Covid 19 nasal swab.

[sobs1962]

I know this is going to sound like a stupid and pathetic question but, I'm having a pre-op Covid 19 check next week and I know it involves a very deep nasal swab. The thing is, I've read it can be extremely painful,can cause severe headache and can actually cause some people to pass out and I'm literally terrified. Can anyone who has had this done please advise or reassure me as my anxiety is in overdrive and I don't think I will be able to go through with it, even though I know I have to.

[Hennerton]

sobs1962 I had one last week prior to an op and it was very simple and took seconds. Who told you it was a deep swab. Were they just teasing you?

[sobs1962 in reply to Hennerton]

The swab has to go right to the back of the nasal cavity and down into the throat,I have looked it up, but it might just be scaremongering. One woman described it as" being stabbed in the brain" I don't know what to believe, my husband and daughter have done several self tests, but it's different when done by a health professional. My main problem is my BPD which makes me over think everything and catastrophise everything.

[Lora7again]

I had one yesterday and it is painless but it can make some people gag so there is a sick bag at hand just incase. I didn't gag at all by the way just to reassure you. I am now waiting for my results which I am hoping will be here today.

[sobs1962 in reply to Lora7again]

Thanks for reply, have read some horror stories on internet about people's experiences of the test and my mental health problems make me worry miles more than everyone else.

[bantam12]

I've had 5 swab tests done and although it's not pleasant it certainly doesn't/shouldn't cause the effects you have been told about ! A lot depends on who's at the other end of the swab, some nurses are not as gentle as others !! but it's really nothing to stress about.

[sobs1962 in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for that, but unfortunately,I have severe mental health problems and it means I worry about anything and everything.

[greygoose]

I haven't had the test but I'd just like to reassure you that your question isn't stupid and pathetic at all! I've been wondering the same thing, but didn't like to ask. lol Thank you for asking for me.

[sobs1962 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for reply, will update on here when have had it done and try not to be overly dramatic as my BPD tends to make me that way.

[greygoose in reply to sobs1962]

You're welcome.

[Miffie]

A reasonable question to ask. My daughter has to start 2 x weekly testing from tomorrow ( primary school staff ) . She was not looking forward to it one bit thinking it might even be worse than at a testing centre as doing to herself. The staff who have bern tested previously all shared the same worry. I spoke to a health professional friend who tests regularly and she advised it should be deep enough to make you feel your eyes will water, no further. Hope that helps. Good luck.

[sobs1962 in reply to Miffie]

Ok, thanks for that, let's just hope I don't get done by someone who is having a bad day and it turns out to be more unpleasant than it needs to be.

[Miffie]

I am fairly certain it will all be fine. Take care

[sobs1962 in reply to Miffie]

Thankyou.

[jamiface]

I have three tests every week because I work in a care home. The throat swab sometimes makes me gag (but I’ve never actually been sick) and the nasal one always makes me sneeze. The throat swab has never hurt me, and only once has a nasal swab been painful and made tears come to my eyes. I think it may be because I tipped my head back more than usual that time. I look at the furthest corner of the ceiling when the swab is being done, which I find helps a lot.

Can be uncomfortable, but not as bad as I imagined they’d be.

I hope this helps

[sobs1962 in reply to jamiface]

Thank you,that makes me feel a bit better. But I was under the impression the swab was put up your nose and then down the throat at the same time, known as a nasal-pharangeal swab and that is what is bothering me,I'm just worried I'll vomit or pass out more due to anxiety,rather than anything else,I wish so much I didn't have the mental health problems, that I have.

[jamiface in reply to sobs1962]

The throat is first, swab goes near the tonsils on either side for five seconds per tonsil, then it is removed and then put up your nose for 15 seconds. My suggestion is to concentrate on something you can see - whether it is the corner of the room or

[jamiface in reply to jamiface]

Oops, sent before I’d finished writing it!

Was intending to end with

... maybe a blemish or pore on the face of the person doing the swabbing 😂

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to jamiface]

You may not realise that you can edit, or delete, any posts or responses you have made here.

HealthUnlocked have produced some help for how to do this. You can find this here:

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When you edit the original post in a thread, you will also have the option to add (or remove) a single image. (To replace an image, remove the existing image, then add the new one.) This is the same process as writing a new post:

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I am pointing this out purely to ensure that you know your options.

(If you make extensive changes, it is sometimes helpful to add a comment so that people can see that you have made changes.)

[jamiface in reply to helvella]

Thank you, I couldn’t work out how to edit my post, I knew I’ve edited ones before, but I’d forgotten how. I’ll try to remember (maybe if I bookmark the instructions, that might help) for the next time 😊

[sobs1962 in reply to jamiface]

My test is being done in a drive through site, so don't know how that would work as person will be wearing full PPE. I'm really worried that I might completely freak out as my anxiety is so bad.

[Beads in reply to sobs1962]

If it’s like the drive through site at Gatwick when I took daughter, they asked if she needed assistance or could do it herself. She opted to do it herself. We parked up, I did her throat as she has the most sensitive gag reflex ever, she did her nose.

I work in a school, we’ve been testing this term, we take our own swabs. I’ve learnt that if you go for the tonsils from the side rather than over the back of the tongue the gag reflex is much less. The up the nose, sort of feels like you’re scratching the back of your eyeball, makes your eyes water and you feel like you’re going to sneeze. All over and done in seconds.

[sobs1962 in reply to Beads]

I don't think I will be given the option to do it myself as the test is being done as I'm going into hospital for general anaesthetic and they'll want it done properly and I can't guarantee that I'll be able to do it correctly as I have a tendency to be brutal to myself, which is caused by having BPD. Thanks for your support.

[bantam12 in reply to sobs1962]

No, throat and nose are done separately, I've always had throat first then nose.

[sobs1962 in reply to bantam12]

Well that's slightly reassuring but I'm still dreading it.

[mandy-white]

I have been into hospital 3 times recently and so I have had 3 swabs. It only tickles like you want to sneeze. They also rub your tonsils which might want you to gag a bit. It only takes about 2 minutes.

[sobs1962 in reply to mandy-white]

Thanks for reply,but I've read so much stuff on internet, including some horror stories and I know I'm not being rational about it but my BPD makes me think of the worst possible scenario ALWAYS!!!

[jamiface in reply to sobs1962]

((((Hugs)))) x x x x ((((Hugs)))) x x x x ((((Hugs)))) x x x x ((((Hugs)))) x x x x

[sobs1962 in reply to jamiface]

Oh, that's so nice, Thank you 😀

[mandy-white in reply to sobs1962]

I would probably be the same but I have had 3from 3different places and no problem with any of them. It is over before you know it anyway. X

[sobs1962 in reply to mandy-white]

Thanks for reply, it doesn't help when you look up stuff on the internet and it comes up with people having nightmare experiences. I just need to realise that it's unlikely something really bad is going to happen to me but my mental health problems make me worry miles more than other people.

[serenfach]

When you get to the test place, just tell the person doing the swab that you are very anxious, very scared and would like them to talk you through what they are doing. Not only does it make the person taking the swab careful, you can also concentrate on their voice and not the physical aspect. I also like to imagine people who scare me sitting on the loo naked. It takes the fear away for some reason, but sometimes they wonder why I am giggling....

Facing something scary, I have a word and a picture in my head, so I can distance myself from the problem. I use the word "serene" and the picture of a cobweb with dew drops on it. A friend uses the word "penguin" and a wave crashing on the beach. I have found this helps me no end. I hope it may help you.

[sobs1962 in reply to serenfach]

Thanks for you support, I've decided to speak to my psychotherapist on Monday, as my BPD is making me blow things out of all proportion and I'm struggling to sleep, I'm so worried. Will try your technique and see if it helps.

[thyr01d]

I think it's like when we have a mammogram, depends on who's doing it. My daughter-in-law said the first test felt really nice, like the nice tickly feeling before you sneeze, but her next one was uncomfortable. I feel for you, but, can you draw on memories of pain you have coped with, even if at the time you didn't think you could? Often the fear is far worse than the reality, even if it does hurt!

[sobs1962 in reply to thyr01d]

I've just discovered that my tongue won't lie flat when I open my mouth, so it's inevitable that the swab will touch my tongue or other parts of my mouth,I can't help the fact that this happens,it just does it naturally, so don't know how I'm going to get an accurate result,it's all a bit of a nightmare.

[Lora7again in reply to sobs1962]

Try not to worry I had the test last Thursday and it came back unreadable so I went back for another one on Friday. As far as I know both tests were done exactly the same as I was supervised by someone but one did not work. I got the results yesterday and it was negative so it is a relief.

[thyr01d in reply to sobs1962]

Hi sobs1962, I don't think it will matter if the swab touches on the way down. If there were anything that could show results more easily accessible (like tongue) there wouldn't be the need to take the swab from the back of the throat. Will you explain how you feel to the nurse? Or could you ask if you can have the most understanding nurse to do the jab?

[Lora7again in reply to thyr01d]

Sorry but I was told to make sure it doesn't touch your tongue and goes straight to the back of your throat or tonsils. I do wonder if I accidentally touched something else when I did my first test because it was unreadable and I had to re-do it.

[thyr01d in reply to Lora7again]

Sorry Lora7again, I thought Sobs was having the test done by someone else, not doing it herself, and the Nurses will be used to people who have difficulties. Did you do yours yourself or have it done?

[Lora7again in reply to thyr01d]

I did it myself because it was a walk in centre. Somebody stood 2 metres away and instructed me what to do I also had a mirror so I could make sure I put the swab on my tonsils and no where else. I actually preferred doing it myself because I have a dentist phobia and hate anyone messing around in my mouth.

[thyr01d]

Another thought Sobs, make sure you are heard, that you have said what you want to say. When we feel unheard the mouth and tongue do not relax, when we have been heard the mouth and tongue relax. Also, remember you are in control, you can decline or accept the swab at any time so if the nurse is not sympathetic perhaps return later in the day or something?

[Cooper27]

I did a test a couple of days ago. The swab is only to go in about an inch, although you have to hold it there for 10-15 seconds. I won't say it's pleasant, but it's not painful (unless you're doing it wrong).

I think the deep nose stuff might have been spread around as a deterrent, to put people off mixing and potentially catching covid. It'd be terrible if it's put people off getting tested though!

[EbonyEvans]

I had one in the hospital and another pre flight. The latter which you pay for was deeper and uncomfortable in both nostrils. I find that the communication works best. I asked the nurse to count me down then tell me exactly when he was going to stop. It was a small plastic thing like a honey scoop.

The hospital one made me wonder what all the fuss was about. It literally felt like a cotton wool swab.

I think worrying about it will make you tense and it might feel worse.

Most nurses are great. Voice your concerns.

There’s a few different tests. 🤞🏾 hopefully yours is the least invasive.

[sobs1962 in reply to EbonyEvans]

Thanks for all replies, I honestly don't know if they'll let me do my own as test is being done before going into hospital for a hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic so I'd think they'd want it done properly as can't guarantee self testing is efficient enough. Still dreading it though,let's just hope nothing goes wrong as hysteroscopy is to check for cervical cancer and don't really want it delayed if at all possible. The other thing I'm not looking forward to is having to self isolate between the test and hysteroscopy which means treating yourself like you actually have Covid and not easy to do with 5 people in the house, despite us all being in a social bubble.

[Lora7again in reply to sobs1962]

I have had 2 including uterus biopsies and a biopsy of my cervix. Luckily I was not given a GA and they were painless which may be because I have given birth twice. This was because I was having irregular bleeding which I discovered was actually caused by my thyroid disease.

nhs.uk/conditions/hysterosc...

[sobs1962 in reply to Lora7again]

Thanks for reply, you would think that having given birth 4 times ( 1 twin birth), I would be able to handle a hysteroscopy without a GA but they attempted it last week in outpatients but I was in agony and gynaecologist said it was because I have severe vaginal atrophy and need oestrogen treatment as vaginal moisturizer isn't doing the trick. Interesting that you say you had irregular bleeding which was caused by your thyroid disease as I have believed that my vaginal atrophy has been made considerably worse by my hashimoto's. My blood spotting can be caused by vaginal atrophy but as I have lost weight and had back pain they wanted me checked for cervical cancer. In fact I've had a problem with vaginal dryness for a long time before the menopause and that's probably down to my thyroid also.

[Lora7again]

sobs1962 Can I just say that I am one of the most anxious people when it comes to any kind of medical procedures. I watched my mother go through numerous operations including a mastectomy and then I watched her die a painful death. So when I had to go for investigations in my 40s because of irregular bleeding and spotting I was very scared. I want to reassure you it was not as bad as I imagined and I actually went on my own for my cervix biopsy because my husband had to work. The nurses were horrified that I was actually going to drive home afterwards on my own. I did rest afterwards when I got home because they put something on my cervix to stop excess bleeding and I did feel ok the next day but just took it easy and didn't do any heavy lifting etc. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and you will make a speedy recovery.