They are having me do the Covid Test next week before my surgery on the 18th. Has anyone else had it done? Is it horrible? Just trying to prepare myself [emoji21][emoji1787]

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6 minutes ago, AjaSlimtone said:

I've heard so many horror stories about this stupid test. LOL I really hope it's just a matter of people being overdramatic. I haven't had one done yet, but like everyone else, I'll have to get one in order to be admitted to the hospital on surgery day. All the horror stories are making me nervous, but then people say it's only a few seconds so how horrible could it be?

It's unpleasant for those few seconds and it feels like longer than it is, plus your nose and eyes hurt for a bit afterwards, but definitely not the worst pain I've felt.

2 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

It's unpleasant for those few seconds and it feels like longer than it is, plus your nose and eyes hurt for a bit afterwards, but definitely not the worst pain I've felt.

Would you say it's worse than getting blood drawn for a blood test?

Just now, AjaSlimtone said:

Depends on the phlebotomist. IF they are a good phlebotomist, a blood draw doesn't hurt much at all, but I've had some bad phlebotomists who have to dig for veins. I would said the COVID test is slightly worse, and feels completely different.

Would you say it's worse than getting blood drawn for a blood test?

Would you say it's worse than getting blood drawn for a blood test?

I think they're about the same, but needles don't bother me and neither does the covid test. I mean, it's weird and uncomfortable, but not that bad. And it's over super quick, so if you just make your self relax and hold still it is not hard to get though. Don't let people scare you!

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I think they're about the same, but needles don't bother me and neither does the covid test. I mean, it's weird and uncomfortable, but not that bad. And it's over super quick, so if you just make your self relax and hold still it is not hard to get though. Don't let people scare you!

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Ok, that's what I was thinking! Because while I don't *like* getting blood drawn, the worst part for me (insertion of the needle) takes all of 2-5 seconds and then it's over. I may have a slightly sore arm or bruising afterward, but it's not anything that completely ruins me for the rest of the day or anything like that. So if the swab is on par with that, then ok.

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I was petrified of it but when I went it only tickled. It really was super easy. Good luck!

On 7/17/2021 at 3:08 PM, lm1982 said:

I was petrified of it but when I went it only tickled. It really was super easy. Good luck!

Did you get the one where they go all the way up in your nose?

7 minutes ago, AjaSlimtone said:

Did you get the one where they go all the way up in your nose?

I don’t think it went all the way up but it did go far. When she did it it tickled there was no pain just a weird sensation if that makes sense.

They are having me do the Covid Test next week before my surgery on the 18th. Has anyone else had it done? Is it horrible? Just trying to prepare myself [][]
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I did not want the painful one up my nose so 2 days before my procedure, I went to a drive thru Walgreens and had the easy self test there. The hospital accepts it.

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So I just did it for the first time today, and it was more or less what I expected: Uncomfortable but not at all painful. Someone described it as feeling like you got pool water up your nose, and I'd say that was about accurate for me. My nurse was very kind and I think she tried to be as gentle as possible. She swabbed both nostrils and the entire thing was done after just a few seconds. No pain anywhere afterward. I had to get this done in order to be admitted for my endoscopy on Friday and will have to do another one a couple of days before my VSG procedure. At least now I know what to expect.

Edited July 28, 20214 yr by AjaSlimtone

I had another one last week to come back from Spain, and man, it was rough, way worse than any other I've had. I could still feel the burn a few hours later. I think a lot depends on how deep the person performing it thinks they have to go.

Whenever a hospital requires a COVID test, I go within 48-72 hrs to a Walgreens drive-thru and swab it myself since you don't have to go deep for that particular test. You get the results in a day. Then I either fax it or bring it to the hospital. Has worked every time.