The general anaesthetic is actually as scary for me as any invasive procedure. Almost more so. I will do anything to avoid that. If they tell me that is the ONLY way they can do it, I don't think I can go through with it. I don't mind the pain of the smear test but it was the physical tensing of the muscles - involuntary - that prevented them from going deep enough for long enough to get the sample they needed. It seems crazy to think that my only option to have this done might be to put me to sleep - with all the risks that involves. To me, the risk of not waking up again is worse than any other risks. And I don't know how to get around this fear....
On the other hand, yes i am probably jumping the gun by quite a mile or several!! It was just that at the mention of anaesthetic, the thought "serious" filled my mind and now I'm desperately trying to get beyond that illusion. (Such as, I bumped into a neighbour this morning who out of the blue mentioned that she has had a colostomy bag since she had bowel cancer back in 1992 - and I convinced myself to think that if she managed to survive surgery and obviously anaesthetic even way back then, then surely I need to stop being a baby and accept that millions of people come through anaesthetic quite safely. But I am still scared...)
when i first had general i was abit anxious, but had it several times now, for different ops ( had a few for different things ) and i actually love it .. 😃
you wake up and its all fixed .. then you just need to rest up..
Girl, you have my complete and utter support and sympathy. Me and you = one and the same, even down to the Dentist experience (mine was at 10, removing a baby tooth with gas: a 'lovely(!)' Chinese dentist pinning me down to put the mask over my face).
I too am not great with Smear Tests (I seem to have great muscle control there: the Speculum shoots out of me down to the bottom of the couch(!) but all have been clear). Also went for my first Mamogram 2yrs ago: I will always go for regular checks as I know what's entailed.)
Also, my totally inept GP wasn't able to insert a mirena coil for me when they first came out: I was in a terribly compromising postion (legs a-kimbo and in need of contraception) that I just grunted at him "For Christ Sake! Just put a Mini Copper in then!!": hence more heavy bleeding. So there lies my dislike of Dentists, Doctors, and Gynaes in general!!!
I too have bottled out lots of things 'gynae'. I'm still bleeding as regular as a teenager (yeah, a 54yr old 'teenager!!), but i don't get the cramps, chunks, pains etc.
True they're fluctuating a bit in that one month will be light in colour and flow; others have been a bit heavier (like the last one). But I don't feel I have a big issue with these things generally now.
I did take Tranexamic Acid for heaving bleeding for quite a while in my mid-40s: really did the trick. But the heavy bleeding was largely caused by an IUD (always had them, the Mini Copper's were notorious for it, so just got used to heavy bleeding). Decided to stop taking this med just to check how things were without.....and never felt the need to take one again
I'll warn you: I am brilliant at advising EVERYONE else to go check things out: I am terrible at taking my own advice. But, true to form, I am going to tell YOU to put your fears/worries behind you.....and go see that gynae, because even I would!
I always say that our NHS comes into its own when you're either accessing it through A&E or its an emergency. All credit to your GP: he's doing right by you in this case.
As for anaesthetic: I'm sure you will be in completely good hands. I've only had it a couple of times (adenoids, tonsils as a kid; nasal polyps & sinus flush a couple of years ago), but the last time I felt completely safe and in good hands: believe it or not the Anaesthetist is one of the most important people in that operating theatre, next to the Surgeon!!
There are ladies on here who have had to endure a multitudes of gynae and other surgeries, and I take my hat off to them. But as I see, they're all replying to you to put your concerns into perspective, get yourself checked out and then you will know the options/issues facing you.
One of my sister's had abnormal cells after her smear when she was in her late 40s. (she's 62, been on HRT for 7yrs: loves it!). She had something like laser treatment to cauterise the cells: never looked back.
She's sort of my Heroine regarding gynae issues as she is so matter-of-fact about things. As she says "if you feel embarrassed, take some baby wipes with you, freshen up in the loo and don't worry about it. Afterall, these people have seen it ALL, and girl, you ain't THAT special!!!" - and of course I know she's so bloody right!
As I'm getting older, I'm getting more comfortable with all aspects of 'Me'. So much so, that reading your post is going to get me making an appointment for a Smear in the next week!!!
Chin Up Kid, You're not on your own with worrying about such things, but just see this referral as a positive thing. I would say if your GP hasn't put something in his referral letter about your being a 'nervous patient', then you feel free to tell the gynae, and don't forget they'd prefer to know this in advance.
Your are brave Deborah: I lost mine too, but opted to have the general, but I had a D&C while I was out: clean as a whistle I think the gynae said at the time. (Funny, I forgot all about this 'op'!)
The funniest thing was when they were trying to bring me round, one of the theatre staff (male) was talking about me: "Oh this one was really hard to get under. She had quiet a bit to get her out". With that, without opening my eyes, I said very clearly "Yeah, that's cos' I'm a nosey cow!"!!!. Think he may have appreciated an incontinence pad at that minute!!!
Visits to the Gynae every year? You either have private health care or you don't live in the UK! Here it's smears every three years and mammograms every two after the age of 50. Marie....none of these procedures are pleasant - I had to have a colposcopy years ago which freaked me out but the alternative freaked me out more!!! I'm sure they are only suggesting anaesthesia because you are so tense. Unfortunately you are in a catch 22 situation as your anxiety will only make things worse. Hopefully talking about your fears here will help? Whatever you do you need to get this sorted. *hugs*
Yep, totally with you there fofoma! I'd say most women in the UK using this site are 99.5% likely to be using the NHS only. I'm of the opinion I can go buy some info from a gynae privately: but I'd only be jumping a queue, to see someone who I'd likely see via the NHS!!
Again, if I wanted to take a more 'alternative' route to Peri/Meno issues, there's a multitude of people out there waiting to snatch my money from my sweaty palm - and some! But I think all I'd be interested in is looking into bioidential stuff. And what I gather is whether I pay someone £150 for a consultation just to then buy 90 quids worth of bioidentical stuff, I may as well buy it myself - with some research - on the internet!! Afterall, aren't we always being told this stuff is unlicenced in the UK?
I'll stick to my £20 pot of Serenity for the time being: if it works, great, if not I'm £20 down, fatter, older,wiser and still in Peri!!!
You're right: nothing internal is great, but what's the alternative.
Oh, yeah, thanks for that. I think the procedure my sis had was also a colposcopy: she's been fine every since, and singing the praises of her NHS-accessed HRT!!!!
Overall, doing good. Newly dx'd with hypothyroidism, but it's ok, onward and upward as they say!
The one I'm referring to isn't an annual thing (at least I hope not! lol!) This is the one past the pap smear which would have come back with abnormal cells (in my case) for the cervix. This is a little more involved where if I understood right, this time the doctor uses vinegar of all things, to highlight the abnormal areas to be biopsied. Took a little longer than the regular pap, but again, was no big deal after the fact.
I was bit angered at the doctor the following year (I switched docs and brought my paperwork with me) to only find out by new doc, that beyond that colposcopy I did have what they call a LEEP procedure (here in US) that was totally unnecessary.
Wow, I was furious. This was the first time my pap supposably was "abnormal", which started the change of events and I started to think bad things about my husband......haha! Poor fellow had nothing to do with this whole unnecessary drama anway!
years ago i had a smear that came back abit curious, they explained the results as a ladder and i was only one rung down the ladder, nothing bad but a slight change, and had another six months later and all was fine again.
then i had one annually for the next three years as a precaution ( this was while in UK) just to keep an eye on it.
now i have annual well woman checks anyway full works, the colposcopy they put a solution on cervix it stings abit for few seconds, i remember that now you mentioned it, remember the Gyno saying what he was doing and it would sting a little.
i pay private for mine here, its quite the norm to have them annual here, especialy over age of 50.. Its not expensive and its the full works, so will always do it ..
Hi, I can really relate to this. Firstly, like you, I had 4 teeth out by gas, which has given me life long claustrophobia. Then I lost my first baby and had to have a D&C, and it took ages for me to come round, so I was really concerned about anaesthetics. However, having had 3 hysteroscopys under GA, for much the same reason as you, ie being tense, I can assure you modern GA's are a doddle, really, truly no need to worry about that. Secondly, as you might guess from all the procedures I've had I have a history of post menopausal bleeding, so far all have been ok, as most times they are. On the subject of smears many years ago my GP kindly gave me a speculum to practice with on myself and armed with a tube of KY Jelly I managed to get to the point where I could have smears. Once all this is behind you see if yours will do the same, or buy one, incidently there are different sizes of speculum so ask them to use as small a one as possible. Good luck, and really, don't worry about the anesthetic.
think i am just past caring, 😃 i dont really worry about procedures that need doing, i just get on with it, ' have a high pain threshold anyway' just make sure i relax and think of something soothing while they crack on ..😃
we are all different arent we, thats what makes the world go round..
Dentists never bother me either ... just get it done...
My other half thinks i am ' hard ' hahahahaha ( he hates any pain) good job he hasnt had my 3 bulging back discs and shingles think he would never have got up.. 😉
Finally got back here after a busy few days. Also trying to shut out the worry for a bit and step back and look at it subjectively.
Reading the replies again, thank you all...couple of points though is that I don't even have time to rest up for a few hours after, never mind the ten days someone mentioned!!! I have to work and as we don't get sick pay, I can't afford time off work. I work in a care home and it's hard work...tend to get called in on my days off too often, also.
Never realised that there were smaller speculums! (speculi?!) I have added that to my copious notes to ask the gynae for if relevant! I wish my GP 30 years ago had suggested KY and a smaller speculum! Maybe I would have been able to have smears then. Nobody ever suggested what to do about my difficulty and at that age I wasn't forthcoming enough to push any points. (Unlike now! - when I am extremely forthcoming and they won't do anything to me that I don't allow them to, and I want to know everything they have any option to do before I choose my option!!) - they just told me to not worry and to try again next time I was called. This happened about 3 times then they gave up.
For all I know I could have a slow-growing cancer in me that's been there for 10 years or more but if that were the case, it's a bit late to worry about that now!
Update: this freaked me out also....I went to the GP on Thursday and on Saturday I had the letter for the appointment!!! Why so quick, when he had told me within 2 weeks? Do they think it's urgent? has he written something in his notes that he hasn't fully told me?? The NHS aren't normally that quick! If I had a breast lump, it would typically take me 2-4 weeks here to be seen!! Then the appointment was this Thursday. So soon! I am working in the morning and there's no way I can get time off before the end of this month. So I went online to change it and managed to lock myself out of the page by just nipping to my calendar to see when my next whole day off was. The letter, btw, told me absolutely nothing except the day and time of my appointment. The online booking page said I'd have to ring up to unlock my login. Which it said I couldn't do before Monday due to opening hours. So Monday I nipped into my GP surgery and the receptionist rang up for me and then their computer at the hospital was down! so they suggested a date (next Tuesday - I can only do Tuesdays) and said they will be ringing or writing with the new appontment. In the meantime, Monday's post had brought ANOTHER letter, this time whilst also confirming the appointment (the Thursday one) it said I would need to allow up to 4 hours for this appointment!! Which made it all the more imperative I have to go on a Tuesday as I can't get back in time for shift at work on any other day. Nothing about what they are going to do to me in those four hours!! Didn't say "don't eat or drink" so it can't be anything real bad this first time. However, if it were ONLY to have a chat with the gynae (which I assumed the first one would be) why would they say up to 4 hours?!So now I have to spend 4 hours of my precious only day off next week, sitting in the hospital picking up any bug and cold germs going around (and there are a lot in our area atm) and also fight my way into the city with petrol I don't have in the car, and because of dire parking problems also spend £1.90 I don't have, on park and ride. As I don't get paid until the 7th or so of next month, I kind of resent the fact that I will be using food money to get to the hospital for tests on something I probably don't need to have tested in the first place!!
Sorry nto rant. I don't know what I'm angry with...probably the fact that I am never ill and reject the possibility of any ill health at any time in my life. Unrealistic maybe, but that's how I was brought up. (Trying to remember that my mum, who brought me up this way, probably caused her own relatively early demise at 79 from breast cancer because she took so long to go to the doctor about the lump in her breast, refusing to admit that there was even the glimmer of possibility that it could be anything serious!!! Like mother like daughter...)
It will suit me fine if they can't get me an appointment until after the 7th but then I have a friend coming to stay from Finland for a few days on 14th and on 6th May I am on holiday for 10 days. I don't want to risk feeling sore and facing more tests before all that, but on the other hand nor do i want to sit back and wait until after 15th May to even talk to the gynae. I figure the reason why the GP freaked out, is that it was a month after the first signs of my period before I even saw him. So now is he maybe trying to make up for what he might perceive as lost time?
Anyway - will keep you posted.
Reading many of the threads here, it's stunning what so many of you have been going through with menopause and peri
I feel both fortunate and apprehensive. I have, like my mum told me of hers, "sailed through it" so far. Can my luck hold or is it now coming back to bite me on the butt with something far worse than any menopause/peri?
I had the night sweats (I think) at about 40-ish. Didn't bother me other than that I had to change my nightie at least once every night mid-night. It was actually quite nice because I didn't have any heating in my house and yet I could sleep without feeling cold, but quite the opposite! I figure I probably had fairly mild night sweats.
Haven't noticed any hot flushes. If there were any, I have mistaken them for something else. I have felt the heat since about late 30s but put that down to the fact I have also piled on weight. (Due to eating several choc bars and lots of bags of crisps EVERY day for several years when I was working in an office; it was out of sheer boredom!) Working indoors when the heating is on, or in summer, has caused me to sweat like a pig for years although this is now toning down a little bit compared with how it was. Never had any depression, anxiety, dryness (don't think I'd recognise dryness if I did suffer from it) or any other symptoms that could be related to peri or to menopause, or at least not that I can say isn't applicable to some other cause. Someone mentioned "nobbly finger" somewhere. I thought this might be the start of rheumatoid arthritis, and told the doctor so, but he said it doesn't affect only one joint. So maybe i have had the full spectrum of peri and meno symptoms but just had them so mildly I didn't realise what they were. And thus they have never bothered me.
Btw I too have a high pain threshhold. But it wasn't the pain of the smears but the anticipation of pain that made me tense up. Think there's something else going on there too and it's psychological. (Without going into details, it's kind of akin to a phobia but nobody has ever suggested anything I can do about that.)
As said - will keep you posted!
Actually, ranting has made me feel a bit better! more in control of my body! So thanks for listening, if you have got this far! x
your first appt will be a consultation hun, time for you to explain whats going on and time for them to either do a simple ultra sound scan to see whats going on.. ' all is painless and okay'
Deep breath and relax ..... Stress is not good.
and your health comes first, ' shifts ' i am afraid if my employer didnt give me time off for a health appt then i would run for the hills..
( just shows how much they think of their staff) nada
up to 4 hours will be worse case scenario, like A&E type of assumption
things crop up and people moan, so they give a time scale thats ridiculas to cover all eventualities ( i use to work for NHS) then people arent moaning about it .
Blimey Marie, I couldn't keep up with you kid!! Deep breaths mate....!
I'm sorry to say but I confess to reading some of your post with a slight grin: it was almost like reading about ME!!!
I too have a high pain threshold; hate going to the Docs; was bought up to 'give it a rub, it'll be all right'-sorta thing. And the truth is, I have never had a major issue - healthwise - to worry about in my life.
But I'm going to tell you something: We had a Business for 22 long years, where I was 'front of house' so to speak. During that time I felt that I couldn't really afford to be ill, so never was. I don't think I ever really put my health at risk, although I could have been a bit better at going for smears on time, changing my coil before it got 'lost' (don't ask!!), but by and large I've survived.
But I now know that I was a bloody martyr to that Business, and all that time I encouraged my employees to go get their health issued checked, but sorta just worked through my own. I'm done with that now.
What I'm saying - from one Doctorphobe to another - is: Go to that Hospital Appointment!!! S*d work! Believe you me, the place won't fall around their ears without you there, and maybe put your health first for once. I think you sound very stressed by the fact that you haven't any background info about your quick Referral. I agree with you: the NHS doesn't usually work that fast, but what I know is, that service is second to none when we need to access it as a matter of urgency!!
In his late 50s and mid-60s, my father-in-law had 2 major health emergencies, both of which could have killed him. But because of the fantastic emergency surgeries he had, he survived both and we had another 15 fantastic years with himXXX
Today, we had to travel 35 miles for my husband to have a Pre-Assessment for a small procedure he has to have on Monday. He had the raging horrors about all this, as his surgery was arranged within 10 days and he's panicking I suppose (bless him x). But this is a non-urgent issue, and from referral to surgery its only been a matter of a few months.
We sold our Business 18ths ago, and I finally got some 'Me' time.....to spend coping with my Peri and eventual Meno symptoms without an audience!!! It took me 6mths to mentally recover from working 11hr days for 22yrs on full throttle to......running on empty! Great, but as one of nature's 'workers', I got bored after a year and now can't wait for life's next challenge for me!
I'm sure you'll feel so much happier about things generally once you get this appointment out of the way. Go armed with questions; take someone with you if you can or a pen and notepad to write things down as if you're anything like me it'll go in one ear and out the other!
Whatever the outcome, you really need to believe that your Doctor has definitely had your best interests at heart, and has done a fine job of referring you.
I agree with others who say you should relax, but if you're of that temperament I know how hard relaxing can be. Just remember that you wil probably feel so much better about your issue once you have a bit more info. And you are going to have an opportunity to find out more about this very soon, and try to see that as a positive thing.
Hi Marie you are obviously anxious and it's completely natural to be so, things that are 'rushed' can feel like that and procedures that you are not familiar with - the fear of the unknown.
I have had a few gynae examinations and hospital visits and was terrified before hand and would have done anything to avoid it, but the worry would have still been there, because once you notice something and it has been suggested an investigation is wise - that is the very best thing to do.
Try not to second guess what is going on or what might happen because you can't really control things - except how you feel moment to moment. Asking a friend to come with you is a great idea and perhaps think things through about what might make you feel more in control. Do you know where the appointment is, how to get there etc. I tried to imagine the doctor was very friendly, helpful and that I could ask questions and tell them if I was uncomfortable - after rehearsing all this, it was easier to calm myself down and feel a bit more together.
Take care and good luck, you will feel so much better after you have this checked out x
Like you it wasn't the pain of the smears, I think it was a sort of feeling of being violated. After I'd practiced inserting the speculum at home for the first few smears I would ask the nurse if I could put it in myself. They were generally quite happy, after all, it made their life easier than having to fight me lol. I reckon using this mix of ploys you will have no probs in the future, just got to get by this blip first. Good luck, don't worry too much about the speed of the appointment, you want to get on with things now.
. So there lies my dislike of Dentists, Doctors, and Gynaes in general!!!
. Think he may have appreciated an incontinence pad at that minute!!!