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Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
I'm 27 and should have had a smear test by now but I haven't been able to pluck up the courage to do it yet due to various anxiety issues around doctors' surgeries (phoning to make the appointment, needle phobia, strange people interfering with my lady parts)
Could some of you ladies give me a quick overview of what happens to reassure me it won't be as horrifying as I think? What questions do they ask you, is there any chance a needle will be involved etc. I know how important something like this is especially is my bf's ex died of cancer last year aged only 29. Thanks |
#2
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
Thanks millerlou - that's really helpful
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#3
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
^^ WiIIow, that perfectly describes me too. I'm 29 and have never been. Don't think I ever will. I've stopped telling people I don't go because I'm sick of the lectures I get 'you're going to die' 'look at Jade Goody' 'it's only a minute and they've seen it all before!'. None of it helps. I've researched it thoroughly and it's my choice to make (please no one lecture me on this thread, it's a very personal decision and mine alone). I wrote to the NHS and got them to stop sending me letters because it made me feel anxious every time I got one. It's annoying that if I go to the doctors about anything they bring it up too. Once I went about having blocked ears and they started lecturing me about the smear! I hate doctors enough as it is and it puts me off going even more.
Anyway, sorry for going off on one Raunioilla - I've had the tests explained to me by the doctors and they say for most people it doesn't hurt, it's just a bit uncomfortable. There are no needles and it doesn't last long. If you feel you should go and would feel better having done so then good luck with it note: please no one quote this as I'll probably end up wanting to delete this. |
#4
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
^ good for you - your body your choice!
OP, they can be a bit uncomfortable but the nurse will be understanding and should help you be relaxed, which definitely helps. I put my last one off for years because I was too scared to make the call - have you got anyone that can make the call for you? |
#5
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
I thought this was an interesting article by Anna Sayburn weighing up the pros and cons of having a smear test:
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#6
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
They are a bit embarassing but painless, the alternative is waiting till u have symptoms then having 1. By then it may be to late. I would get 1 it lasts 2mins and done by female doctor/nurse who seen it all b4
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#7
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
Amber Fyre I completely agree with you and have had almost an identical experience. They've been pestering me with letters for the last few years and each time I open another one it just makes me feel more anxious and annoyed. I eventually wrote to my GP surgery last year kindly asking them to stop harassing me. They then rang me and left me a voicemail asking me to ring them back As it happens I was at the doctor's about a week later for an asthma review when the nurse brought it up. I explained my reasons for not wanting to have it done (which I feel are perfectly valid) which she was fine with and that was the end of it. At the end of the day it is your body and it is your choice and as far as I'm concerned nobody should make you feel pressurised into doing something you don't want to do.
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#8
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
I'm not a 'lady', nor a woman, so perhaps I shouldn't be posting in this Thread. But it does remind me of the dilemma I used to face when needing to have an inoculation updated. Like many people I don't like needles, but when I reflected on the amount of discomfort a needle would give me... and the amount of discomfort contracting typhoid or tetanus would give me.. it was a 'no-brainer'. I had to 'bite the bullet' and go for the jab.
There's another factor to be borne in mind. It might be 'your body and your decision' whether to get a Smear done. But if you got cancer other people (ie taxpayers) have to pick up the bill. Millions are spent by the NHS on Scanning and preventative medicine, to help make the NHS affordable to the nation. So, to be fair, it's not just a matter of what's 'right' for you... you have a responsibility to do your bit and help out... despite your possible embarrassment and anxiety about the matter. I've just turned 60 and was sent a post-it-back poo-sample test to check for possible bowel cancer. It wasn't a particularly pleasant process, spanning 3 days. But I'm very grateful that the NHS sent this out. I credit myself for not being guilty of 'failing to see the wood for the trees'. Anxiety can create havoc in our lives... but there are limits to what sort of nonsense we should allow ourselves to endure. (Hope I don't get an 'M-Y-O-B' post in return ) |
#9
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
No M-Y-O-B reply from me Lifebuoy, you're entitled to your opinion, whether you are female or not
I can appreciate what you are saying and in light of young people getting cervical cancer it's great that the NHS are trying to make as many people aware of it as they can. I do still feel like the letters they continually sent me were bordering on harassment (maybe I'm just over-sensitive about it) and ultimately, it is still my decision. I feel I have valid reasons for not having a smear done and whilst anxiety does play a small role in my decision, embarrassment certainly doesn't. |
#10
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
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The 'bill' is what it would cost the NHS to treat you, if you consented to having the treatment for cancer. Incidentally, based on your earlier Post, it sounds like you need to have a think about how your life is going. It doesn't sound too positive. Up to you Woof, but it would be interesting to know more... |
#11
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
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#12
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
I had one done recently having avoided it for a while, it was over with in about three mins, slightly uncomfortable for about 5 seconds but otherwise fine. Tbh though my mind was elsewhere, concentrating on puking into a dish as I didn't feel well that way, so wasn't taking much notice of what she was doing.
Does anyone know how long they usually take to get back to you? I remember the nurse gave me a time frame but I forget how long it is before you get your results back. |
#13
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
IIRC, they only give you results if they're not normal.
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#14
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
^Really?! I'm probably thinking too much into this but if that's the case and then say for example your results are abnormal but the letter gets lost in the post... you would never know... you'd just assume your results were normal. Obviously most people would ring their doc to ask about results etc, but still.
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#15
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
Yeah, i always thought that was stupid system really.
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#16
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
If you don't want to have to make an appointment over the phone, there are some GU clinics where you can just go along on the day and tell them you'd like a smear test.
It's not horrifying at all, there's no needles and the nurses are used to people being nervous and putting you at ease with it all. If you haven't had the cervical cancer vaccine, it is worth asking if they will still give it to you (they might, they might not, I think it depends a bit on your age, and whether the catch up thing with older women is still a thing), needle issues permitting ofcourse. |
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
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#18
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
I don't think it's as simple as that Lifebuoy. I posted a rather lengthy article about the pros and cons of having a smear earlier in the week so here's my attempt at a summary:
Positives: The rate of cervical cancer has fallen since the test was introduced so it certainly has been effective in many cases. Negatives: There's quite a high margin of error so according to the article I quoted 40% of women who have regular tests will have an incorrect positive smear at some time in their lives with all the anxiety and upset that can cause. Conversely it's quite common for the test to miss a developing cancer completely. It does seem to be one of the less accurate of medical tests. As it's such an invasive, anxiety provoking procedure I would only have it done myself if I thought it would detect cancer with close to complete accuracy. I also had a friend who had a very bad experience with an insensitive GP who left her in a lot of pain which adds to my trepidation. It really is a personal decision though and I don't think there's a right or wrong answer because it has saved many lives. |
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
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#21
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
I went to have it done because the thought of having to go had me wound up and anxious since I was in my mid teens. Now its over with for a few years I feel much better... About that at least.
It was rubbish but overall better than expected, considering what it involves. Bleh. |
#22
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
I could never have a smear test ever again. I have a massive hatred of whats 'down there' to the point where I wish I could get rid of it. The idea of letting someone near that area absolutely repulses me. A nurse once told me that virgins don't get cervical cancer. I stand by that!!!
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#25
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
Wow - this turned into quite a discussion! Not a bad thing by any means - i've quite enjoyed reading through everyone's comments so no need for apologies.
Thanks to everyone who has spoken up about their experiences. It has definitely helped me feel a bit less nervous about the whole thing. |
#26
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
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I know it causes anxiety it did when I went for one but I wasn't talking about that I was referring to the 'I hate my life so and don't care if I get cancer' bit. when they/anyone would hate it if they did actually have it. |
#27
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
Hi just wanted to say it is uncomfortable and a little embrassing but once it is done then you wouldnt have to worry about not having it done. The idea of having it done is the worst point. you have it done mid cycle otherwise the result maybe unreadable and then you have to have it done again.Also you dont have to go to GP you can have done at well women clinic that do this all the time so it may make you feel more as at ease. I would say just get it over and done with and then its one less thing to worry about
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#28
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#29
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Re: Going to the doctors - one for the ladies
^ SA can be life threatening, it has a high comorbidity with depression and people have taken their lives over it. With depression it isn't as simple as realising that other people are worse off and then 'getting over' it. When you have depression it can remove absolutely all hope and all motivation in life. It isn't always logical and you're not always thinking straight and rationally, but it is what it is. I've been in the position of not wanting tests like this because I didn't care whether I lived or died and it really isn't as simple as you are suggesting. When I was that depressed I really just didn't give a crap what happened to me and wasn't going to intentionally go out of my way to do unpleasant things like this test which would have just made me feel worse.
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