I really, really hate doctors.

[MaggieTheCat]

So as if all the crap I've had to deal with already wasn't enough, I got the joyous news this week (after I called and asked where the hell my test results were, two weeks after they were taken) that they fucked up my pap smear and they need to do it again.

I hate having this exam done. What woman doesn't dislike it? I'm pretty modest most of the time and don't like people seeing me in shorts, let alone naked, plus I cramp up pretty bad during this exam. And now they're telling me I need to get it done again.

I had an appointment with a different dr. (she was a physician's assistant, actually) today, at a different clinic, who insisted that it needed to be done before she'd ever discuss birth control with me. Not only the pap smear, but the entire physical (blood work, breast and pelvic exam) because it's the first time she's seen me.

I can't tell you guys how fucking upset I am over this.

[Aethian]

God I hated that test...slowly walked out of the office and headed to the mall to wander around for a good several hours stopping at the ice cream stand more then once.

[Seshat]

I don't mind pap smears so much, but this is the year my IUD comes out. If it's as bad as it was going in.....

.... okay, it only *hurt* for a moment, and was only really feeling funny for half a day. But still.

[Der Cute]

Pap smears are icky sometimes. Depends if the professional is using a stainless steel or ceramic doohickey. If they're using stainless, request a warmed one.

And, I actually agree w/ the doc that wants bloodwork all done up. Unless you had that done in the last 3 or 4 mos @ other doctor, it's worth it. Just look @ the ceiling when they poke you.

I find that I'm one of few people that don't mind pokes, prods, openings.....hell, I've even been an example a few times to a body of students...LIVE.

I wish I could give that attitude to many...my friend C hates needles..and he needs that ^^. You do too

Hugs, and practice relaxing those muscles.

[MaggieTheCat]

Needles don't bother me too much, it's blood that squicks me out, and the fear that they're going to jab me multiple times because they f up the first time (I've had some bad experiences in the past that make me leery of doctors and hospitals, can you tell?)

The last doc had a steel speculum and she wouldn't warm it up. I requested it and she said she had no way to do so except to run it under hot water for several minutes, which would take too long.

I'm bad at relaxing when having paps done. I try and I just can't, so it's even more uncomfortable.

[AdminAssistant]

Wow, Maggie, my docs have *always* warmed up the speculum first. I am glad that you're going to get a different doc now...silver lining?

[MaggieTheCat]

Yeah, I hope the new one is better. I had a good first impression of her, she seemed pretty nice. We'll see how her bedside manner is. Making me wait 15+ minutes after telling me to put the gown on, doing the exam with freezing cold hands, and sticking an icy piece of metal inside me weren't really my cup of tea.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Several minutes? It doesn't take several minutes to warm up metal. That's kinda the beauty of metal in certain applications...it conducts heat.

I don't mind needles, though I always lie back when I get blood drawn; I faint relatively easily and I don't like to take chances on that. Not sure what kind of doohickey my doc uses (I think steel) but they always have to use the small one for me cuz it hurts too much.

[kpzra]

My doctor uses plastic ones which are nice. I used to not like it, but after having a baby it all just kinda became meh.

[AnaKhouri]

Ugh, I feel that. I hated that annual appointment more than anything; it always hurt. Luckily I have always had wonderful doctors who understood I just wanted to get it over with, not too much chit-chat.

But since the baby it's not bothered me much or hurt, even though I had a c-section and he didn't come out that way.

[blas]

My doc uses plastic speculums for Paps.......I really don't care about those anymore, I don't really feel much. It's when she jams several fingers inside and presses on my belly to feel my organs that really irks me.

I hope you don't get double charged for that, it's not your fault they can't do their job right.

[Eisa]

My doc has to use pediatric instruments...I still hate every visit.

[blas]

What I hate more than anything are colposcopies (make sure you read that right, NOT colonoscopies). Anyone who isn't familiar, if you have an abnormal Pap smear, you make an appointment with a gyno and they use a colposcope, which is much more magnified than a regular scope and can see the cervix much better. The doctor will apply idione and a couple of other solvents that will make the abnormal cells on the cervix appear. Once the doc can see where they need to pull samples from, they will pluck however many samples they need (if you have multiple areas, this will be painful and they will have to do this a few times).

If the cells are very mildly abnormal (like mine have been in recent years), the doctor can see that quite easily, but will still send them in to the lab to be examined, and determined to be either level 1, 2, or 3. Level 1 is mild and usually there is no action taken other than follow up Pap smears every 6 months until 2 years of "normal" results, 2 is chryosurgery which is the freezing of the abnormal areas, and 3 is when they perform a Leep (laser removal) on those areas.

After the colposcopy, for at least a few days, the cervix will leak out all that iodine and other stuff, and it's really gross and uncomfortable, also there is usually cramping like a period.

Sorry for the threadjack, I just gave myself the heebie jeebies.

[tropicsgoddess]

I'm no fan of the pap exams. Especially when they have to insert the speculum inside me. I feel a touch crampy (no bleeding) after the exam.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Urg. I'm so glad I don't have to get the Lady-Exam (not active like that! ... ?)... I'll have to soon, 'cuz I'm almost a quarter-century old!