Smear Fear

LegacyUser

Hi all, I know you can't solve any medical problems for me so to start I just want to say I have already booked my smear test for tomorrow.

I am freaking out...for the past 3 or so months I have been having light irregular bleeding between periods. While reading about Jade it occurred to me to look up the symptoms of cervical cancer and I freaked out when I saw bleeding as the main one. (I'm not on the pill or anything) I also have started occasionally getting pains during sex, maybe 3or4 times over a few months of regular sex. This was yesterday.

I rang to book test for tomorrow eve and was relieved that I was able to get an appointment so fast...until I was told that the waiting time for results has gone up to 10-12weeks!! Now I'm so upset. I just don't know if I can calm down and wait this long as I am completely paniced over this.

How do I just get on with things fir the next 10-12weeks? I'm sick with worry over this and have barely been able to eat a thing all day.

If I explain that I have been bleeding can they get the results faster?

*Honey*

Talk to the doctor about your fears when you get there - it could be from somthing else entirely, totally innocent. Panicking and stressing won't help one way or the other. Self diagnosis via Dr Google is also a REALLY bad idea - don't do it again.

See if the doc can speed things up - but even just talking to him/her will help put your mind at ease.

Reminds me, I must book mine.

BTW are you aware that, as long as your doc is on the list of approved doctors, your test is free? Check out http://www.cervicalcheck.ie/ for info.

smileysurfer

[QUOTE

Reminds me, I must book mine.
QUOTE]

+ Il second that!

Hopefully If you explain your worries and symptoms to your doc they mite be able to speed it up for you.
I think everyone Is getting a bit nervous over all the media coverage lately.
But its better to be safe than sorry! Good Luck

Salome

If you've had a smear test within the last 3 years and you had no symptoms then, it's possible that your symptoms now are unrelated.

I also booked a smear test - because of Jade - and was told by my practice nurse that I didn't need one as my last one was clear and that was in April 2007. It's every 3 years now for women my age - I'm 37.

If you are worried, get the test done and wait - I'm sure you'll be fine - the worry might be causing the symptoms to appear worse.

Take the worry away and get checked, just to ease your mind. I don't know if they can fast-track results though.

Good luck!

Faith

Self-diagnosing on google is dangerous. I was having unusual bleeding too, and had practically convinced myself of cervical cancer. Popped along to my doctor who took a look and said it was a cervical erosion, which is really common. She did a smear anyway, and it came back completely normal.

As for the results, I know my doctor told me to send mine to a lab in Dublin who get the results back to you in two weeks. I had to put in a cheque for €30 and send it off myself. The lab is called Claymon. Maybe ask your doctor about that?

The main thing is, don't panic! There's dozens of reasons for irregular bleeding and it's extremely unlikely to be cancer.

Irregular bleeding is very common. It could be any number of things. I did have an abnormal smear result, and the bleeding I was having had nothing to do with it. I wouldn't worry about it. When you do go for the smear, they might be able to explain what's wrong.

Daisygirl

Agree with Honey, self diagnosis is not a good idea!! Have a chat to your doctor explain your worries I'm sure he/she will help ease your mind and don't be afraid to tell them all, it's stressful enough going for a test and remember other factors could cause your symptons.

I've had an abnormal test and they've requested a retest, but I've been told that it can happen especially at certain times of your cycle

Best of luck x

Quiet Lurker

Faith wrote: »

Self-diagnosing on google is dangerous. I was having unusual bleeding too, and had practically convinced myself of cervical cancer. Popped along to my doctor who took a look and said it was a cervical erosion, which is really common. She did a smear anyway, and it came back completely normal.

As for the results, I know my doctor told me to send mine to a lab in Dublin who get the results back to you in two weeks. I had to put in a cheque for €30 and send it off myself. The lab is called Claymon. Maybe ask your doctor about that?

The main thing is, don't panic! There's dozens of reasons for irregular bleeding and it's extremely unlikely to be cancer.

Hi, Just wish to clarify a few issues raised. Firstly, if the OP is over 25 years then she should have her smear done under the Cervical Check scheme and it will be completely free. Secondly I don't know where she was given information that there is a 10 - 12 week turn around time. There now is a 3 week turn around for results (make sure your sample is not sitting in GP surgery for weeks)
A private lab is only required if you are under 25 and would like a test. In tihs case there will be the normal consultation fee to your doctor and the laboratory fee also.

I was told a 10-12 week wait, and that was going private and paying a fortune. Had smear tests done here and in the north and that's the usual wait time.

Faith

Quiet Lurker wrote: »

Hi, Just wish to clarify a few issues raised. Firstly, if the OP is over 25 years then she should have her smear done under the Cervical Check scheme and it will be completely free. Secondly I don't know where she was given information that there is a 10 - 12 week turn around time. There now is a 3 week turn around for results (make sure your sample is not sitting in GP surgery for weeks)
A private lab is only required if you are under 25 and would like a test. In tihs case there will be the normal consultation fee to your doctor and the laboratory fee also.

Oh yeah, you're right actually. Sorry, completely forgot about that. Labs aren't taking smears for under-25's or something, so I had to send it off to a different lab. Thanks for clearing that up.

LegacyUser

Firstly, you are all such good ppl to take the time to write back and reassure me. Thank you!

I am 25 and have never had a test before. I am going to a well woman clinic as there were no soon appointments at either of my local listed doctors and I am at the right time in my cycle. It was a lady from the clinic who told me the long wait.

I am probably just being silly to have allowed myself get so upset...there are plenty of less serious things it could be! I just need a cuddle and time to take a few big deep breaths to calm down, crying my eyes out won't help me

Thank u all again so much for the support. X

Nevyn

If you sign up on http://www.cervicalcheck.ie/ they will send you out a list of dr near you which can do it for you and you can compare wait times.

Salome

You're not alone - I think every woman has gone through this at some stage of their lives. It's possible that the Jade coverage is making you feel extra-concerned - don't panic. Get the test done, it doesn't hurt, it's more like a little discomfort. Don't feel embarrassed, the nurse or doctor have done thousands of these tests and see it just as a procedure. You'll be fine.

I must say, poor Jade is doing a lot of good by publicising her situation - it's making girls more aware and that has to be a good thing.

Talliesin

Metrorrhagia (bleeding between periods) can be caused by a lot of things, some very bad, some quite bad and some just being that you've a relatively low level of œstrogen that isn't low enough to cause you problems but does cause these symptoms.

Because of the possibility of the very bad and quite bad causes, it is definitely worth being checked out, (and do talk to your ob/gyn about other possible causes if the smear comes back clear), but it is more than possible that the causes are either minor and treatable or harmless.

I've known a few women with some degree of metrorrhagia, and considering that it's not the sort of thing all women discuss with their male friends very often, that probably indicates it being very common indeed. A couple of cases were related to more serious issues (none of them cancer, though) and the rest have just been the way their hormone levels were.

LegacyUser

I'm 23 and had my first one done back in October - I was initially more worried about the experience of getting the test done than the actual results!! It's far from a pleasant experience but it was actually not as bad as I'd thought it would be! I had a 2 week wait for my results (no, I'm not in Ireland!) and thankfully everything came back clear. Don't worry, OP. The bleeding you're experiencing could be any number of things. Self-diagnosis over the internet can cause unnecessary worry and anguish so try to refrain!

LegacyUser

Hi all,
Phew!! All done! Not as horrible an experiance as I had feared!

Was worried I would still be stressed as I wait for the results but I feel a HUGE weight has been lifted off me! Was so worth it!

Now to just keep my fingers and toes crossed til I get the results. Thanks again all