Cervical Smear Test Anxiety

[anonymous]

I get reminders in the mail I think two or three times a year telling me I need to make an appointment for a smear test, even though I have said to doctors that I don't want to have one.

I have never had one as I really don't think there is any way I would be able to handle it. Just getting the reminder letters can trigger me quite badly. But I am wondering if anyone has managed to overcome their anxiety about this and how they managed to.

 

[Kat83]

I used to be the same until Jade Goody died from Cervical Cancer, they wrote to me from the age of 18 telling me to book in and I never did. It was only when she went public with it and died that I thought 'that could be me and I'll be leaving behind my daughter' so I found the courage and went. It isn't as bad as I first thought either x

 

[anonymous]

We're you triggered by it @Kat83? How did you deal with that? Did you discuss you worries about it first?

 

[Kat83]

The thought of going used to make me feel physically sick, reminders would come through and I would get anxious just thinking about it. My friends used to tell me I was being 'silly' but that never used to help settle me! I used to make appointments to go but then wouldn't attend because the thought of waiting weeks for the results sent me in to a right panic! Back then I was suffering with a mix of depression, anxiety, panic attacks etc and awaiting the results would have made all of that far worse. For me it was a case of talking to my now ex boyfriend who encouraged me to go and get it done and also watching my daughter sleeping one evening, looking so innocent and peaceful, she needed her mum! I then came to understand that the fear of dying from the illness would be far worse than the fear of having it done so I went. x

 

[Hashi]

In the UK, if you don't want to have a test you can sign a form to stop getting the reminders. This lasts for about five years, I think, then they ask you if you want to receive reminders again.

If you want to find a way to have one, then hopefully other people can help you with that.

 

[anonymous]

@Hashi where do you get the form to sign? Would I have to speak to my doctor for it?

@Kat83 thankyou for replying. I am glad you managed to overcome your fear to go.

I don't think there will be chance of me ever being able to go for one but I am interested in hearing if people like me have been able to.

 

[Kat83]

That's ok lovely, if ever you feel like you can go and need to talk about it first, find me here :) x

 

[ClairBear226]

I went through 4 years on infertility treatment with my last child, which meant procedures and tests a lot more invasive than a PAP smear (and, of course, I had that too). Yep, it was rough. I hadn't really dealt with much of my PTSD stuff at all at that point. Minimal therapy, and I never talked about it, so it was even harder. I did tell my Ob/Gyn after about year, though. I kept miscarrying. (I've had 5 total). I thought it was my fault, because I never sought medical treatment after being raped, and I was sure something was wrong that was affecting my ability to carry a baby to term. He couldn't have been more kind. He sat down, and explained that, no, there wasn't anything structurally wrong, and it had nothing to do with having been raped. I simply had a progesterone deficiency that was causing me to have difficulty, and now that that was understood, he was sure it was treatable. My husband went with me to all the appointments. He knew how hard it was for me. And between a wonderful doctor, my wonderful hubs, and the miracles of modern science, we did, in fact, have a beautiful baby girl. She's 11 now. No child has ever been more cherished.

If I had to do it over again, I would suggest this: Talk to the doc right out of the gate. Tell him enough about your history that he can take the extra time needed, and be patient and stop if you need to. In the US, there is always a nurse in the room. If you can't face telling the doc, talk to her. I would do it BEFORE the appointment, so she can advise the MD. A female MD might be helpful. Take along someone you trust. For me, it was the hubby (I have to go again in the near future - and I'm still going to be taking him along for moral support). A good friend will work nicely too. And if you're in therapy, talk to your therapist about it well before the appointment. I would also suggest getting an early morning appointment, so the doc doesn't have a chance to get behind, leaving you suffering in the waiting room, or at home thinking about it all day. And plan something fun for that day. Lunch with a friend, or a movie. Distraction can be a wonderful thing.

I would suggest that you go, though. I really do know how hard it is, but I personally feel it's also very important.

 

[Hashi]

I sent back the reminder letter, writing on it that I didn't want any tests so please stop contacting me, and they sent me a form in response. It came with some inevitable literature trying to dissuade me from opting out. You probably know that the programme is target and payment driven for GPs and providers.

If you decide not to have a test, then I wouldn't worry about it. Again, you're probably aware of the controversy over screening. The questions around the supposed effectiveness (statistically small amounts of data, and unclear about intervention vs what would happen naturally anyway) as well as the risks of overtreatment. My reason for not having tests isn't even trauma related, but because I'm not convinced about them.

I think it's for everyone to make their own choice, based on knowing the arguments both for and against, so if you felt it was important for you then I hope you'd find a way. I just found the reminder letters bullying, and invasive in themselves, so if you want to opt out I wanted to let you know that you can stop getting them.

 

[Definitely..maybe]

Because of a physical condition, I have smears along with similar/more invasive procedures at least once a month. I never thought I'd be able to handle it all, especially because a lot of the time it's done it the ER with a different doctor every time.

I've gotten used to speaking up and letting them know beforehand about my PTSD and sexual assaults/abuse, they're usually very good about being extra gentle and are always willing to give good anxiety meds through an IV and even pain meds (because I have a physically painful reaction to being touched on my twinkle). At my doctors office they have always been willing to write a prescription for me in advance.

I've had to get used to it, but still hate it every time. By some miracle I manage though.

I completely understand if you just plain out cannot or do not want to, but I also have faith that if you do, you are stronger than you think and will definitely be able to overcome it. Either way, make the best decision for you, we'll be here for you!:)

 

[anonymous]

Thankyou for the responses - I can't even make it through the literature they send with the reminder without freaking, and I don't have anyone I can trust with these things that I could take along so it's not something that I see happening for me, but the reminders both trigger and scare me each time and I could do without them really. If I get to a place where I think I can handle it and think it's the right option to take then I can take the appropriate action to get an appointment - one thing I am fairly sure on is that pressurising me with these reminders will not get me to that point. It is something I will need to come to myself in my own time.

if you want to opt out I wanted to let you know that you can stop getting them.

Thankyou it's appreciated and I will do that for now. I would need to look into it more anyway before I agreed to it to decide whether I thought it was necessary, but I am not even able to do that at present. The whole subject is too overwhelming for me.

 

[Footie freak]

Hi anonymous.
I fully understand and can sympathise with your feelings in relation to smear tests, BUT having undergone emergency surgery resulting in a total hysterectomy at the age of 28 - I can't stress enough how important they are. What I would advise, is to see your doctor and talk about the fear you have and maybe he/she could offer you some therapy in the form of counselling/CBT or even EMDR to help you with the fear/panic and anxiety. I am here if you want to talk further. Take care.