon

How long it been now butterfly? Nurse told me Friday they usually take 2 weeks, however, with the switch to only testing for hpv rolling out in different areas and the campaign meaning there is an influx of tests coming in it could take 6 weeks +. Not great for anxiety is it

It's been 3 weeks tomorrow, I was told 2 weeks but I'm aware of the delay, it's just horrible waiting, I'm just getting so anxious about it, hopefully I get a letter today
X

I had mine last Wednesday and I'm really panicking. Reason being... I had a smear a few years ago that showed abnormal cells. Realising I stupidly didn't have any life insurance, I quickly sorted some, but they would exclude cover for cervical cancer. I had LLETZ treatment and I was found to have CIN 3 cells. I need to have been clear for 5 years before the life insurance will cover for cervical cancer. I'm a single mother so I'm now hoping the results will be clear for at least another 18 months till I'm covered, but of course my mind jumps to the worst case!

@CrispyBrunette I know what you mean about your mind mine has done he same, you have every right to be worried though, I hope your results are ok xx

You too Butterfly, hope your (clear!) results come soon!

@CrispyBrunette thankyou , how long do you have to wait did they say?