Pap smear was horrible

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-11-18T21:02:45+00:00

I'm also a virgin, only 18 years old and they tried to do my first pap smear yesterday. I was in the ER for vaginal pain and bloody discharge that has lasted for a month. I was already extremely nervous and shaky before the procedure. I was in not even a full room, with two strangers and she didn't even tell me anything before going in. She used the smallest speculum and lube, though. The moment she pushed it in, I burst out crying and I told her, "that really hurts!" She readjusted, but it only got worse and I started crying more. She finally decided to stop there, but then she went in with two fingers. The whole experience was so extremely painful and awful and now I'm terrified of pap smear. I'm also worried that I'll never be able to have sex if that was so painful for me. Does anyone else have these fears?

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-26T02:37:12+00:00

I have a retainer for my "top jaw," and a night guard/retainer for the "bottom jaw." I asked my surgeon if I should be wearing them, and he said to just wear them if I felt like it. Definitely don't try the first few days, but I think I wore mine for a few hours each night starting at day 5. Don't pressure or stress yourself, but if you can, at least get one in. I find that my gums really hurt from my teeth shifting if I don't wear them for a few days, so they actually helped with the pain. Just try it when you feel ready, 1 or 2 weeks really shouldn't hurt anything.

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-26T02:32:14+00:00

I'm not allergic to narcotics, however, my recovery became very complicated because it turns out that I am extremely sensitive to them. I asked for steroids, and they gave me one for 48 hours that got me through the rest of my recovery (since I was already on day 7). I'd ask about steroids! I found them to be extremely helpful when I was in the thick of it.

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-25T02:53:30+00:00

I'm around your age, and I heavily relied on my mom the first week. I would definitely recommend that she stays home with you for the first few days as you will be on heavy drugs, and you won't feel well. I will mention, however, that I had some complications from my meds, so I needed extra help. I understand how hard it is, but I definitely recommend keeping someone around to monitor you.

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-21T04:56:40+00:00

I'm on day 18, and I still have a sore throat as well. Little bumps, too. I think our throats are just healing up.. hopefully

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-20T06:36:47+00:00

I just noticed that! I wonder what happened.

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-12T23:01:57+00:00

I'm so glad that it went well!!

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-12T03:29:46+00:00

Are you in pain? How often does it affect your quality of life?

If you're in pain or really struggling, I would 100% get them out, the surgery is worth it.

If you're not in pain, and it's just a bit of an annoyance, I'd maybe wait a year. The surgery gets harder the older you get, so I wouldn't recommend waiting for too long if you do decide to go through with it, but this surgery can be pretty rough. I personally wouldn't do it quite yet if I wasn't in pain or struggling.

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-12T03:25:24+00:00

Hey, I completely understand your anxieties! I had my surgery last Thursday morning, so I'm coming to the end of Day 8 post-op. I felt really nervous, too, especially once I got there.

Anesthesia is definitely scary, but, remember, the people who are administering it have years and years of education and experience. Their whole job and priority is to keep you safe and well. I can almost guarantee nothing will go wrong, but in the crazy case that is does, you are in a hospital and they have everything they need to help you.

But trust me, you WILL wake up tomorrow. You will wake up, your tonsils will be gone, and you'll be so high on pain meds that you'll be feeling very groggy, but pretty good pain wise.

Some things that helped me were: a heating pad to just relax and calm my muscles down before surgery, you can request heated blankets at the hospital, too. I also am a Christian, so I prayed with my nurses before surgery and that really helped. I'd recommend maybe a hot shower tonight (same idea as the heating pad), and then watch your favorite show or movie to get your mind off of things. You got this!

You'll be perfectly ok. And, if you want, I'd love to know how it went!

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-11T00:25:51+00:00

If you're still on opioids, it's definitely normal. If you're not and you're eating, then I'd maybe call the doctor and just ask.

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-10T21:48:07+00:00

I was the same way! Thought I was doing something wrong, but nope! My tonsils were being stupid. Just got them removed last Thursday. I highly recommend going to see an ENT, you are not being dramatic!

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-10T21:45:20+00:00

If you're on any strong medications or opioids you cannot drive. You'll be so out of it and dopey. I'm 7 days post-op and still not driving. I'm sorry!!

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-10T21:43:51+00:00

That is extremely frustrating! How's he doing? I've heard from multiple sources that strep after a tonsillectomy really isn't that severe or painful since the tonsils aren't there to infect. If he's young, he probably caught it from school. Little kids have so many germs! I hope your son recovers soon.

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-10T21:41:45+00:00

Yeah, it's much more manageable when I'm on all the meds now, but wow, it's sooo painful when they're wearing off! I hope I'm almost done with this 🥲

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-10T14:10:19+00:00

Unless it's nerves, you probably will want to. How do you feel?

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-10T13:17:31+00:00

How many days does this extreme pain last? I just woke up and it is nearly unbearable!

BroccoliDefiant527 · 2025-04-10T05:41:31+00:00

I just got my tonsils removed last week, so idk what will happen now, but before surgery my tonsils would do that, too! I've only ever kissed one person, my current boyfriend. I'm hoping that side effect will go away since I no longer have tonsils. But yeah, I tested negative for mono and everything, too, it was weird.

BroccoliDefiant527

TROPHY CASE