Experiences of colposcopy / biopsy

kc83

Just said I'd start a little thread on this issue as I was searching the net for peoples experiences on Colposcopies as I have had to go for one and I was terrified. If anyone has their own experiences on this please feel free to add as their is a lack of this subject on the net.
it started with three abnormal smear tests and my GP referred me to Colposcopy clinic. I am 29, with no children and have Never really been in hospital for treatment before this, so I was petrified.
I took a Xanax before attending appointment as instructed by my doctor, and went into waiting room surprised at how many women were also waiting. It put my mind at ease a little knowing it wasn't just me experiencing this. I was also worried I'd have a male Doctor, as I'd never had a male before . I luckily had a female but I was soooo nervous I don't think I'd have cared in the end!!
I got asked questions about my health ets and then unddressed from waist down and up my legs went onto the stirrups. My doctor inserted speculum which was uncomfortable...then some cold liquid, you get quite a chill. Unfortunately I did need to get a biopsy which I had to cough for so I wouldn't feel as much pain, and not trying to scare anyone, I found it really painful as she took 4 samples. Speculum removed and I was done.
I felt really weak , faint and shaking like a leaf so I had to lie down for 20 minutes in the hospital and the nurse brought me sugary drink.
I felt cramped up and sore afterwards but feeling a little better this evening.
I'm awaiting results which I'll get in 4-6 weeks and I'm worried about them but will update about this if interested.
at the end of the day this can save lives

Nymeria

Hey, thanks for sharing. I was meant to book in for a colposcopy a few months ago but to be honest I keep putting it off as I'm dreading it. I don't know why because smear tests havent bothered me before, maybe its just the worry of 'maybe there is something actually wrong'.
I also got three abnormal smear tests in the last two years, and my doctor was really nice, saying its just routine and most of the time there is nothing to worry about, but still in the back of your mind you think there is something wrong or they would'nt keep coming back abnormal.
Anyway, I will book in for mine soon, when I go back to college and can get it done for free. I didn't know it would take that long to find out the results, do they just send you a letter or what?

Also, you said you got a biopsy done there and then, was that something they discussed with you beforehand or was it just decided once the doctor was able to have a look?

kylith

Really, Nymeria, don't put it off or it could, gods forbid, be worse in the long run.

I had one last year and it's really not too bad. A bit sore, but you'll be over it in no time.

Ayla

I had one in the States when I was about 23. I had no idea what was going on, only that I had an abnormal smear come back & was referred for colposcopy. But I went & while the doc was doing it she decided to take a biopsy. A pinch & a twitch & it was done. I did feel weird after, kindof nauseous (it could have been the adrenelin afterwards when I thought about it all), but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't go to (my heavily labour intensive) work that afternoon.

Results came back completely normal and I haven't had an abnormal smear since. There is a huge variation in what "abnormal" smears mean, and while we all tend to jump to the worst conclusions it can very often mean something else. By all means don't delay because of fear!!

cassiedoll

i started getting abnormal smears maybe a year after i went on the pill. Soo many of them came back abnormal, i was sent for a colposcopy, must be 3 years ago now for the first one and then 18 months ago for the 2nd one and is absolutely nothing to worry about. A bit more invasive than a smear i would say. You feel that cold from the iodine, i think it is, and the pinch and then its over.

The results that came back from the colposcopy meant i needed to have LLETZ done which is done under local anaesthetic and nothing to worry about either. Sometimes googling medical stuff isn't a good idea cos i was sick with the nerves when i went in to have this done and worried myself over nothing.

6 months after i had the LLETZ done, i had my very first clear smear in years so happy days.

kc83

Yes Nymeria, you shouldn't put it off.....you should just go and get it over with. I was terrified too but now it's over with it actually wasn't that bad. I got my biopsy only done yesterday and I feel fine today.....Ive refrained from the gym today but apart from that I'm in top form.
Everyone has a different experience and for me I'm glad I had taken yesterday off work, but a friend of mine was fine to go in that evening.
They didn't discuss the biopsy with me on the day but when I received my appointment there was an information leaflet attached with the chances of biopsy.
My gynecologist talked me through everything and gave me the option to see everything on screen but when I declined. After having a look with the liquid she told me she needed to take a biopsy. I wasn't surprised as I assumed id need one.

I'm a little nervous about results but not too nervous as my GP has advised me so many people get treatment done. Thats why I decided to share my experience as a lot of women get this done but it's something nobody really talks about!
So keep posting guys......I'll keep updated about my results and treatment. I say treatment as a lot of time when they take biopsy you do get treatment done.

dearg lady

When I had the colposcopy done recently they were able to tell me there and then that everything was fine. I suppose if it's very obvious that there are no abnormal cells they will be able to tell you right away, but of there's any doubt they might have to do further tests.
The doctor ran through all the different possibilities with me before hand, but also said if a biopsy or anything was needed, they would discuss it again, before doing it! I'm lucky that I didn't need anything else done, and the colposcopy itself was fine, no more uncomfortable than a smear.

Snoopy1

never put it off. Im so grateful i went for regular smear tests, that found abnormalities.Ive had biopsies, lettz etc.
While unpleasant, im now in the clear, and go back once a year for a smear.

I've been unlucky enough to have had about 10 colposcopies now. I'm even shocked by how many it sounds. I've been having abnormal smears since 2006 and just kept getting referred. The procedure itself isn't too bad, just like a longer smear. The fact I've had to have so many of them at only 27 is what gets me down, as well as the wait for results, but the procedure is generally OK.

tiny_penguin

I have a coloscopy booked for tomorrow. I had 2 irregular smears and then sent for coloscopy. Only had to wait 2 weeks for an appointment which I'm pretty happy about, better to get these things over and done with. I'm not really that nervous but there is one question I have for others who have done it. My nurse and the letter said it would be a good idea to bring someone with me - so my boyfriend is coming along. Did many people bring someone? And did many of the others in the waiting room have someone with them. Dont want my boyfriend to feel totally out of place.

Also they have said if you do have to get a biopsy or anything else that there is a good chance you will be weak for the afternoon and need someone to drive you home (i get dizzy quite easily so am a little worried about this).Did anyone else experience this?

tiny_penguin

tiny_penguin wrote: »

I have a coloscopy booked for tomorrow. I had 2 irregular smears and then sent for coloscopy. Only had to wait 2 weeks for an appointment which I'm pretty happy about, better to get these things over and done with. I'm not really that nervous but there is one question I have for others who have done it. My nurse and the letter said it would be a good idea to bring someone with me - so my boyfriend is coming along. Did many people bring someone? And did many of the others in the waiting room have someone with them. Dont want my boyfriend to feel totally out of place.

Also they have said if you do have to get a biopsy or anything else that there is a good chance you will be weak for the afternoon and need someone to drive you home (i get dizzy quite easily so am a little worried about this).Did anyone else experience this?

I always go alone because there's no point in my boyfriend taking time off work and both of losing pay, but if he were free, I'd bring him. I see lots of other people with partners and mams.

As for the biopsy, personally I was fine afterwards. I don't see why you'd be dizzy or need someone to drive you home. You feel a bit crap and crampy, but I got straight on the train and went to work in the afternoon. If you can take the afternoon off and have your boyfriend go with you, all the better, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just make sure you have some snacks in your bag to keep your blood sugar up and drink plenty of water.

Fiona

I have to go for my second colposcopy soon not looking forward to it.

tiny_penguin

Just had mine done and decided to take the afternoon off. I did have to get a biopsy but they took more than one sample and gave me local anaesthetic. They considered doing treatment then and there but they wanted to be sure I needed it so went with the biopsy instead.

Glad I had my boyfriend with me to drive me home, feel rubbish and the cramps are very bad.

They were very nice though, had a student doctor and nurse there. And when they called the doctor in I felt a bit on show with the 4 of them, but all in all was grand. Just wait fr the results now.

amdublin

I had one and they proceeded straight to lletz. I was very nervous before it but the two nurses (women) doing the prep were so nice, calm, professional and efficient that I was absolutely grand while everything went on.

They really know their job so if you just follow everything they say it goes fine.

The doctor (male) who did the lletz was fine - no chit chat, just in did the job and out. That was grand by me, I'll sacrifice chit chat for speed of the procedure!

They told me to go out and sit for a while in the waiting room and have a tea or coffee before going back to work. So i helped myself to coffee and biccies and sat. The girl in reception who wasn't very nice I thought initially, made my follow up appointment and when she saw my chart she came around to me to apologize that I made my own cup "they normally tell me when someone has had a procedure and I make the tea, I would have got yours" she said I assured her that I was grand and I didn't mind and she gave me a nice empathetic smile.

I went back to work but felt a little off/weak so I went home to bed for the afternoon. Fantastic sleep that night and back to work no probs next day.

Ladies I cannot describe how nervous I was going in and how coming out I actually felt HAPPY with my good experience with the lovely staff and PROUD that I was looking after my health before anything really bad developed.

Please don't delay going for smears/colposcopys etc.

kc83

amdublin wrote: »

I had one and they proceeded straight to lletz. I was very nervous before it but the two nurses (women) doing the prep were so nice, calm, professional and efficient that I was absolutely grand while everything went on.

They really know their job so if you just follow everything they say it goes fine.

The doctor (male) who did the lletz was fine - no chit chat, just in did the job and out. That was grand by me, I'll sacrifice chit chat for speed of the procedure!


Apart from it being quick...was this treatment painful? Is it as painful a biopsy!?

amdublin

I think they took a biopsy at the time of doing the lletz.

No "pain" as such. I guess the area was numbed. Discomfort more than anything else.

KimmyKims

Hi all. Just came across this thread. I am 2 weeks post radical hysterectomy and lymph node removal due to cervical cancer. I am only 26 . Was diagnosed in July after abnormal smear, colposcopy, LLETZ and biopsy. I will never forget that day. I've just been given the all clear this week but it came at a high price. Please don't put these things off girls, they may just save your life

kc83

God that must ve been an awful experience. Stay strong x x I'm awaiting my results and getting more nervous as the days go by.

Whatever_fools

Hi Guys,

I've just had my 6 month check up smear after 2 abnormal smears, two colposcopies, biopsy and a LLETZ. I remember trawling the internet before I went for colposcopy and LLETZ desperate to find out what to expect.

I found colposcopy fine, just a longer smear - found the bit at the start where they wipe the area, not sure if they're cleaning or rubbing something on that highlights cells or something, a little bit uncomfortable but nothing major.

Found biopsy a little bit sore but like ripping off a plaster - over in a flash. Didn't have any anesthetic for that. Felt a bit wobbly for a couple of mins afterwards but then went off back to work. Bit of cramping but nothing major and no bleeding or anything.

LLETZ (removal of the cells) then I had local anesthetic for. No worse than colposcopy in terms of discomfort during the procedure but I did feel very wobbly afterwards and also the next day so I would recommend taking a day off if you can. I really don't think i'd have been ok for work if I had to go in. Could have been the local anesthetic as well. Not sure.

Had 6 month colposcopy after the LLETZ and all was fine so got discharged from Mater Private and back into Cervical Screening programme, had another 6 month check up 2 weeks ago and am waiting for the results. Must say, still very nervous but fingers crossed.

Funny thing is now that after colposcopies, LLETZ and biopsies a smear is so not a big deal anymore so if anything at least there's that. All going well when I get these results Ill be good then for a year. My one piece of advice - I waited 3 years before going back after my first smear and all of a sudden was making appts in colposcopy clinics and checking health insurance policies etc etc etc. Don't be silly and put it off, you really never know what's happening down there.

Good Luck!

lazygal

I had a colposcopy about a month ago. I was due to have one this time last year but was pregnant so they didn't do it. I really didn't find it 'nice' or whatever term you like. I found the procedure quite painful and I wish it had been explained to me better. I bled for about a week afterwards and I'm awaiting the results to see if further treatment will be needed. I see it as a necessary evil. I don't mean to sound dramatic and I'm usually a person who generally just gets on with things but I found it less invasive having a c-section than the biopsy. I can't explain it, I know it had to be done but I felt a bit violated or something after it.

kc83

Thanks whatever fools, lots of info there......I'm a week now waiting for my results so hopefully get them soon!!! Just want it over with. Ill def need a few days off work after treatment !!

Shivers26

I had my first irregular smear in June of this year. I had my colposcopy appointment the following week. It is like a smear as other said, just a bit more poking around. They swab the area with a fluid that makes the irregular cells change colour. The doctor could easily identify that I had CIN 2-3 cells and went ahead and did the LLETZ there and then. They give a local anaesthetic into the area (it's a bit like the dentist, the first one stings a bit and then it's ok). The whole is experience is actually like a trip to the dentist, the sounds and the thoughts of it are much worse than the actual procedure. I felt a little wobbly after it but not too bad, I would definitely recommend having someone with you to drive you home and take the next day off if you can. When the anaesthetic wore off I had pains a bit like period cramps and kind of a stingy pain inside me but it passed after a few hours.

In the week after my LLETZ I had a discharge that I was told was normal (black like charcoal) but after a couple of days it started to smell horrendous and silly cow that I am I never went to the doctor and I it was most definitely an infection. About a week after my LLETZ I ended up being rushed into hospital with major blood loss. Due to the infection I had probably had all week the 'wound' (LLETZ site) had re-opened for want of a better description. Anyway I had to stay in hospital for a couple of days and I did need a minor surgery so the doctor could stop the bleeding and get me patched up and get a whopper dose of antibiotics into me.

I don't want to scare anybody with this but I guess the moral of the story is, if you have any kind of irregular discharge post colposcopy or LLETZ do go and see your doctor. I spent a week thinking 'how embarrassing, I have to see the doctor and say I have a smelly discharge'. Probably would have saved myself a lot of hassle if I'd just done it!

username123

Had one over a year ago and it was fine, then had normal smear a couple of months ago.

I didnt really mind the colposcopy, the part I tend to not like is having to verbally engage with someone who is fiddling about at your ladybits while the nurse smiles away and looks on like an audience. Id prefer if no one talked to me and just got on with it!! I always feel a bit crampy after any ladybits fiddling so I treat myself to something sweet and a cup of tea and take some painkillers. After the colposcopy they asked if I needed a note for work and I told my tale of woe about my job ending due to redundancy in a couple of weeks so they deemed I needed a full day off - nice ladies!

I now seem to be in the care of the Coombe Hospital in Dublin for future smears, is that what happens after you get referred there for colposcopy?

I do find the staff in there are lovely, but I do wish the parking was better!

Kooli

I think once you get referred for colcoscopy etc, you're in the care of the hospital until you get two normal smears and then you're discharged back to your GP.

I've had the whole shebang as well - the smear, the colcoscopy, the biopsy and then the Lletz.

I found the Lletz treatment fine and was back in work after an hour. The worst part was the bleeding for weeks afterwards, and the not having sex for weeks afterwards. The bleeding was extremely light, but because I couldn't use mooncup (or tampons) I was back to pads/liners and felt like a manky teenager again. Horrible.

But the procedures themselves I found fine. The staff are so lovely. It definitely helped to know what to expect though! (my friend had warned me that the adrenaline shot you get with the Lletz procedure can make you go all shaky and your heart races!)

kc83

Still waitingz on results!!!! It takes ages!!!! It's been 3 weeks now!its awful not knowing

cocokay

so glad i found this thread, got a letter from well woman yesterday to say they've booked me into tallaght hospital as my last 2 smears have had abnormalities. got a bit of a fright n had a cry but reading the above i know now it doesn't necessarily mean cancer. just want it over and done with now, i reckon i will be taking the day off as the hospital is really far my my house/work anyway. kimmy kim hope you are recovering, thank god they got it in time x

maydream

Booked in to have one done in Limerick next week. This is my first abnormal smear. I am feeling very positive and telling myself that this is pretty common.

Great thead..

Best wishes to you all ladies, thank you for sharing all of your stories x

Shivers26

kc83 wrote: »

Still waitingz on results!!!! It takes ages!!!! It's been 3 weeks now!its awful not knowing

To be honest, it's one situation where no news is good news! If they had found something back they would have been on to you within the week. I had my colposcopy / biopsy / LLETZ done in the first week in July and just got the (good) results last week!

kc83

Thanks everyone. My results got in today which came back as a mild abnormality so I need another hospital smear in 6 months but the relief is unreal as I assumed with a biopsy it was really serious!! It just go's to show how important it is to have a smear and shows that a biopsy is only taken as extra precaution.

cloud_dancer

I had to get the LLETZ done a couple of years ago in the Routunda after CIN3 cells showed up on my smear. The first time I went for it they couldn't do it because I was just about to go on holidays so they just did a biopsy instead. The whole thing was very uncomfortable for me. I’m not a big fan of hospitals in general but this was beyond uncomfortable. The next time I had to go I went to my GP before hand and got some valumn to get me through it. I took two in the morning and a couple of hours later I was still shaking so took two more. Even with that I was so nervous that they were going to call it off and ask me to come back under a general anaesthetic. It meant putting it off 6 months so I just bit the bullet and went ahead with it.

When it came to the actual procedure it was painful and they couldn't stop me bleeding afterwards. The doctor kept on explaining everything he was doing when I had repeatedly asked him not to. Had to stay an extra half hour until the bleeding stopped. I flew out of the place with mascara running down my cheeks and feel sorry for the girl that was waiting to go in after me A week later I got a nasty infection and ended up back in there again and on antibiotics for a couple of weeks. Overall it wasn't a nice experience but thankful I've had 2 normal smears since.

cloud_dancer

kc83 wrote: »

Thanks everyone. My results got in today which came back as a mild abnormality so I need another hospital smear in 6 months but the relief is unreal as I assumed with a biopsy it was really serious!! It just go's to show how important it is to have a smear and shows that a biopsy is only taken as extra precaution.

Glad it all turned out ok. Even if something does show up I hear it is very treatable. It takes years for the cells to progress into cancer.

ennis81

Great thread, had 4 irregular smears, then colposcopy and biopsy, Results came back ok, had another smear recently and came back clear Thank god, I found the colposcopy and biopsy v painful and I did begin to cry, they were down there for a while, have to say the staff were fantastic and really try to put you at ease, smears and everything that goes with it may not be particularly pleasant but are so important, its something no woman should ever put off I think Jade Goody thought us all that

maydream

Hi, Has anyone had any experience of test result waiting time in Limerick? I only had my Colp and biopsy done last week! I know it will be probably another 5 weeks.

Stench Blossoms

Well I'm a tool. Gonna delete my post

dearg lady

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

Well I'm a tool. Gonna delete my post

I don't know how to delete mine! very easy mistake to make..the words are so similiar!!

edit:deleted

tiny_penguin

I got my results the other day and I have a polyp that has to be removed. They sent the results by letter and it was at the very end of the 6 weeks waiting so I think its nothing serious - or at least I hope so. Still have to go back in and get it removed. Im booked for December 4th and I'm lucky its late in the day so I dont have to take too much time off work - but still a bit of a pain. And the biopsy left me in a bad way so I think this is goingto be worse :-( Oh well as long as its nothing serious

maydream

tiny_penguin wrote: »

I got my results the other day and I have a polyp that has to be removed. They sent the results by letter and it was at the very end of the 6 weeks waiting so I think its nothing serious - or at least I hope so. Still have to go back in and get it removed. Im booked for December 4th and I'm lucky its late in the day so I dont have to take too much time off work - but still a bit of a pain. And the biopsy left me in a bad way so I think this is goingto be worse :-( Oh well as long as its nothing serious

Best of luck, I'm sure it will go well. Thank you for sharing information.

tiny_penguin

maydream wrote: »

Best of luck, I'm sure it will go well. Thank you for sharing information.

I actually found out today that my mother lied to me. The letter got sent to my family home and I asked her to open it and call me with the results so I didn't have to wait until i was at the house next to find out. She didn't want me to worry so she told me it was just a polyp. Not really sure what she was thinking and I am very very angry at her. Had I not gone looking for the letter I may well have showed up for my appointment thinking I was in for something completely different. But that is neither here nor there now.

The results say I have CIN3 and have to go in for a LLETZ. I am slightly more worried now about it, but glad I know and that I am going in to get something done about it. I am worried about the LLETZ as the biopsy left me in a bad way and if I am being honest I am a bit of a wuss. It does just go to show how important the smears/coloscopy's are.

maydream

tiny_penguin wrote: »

I actually found out today that my mother lied to me. The letter got sent to my family home and I asked her to open it and call me with the results so I didn't have to wait until i was at the house next to find out. She didn't want me to worry so she told me it was just a polyp. Not really sure what she was thinking and I am very very angry at her. Had I not gone looking for the letter I may well have showed up for my appointment thinking I was in for something completely different. But that is neither here nor there now.

The results say I have CIN3 and have to go in for a LLETZ. I am slightly more worried now about it, but glad I know and that I am going in to get something done about it. I am worried about the LLETZ as the biopsy left me in a bad way and if I am being honest I am a bit of a wuss. It does just go to show how important the smears/coloscopy's are.

I was going to say the same, smears are so important. Did u have local anaesthetic during biopsy? I didn't opt for it as I just wanted I all over and done with as quick as possible.

All I can say is the procedure you are going for appears to be common and thankfully you are getting it done. It may be uncomfortable but it will be so worth it.

Try not to be upset with your mother, who knows what people do be thinking but they think at the time they are doing the best for you, as mad as it seems afterward!

tiny_penguin

maydream wrote: »

I was going to say the same, smears are so important. Did u have local anaesthetic during biopsy? I didn't opt for it as I just wanted I all over and done with as quick as possible.

All I can say is the procedure you are going for appears to be common and thankfully you are getting it done. It may be uncomfortable but it will be so worth it.

Try not to be upset with your mother, who knows what people do be thinking but they think at the time they are doing the best for you, as mad as it seems afterward!

Yeh I did get local anaesthetic for the biopsy as they were taking more than one sample - it was fine until that wore off. The actually biopsy was fine but I was in a fair amount of pain afterwards - though again i may just be a bit of a wuss!!

I know my mum meant well, but I cant help think how stupid I would have felt arriving in the hospital for my appointment completely uninformed and unprepared. I won't hold it against her but I wont be asking her to do something similar in a hurry!

maydream

tiny_penguin wrote: »

Yeh I did get local anaesthetic for the biopsy as they were taking more than one sample - it was fine until that wore off. The actually biopsy was fine but I was in a fair amount of pain afterwards - though again i may just be a bit of a wuss!!

I know my mum meant well, but I cant help think how stupid I would have felt arriving in the hospital for my appointment completely uninformed and unprepared. I won't hold it against her but I wont be asking her to do something similar in a hurry!

Best of luck with it, don't be worrying!

JenJen123

Hi

This is my first time posting here so not sure what to expect....

I had LLETZ procedure done last Monday under local. All week I've just had light bleeding but have been feeling very weak and tired. I woke up yesterday morning with a lot more blood so went to my gp. She said it could be an infection so put me on antibiotics. I'm still having quite a bit of bleeding...

Should I be worried or is this normal??

Thanks

rannerap

Just stumbled across this thread. I got random bleeding last summer so went to the doctor who suggested I get a smear. I had to pay as I am only 24, results came back abnormal, was told to come back in December or January. I paid to have another at the start of Jan as Im still only 24 and found out last week that it was abnormal too. Im now being booked in for a colposcopy and Im terrified My mam or step dad has said they will bring me there and back depending who is free which calms me a little, but I'm still really nervous about the whole thing

Macha

These things are really nothing to worry about. I have had the LLETZ treatment once, plus 2 biopsies since. They thought they would have to do another LLETZ treatment but the results from the lab came back normal.

The thing to remember is that this is all preventative medicine. And we're all lucky enough to live in a country that makes sure women have access to this preventative medicine to make sure we stay healthy. I hope that doesn't sound dismissive but these are incredibly minor procedures. Even a colposcopy is just the doctor having a closer look. And I cycled home after having my LLETZ treatment.

Macha

Macha wrote: »

These things are really nothing to worry about. I have had the LLETZ treatment once, plus 2 biopsies since. They thought they would have to do another LLETZ treatment but the results from the lab came back normal.

The thing to remember is that this is all preventative medicine. And we're all lucky enough to live in a country that makes sure women have access to this preventative medicine to make sure we stay healthy. I hope that doesn't sound dismissive but these are incredibly minor procedures. Even a colposcopy is just the doctor having a closer look. And I cycled home after having my LLETZ treatment.

You're right, but it's hard to see that, especially when you're young and dealing with it for a while. I had abnormal smears from 20 to 27 (recently had a clear one) and it did sometimes feel really serious, especially when it didn't clear after a year or two and I wondered if I'd have it forever and it would progress into cancer. Now, I'm really sorry I ever worried about something so minor, but it's easy to say that in hindsight. Even having to go to the hospital every 6 months is a royal pain in the arse when you're otherwise young and healthy and trying to live/travel abroad and waiting on results letters is very stressful. If I'm lucky enough to have normal smears in the future, I definitely won't take it for granted!

craggle

Sarannewrap wrote: »

Just stumbled across this thread. I got random bleeding last summer so went to the doctor who suggested I get a smear. I had to pay as I am only 24, results came back abnormal, was told to come back in December or January. I paid to have another at the start of Jan as Im still only 24 and found out last week that it was abnormal too. Im now being booked in for a colposcopy and Im terrified My mam or step dad has said they will bring me there and back depending who is free which calms me a little, but I'm still really nervous about the whole thing

i had my first smear the week after i turned 25, we were living in england at the time. it came back abnormal and i was referred for colposcopy. of course i freaked out and thought i was going to die, boyfriend took the day off to come with me as i was so scared. they were absolutely brilliant in the clinic, i had to go back three more times and then i had the cells removed, went on my own by then as i was so used to it. smear six months later was clear and i was discharged back to gp. definitely bring someone with you when you go because it is a frightening time but the staff in the clinics are great. its nowhere near as bad as you imagine and youll wonder why you were so scared. good luck

rannerap

craggle wrote: »

i had my first smear the week after i turned 25, we were living in england at the time. it came back abnormal and i was referred for colposcopy. of course i freaked out and thought i was going to die, boyfriend took the day off to come with me as i was so scared. they were absolutely brilliant in the clinic, i had to go back three more times and then i had the cells removed, went on my own by then as i was so used to it. smear six months later was clear and i was discharged back to gp. definitely bring someone with you when you go because it is a frightening time but the staff in the clinics are great. its nowhere near as bad as you imagine and youll wonder why you were so scared. good luck

Im not afraid of dying or anything I guess its just a bit daunting when you've never had it and build it up in your head. I definitely have someone coming with me which heals a great deal. Boyfriend is working over in Belgium at the minute so one of my parents will step in. I just cant wait to get it over and done with to be honest!

Karmella

At least now with the cervicalcheck system the waiting times for results have reduced. I went for my free smear 3 years ago when they brought in the free check, and after 4-6 weeks i got the results, which were abnormal so i was referred to the colposcopy clinic. (i'd had a smear 3 years before that and I'm not kidding the results took 7 months!!)
Anyway i was rightly freaked out (definitely do not look up the internet!!!), i went on my own but a friend picked me up after (my hubby doesn't drive). I could have driven myself as it happens, but i guess its the unknown when you go first. I was in a little bit of pain for a couple days, and bled a bit after the biopsy alright. Anyway, luckily i only had CIN1 and they didn't think they warranted any further treatment (which was just as well because i had stupidly gotten pregnant at the same time), but i was back there 6 months later (@ 30 weeks), and again 4 months after - as they wanted to see if having the baby had improved/disimproved things. As it happened, babys head took half the cells with him :-D, and they said i was grand and i was back to my own gp clinic for a smear 6 months later.

Now what is happening is that the lab see an abnormal result and they refer me to the colposcopy clinic straight away but then when i get in there he keeps saying that it is only borderline. I guess its great that they are so vigilant now, but as another poster said its annoying to be going in there when you are otherwise healthy. I'm back there now again in a couple of weeks, and hopefully it will be fine. As the consultant says each time, 'we are really trying to get rid of you but the lab keep sending you back' :-)

Fingers crossed for an all clear :-)

kc83

Ok so....here's my update....the last time I updated I informed ye I got the all clear and just needed to get 6mth smears. Well I went for my "smear" today as stated in the letter and over the phone and once I was in there the doctor informed me I had to have treatment as my results were abnormal. I was shocked as I had been told something different when I got results!?
I was very unprepared for this and if I'd known I'd have taken a Valium. I got on the chair (and stirrups) but couldn't relax and as soon as I felt the cold gel I freaked out and left!!! I now have to go back once I get another appointment!! I will take Valium next time!!! I was kicking myself for not going through with it and just getting it over with I am soooo worried about the procedure. She said she would inject the area and use a cold liquid or something to get rid of the abnormalities! Can someone tell me what this is and how painful!? I have had biopsy and actually found this painful and had to lie on hospital bed for a while after!!
Also will the abnormalities get worse now that I've delayed it?
God......men have it handy!! I don't know how anyone has children if I can't even go through this

Morag

They basically freeze the layer of cells to kill them off, can't say how it feels haven't had it done myself, but the sooner you have it done the better. Very surprised the dr didn't tell you that you were going to have the treatment before you arrived.

LegacyUser

Hi just wondering how your follow up smear went. Having mine soon after
getting discharged from Mater Private 5 months ago and feeling a bit nervous!!