Smear Test

Armchair23

I'm with j.e.j on this.

In an ideal world you don't need to be taking sedatives for routine procedures.

Just take your time, get your head in a good place and this will seem just another ordinary thing (maybe one you don't welcome!) in your life.

Feel in a good place about yourself and so many of these things will just seem doable. Honest!

belfastgirl23

I think the smear issue is a symptom rather than a problem in itself. You are at low risk and potentially you could just put this off. You are choosing to face up to it and I admire you for this!

You have overcome your fear of the dentist. What steps did you take? And what did you learn from this process to help you with this? You are seeing a GP for anxiety - have you tried relaxation exercises, meditation etc? Yoga helped me manage my anxiety and encouraged me to explore meditation etc. This is a more sustainable way to manage these issues. But again, good for you for facing it, it's all too easy to bury your head in the sand.

On top of that though I think you need to find out what the procedure you had as a child was and what the implications of this might be. At some point you will probably meet someone and perhaps want to have children. Obviously this would be incredibly difficult from where you are now. Surely this would be in your medical records?

As an aside, is your mum very uncomfortable talking about this operation etc? That might partly explain why you also feel so anxious and uncomfortable about it. It seems kind of odd to me she doesn't really remember anything about it. Unless you have fifteen brothers and sisters of course

I think you're absolutely right trying to address this now. Both because of the impact it would have on your future in terms of being with someone else. But also if you have a generalised health anxiety, at some point the likelihood is that you will have to interact with the medical profession and figure out how to deal with this. I have recently witnessed a much loved family member deal with a terminal diagnosis. I had an inkling that he had been slightly agoraphobic for a long time but had not realised the extent of his anxiety til he was suddenly thrown into a position of having to deal with his agoraphobia at the same time as his diagnosis. It was truly horrific, for him and for the whole family. Believe me, you do not want to be in this position if/when a time comes in the distant future when you need medical attention. You want at least to be able to deal with the situation of being in a medical environment so that you can seek the best treatment options and this can be ruled by your medical needs rather than your fears. I'm pretty sure that in my relative's case, he did not seek help early enough but also was much less able to endure treatment because of his anxiety. And meant we had less time with him and what time there was was ruled by his anxiety and stress. Believe me, this is not how anyone wants to spend their life, especially when there isn't much of it left. Sorry to be so morbid but it's only in strengthening yourself now that you make yourself better able to cope in the future.

lilahloo

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

You're thread has reminded me I really need to book mine

I've put it off for 4 years as stupid as it sounds I'm worried more that they might find something which is exactly why I should go but the thought terrifies me

Please get it done. I haven't read all the thread so someone else might have said this too.

I had an abnormal smear over 10 years ago and I had to have a colposcopy and the cells zapped. It wasn't the most pleasant experience but it didn't hurt. I have a cousin who didn't have her smears, she ignored signs things weren't right and by the time she went to her Dr she had cervical cancer.

I understand people find these procedures embarrassing and sometimes uncomfortable but now the speculums are plastic and the nurses do so many of them it's over before you know it. These screenings are free - we are so lucky to have them available to us.

OP I would honestly recommend getting the practice nurse to do it. She will have done far more of them than your gp.

Climbing down off my soap box now.......

*max*

lilahloo wrote: »

Please get it done. I haven't read all the thread so someone else might have said this too.

I had an abnormal smear over 10 years ago and I had to have a colposcopy and the cells zapped. It wasn't the most pleasant experience but it didn't hurt. I have a cousin who didn't have her smears, she ignored signs things weren't right and by the time she went to her Dr she had cervical cancer.

I understand people find these procedures embarrassing and sometimes uncomfortable but now the speculums are plastic and the nurses do so many of them it's over before you know it. These screenings are free - we are so lucky to have them available to us.

OP I would honestly recommend getting the practice nurse to do it. She will have done far more of them than your gp.

Climbing down off my soap box now.......

Totally agree! I was too embarrassed to have it done for a long time (paranoia about my weight, my "grooming"...lol), and kept putting it off. Finally I gave myself a kick up the bum, told myself not to be so silly, and went. The nurse was lovely, made me feel at ease. She did have to go and get a longer speculum because apparently my cervix is very high up...so that could have been awkward, but wasn't, really. It wasn't painful, and it was done in 5 minutes tops, including changing speculum. Nothing to worry about at all, and nothing to feel embarrassed about. I regret not going sooner now! All clear was given a week later, so now I'm fine for another 3 years. Don't put it off, it's not worth it! It really isn't - and it could save your life.

loveka

I really do think that one valium every 3 years before a smear would not be a problem! If it is the difference between going and not going. Some people get stressed about 'routine proceedures' and may need help. Others don't.

littlemiss_pretty

I have never had a smear test becuase I was always told that it can only be done once you are sexually active otherwise it can mess up with your virginity (this information was provided by a professional nurse) which is not correct at all.
Yes smears are not very pleasant but 5 minutes of discomfort is better then years of other treatments sorting it out.
Don't be scared at all.
A woman can do anything (sorry if i am being a feminist here) but it is true.
Good luck

fairy_lights

littlemiss_pretty wrote: »

I have never had a smear test becuase I was always told that it can only be done once you are sexually active otherwise it can mess up with your virginity (this information was provided by a professional nurse) which is not correct at all.

That is absolutely appalling, I can't believe nurses in this day and age would spread such nonsense.
As if you could lose your virginity to a speculum :rotfl:

fairydiamond

Edit: My comments aren't helping, so I've deleted them. Do whatever you want to do. Your choice.

fairy_lights

fairydiamond wrote: »

I'm sorry but you are a FOOL if you don't have a smear. It could literally save your life.

Why is everyone tip toeing around this lady? Seriously? I sympathise that you are anxious, I really do. But come on, it doesn't hurt, its quick... you were already half way there just by getting your clothes off and laying down with your legs open.

Nobody is saying the OP should give up on ever having a smear done, but this is about more than just feeling a little bit anxious.
She has severe, diagnosed anxiety that she is currently receiving help for, and has never been intimate with anyone or even explored her own body. Her posts on this thread show how willing she is to find ways round this to enable her to get a smear done but for someone with her level of anxiety it's really not as simple as just taking your clothes off and opening your legs.

fairydiamond

fairy_lights wrote: »

Nobody is saying the OP should give up on ever having a smear done, but this is about more than just feeling a little bit anxious.
She has severe, diagnosed anxiety that she is currently receiving help for, and has never been intimate with anyone or even explored her own body. Her posts on this thread show how willing she is to find ways round this to enable her to get a smear done but for someone with her level of anxiety it's really not as simple as just taking your clothes off and opening your legs.

Yes I understand that which is why I suggested taking an ipod to listen to to try and take her mind off it.