PAP or ROOT CANAL?

[graywarrior]

For me? Root canal ANY day. 10 root canals even, followed by extractions and/or fillings with no novocaine.

[Phillycat]

1. Oh crap, I think I voted wrong.

I meant to vote that paps are definitely WORSE. But I voted FOR pap instead. Whoops.

Anyway, I've had a root canal, and it was nothing compared to my yearly pap. I HATE them and they freaking HURT. The doctor's always like "A little discomfort" and then I'm coming off the table and bleeding like crazy. BLERGH.

[graywarrior]

3. There ya go. I HATE em. Fucking HATE HATE HATE them and the dr's that do them.

[mopinko]

5. jeez, is this the only

doctor in town or something? i have never had pain of bleeding.

[Phillycat]

10. Well, you must have no feeling in your inside bits then.

I've obviously gone to many different ob/gyns in my 34 years of life - all females, but all different, ranging from free clinics to the best practice in town. It doesn't make a difference. They are unbelievably painful and I bleed the whole rest of the day.

[Shell Beau]

25. While that is probably normal, I have never bled all day, nor

have any of my friends. And they don't hurt. A little uncomfortable, but that is it. Maybe you have a really low tolerance for pain!! :shrug:

[Phillycat]

87. Um, no.

I have a tattoo that took five and a half hours on my back, over my spine. I also have 6 other tattoos on various parts of my body. I have an extremely high tolerance for pain.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

95. me either. i have never bled after a pap. is that common?

[graywarrior]

2. You are KIDDING me!

PAP!? Jesus.

[billyskank]

4. What is pap (or a pap)?

:shrug:

[graywarrior]

7. The PAP Test ~ which I NEVER study for, BTW

The Pap test, also called a Pap smear, checks for changes in the cells of your cervix

[billyskank]

9. In that case, I guess I have no opinion on this one

;)

[plcdude]

8. it's female

thing. http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pap.htm

[azmouse]

6. I've never had a root canal to do any comparison.

I haven't even had a cavity since my teens.

And I'm waaay overdue for a pap test.

[NashVegas]

11. Some of You Must Still Be Going to Barbers

That, or my cervix has its own built-in Novocaine.

[graywarrior]

13. I'm astounded with people who can deal with that and experience nothing.

Just astounded.

[NashVegas]

57. Nada

Easier than a mamm, even.

[July]

103. Okay, I'm not alone. I thought I was nuts.

I've also had an easy root canal, but I know many people who haven't. Never heard tales about PAP tests, though.

[graywarrior]

12. Basically, both require similar body positions, except with a root canal,

you don't have to put your feet into stirrups, although, that might be the next new thing coming from the ADA, bastids.

[Ariana Celeste]

14. paps don't bother me

I don't feel pain, just... extreme discomfort. Honestly, having someone inspect my no-no zone bothers me a helluva lot more than the physical discomfort. :shrug:

Never had a root canal, but dentist stuff just scares the crap outta me.

[Mad_Dem_X]

91. Root canal is a thousand times worse, IMO

I've never had anything more than a little discomfort when I get a pap. But with a root canal, the pain lasts for days. :cry:

[Kali]

15. Well, I've never had a root canal, but with good drugs and no complications

it probably isn't THAT bad (birthing, kidney stones are my standards) Are your ladies having painful pap smears perhaps mistaking a cervical biopsy for a simple pap smear??? I seem to have decent feeling in that area but never had pain or bleeding from a pap smear :shrug:

edit because I can't seem to run spell check BEFORE hitting post

[MnFats]

78. can't speak to PAP as I don't have a cervix but my abcess that led to root canal..

...
was perhaps the worst pain i've ever felt. it felt like someone was trying to drive a 10-penny nail into my jaw.
my spouse drove me to the e.r. at 3 in the morning and i insisted she run the lights that didn't appear to have trafffic approching.
i thought i was going to die until they shot me full of novocaine, then gave me some very strong painkillers for use til i could get in to see the dentist -- on an emergency basis, sunday afternoon, and boy did he charge me for it...

[crim son]

16. Pap:

minor pain and cramping. Root canal: horrible hideous sounds and smells emanating from your head for an hour. Then later, a headache. I'll take the pap over the root canal please.

[evlbstrd]

17. Can you get a PAP Canal?

You probably wouldn't want to.

[graywarrior]

20. Would need a looooonnnggggg scraping device.

Shit, the thought of that is nauseating.

[evlbstrd]

32. I know.

I threw up in my mouth a little just typing it.

[LuLu550]

29. or a Root Smear??

Honestly, if you are having that much pain from a pap, get another doctor.

I have had a number of root canals and they really aren't that bad.

A cervical biopsy should be done under anesthesia. Had them, and cervical cancer, too.

So get those annual paps and if you can get the HPV vaccine.

[graywarrior]

30. At my age, unless you use estrogen, PAP's are murderous.

Tis why I had to have the exam split into two appointments. Glad you got through the cancer part. How are you now?

[LuLu550]

80. Many years ago

caught in the very early stages, thanks to paps.

Thanks for asking.

[LuLu550]

98. 56, no hormone replacement

guess I am lucky!

[skygazer]

18. Wow, bummer that you have so much discomfort with them

I don't particularly enjoy having a pap, but I've never experienced anything other than some minor discomfort (and the dreadfully exposed feeling of being in those damn stirrups - had to be a male doctor who came up with that one. Probably some guy with cowgirl fantasies).

Root canals, though.... :scared: And I may need one - I've had a rotten toothache for the last couple of days and am going to the dentist later this week.

[Control-Z]

19. What crim son said

Word for word.

[Shell Beau]

21. Never had a root canal! So I can't say fairly!

They do give you drugs for that though! Although a pap lasts like 2 seconds, it is the stirrups that are un-fun!!!

[nini]

22. root canal

seriesly!!11


:D

[NC_Nurse]

23. I've never had one THAT bad.

The one root canal I had, my tooth was dying and hurt like a SON-OF-A-BITCH until I got numbed up and had the root canal. The root canal itself wasn't bad, the toothache was excruciating.

If you think a pap is bad, try a uterine biopsy - WAY worse! I've had one of those too. Awful. Just plain awful. I think they sometimes give sedation for it, but I said to get it over with...BIG mistake!

Pelvics just suck, period. You might try a more gentle practitioner...Paps shouldn't be all that bad.

[graywarrior]

26. Oh Jesus, a uterine biopsy. Now there's something I can obsess about while I feel for breastlumps

on a nightly basis.

[graywarrior]

24. Yeah, well small talk while you're feet are in stirrups is mega painful

I can't stand small talk to begin with, never mind while I'm in that position. "So, did you have a nice Thanksgiving?" "Sure, my feet weren't where they are now!"

[Left Is Write]

27. Pap, of course.

The Pap takes a minute or two.

The root canal takes an hour to an hour and half, PLUS the appointment for buildup/temporary crown, and then the crown itself.

[graywarrior]

28. My PAP's start from the day I make the appointment. No..wait...

they start when I first realize it's been a few years and I have to make an appointment. Then, I obsess about it til I go. Most recent had to be done int TWO visits. TWO...a month apart. You have no idea what a nutcase I am. In between the time the realization enters my mind and the day I get the results, I am planning my funeral.

I need therapy.

[Mrs.Matcom]

31. Ok Ladies!!! Listen up!

I am going to give you my two cents worth...I had cervical cancer, stage 3 and there are only 4 stages. When I went in for my paps, my symptoms, after, were very similar to yours. When I had to have a biopsy, my very gentle, very sweet, male gyno sprayed Novocaine on my cervix. Helped a little, but I cramped for a few days. Let me just tell you...chemo and radiation are no picnic compared to cramping and bleeding. Ohhhh and the fun i had while being locked behind an eight inch thick door, with a little torture device called "Tandem and Ovid"...let's just say I was 'radioactive' in the no-no place for three days, while flat on my back with a catheter. So...get your butts on that table and get those pap tests done! I beg you! I care about all my DU sisters too much to have any of you go through what I went through, because of a little discomfort! Ask your gyno's if they can give you a squirt of Novocaine, might make a difference. And make sure that you do not have ANY abnormal paps! If you do, ask to be knocked out and get a full biopsy! I had cancer for years and didn't know it!!!

:hug: :loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[Shell Beau]

33. Wow! Glad you turned out okay!

I have luckily never had any abnormal paps! I go every year like I am supposed to! I have been going a lot more here lately because of fertility issues. My friend did/does have HPV. She waited 4 years after getting abnormal results to go back! By then, they had to cut out a large portion of her cervix because it had spread up so far. Never put off because you are scared. You can't get help if you don't know there is a problem!!

[matcom]

34. wise words Shell, wise words

:hug:

[Mrs.Matcom]

38. amen sister!

Glad to know you go regularly! I get on all my female friends and co-workers to make sure they go. And I have really started pushing the mothers to get their daughters the vaccine! Most of them didn't know about it! I even got the company Intranet news letter to print an article about the vaccine! What is their slogan? "One Less"?? :hug:

[graywarrior]

35. Holy shit! That's a wake up slap in the face.

So glad you are ok. Guess bitching about PAP's is small potato's compared to what you went through. So, are you ok now?

[Mrs.Matcom]

39. Cancer Free for 7 years!

have a few radiation side effects, but nothing compared to the alternative...death. I'm still able to Kick matcom's ass! :rofl:

In full blown menopause, but the HRT takes care of the hot flashes, night sweats, leg cramps and mood swings. Nice that I don't get the dreaded curse monthly!!! LOVE THAT! :hug:

[graywarrior]

44. I love you now even more than I did before.

:loveya:

[Mrs.Matcom]

50. Aaaawwww!

Honey! That is sweet!! I love you too :loveya: I will be happy to come out and hold your hand through the whole thing, if you need!

[graywarrior]

60. You can go with me for the mammogram!

Which doesn't bother me til I have to wait for the results.

[Mrs.Matcom]

100. Sure!

I just had mine done end of October...no those I hate! ugh! My poor flat chested sister is going to be in PAIN when she hits 40! I asked about doing the sonograms and the tech said they only do them if something looks 'funny'. I feel for her :scared:

[graywarrior]

101. It's amazing how much of you they can pull into that contraption.

More amazing is how you bounce back.

[Mrs.Matcom]

106. I made the mistake

of looking down the first time I had one done...almost passed out when I saw my poor girl that flat! A friend of mine that is small was bruised all over from hers!

[graywarrior]

110. Yeah, watching it happen is a jaw dropping shock.

I had visions of something spurting. Then, on top of that, we bag them up into a set of slings, some with wires underneathe, and off we go out into the world where no one has a clue what they just went through.

[NC_Nurse]

36. I used to care for cervical cancer patients...

we did radiation implants like you are referring too. It's such a barbaric treatment! I really felt for them. We
could only go into the room every 6 hours to reduce radiation exposure. I also gave chemo and did post-op care.
A lot of my patients didn't make it.
I'm so glad you did!!!
:hug:

[Mrs.Matcom]

43. Thank you NC_Nurse!!!

I'm glad I'm here too!

AH HA, so you know of the torture device! yes talk about barbaric! They thought they were going to have to do it twice! My doctor said they got it with the first time. I said good because matcom would have to knock me on the head with a hammer to get me back in again! UGH! I also told him to take a picture of a woman with the implants and plaster them in every public locker room and restroom! that would get the ladies in the doctors offices! What do you think of the new vaccine? :hug:

[graywarrior]

49. I'd like to know what people think of that vaccine, also.

[flamingyouth]

79. Thanks so much for posting this!!

I was just diagnosed with cancer too (bladder cancer), and cystoscopies aren't a lot of fun either (think PAP smears are bad???) but believe me, get your tests. And congrats on being cancer-free!!! :hug:

[LuLu550]

82. That's tellin' 'em, girlfriend!

Mine was cause early enough that my cervix was basically just out, no chemo or radiation. ONe of my friends was not so lucky and had to go the chemo/radiation route and she said the radiation was true torture.

So get the paps and get the vaccine!

[graywarrior]

37. I feel like a whiney crybaby now

[Mrs.Matcom]

47. NO NO NO NO!

do not feel like that!!! :hug: I was concerned because there are many levels of 'abnormal' pap smears and no one told me! Thank God I moved back East from Utah! My gyno saved my life and I see him every six months! My paps are normal now, and they never, ever thought they would be. I was concerned for you and Janez that maybe you had the beginning of cancer and no one was taking care of it! As you can tell, this is a very close cause to me. I would not wish what I went through on my worst enemy! So, basically make sure you are not in the beginning of cancer, also known as "erosion". Get a biopsy if you need to, I had a spinal for mine and really nice vicodan after!! :D

[graywarrior]

61. My present PAP was one that they take for women who have had abnormal PAPs in the past.

I'm hoping that will be enough to determine anything. I don't have insurance right now, so anything beyond that has to be really necessary.

[Mrs.Matcom]

67. go to family planning

They will take care of you. I didn't have insurance and went there, after going to a doctor for years. They were the ones that told me about the different levels of "abnormal" paps. I was in the middle of moving from Utah to Mass when they told me I needed a biopsy. I chose to wait, stupid move on my part. But I was lucky enough to find a good doctor back here. Family planning will help you no matter what you make. Think about it, my friend! Please!

[graywarrior]

73. I went to Planned Parenthood.

Will research Family Planning in this area.

Oops, sounds like the same place.

[Kali]

54. I forgot about your...um...

can I say it? touch of hypochondria...that you have more intense reactions to medical "stuff," so here is maybe my first electronic :hug: Your "concerns" are hilarious to read, but still worry can be worse than the real thing sometimes.

Mrs. Matcom, way to go! You are a good person to put your story out to help others. Thank you.

[Mrs.Matcom]

55. Kali

Anything to help another! :hug:

[QMPMom]

40. Pap. I'll take a hundred of them over one dental visit.

[cwydro]

41. Just the title of this thread made me flinch...

but I'm going with Pap, or...no...forget it. I can't vote.

[graywarrior]

42. Why not?

[cwydro]

46. Because I can't decide....

I HATE the dentist and need to go. I HATE doctors...and should get a pap... (We need a smilie that throws itself on the ground in a tantrum)

[carlydenise]

45. Paps would be more tolerable if the DR administered Nitrus Oxide to the lady

n/t
Carly

[graywarrior]

48. You know, based on the comments here, I bet more women would

have PAP's if they weren't so painful, uncomforatble or cause whatever anguish they cause to some of us.

[FuzzySlippers]

51. I find this so weird.

A PAP test is nothing! :shrug: Whereas I dread a teeth cleaning.

[July]

105. I'm with you, despite an easy root canal.

I'd give birth another fifty times in lieu of some of the other dental work I've had done.

Now, ask me about my wire localization before a breast biopsy -- THAT was hell. And one of my numerous mammograms nearly sent me through the ceiling (I didn't know I had a large cyst). I think I saw God.

[graywarrior]

108. Why is it that there are two areas of the female anatomy that are torture

to exam in order to stay healthy? Those two tests make my mind sick.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

52. Dear Graywarrior - could be endometriosis

Dear Graywarrior,

if your pap smears hurt like hell, and pelvic exams are painful, that could be a big symptom of endometriosis.

When I was 19 and in college, I had a pelvic exam and it hurt so much that I cried. The nurse thought I was a big sissy. Turned out that the doc diagnosed me as having endometriosis.

That's when the endometrium crawls out your tubes and attaches itself to your ovaries, or other parts of your guts. I had my endometriosis zapped off with a lazer over 20 years ago and it helped immensely!!

I still had gawdawful cramps with my periods, but the one amazing thing that it did was that I had rosy cheeks for the first time in years! My parents were stunned!

Good luck!

[graywarrior]

59. I had endometriosis til I was 40. Diet change ended that.

Painful PAP's for me are more due to the stigma my mother put on them and the fear she had of getting them. It was all about shame for her. Imagine, someone else getting a looksie. Even tho I knew that was stupid, I still soaked it all in and react that way when I have to get one.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

53. root canals are bad for you - leave bad germs

I had fillings that cracked and fell apart in 2 teeth, then got root canals, then got teeth pulled.

Mercury fillings are quite toxic. When they do root canals the tips get bacteria in them and they produce bad toxins, because the buggies are anaerobic (they hate oxygen). These are the kind of bugs that produce tetanus, gas gangrene, botulism. Stuff like that.

Go to a biological dentist - google it -- and get everything sterilized and get non toxic fillings!

Disclaimer:The above is not to be construed as medical or dental advice and we make no guarantees. The above advice is not intended to cure any disease or condition of the body.

[graywarrior]

62. I agree with you 150%

[liontamer]

56. Wow neither of these bother me.

Admittedly, I've never had a root canal, but I've had extractions, and it's the swelling later that's bad (and that's when I had all four wisdom teeth dug out before they erupted.)

As for the pap smear, it's inconvenient and kind of embarrassing, but isn't being embarrassed once a year okay if it means that you detect cervical cancer in its early stages?

Of course I've never had more than mild spotting after a pap smear. It's just a little swab of your cervix, are you possibly confusing a biopsy(where they really do rip out a chunk of tissue) with a pap smear?

[NewWaveChick1981]

58. I'll take the Pap test for $50, Alex...

:P I have annual Pap tests and have only had one root canal, and I'd still rather have a Pap test. :)

[RevolutionaryActs]

63. I have never had either one.

AND I DON'T WANNA! :cry:

[graywarrior]

64. Toby can give you one.

[RevolutionaryActs]

65. Oh good god.

:rofl:

[liontamer]

66. Really? Are you female?

If you are and are over 18 and/or sexually active you really should. It's an issue of health, and despite what some people say here, it's not painful or shameful, it's just a routine physical examination.

[RevolutionaryActs]

68. Yes, I is a girl.

:P


I'm twenty and a virgin. I don't have a doc. or insurance, although I am up for medical at work now, so once I get that I'll probably start looking around for a good doc. :hi:

[liontamer]

81. ok good

your health is important :hi:

[graywarrior]

69. Yeah REV, go get a PAPand join the rest of us commiserating over it.

[Phillycat]

88. Excuse me.

I strongly resent your implication that I am "making it up" or some kind of sissy because I find pap smears very painful. "Despite what some people say here..." Who the hell are you???

Some of the injuries I've had in my life:

broke both wrists and both ankles
Pulled groin muscle
Almost ripped Achilles tendon in half
Broke ulna
Sprained neck
Broke three ribs
Countless broken toes
Constant low back pain

And I would STILL rather have any of those than a pap smear. So please don't you dare tell me I don't experience what I experience!

[liontamer]

94. I'm not saying you don't experience what you experience

but I wouldn't tell someone to avoid getting a medically necessary procedure because someone out there had an adverse reaction to it. People react differently to things. Some people risk death if they're even in the room with peanuts. That doesn't mean that peanuts are toxic. They're in fact rather good for most people. Your bad reaction shouldn't scare a young woman from taking care of her body properly.

[Mrs.Matcom]

70. WHAT??? WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?????

did you not see my post above??? I am coming out there to get you! We are going to come back here and see my doctor! you are also going to get the HPV vaccine!!! Dear Lord REV!!! Don't do this to yourself!!! ugh!!! You are a smart woman, please, please, please go see a doctor and get a pap test!!! :cry: :hug: :cry: :loveya:

Edit:

One of my doctors has treated nuns for cervical cancer, so being a virgin, even though it does have less risks, does not totally rule out the cancer. I will take you to see my doc and pay for the visit and the vaccine!!! Drive on up her girl! :)

[RevolutionaryActs]

71. I know, I'm horrible.

:(



I just read your post, I'm so happy everything worked out well! :hug::loveya:

[graywarrior]

72. And don't freak out over all this. Just take care of yourself.

You need to be here for the Toby.

[RevolutionaryActs]

74. LOL!

I know, Toby would be so lost without me.

[Mrs.Matcom]

76. Exactly!!

If there is anything I can do, let me know! I do care about you! :hug: Please at least go to a family planning clinic, you can request a female to go the exam. Think about it!

[SOteric]

75. Both are odious, however...

I could live a full and productive life without a tooth or two. Cervical cancer is another matter.

[graywarrior]

77. That's it in a nutshell.

[suzbaby]

83. Wow,

A pap has never been anything but a few second discomfort for me. I count to 3 and it's done. A root canal takes a heck of a lot longer than that.

(and I do have feeling in my naughty bits -- so that's not it) :hide:

Not to belittle your pain, every woman's experience is different. :hi:

[Skittles]

84. root canal ANY DAY

yes

[bertha katzenengel]

85. I'm with you. Give me a root canal any day. Give me 32 of them. Really.

In fact, yank all my teeth out and puree my food for the rest of my life.

[graywarrior]

86. You are fucking hilarious, and just like meeeeeeee.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

89. never had a root canal but my paps dont hurt...

[MissMillie]

90. a pap is no big deal at all

if you said childbirth, I think that would have been a more equitable comparison.

[reyd reid reed]

92. I'm not crazy about either one...

neither are especially painful, it's more the nervousness that precedes them. I'd rather have a root canal, though. There's just something so undignified about a pap.

"Feet up, relax your legs and just let your knees fall apart and skootch your butt down to the edge of the table..."

Relax? What...are they KIDDING me?

:eyes:

[Left Is Write]

93. There's a great deal of indignity involved in drooling underneath the rubber dam

during a root canal also. :)

[graywarrior]

99. Yes, all the anguish takes place in that one moment....

"Feet up, relax your legs and just let your knees fall apart and skootch your butt down to the edge of the table..."

[LaraMN]

96. I'd say a pap for sure, but there was the time I had a "trainee,"

and a tilted uterus, and I don't even want to remember that...
:scared:

[Mutley]

97. I'd have to go with a pap.

While paps can be a little uncomfortable and embarrassing, anything having to do with teeth usually gives me pain for days.

[July]

102. PAP test?

I haven't had any problems with it -- what's your experience?

[graywarrior]

104. I never study for them.

[querelle]

107. I Picked A Root Canal

I'm a guy so I don't know how a pap smear feels. However............I have had a gastroentologist (did I spell that right?) shove tubes down my throat and up my ass to take pictures. Being gay, one would think that I wouldn't mind such intrusions, but dammit they hurt and were very invasive!

Q

[BarenakedLady]

109. I'd take the Pap

I'm VERY sensitive (TMI) and it does hurt a LOT, but it's relatively quick. A root canal, while I've never had one, sounds a heck of a lot worse.