cervical screening/ smear test

Debt_Free_Chick

mandi wrote:

Pav.. thanks for a great thread. :T, and for all the replies.. makes me happy.. ( and sad as its brought it all back to me) that after Janes death, some of you will act upon your letters, and forget your embarrasment.. IT is so worth it..:j

Not going to say goood luck.. Just OPEN WIDE...:rotfl:

This is a very important message. When the Country is calling out for all sorts of cancer screening, it's a sin if we girls don't take what's provided for us. The whole system is geared to keeping us healthy. The very least we can do is to use it.

bikerqueen

I used to be a bit nervous of smear tests, I went, but didnt want to and felt a bit traumatised afterwards.

I had my first baby on Tuesday night, now more people have seen my lady garden than ever before and I feel I could have smears every day and not care!

pavlovs_dog

havent been feeling too well today. my arthritis has flared up in my right knee, and im coming down with a cold. what better day to go for my smear:cool:

whilst i was there, i got the nurse to do my pill check, and it seems that my heart has gone bum again (ive had really serious heart problems in the past). i was given the all clear 2 years ago and taken off my medication. whilst i have textbook blood pressure, my heartbeat seems to be erratically skipping a beat then 'pulsing' to catch up with itself :eek: so i have to go back to the doctors on thursday for an ecg to see what the hell is going on inside my chest.

then i had the smear itself, which was uncomfortable more than painful. i think its the embarrassment that hurts more than the smear itself :rolleyes: but the icing on my cake - the nurse is worried that the sample wont be good enough, and as good as told me that she'll be seeing me in about 6 weeks to do another one.

the trauma of it all mixed with PMT has left me quite upset, and now OH is fussing around me, completely oblivious to the fact the its making me feel worse. if i tell him to give me space, he takes it really personally, which makes me feel even worse still :mad:

i just want to cry...

honey

Aw what a horrible morning you've had (((big hugs)))

Could you try telling OH you're tired and go and have a lay down for a bit to get a bit of space?

I hope it goes ok for you on Thursday, I'll be thinking of you.

As for the repeat smear, they're a pain I know, but you might not need one. I'm on six monthly checks at the moment and I dread every one, but I go and they're not so bad really plus I make sure I treat myself to a large bar of choc afterwards.;)

Take care x

Savvy_Sue

Hope you're feeling better now, and that nothing's too badly wrong when you have the ECG. Hugs. And Chocolate.

Gemmzie

Do they still recommend smears from age 25 or is it so many years after you become sexual active?

angeluk69_2

arnie&caseysma! wrote:

Well I must be one of the 1% about then. I started having smear tests at 16 and then 2 years ago got one result with abnormal cells. About that time I was going through a lot of other problems and prior to having the Mirena fitted I had full checks and test - when I say full I mean full, we were all left in no doubt that I did not have any infection whatsoever.

I would never opt out of something that in the end could save my life, the 30 seconds or so that it takes is nothing compared to the years of heartache that your nearest and dearest, never mind youself, could be put through as a result of believing you don't need them as you are not at risk of STDs.

I too had a Mirena coil fitted (2 yrs ago)when I was 22 I had to have a smear, so they couldn't fit a coil, then the following week I had a touch of thrush (TMI I know, but I always seem to get it when a bit stressed) and then they tugged my cervix which did hurt a tad.

Smears are just part of life, I would rather know if I had something (or didn't!!!!) than go around in a bit of a daze thinking 'it will never happen to me.' I had my first smear at the age of 16 because I was getting really bad stomach cramps, was doubled up in pain and a cyst was found(sorry TMI again)

My mum is scared to go for smears as she is very self conscious but I had a go at her because it affects everyone if something is found. She hides the letters thinking it will go away I keep trying to tell her but she doesn't listen.

Once you have had your first one, you just wonder what all the fuss was about.
Smear tests can save your life, don't ignore the letters!!!

pavlovs_dog

angeluk69 wrote:

Once you have had your first one, you just wonder what all the fuss was about.
Smear tests can save your life, don't ignore the letters!!!

i must agree actually, this is very true - it is all over in a flash

ailuro2

Our practice gives you a blanket and asks you to get undressed from the waist down, or just pop your pants off if you are wearing a loose skirt.

All done behind a screen.

They will talk about the weather/holidays/anything you like.

No, no need for a brazilian but I do admit to shaving my legs first, as the idea of jabbing the practice nurse with my stubbly legs horrifies me!!

It's all over in seconds, and if you feel a little wet don't worry,it's not wee or anything, sometimes the speculum (opener upper thing;) ) seems to be wet-perhaps lubricant or still wet from steam sterilisation)

Nothing at all to worry about.Just make sure you've washed haha!!

Ms_Chocaholic

Nothing to it so don't worry. The speculum is often cold but apart from that it's a doddle. I have to laugh when they tell me to relax - I'll do my best !!!