Healthy anxiety worrying :(

[ICSIBaby86]

I’m due to have embryo transfer tomorrow, our treatment has gone really well and you would think I was excited but my health anxiety has peaked this week! I’ve joined a support group but haven’t found it much help. My fear at the minute is that I haven’t had a smear test before my round of ivf. I’m not due for another 6 months but I’m panicking about all the hormones I’ve had over the last 2 years should I have booked myself in for one ! I am up to date I never miss it, now I’m panicking if I do fall pregnant I won’t be able to have my smear test for another 9 months. There’s been such a big campaign about cervical cancer at the moment as well. I should explain that I go through this all the time last time I was panicking I have ovarian cancer. It’s like a phobia and I’m seeking cbt therapy for it. But now I feel like I want to cancel my embryo transfer 😢. My partner get so frustrated. I had fibroid surgery done in September and all my histology came back fine ! My mum keeps telling me that I’ve had more scans and check ups than anyone shes ever known that it’s just my anxiety, that I’m not even due for my smear for another 6 months I should calm down

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I don’t know if it helps but as far as I know (as I work in a surgery) you can’t go that early for a smear anyway. You have to wait for the letter otherwise the lab rejects the specimen (unless it’s for a medical reason). This may just be my area but it’s probably the same rules everywhere.

I hope it goes well for you tomorrow xx

[Fingerscrossed34]

I think hydromermaid-1 is right they are very reluctant to do them early at all. If you’ve never had any issues with your smear before and as you said you’ve had so many tests done you shouldn’t have anything to worry about, would you be worrying about this at all if you weren’t going through IVF? Probably not! they’ve given us so much paperwork about side effects of IVF and nowhere that I have seen mentions cervical cancer. I know this is your anxiety and you’ve obviously been suffering with it for some time so try to do the techniques for relaxing and calming down and quieting your mind that you have learned and used in the past. Try to get some fresh air, go for a walk or do some guided meditations and try to just calm yourself down. Sleeping seems to help my anxiety though I appreciate sleeping can be hard because you’re anxious. Most of all you’ve mentioned your anxiety and that this is like a phobia so to me that says deep down you know it’s not something you really need to worry about so try to focus on that and know that you’re in good hands with your doctors. I hope you find something to put your mind at rest. Such a stressful time it’s natural to have times like this. Good luck tomorrow !! x

[Cinderella5]

The other lasies are correct, you can't go for your smear early so you would have to wait 6 months for it anyway. If you get pregnant then what's an extra 3 months which is no time at all. Listen to your mum, sometimes mum's do know best!! Good luck for transfer, try to get lots of fresh air in your 2ww. That's what kept me sane and off Google!! Good luck!xx

[CatDV]

Hi lovely,

I am so sorry that you are felling so anxious about this.

I think the previous 2 ladies already provided great advice and reassurance.

May I ask, is there any reason you may thing the results of your smear tests may come abnormal? If you don’t have any suspicious symptoms then try to get some reassurance from that if you can

Best of luck for your transfer 🤞

[ICSIBaby86]

Ladies thank you so much, I can’t even explain how much your words have calmed me down. I’ve been through this many times before and I know it’s a complete irrational fear, I am seeking help for it. I’m constantly scanning my body and frightened I have cancer. I get really embarrassed talking about it people just think it’s funny sometimes but it’s actually really debilitating. I’ve been given medication in the past to help with my anxiety but I came off it all about a year ago because of ivf, that fact that ivf is so intrusive and all the scans, hospital visits etc makes my health anxiety peak. I had to give up my degree in nursing because of it, really has taken a hold of me. I’ve never had a smear to worry about in the past. The clinic hasn’t even asked me about it, I’m due in about 6 months. My partner is patient but he does get frustrated because il wake up early hours worrying I’ve got ovarian cancer and I have a full blown panic attack I even have for ring my mam through the night sometimes to calm me down. I think it’s just peaked because I’m having transfer tomorrow ! Il try to get back and focus on what’s really important ! That’s tomorrow 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 thank you so much xxxx

[CatDV in reply to ICSIBaby86]

Oh, it must be really hard living with so much anxiety, I really feel for you 😕

I really hope that very soon you’ll overcome these feelings and have a more relaxed life.

This is not your fault, you don’t chose to feel that way, so try not to be too hard on yourself.

I am glad you are already seeking help and wish you al the best ☺️

[hannahding]

I hope things get better for you. Just take breaths and dont be so hard on yourself. I dont think you can go for smear immediately there is a process that will have to be followed. Sending baby dust your way. I hope things get better for you. Visit a good doctor for advice. They will try to help you out. Stay strong!