Smear tests....

Absolutely harrigran. There is a tidal wave of poor information out there.
If you must, stick to the NHS info site as this is very good.
If you really really must, then go via this site: health on the net, which tries to screen out the rubbish.
www.hon.ch/

Nor do I jeni some of the information on the internet is not put there by medics and can be misleading.

NO!

crimson I try not to look as I get paranoid.

Does anyone else scare themselves witless by scouring the internet when they've got a hospital appointment? I keep telling myself to stop doing it, but I can't!

Have mine tomorrow after getting a reminder - a National screening programme here in Australia where they follow up if not done every two years . I think they stop at 70, also just had mammogram under similar scheme. Don't enjoy either of them but at least feel taking responsibilty for what may be preventable. Also several friends have had cancers yet lived healthy lives, and feel I should at least try to prevent what is possible

Oh, I don't mind the exam, now. I was worried about that the other week because it had been so long since I'd had one done. It's just that I was so sure it was a Bartholins cyst and now, because my doctor doesn't think it is I'm not sure what they're looking for. I also waited ages the other night to see, what I thought was a specialist doctor and, in fact, they didn't know much at all.The internet is great for information but you can also scare yourself witless looking up things. Again, I'd always say tell people to keep away from doing so [again, ignoring my own advice!]. It's a shock when you're expecting a doctor to say one thing and they say something else. I do wish I could have a large glass of sherry before I go in, though, but I'm driving !

Crimson there are such things as local anaesthetics. Try to arrange some distractions while you wait for your appointment.
What, specifically, is making you feel queasy?

crimson We Gransnetters are here for each other. Your trepidation is natural. Keep us updated and try not to fret unduly. ((hugs))

Cowardice has nothing do do with it, crimson. You are, very naturally, apprehensive. We would all feel the same way. It's not knowing that's the worst thing. We're with you and feel for you.

Thank guys. I knew I was a worrier, but didn't realise what a coward I was!!

Poor you, crimson. It's good that you haven't long to wait for the consultation. The sooner that's over the better and you will know one way or the other. The waiting is agony though. All the best for next week.

crimson try not to worry I know that is easy for me to say, but try and chill over the weekend.

Oh, crimson! with you in spirit as you do the waiting. (((hug)))

Dr thinks it isn't a Bartholin's cyst and has referred me to a gyno next week. feel a bit sick.

Not too difficult to treat crimson once drained you should be fine.

crimson sorry I have not had any experience myself, but this link may help (you have probably already looked on the web, if so sorry)

www.patient.co.uk/health/Bartholin's-Cyst-and-Abscess.htm

Does anyone know anything about Bartholins cysts, because it seems that I've got one and possibly need to have it removed. I'm a bit worried/scared. I know all the advice I'd give to other people, but it doesn't work on myself!

I am a bit late on this one, but surely the only possible song would be the chorus from "The Owl and the Pussycat", which was after all sung to a small guitar...

Thanks phoenix must be about 17 years now - lost count.

I have been a 38C bra size for as long as I can remember, but since I lost weight my breasts have practically disappeared - when I self-examine I can feel my breast bone through them. I have the x-rays of my last two mammograms (they give them to you in France) and they were identical. They will wonder what has happened when I next have one.

JessM , mine was a HUGE van one, but I was impressed!

Sorry, can't help with the implant question, but glad to hear that you are going strong after the surgery.

They are good those mammogram drivers. Specially the ones in the hospital. I went to the caravan once and was less impressed. But then someone said that cos i had a partial mastectomy (about 1/3 of the right one lopped off, to put it non-technically) I should have mine done in the hospital. Expert boob manipulators. They have dealt with all shapes and sizes there for sure. I have always been slightly intrigued to know how they do really big ones...? Some boobs must overflow the equipment?
And can you have one done if you have had an implant? (my oncologist not keen on that idea - she seemed to think it might impede her view of what was going on. Is this true folks?)

Oh Artygran ! The bloody mammogram! I had my first (last year, or was it the year before?) I was dreading it, as someone who cannot fill a M&S 32A bra, I was intrigued/horrified/embarrased (delete where not applicabe) as to how they were actually going to get my non-existent bosoms between the plates.

But again I make the point I made about smear tests, we are bloody lucky to have this service available to us free.

(PS The woman doing it rose admirably to the challenge, although I had no idea I could assume those positions. Unlike my smear, where our practice nurse is always amazed at the fact that I still seem to be able to get my knees flat to the bed with my pressed-together heels so close to my........)

Oh I went down south for to see my gal (singing pollywolly doodle all the day)
In a cavern in a canyon (excavating for a mine).
Oh dear what can the matter be?
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen.
We'll meet again. don't know where don't know when but I know we'll meet again some sunny day.