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Smear Tests

  • 16-03-2007 10:37AM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 529 ✭✭✭


    Following on from the STI thread I am just wondering where (if any) do a quick response on smear tests.

    I read somewhere that some GP's or clinics in Dubhlin offer the faster service of results but at a higher cost?

    Anybody know where these are??

    I had a colposcopy done two years ago and was told to get a smear every year. I was due to get one in Oct but totally forgot about it :eek: . (I know, very bad to forget).


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    As in a quick appointment that is certainly possible to an appointment fast.

    Smear test resulats are all processed in the same manner unless your's is marked urgent. There is currently a back log due to lack of rescources.

    I would suggest ringing your dr or the well woman clind or ifpa clinc or your local health clinc and asking about having a smear test done.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 529 ✭✭✭d-redser


    I am booked in for one next Friday and that is in the IFPA.

    I remember reading somewhere that a company called Claymore or something similar works with GP's and clinics. They promise a faster result time for smears.

    They collect the sample from the GP and the bring it to the lab and start the process and will have the result back to the GP in 1 week. I am just curious if anyone here have heard of it?

    I wouldnt mind paying the extra if I knew I was getting my result quicker.

    Edit: found the link http://www.claymon.com/gps.html


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    I have never heard of a gp using it here.
    Where would those results fit into the treatment program here ?
    Would they even be reginoised ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 339 ✭✭little lady


    I’ve never come across a delay in getting the results of a smear test and I generally go to my GP. It takes about 2 weeks for the results to come back, if there is any issues they call and if not I get a letter from them about 3\4 weeks after the test was done.

    The last time I got one was just at the beginning of December and I had heard back from them the first week in January.

    It normally costs about €70.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 529 ✭✭✭d-redser


    Little Lady are you in Dublin?

    Every GP or clinic I ring the least time you're waiting is 8 weeks.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 339 ✭✭little lady


    Yes, I'm in Dublin. I can PM you details if you want.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,365 ✭✭✭hunnymonster


    waiting times are long at the moment. My last smear was done in September and I got the results in Febuary and this was on a test marked urgent.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 529 ✭✭✭d-redser


    Yes, I'm in Dublin. I can PM you details if you want.

    Yes please, if you dont mind!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 322 ✭✭boffin


    Little lady, if you wouldn't mind, could you pm me the details of the doctor you go to as well because I got mine done in the first week in January and I still haven't gotten the results. I was told that there is a 16 week wait at the moment.....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,673 ✭✭✭Miss Fluff


    I was told between four and five months and that was at the end of January this year.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36 Siska010


    I recently had a smear test done and I payed 30 euro extra so I got my results in 2 weeks, which I also did.

    I also had the option to not pay anything but then it could take up to 6 months.

    The nurse or doctor who does the smear should tell you about these options, if not, ask about them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,326 ✭✭✭BC


    The last time I was in the WellWoman Centre, they were offering a speedy service. If you paid extra you could have your test sent to London for analysis. It cut the time by about half. Give them a call and see if they are still doing it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,730 ✭✭✭✭simu


    Thaedydal wrote:
    I have never heard of a gp using it here.
    Where would those results fit into the treatment program here ?
    Would they even be reginoised ?

    My GP has started using this as the public service is far too slow. I guess it varies from doc to doc.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,410 ✭✭✭kizzyr


    Siska010 wrote:
    I recently had a smear test done and I payed 30 euro extra so I got my results in 2 weeks, which I also did.

    I also had the option to not pay anything but then it could take up to 6 months.

    The nurse or doctor who does the smear should tell you about these options, if not, ask about them.
    Its a fcuking disgrace that Irish women have to pay €30 EXTRA to get their test back in what is a normal time for every other half decent country in the world. :mad: I had a smear test done in November and got the results in January. It cost me €70 and I had to deliver the test to the hospital lab myself.
    Mary Harney has authorized the withdrawal of funding from the RCSI lab which used to process 45,000 test per year and has given the go ahead for the tests that used to be sent there to be sent to..........wait for it...........Chicago in the USA for processing.Thats part of the reason why the usual wait time is 6 months for the results to come back. And people wonder why Irish women have one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the EU:rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36 Siska010


    kizzyr wrote:
    Its a fcuking disgrace that Irish women have to pay €30 EXTRA to get their test back in what is a normal time for every other half decent country in the world. :mad: I had a smear test done in November and got the results in January. It cost me €70 and I had to deliver the test to the hospital lab myself.
    Mary Harney has authorized the withdrawal of funding from the RCSI lab which used to process 45,000 test per year and has given the go ahead for the tests that used to be sent there to be sent to..........wait for it...........Chicago in the USA for processing.Thats part of the reason why the usual wait time is 6 months for the results to come back. And people wonder why Irish women have one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the EU:rolleyes:

    I felt rather odd myself, since the catch was that I had to bring my 'package' to the local post-office :/


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,410 ✭✭✭kizzyr


    Siska010 wrote:
    I felt rather odd myself, since the catch was that I had to bring my 'package' to the local post-office :/
    LOL I had to do that once too, naturally it was at a time when loads of people were in the post office and the woman at the counter read the address of the clinic out really loud, just to make sure it was going to the right place. Everyone heard her:D Thats why this time I decided to take it straight to the lab myself.;)
    The situation in this country is cracked though, a perfectly good vaccine is available to prevent people dying or at the very least having to endure unpleasant painful procedures to get rid of suspect cells and good ol' Mary has decided its too expensive to give out to everyone. And she wonders why people are forced to opt for private health insurance:rolleyes: The way she carries on you'd swear it was the biggest treat we were giving ourselves paying a fortune to Bupa / Vivas / whoever every month rather than a necessity.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,239 ✭✭✭✭WindSock


    Wow thats angried me up some. I had tests done abroad for free and don't remember waiting long for results at all. I've said it before, I'll say it again, and probably keep on saying it...Third World feckin country.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,410 ✭✭✭kizzyr


    boreds wrote:
    Wow thats angried me up some. I had tests done abroad for free and don't remember waiting long for results at all. I've said it before, I'll say it again, and probably keep on saying it...Third World feckin country.
    Now now be fair, I don't know of any Third World country that has enough in the coffers to allow its Premier spend the equivalent of (more) than the average industrial wage on his make up, or to fork out for a government jet when even bigger countries such as the UK doesn't have one, or (and I love this one especially) allows the ministers to take an ENTIRE weeks holidays to celebrate the feast day (that is just one day) of our national saint ABROAD, while those of us, whose taxes are paying for their jollies get one tiny bank holiday off work.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    I had a sample taken at the end of November, and I'm still waiting for my results. I would definitely pay a little more for a quicker turn around on my results.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    http://www.wellwomancentre.ie/medical.html

    I was researching this last week because I've had some scary symptoms for a while. I'm absolutely terrified since I've never been before. Could someone tell me about it? I saw some diagrams and was so horrified after I made an appointment that I burst into tears after just thinking of it. I'm definitely getting the fast one which is €75 for a 10 day return since it's sent to England. I would have a complete panic waiting months. Could someone who has had one tell me about it before I cancel my appointment for next week. I can see myself not showing up...


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    I personally find it a little uncomfortable, but just get on with it. Doctors are very considerate when giving this type of examination and tend to be very respectful of your privacy. They generally give a running commentary on it all which is meant to keep you informed of what is going on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    How long does it take and what does it involve? I'd rather hear it from someone than a clinical explanation. How exposed are you?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    They will ask you to undress from the waist down and lie down on the couch. You will have privacy to do this and the doctor will only come in when you say that you are ready. they will then conduct a visible examination first, and then take the sample using a speculum and a swab. The speculum might feel cold and a little uncomfortable, and you will consciously have to relax your vaginal muscles, but it is over in a few minutes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36 Siska010


    Confused. wrote:
    How long does it take and what does it involve? I'd rather hear it from someone than a clinical explanation. How exposed are you?

    I asked the nurse to do it, instead of the doctor, because it was my first time. I was scared to death, but the nurse kept on asking questions and I didn't have time to be worried or scared. She explained everything she was going to do and in my honest opinion, the thought of having it done is SO much worse than when you actually get it done. It was over in less then 20 seconds. I didn't feel all that exposed either, if you want they can give you a blanket and you can put that over you.
    Make sure when you go in, you tell him or her that it's your first time and you are scared, they have done it so many times that they know how to react to that :)

    She didn't do any other exam on me, just the smear test. They say they warm up the speculum, but it's not really warm ;)
    Seriously, it's over before you know it!

    good luck!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    Also it is a good idea to bring a sanatry towel with you.
    No not for bleeding but they lube up the vag clamp or the speculum and can use a fiar bit and tbh it is better that you put a towel in place rather then having soild your best pretty under wear that you will have worn to feel better about the whole thing.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,366 ✭✭✭luckat


    Confused. wrote:
    http://www.wellwomancentre.ie/medical.html

    I was researching this last week because I've had some scary symptoms for a while. I'm absolutely terrified since I've never been before. Could someone tell me about it? I saw some diagrams and was so horrified after I made an appointment that I burst into tears after just thinking of it. I'm definitely getting the fast one which is €75 for a 10 day return since it's sent to England. I would have a complete panic waiting months. Could someone who has had one tell me about it before I cancel my appointment for next week. I can see myself not showing up...

    Don't worry. You lie down and put your legs up so they can get at your twat, then they glide a lubricated speculum in there. That's a gadget that slips in easily (relax to make it easier - tip: relax your mouth and the rest relaxes better) - and then open it slightly to spread everything out so they can put a spoony thing in and scrape off a few cells to test.

    It's faintly uncomfortable - most of us don't like strangers fecking around down there unless they're doing it for purposes of pleasure - but no more than that. You don't have a lot of nerves where they're scraping, so the discomfort is really in the speculum, and that's more strangeness than anything else.

    I hope that your symptoms are something ordinary like thrush or cystitis - sore and annoying, but not serious illness. Most likely this is so.

    Courage, mon brave!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,375 ✭✭✭metrovelvet


    Its uncomfortable but I dont know why people are getting operatic about it. Most american women get this done once a year from the age of 16-17 and no one ever even thinks twice about it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,730 ✭✭✭✭simu


    Yeah, they're fine really. Over in the blink of an eye and only slightly uncomfortable. Go do it, Confused!


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 27,418 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    You are also quite entitled to ask them to use a smaller speculum if you feel you need it. They all have them in their kit as they need them for the rare occasions when they examine very young women. They open to the same extent but they are smaller on insertion.

    It's your body and you have every right to control what they do to it.

    I find if I make a conscious effort to keep my bum pressed into the table it makes things easier for them. Sometimes no matter how much your head has decided to allow the speculum in, your pelvic muscles say 'not today, thank you' and fire it back out. The doctor will be used to this, it's no big deal. The insertion of the speculum is generally the most difficult part of these procedures.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    'dudara, you said you have to consiosly relax your muscles during it - i just want to know what to do, because i can't relax at all. i really need to go for my first smear (i'm 26!) but i just cant relax even though the doctor/nurse are lovely and chat away etc. even though they know it doesnt help. its not embarrassment, its because i experienced abuse and i just can't relax. the whole thing makes me feel sick and invaded again. does anyone have any tips or anything? dont know what to do. :('


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