Anyone Had Pap Smear This Year? Can We Do Pap Now Irrespective Of Pandemic Situation?

gknew · Oct 22, 2020

Hi,
I am due for pap smear test this year. I didn't go for my annual yet. Considering pandemic, I was postponing my annual. Even though I am going to other medical provider offices and dentists.
I have to go for my annual. My PCP would like to do the pap as part of Annual. Do anyone had their pap since March? Do you go for pap or postpone later considering covid?

nuss · Oct 22, 2020

I had my annual check up and PAP in July.

gknew · Oct 22, 2020

nuss said: ↑

I had my annual check up and PAP in July.
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Thank you @nuss. Do you have pap every 3 years?
I would like to know what are the test or check up done as part of physical? I got to know recently that it will vary provider to provider.

I been to the same pcp for last 4 years. I have blood work, breast exam and vitals and part of my physical which takes around 15 minutes.
My friend goes to a provider who take around 45 to 60 minutes for the physical. She check everything from head to toe. My friend want be to change my PCP to her's.
Do they check complete blood work? Even for thyroid, my PCP check only tsh, total T3 and T4. I got to know from another provider that free t3 and T4 are required for thyroid testing. But my PCP never did that. I feel like she is missing few blood work. I have to request to check vitamin d, b12 and iron Everytime as I am deficient in those.

nuss · Oct 22, 2020

My physician is also my colleague so it’s a different kind of interaction. She spends a good hour with me and we talk about everything including any difference in stress level/ routine etc.

She does PAP test every 3 years and recommends mammogram every year. My first was this year. She recommends complete blood work every year (her reasoning is that we get paid extra in our HSA account for preventive measures so why not even though I have no underlying issues).
She does a complete physical test. I have a few weird moles that she is keeping an eye on. So, yes, ah would check pretty much every inch of my body.
My previous PCP barely checked me and mostly just wrote the blood test so it’s kind of nice to have someone watching out for any signs of problem.

gknew · Oct 27, 2020

nuss said: ↑

My physician is also my colleague so it’s a different kind of interaction. She spends a good hour with me and we talk about everything including any difference in stress level/ routine etc.

She does PAP test every 3 years and recommends mammogram every year. My first was this year. She recommends complete blood work every year (her reasoning is that we get paid extra in our HSA account for preventive measures so why not even though I have no underlying issues).
She does a complete physical test. I have a few weird moles that she is keeping an eye on. So, yes, ah would check pretty much every inch of my body.
My previous PCP barely checked me and mostly just wrote the blood test so it’s kind of nice to have someone watching out for any signs of problem.
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@nuss , you are so so lucky to have a great PCP. My PCP spend only ten minutes with me for the annual.
When is the right age to start mammogram? At 35 or 40?

MalStrom · Oct 27, 2020

Mammograms are recommended once you turn 40. Unless there are other concerns they are not typically suggested as screening for younger women.
I go to gyn for a well-woman checkup every year in addition to a physical at my PCP.
The gyn does the Pap smear every 3 years. I also get a pelvic ultrasound due to ongoing issues and she does bloodwork to check my hormones, and writes an order for the mammogram.
My PCP spends over an hour for the annual physical, with complete blood panels for everything including iron and thyroid. She also asks about diet, general issues and mental health concerns. We pay an annual fee to be a member of her practice. The other doctors would rush us out the door in 15 minutes.
We have been going to all medical, dental, pediatrician and eye appointments as usual since May. We even had to go to the pediatric ER and several urgent care visits. Everyone is wearing proper PPE and following correct protocol. The doctors are as concerned about staying healthy as we are, so as long as your provider is taking precautions I wouldn’t worry.

gknew · Oct 28, 2020

MalStrom said: ↑

Mammograms are recommended once you turn 40. Unless there are other concerns they are not typically suggested as screening for younger women.
I go to gyn for a well-woman checkup every year in addition to a physical at my PCP.
The gyn does the Pap smear every 3 years. I also get a pelvic ultrasound due to ongoing issues and she does bloodwork to check my hormones, and writes an order for the mammogram.
My PCP spends over an hour for the annual physical, with complete blood panels for everything including iron and thyroid. She also asks about diet, general issues and mental health concerns. We pay an annual fee to be a member of her practice. The other doctors would rush us out the door in 15 minutes.
We have been going to all medical, dental, pediatrician and eye appointments as usual since May. We even had to go to the pediatric ER and several urgent care visits. Everyone is wearing proper PPE and following correct protocol. The doctors are as concerned about staying healthy as we are, so as long as your provider is taking precautions I wouldn’t worry.
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Thank you @MalStrom. I have been to gyn only once for the annual a couple of years back. Wasn't due for pap that time. Had only blood work.

MyPCP did my previous pap 3 yrs back. Hope it's ok to do with pcp as well. I have to request my PCP to run iron and vitamin d,b12 additionally. Also for thyroid, she won't check for free t3,T4. Always check only total T3,T4. I have requested for free t3,T4 for last 2 years. But she didn't agree to it. She always say the additional ones are added if we see any spike in the normal blood work numbers.

I am going to different doctor offices too since may. I have been dealing with some jaw and neck pain since may and no diagnosis yet. Been to many doctors , dentists and had many procedures too. Oral surgery, root canal etc.
Many appointments scheduled as well.

All the doctor offices I have been are taking precautions. They let patients in only after the temperature check.

nuss · Oct 28, 2020

My first mammogram was this year at 41. I didn’t get time to get it done last year- was traveling too much to find a good time.

sarvantaryamini · Oct 28, 2020

nuss said: ↑

My first mammogram was this year at 41. I didn’t get time to get it done last year- was traveling too much to find a good time.
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I heard mammogram is very painful, is that true?

Rihana · Oct 28, 2020

sarvantaryamini said: ↑

I heard mammogram is very painful, is that true?
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Yes, it does hurt a bit for a few seconds each time the machine does its job. But, overall, the pain level is way less than that of a pap smear or pelvic ultrasound.

Following the radiologist's instructions to breathe and when to hold breath helps as does keeping the arms and shoulder as directed. The more annoying part for me is the walk from the changing room to the mammogram room. The clothes can be left in the changing room, but the precious belongings have to be carried to the mammogram room while also holding together the gown covering upper part of the body (have to undress completely waist up, obviously).

Suggestion for those just starting mammograms: find a reputed placed with multiple radiologists and good reviews, and stick to that place. As we grow older, there are times when they find "suspicious high density" fiber or muscle or whatever, and a second test or an ultrasound is needed. Better to have these done in a reputed place. Also, try not to change where you go for mammograms. Transferring records is a hassle and the radiologist often needs to compare results with the previous years results.