Hello all. I went for my first smear test today, unfortunately the nurse couldn't find my cervix after numerous attempts, smaller and larger speculum, hands under hips etc. I'm feeling quite down about it, they have rebooked me for the next available appointment which is 7 weeks time. I've luckily had no bleeding or spotting but I have noticed really really bad lower back pain, is this usual after a smear test?
I've also worked myself into a bit of an anxious state. The smear test was already postponed 3 times due to coronavirus, nurse sickness etc. I'm just really anxious to get it done now, I've had a few family members pass away due to cancer and it just scares me a little .
I appreciate any advice or reassurance. Thank you.
Bless you, well done for enduring all those attempts to get a smear and how frustrating too. Maybe it's not surprising you've got a back ache after all that - you may have got a bit tense and now you are anxious so that won't be helping your back either. One of my go to exercises (taught by a physio) for a complaining lower back is to lie on the floor and hug my knees (bent) towards my chest - please don't do yourself a mischief if there's a reason you shouldn't do this (insert disclaimer).
Waiting for tests can be an anxious time as most of us on this forum know only too well. 7 weeks is a very short time in terms of cervical cell changes (in the unlikely event you have any) and is highly unlikely to have any negative effect on your medical outcome.
We are all a bit gynaecologically different and for some women the smear test is not straightforward. However nurses and doctors are all a bit different and like anyone they have good days and bad days. It might help if you see a different nurse next time as someone else's technique could well suit you better or if you see the same nurse she may have a few other tricks up her sleeve. If your next smear doesn't work out you could be referred to the colposcopy clinic which will have specialist staff and equipment to get you through this.
I speak as someone with a highly uncooperative vagina - just before my cc diagnosis neither my GP nor 2 gynaecologists could get a smear from me! And despite talking about smear tests to hundreds of women since my cc diagnosis I've yet to meet anyone as difficult as me (there's a challenge). Obviously I've been through the mill what with all my cc treatment but of all the gynae specialists I've seen and continue to see there is only one genius doctor who get a speculum in me so at least I know now that it is doable. I almost feel like I'm boasting but after the s..t I've been through I'm seeing the funny side of it.
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