First PAP

[catiekat.livejournal.com]

My appointment is tomorrow. I'm really nervous that I won't get thru it. I've already tried once and the doctor had to stop because I wouldn't stop fidgeting and I couldn't relax enough for her to get the speculum in. She prescribed me some Valium but I'm afraid it won't help.

Any words of wisdom on how to get thru this? How to get myself to relax?

Comments

[ourbiology.livejournal.com]

My first time I just concentrated on the ceiling tiles! My first time was a couple weeks ago actually but I concentrated on counting the dots in the ceiling tiles and not on what she was doing. It doesn't hurt or anything, you just feel a bit of pressure.

[beamishgirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know how you feel, but you'll be fine.

Granted, it's not the most comfortable process, but I always think to myself that this is something I'm doing to keep myself healthy. A few moments of discomfort is worth good health.

I find deep breaths and having the doctor tell me each step while it is happening is helpful That way I know exactly what is happening and there are no surprises.

Again, keep in mind this is something that you're doing to ensure good health.

Good luck!

[kelsietrpt.livejournal.com]

You could ask for her assistant to come in and stand by your head and talk to you. I have a male gyno, so his assistant always has to be in there, and I always just have a conversation with her while he's down there doing his thing. I don't have much anxiety when it comes to the gyno, anyway, but having the nurse to talk to about mundane things helps get rid of whatever nervousness I do have.

[voice-of-athena.livejournal.com]

poke some smot... : D?

[catiekat.livejournal.com]

Suprisingly, I'm not! But I haven't had regular sex since losing my virginity, so it doesn't make much a difference!

Thanks for the good words :)

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

The valium will almost certainly help. Its pretty awesome stuff...have faith in it!

Deep breathing is a very good thing as well.

[catiekat.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I think you're probably right. I just remembered that I took it before going the dentist once and it helped a ton (I also got The Gas too, tho). My doc gave me two tabs just in case.

[otherrootbeer.livejournal.com]

Pap's aren't horridly painful, or really anything to be scared about. There's a bit of pressure and some.. tickly feelings as they swab your cervix...

Let your doc know you're nervous, take the Valium, and try to think of something to get your mind off of it. One of my friends replays television shows in her head, I sing to myself or think of things I need to do while my NP pokes around down there.

[luluah.livejournal.com]

Before my first pap a number of years ago, I was told to look at the ceiling.....and as my eyes trailed up to the tiles, -there was a picture of George Clooney looking down at me!!- Well, this lead to several minutes of laughter and by the time I calmed down, my pap was over! I didn't feel a thing. I've had several paps since then and my ceiling hunks have been different each time (last time it was Val Kilmer from Top Gun) and they don't hurt at all! It honestly feels like someone has placed a large finger inside you and then you feel a little "poke" (not even painful in the slightest) from the inside of the finger. The most uncomfortable thing for me is when the speculum and everything is out and the only procedure left to do is to place two fingers in the patient and feel around. I mean, what do you talk about?! "How's my vag?!" Seriously, it's nothing to be worried about and hopefully, your gyno will have some guy posted on the ceiling!!!

[cellar-closet.livejournal.com]

Hahahah. That's badass! I wish there were gynos around here with a sense of humor like that. I'd laugh my ass off if I looked up and saw a poster of a hot guy on the ceiling. Although I might be afraid I'd laugh too hard and send the speculum shooting across the room... :P

[getsinyoureyes.livejournal.com]

The PP I go to has funny cat pictures on their ceiling. It's nice to have something to look at during the procedure.

[franticalities.livejournal.com]

i just pretend i'm somewhere else and that nothing unusual is going on at all. not that a pap is unusual, but it wouldnt be fun to have one every day!! my technique with paps is delusion delusion delusion. or i think of some complex riddle or problem i'm unable to solve.

[marionravenwood.livejournal.com]

Try wiggling your toes. I know this sounds odd, but wiggling your toes helps for brief uncomfortable things like this. (It also helps with shots.)

You might also ask about swabbing yourself. As long as you are comfortable using a speculum and looking at your own cervix with a mirror I don't see any reason why you couldn't.

[catiekat.livejournal.com]

This is the second time I've heard about wiggling your toes! I guess it makes it hard for you to tense your legs and stomache (major causes of pain during PAPs). I'm gonna be wiggling away!!

[archangelbeth]

I clutched the side of the examining table and focused on breathing and on relaxing my legs. Think of it, if it helps, like having your teeth cleaned at the dentist? Sometimes uncomfortable, frequently awkward (they ask you questions while they have stuff in your mouth!), but unlikely to get worse than uncomfortable and awkward.

Might babble more, but must get kid to school. Good luck!

[paperispatient.livejournal.com]

This is pretty much opposite from what other people are saying, but I pay attention during gyno exams; my doctor is great and tells me what she's going to do before she does it, but I usually watch what she's doing - I mean, not very closely, but I'm usually looking in her direction so I can see when she's putting the little pap test brush in me, etc. I never really thought about it before - I guess I feel more in control that way, having two different forms of preparation for what she's going to do next?

[lougolas.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think it's really down to how different people cope with things, but I've always preferred knowing exactly what's going on. Ever since I was a kid I've wanted dentists and doctors and nurses to tell me what they're doing so I don't get any surprises. I always handle things better if I know about them in advance!

[dreamsxreality.livejournal.com]

Try and breathe. I know it's hard. Im 28 and i still move around and hyper venalte. I make it much worse then it is. Im sore for a day or two cause my body tightens up so bad. But when i leave i always ask myself why i spaz out. there is no need at all.