Smear Test

Claire_MUFC

Hey everyone,


I got the letter I have been dreading for a while at the beginning of the year 'inviting' me for a smear test. At first I pretended I hadn't got the letter, and stuffed it under my matress. But knowing the importance of having this procedure carried out, I eventually plucked up the courage and made an appointment with the practice nurse


Day of the appointment came, was hugely worried the night before, but I got up and went. Nurse called me in, bit of an introductary chat. Got undressed and lay on the couch, nurse called in another member of staff to hold my hand as I was petrified but even this didn't help and it was downhill from there


I was that bad, I couldn't even let the nurse insert the speculum. Each time she tried to even go near me with it, I freaked out, waterworks in full flow, everything. So in the end, she gave up, as she didn't want to put me through any more stress than necessary


She said that at nearly 25 and never been sexually active before, I am at very low risk anyway. Was left with maybe come back when I am feeling a bit braver


Problem is, I really don't know how I can ever let her do it. Takes me back to the dentist when I was terrified and stopped going completely, I did get over it, but had to find a dentist I was comfortable with to help me through my fears and coax me through it. But my levels of scaredness are exactly the same


It's not like I won't visit the doctors and let them do anything. One GP I am seeing there at the moment is lovely, going through depression and anxiety so seeing him on a regular basis, every 2-3 weeks at the moment


It's more invasive things that terrify me, and being someone who has no confidence at all, very depressed, I have to be comfortable and then be coaxed through it

Anoneemoose

I have had major health anxiety in the past but I always managed to have my smear. It has never been an issue and cannot understand why people find them scary. I was more scared of the results!!

However, I do appreciate that people get anxious about different things and so you need to find a way for you to cope. Is there something specific you're frightened will happen?

Claire_MUFC

I think its a couple of things really

Never actually had anything inside of me, or even touched myself down there soextremely nervous as to what it will feel like

Also, when I was baby I had an operation done 'down there' because I didn't open up properly. Was meant to go back in my teen when I started menstrual cycle to see a doctor to check all was ok, but never did as I was pretrified of anything health related and my mum knew it would be a battle to get me go. As everything has been ok since, periods normal and regular. Never had any reason to go

I think I am scared that them going 'down there' may injure anything done in whatever the operation was for. Or them even finding anything worng scares me

I don't even know what the op was, and mum can't remember what it was called

Also generally being extremely self conscious, have social anxiety which my GP is working with me on at the moment, I don't really like people I don't know looking down there

Scared of any invasive medical procedure in general

Elfbert

On the bright side, you are indeed extremely low risk So don't stress out on that front!

But you are also correct in that they are important tests.

I think it's very positive that the nurse called for someone else to come and hold your hand. She could clearly appreciate that you were worried!

Perhaps phone the doctor's practice and ask them to get the nurse to call you back/ask to speak to the nurse. You could then either explain your anxiety on the telephone, or arrange to go and see them with no 'threat' of actually having a smear done! And they could perhaps reassure you, show you anything you wanted to know about in a totally non-threatening situation.

They may even suggest that you take a prescribed anxiety medication before you go, if the doctor agreed.

I would also explain that you'd had a procedure done when you were younger, so they could perhaps look on your records and be prepared or aware if there's anything they could do which might be more uncomfortable for you, or which they should take a quick look at, as you didn't have a follow up procedure.

You can always take a friend or relative in with you, too, if it would help. I had a coil fitted and made my partner come with me so I could crush his hand

You should also keep in mind that you overcame your dentist fear, which is brilliant! I'm trying to overcome that one myself at the moment I'm too scared to even book an appointment!

Claire_MUFC

Elfbert wrote: »

On the bright side, you are indeed extremely low risk So don't stress out on that front!

But you are also correct in that they are important tests.

I think it's very positive that the nurse called for someone else to come and hold your hand. She could clearly appreciate that you were worried!

Perhaps phone the doctor's practice and ask them to get the nurse to call you back/ask to speak to the nurse. You could then either explain your anxiety on the telephone, or arrange to go and see them with no 'threat' of actually having a smear done! And they could perhaps reassure you, show you anything you wanted to know about in a totally non-threatening situation.

They may even suggest that you take a prescribed anxiety medication before you go, if the doctor agreed.

I would also explain that you'd had a procedure done when you were younger, so they could perhaps look on your records and be prepared or aware if there's anything they could do which might be more uncomfortable for you, or which they should take a quick look at, as you didn't have a follow up procedure.

You can always take a friend or relative in with you, too, if it would help. I had a coil fitted and made my partner come with me so I could crush his hand

You should also keep in mind that you overcame your dentist fear, which is brilliant! I'm trying to overcome that one myself at the moment I'm too scared to even book an appointment!

Funnily enough, I am on an anxiety medication at the moment. Sertraline 100mg, which isused to treat both depression and anxiety, so unsure whether my GP would actually let me take any other anxiety medication

I think part of the problem is with people I don't know, I struggle to really tell them how I feel, which is partly due to the social anxiety thing which I am awaiting CBT for. My GP knows this all too well with stuff recently I have been getting worse at home yet was too terrified to ask GP for help, but having seen him on numerous occasions before, have finally started kind of speaking to him about stuff

The nurse was nice enough, i just really struggled

Would it be a possibility to dicuss these fears with the GP first ? Or is a male GP not likely to really discuss fears relating to a smear test ?

MissSarah151

You can always speak to your GP about these things Maybe once you know exactly what happens and gain information about the operation you had as a child you will feel more comfortable.

Sncjw

I'm worried about mine too. I got a letter last year and another this year but when I went to get something checked out at sexual health clinic the doc wanted to insert the speculum but I couldn't do it. It was hurting so much that he gave up. I haven't been sexually active Ethier and it's the speculum putting me off.

Claire_MUFC

MissSarah151 wrote: »

You can always speak to your GP about these things Maybe once you know exactly what happens and gain information about the operation you had as a child you will feel more comfortable.

Can that be any GP , including the male who is currently treating my anxiety and depression ?

McKneff

I haven't trawled through all your thread, just one or two posts.


What concerns me is that you have a problem in your 'brain'


For goodness sake, yes, I agree, it is 'down there' but you need to face it. It is your vagina, you also, 'down there' have an anus. Someone, somewhere in your life has damaged you so much it makes me sad. Its your body and it is the most natural thing in the world.




Could someone remind me of the programme on the TV which was a major drama a few years ago in which a lady just like the OP went to a therapist and was told to look in a mirror at her anatomy and accept what was part of her body....

Torry_Quine

It does surprise me that they wanted to do a smear before you have been sexually active. When I first went to see about contraception when I was getting married they said that normally they would do a smear they wouldn't as I had never been sexually active.

Could you see a female doctor to explain your fears to, she will also have your notes with details of the surgery you had.

MissSarah151

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

Can that be any GP , including the male who is currently treating my anxiety and depression ?

Yes - I think this is a good plan Just remember you managed to get over your dentist fear - you will get through this fear too