Finding out you're 'Abnormal'

Tupins

Last week I got the results of my free cervical smear check and it was classified as abnormal.

Apparently, it's only borderline and the cells may rectify themselves so just have to go for another smear in 6 months to check. If still abnormal they will treat then. When I first got the results I did get a bit of a fright but luckily I have a friend who had a similar experience and talking to her put my mind more at rest. Since then I've spoken to other friends and I've heard so many stories of other women who've had various issues, most of whom thankfully are all fine now, thanks to early detection.

Just thought that the ladies of the lounge would be willing to lend an ear to those who may have had similar smear results. Not to offer medical advice as such but just to give some support to those who find out they are 'abnormal' like me. It's not the worst news in the world but at the same time it's not very nice so if you have any positive experiences you'd like to share I'm sure it would be of help to those who are worried.

barbiegirl

I've had the same and yes it was a scare but thankfully it's all worked out well. I have a great doctor who really put me at ease and talked me through everything.
I also picked up a little pointer. Don't have sex for 3-4 days before your smear test and this seemingly reduces the chances of an abnormal smear due to semen or wear on the cervix. Not sure how valid this is but if you think about it no harm to go in with down there completly clean.

Das Kitty

Same thing happened to me. I actually went for the smear when I thought I was finished my period but wasn't quite. As I had a normal smear 6 months later, this is what it was put down to.

I would advise going mid-cycle and abstaining for a week before the retest.

Lots of my friends have had a borderline abnormality but were all OK (thank God) on the retest.

MeMyself&I

Hi, this is a very good thread.

I got two smears last year, and both came back with slight changes. i still have not been refered to get this seen to, i was just told to come back again in a few months for another.

I think during my first smear i had thrush, and my second i was just over my period, so maybe this had something to do with the results. Its very scary though, especially with all this talk about it in the media.

I have now decided to change my diet, and take my vitamins, as i think this makes a major difference. Folic acid is a good thing to take, helps the cells return to normal (or so they say).

I will go back the end of may for another smear, but if it still remains abnormal i will be asking to be refered on to a consultant. Before i just put all this thoughts of cerival cancer to the back of my head, but now i have to face up to things. Im hoping it will work out ok

Scary times for women

Tupins

Hi, OP here - that's interesting about the folic acid. Just googled it and yes, it is deemed to help restore dysplasia (abnormal cervical cells). I'm going to start taking that straight away.

Thanks for the tip.

MeMyself&I

Tomatoes are also very good to take (i have been overly obsessive about this last year).

i dont want to go off topic, so i wont :rolleyes:...but i have so many tips and advice on this matter, if you want a full rundown on them...or anybody else that is worried about abnormal cells, PM me anytime.

Malari

I had abnormalities too and actually asked my GP if there was anything I could do to avoid these abnormalities and she said no! So interesting to hear about the tomato/folic acid theories. And the pre-smear sex...boo! :P

I've been to the specialist 3 times, and each time they want me back to make sure it's all ok. I was of course, terrified the first time, but they are very reassuring, and I think as long as they are aware of it, it shouldn't get out of control.

Tupins

Interesting article here:

http://www.tidesoflife.com/cervical_dysplasia.htm

GirlInterrupted

I had an abnormal result about two years ago, and it really frightened me. I read up on it and was reassured that even if the worst came to the worst, it was treatable.

I was told to come mid-cycle and having abstained from sex for four days, and luckily my next smear was clear.

I didn't have to, but I had another within a year to 'double check' and for my own peace of mind, but I could have spared myself the expense.

kizzyr

I had an abnormal smear test and my GP asked me back for another one. That too came back abnormal and I was worried. She assured me that she was going to keep an eye on everything and a third test was carried out. I then spoke to my older sister and she told me that she had abnormal results and had to have a colposcopy. Ever since she was fine. Then my little sister (24) told me that she had had a series of abnormal results too but her GP was confident that she was ok but would have to have smears more often than the average woman just to be on the safe side.
When I went back to my GP and told her about my sisters and their abnormal results she relaxed a little. Granted I still have smears more often than many other people but I feel happier having them this regularly.

banshee_bones

Yeah I have heard this is common enough, can happen for alot of reasons, if it wasnt done correctly, if there may have been even a small bit of blood in the sample. Usually its nothing to be too worried about and they will take another sample and usually then everything is fine.
Have a doctors appointment tomorrow so im going to enquire about getting one. Was supposed to get one in college but never got around to it.

hunnymonster

Tupins wrote: »

Interesting article here:

http://www.tidesoflife.com/cervical_dysplasia.htm

There is quite an agenda behind that site though! Miracle cellulite cream = ivy extract?

JackieO

I also have had 2 "borderline abnormal smear results". The first last June and the next in December. I have to wait until June again for the next one. And although I'm not overly worried until I have the next one I would love to hear some more tips about things to do between now and then to maybe improve my chances of having a normal result. I really don't want to have to be going down the route of having a colposcopy if at all possible.

Macha

I had 3 abnormals, then had to have the colposcopy and then even had the lletz treatment. Now I have to have a smear once a year for them just to keep an eye on things. And I'm absolutely fine!

It's more common than you think OP. Once I started talking to my friends about it, all their stories came out. Really, don't worry about it.

MeMyself&I

All this seems so common now when everyone starts talking about it.
sometimes i wish i never ever had sex, then i wouldnt have to worry about it
Does anyone feel there is a stigma attached to this HPV related issue?

I will post a list of all the tips and advice i have started to follow shortly, for anyone that is interested.


oh the trials of being a woman.

Nevyn

taconnol wrote: »

It's more common than you think OP. Once I started talking to my friends about it, all their stories came out. Really, don't worry about it.

The more we talk about issues like this the better inho it breaks down
barriers and taboos.

MeMyself&I wrote: »

All this seems so common now when everyone starts talking about it.

Which has to be a good thing right ?

MeMyself&I wrote: »

sometimes i wish i never ever had sex, then i wouldnt have to worry about it

Really ?
I don't think I could ever feel that way, cos it's SEX after all, that wonderful
silly, sticky, exhilarating, intense pleasure.
Yes we do seem to get the ****ty end of the stick in term of biology but
if we look after ourselves and educate ourselves we then know how to
limit our risks.

MeMyself&I wrote: »

Does anyone feel there is a stigma attached to this HPV related issue?

Personally no, I do know some people who are not educated about the facts
of HPV and them make assumptions as it is classed as an sti and I don't
see why as more people have one of the many strains of HPV then have brown eyes in this country.

MeMyself&I wrote: »

I will post a list of all the tips and advice i have started to follow shortly, for anyone that is interested.

Please do if any of them make things a little easier for even one other woman
then it should be worth it.

MeMyself&I wrote: »

oh the trials of being a woman.

Yes some days it's a right pain in the womb.

Das Kitty

MeMyself&I wrote: »

Does anyone feel there is a stigma attached to this HPV related issue?

Well considering almost every sexually active person has HPV, no I wouldn't think there's a stigma. If anyone thinks any less of someone for having it I would tell them that they probably have it themselves but it hasn't manifested.

Tupins

hunnymonster wrote: »

There is quite an agenda behind that site though! Miracle cellulite cream = ivy extract?

I suppose you should always take everything you read on the internet with a pinch of salt alright. Although, taking folic acid wouldn't do any harm so I've started taking it anyway.

MeMyself&I - that's interesting that you ask about the stigma of the HPV virus. My friend that I mentioned in my opening post said something similar. I think nowadays women are talking more about smears etc (as we are here) but even up to a few years ago you wouldn't hear that much about it. My friend told me that when she had her abnormal results four years ago she felt a bit embaressed to tell anyone as she felt they might think she was 'dirty' in some way.

I think it's great that there's so much publicity about it all now. I would say that any stigma has been greatly reduced. What do others think?

kizzyr

Tupins wrote: »

I suppose you should always take everything you read on the internet with a pinch of salt alright. Although, taking folic acid wouldn't do any harm so I've started taking it anyway.

MeMyself&I - that's interesting that you ask about the stigma of the HPV virus. My friend that I mentioned in my opening post said something similar. I think nowadays women are talking more about smears etc (as we are here) but even up to a few years ago you wouldn't hear that much about it. My friend told me that when she had her abnormal results four years ago she felt a bit embaressed to tell anyone as she felt they might think she was 'dirty' in some way.

I think it's great that there's so much publicity about it all now. I would say that any stigma has been greatly reduced. What do others think?

I never in a million years thought there was a stigma attached to the HPV virus. Maybe I'm naive but I really thought women had enough things on the list of things they can be stigmatised about without this being there too.
You can have sex with one person only for all of your life and still contract the HPV virus. Also, and I know its extremely rare, but you can be a virgin and get the HPV virus so I just say women get your smears, be safe when you have sex and when you have it enjoy

John Mason

i had 7 abnormal smears

in england if you get one strange one you go back every month and then its down to 3 months rather then 6 months

alll is grand now

SeekUp

I've been abnormal twice; both times my body has righted itself within a six-month period.

I'm not sure about the stigma thing, but at the very least, proper education has demystified being 'abnormal' and what it really means for your health.

gemasha

Wow - Im soo glad I came across this thread! I was called back to the doctor last week because my tests were abnormal. I have to go for a Coloscopy this coming Friday and am dead nervous!! I have asked friends, but none of them have had this before! I didnt know anything about it really or what to expect until I just read all of the above - cheers!!

Tupins

hi gamesha,

good for you for getting your smear. that's what they are there for to catch abnormalities early and take care of them.

good luck for Friday. Hope all goes well.

Bally8

I've also had 2 abnormal smears- one last August and one in January. I have my colposcopy in 2 weeks time. I get nervous about it from time to time but fingers crossed it will all be ok. I'll let ye know how it goes.

Yep, only I've never actually had an abnormal smear. I have loads of problems down there, always have, so they sent me for a colposcopy where they discovered mild abnormalities. It's been that way for almost 2 years now, it gets better and worse, better and worse, and the strangest thing is, all my smears come back....NORMAL! If I hadn't been for the colposcopy, I'd think everything was fine and dandy. Even the last time when I was advised to get rid of the cells, the smear results came back fine. Very odd. When I went off the pill for 6 months, my cervix vastly improved and I thought there must be a connection but the dr said no.

I'm hesitant about having the treatment because the dr said there's a small risk it won't work and that repeated treatments could weaken the cervix and caise problems during pregnancies. Anyone have any experience of the treatment?

shelly.m

im 24 with two young boys all my smears come back abnormal i have had a biopsy and coloscapy and it has gone from cin 3 down to cin 2 thank god because at 24 i know myself and my partner ould love another child and i dunno what i would do if i had a hysterecomy

Lobelia Overhill

MeMyself&I wrote: »

sometimes i wish i never ever had sex, then i wouldnt have to worry about it

You can get cervical cancer if you've never/rarely had sex ...

I got my results back this morning and am "abnormal" with a 6 month call back. I'm worried about it, cos these things always worry me even tho' I've been celibate for years due to an accident I had 20 years ago. And "they" say stress is a factor, and I'm constantly stressed out ...

On the other hand I'm blaming the cack handed way the smear was taken, the doctor used the biggest whatsit she had and didn't let me get myself comfy on the couch before she started "drilling" (yeah, if it didn't go first time, it's not going to, no matter how many times you say "relax") .

She did eventually find a smaller one, however I bled quite a bit. I've had umpteen pelvic exams in my life and never bled after one...

so I'm panicking a wee bit

Lollipops23

i got mu first one back and it was abnormal, went back for the 2 subsequent tests over the following year and both came back fine:D due to go back again soon, i wish they were cheaper though, lack of money is why i've put my last one off:(

clogs2

think thats how u spell it!!
have to go for 1 after 3 unsatisfactory smears...
bit scared to say the least...
any advice??

clogs2

if ur 25 or over u get them free through the screening programme

Lollipops23 wrote: »

i got mu first one back and it was abnormal, went back for the 2 subsequent tests over the following year and both came back fine:D due to go back again soon, i wish they were cheaper though, lack of money is why i've put my last one off:(

nodirectionhome

Wow feel so much better after reading this. I have had two abnormal smears and doc has arranged a coloscopy but its not until Feb. I have almost convinced self have cervical cancer though I know thats stupid!! Have no kids and terrified anything would be wrong that I would have to have a hystorectomy! I know I'm way ahead of myself and just being neurotic tho lol, its just nice to hear of others in same boat!