Smear test abnormal results.

cassi

Hi Ladies. So as the title suggests I got my smear results back last week and it showed mild changes in the cells and I have to be retested in six months. Needless to say I was really taken back by the results and while I know it is quite normal and my nurse reassured me more than likely the retest will be fine, I can't help by constantly have it in the back of my mind!!

Right now I just really want the six months to be here so I can know for sure and the thought of waiting so long with this hanging over me is just horrible.

Along with that now every bit of feeling or anything down there makes me nervous. My mum had cervical cancer but everything is fine as it was actually found after she had a hysterectomy, so I guess that weights on me too.

So I'm just wondering if anyone would share their experiences with it and how they dealth with it he news etc?

Thanks

Synyster Shadow

I had this happen me went on for couple years been tested every 3 to 6 months and I was gettin irritated more and more they kept sayin that I'm so young it will likely go away. I was nearing cn2 not quite there but I remained that way for more than 2 year's. I was gettin married and knew I wanted a family and discussed this with them and they said they will work along side the fertility clinic and there should be no problem. Around 7 months later all cells had gone I couldn't believe it and I'm 24 years old now and due my first baby in a week. So the road can be long but the fact they know the cells are there means it won't get out of hand so for that part alone you should breath a bit easier but on the other hand we fear they unknown I was a little bit part the mild and it all went away so I say just wait and see. And google nothin about it you'll go mad

Stereomaniac

What I would say to you is, try to pray on it, even if you are not a religious person (which I am not really either). My mother was sick and because she kept a level head (a lot easier said than done, I know), I feel, as does she, that this had a big part in her getting through it. Think of it like this, you are doing all that you can right now.

Whatever_fools

Hi Cassi,

I know its easier said than done but try not to worry. Abnormal smear tests are more common than you might think. I had 2 abnormal smears, a colposcopy & biopsy and eventually a LLETZ. I had CIN1 and CIN2. The LLETZ was October 2011, I got married in December 2011 and had a clear smear in March 2012 and September 2012. I was due another smear in March 2013 but found out I am pregnant so have to wait for 12 week scan to see if they want to do the smear. Doc advised me that they might not do it until November / December when (please God) the baby is here. Just goes to show you, if they were that worried about what they'd found they wouldn't be asking you to wait 6 months. Everything will work out fine. The most important thing now is that the abnormal cells have been found and you are on the radar so try and put it to the back of your mind.

Cerulean Chicken

I've recently gotten the same thing, it was my third smear, first result that wasn't clear. The nurse rang me and said I have the lowest grade changes usually caused by an undiagnosed infection at the time of testing, and in 60% of cases it reverts by itself within the 6 months. Now, I just know that with my luck I won't be that 60%! But I reckon there's no point worrying for now, plenty time to worry if the next test comes back with something worse, so I'm not going to stress myself when for now there could be absolutely nothing wrong that needs treatment.

Morag

I recently for the first time had an abnormal smear, had to wait 6 months and got a bit freaked, the practice nurse explained that the means of testing has gotten more advanced to they get more slightly abnormal results then before, which means they can be monitored better.

There is a history in the family and by the time the 6 months was up and I was due for another smear I was really worried, but that one came back normal and I have to be tested in 6 months.

I came around to thinking it's best that I can be monitored and slightly abnormal is far far away from being cancer or needing to be treated with the lazer and I know what the treatment plan is and the success rate so I try not to worry about it.

I can cross those bridges later, if I need to.

username123

Stereomaniac wrote: »

What I would say to you is, try to pray on it, even if you are not a religious person (which I am not really either).

I am an atheist and if someone told me to pray even if I wasnt religious I would just feel they were patronising me. If someone is not religious - how on earth would praying do anything except waste energy? I would feel like an idiot if I prayed, because I dont believe in supernatural beings. Im am sorry and I do not mean to be argumentative but telling someone to pray could be construed as offensive and unhelpful depending on the persons own private beliefs.

OP - I have gone through the abnormal smear stuff, ended up having to attend the colposcopy clinic in the coombe hospital in dublin, went through quite a long process of borderline abnormal smear, ok smear, borderline abnormal smear etc... At one point I felt like I was just getting tested every six months and nothing really changing so why werent they doing anything! Ended up having the colposcopy and then a smear a year later and all was clear so hopefully next smear things still stay clear as I feel like its going on for years now. I just tried to put it out of my mind inbetween.

pixiel

Hi

I'm in a similar scenario at the moment. I've had 3 abnormal smears in the past, and just recently, results showing CIN1. I'm having a colposcopy later this week. To be honest the thoughts of the procedure scare me more!! I've read so much about this online and have been lucky that a friend of similar age (late twenties) has assured me this is all above board. She went through a similar episode and had CIN3 which is all thankfully cleared.
I'm just grateful that its been dealt with at an early stage.

As said above, try not to worry. Your way off from being in any danger. The number of girls going through this is quite high. I didn't even realise until it happened to me and shared this with some of those closest to me. Hope this puts you at ease!

fluffingtons

You'll be fine I promise! your friend is right.
I had CIN 1, colposcopy is not fun, i had it 3 times! but just be as strong as you can and its over quite fast.
Same thing with my friends- it turned out 5 or 6 of them had abnormal smears too, i took it as a comfort as they are all totally fine

OP, try not to worry, + 1 on what everyone else says - they have an eye on it now so you're in no danger. The only thing i would say is that they keep telling you it will probably resolve after 6 months, and hopefully it will. But for me it took way longer (4 years!) so please don't worry if it takes a while to get that normal smear.

pixiel wrote: »

Hi

I'm in a similar scenario at the moment. I've had 3 abnormal smears in the past simultaneously, and just recently, results showing CIN1. I'm having a colposcopy later this week. To be honest the thoughts of the procedure scare me more!! I've read so much about this online and have been lucky that a friend of similar age (late twenties) has assured me this is all above board. She went through a similar episode and had CIN3 which is all thankfully cleared.
I'm just grateful that its been dealt with at an early stage.

As said above, try to worry. Your way off from being in any danger. The number of girls going through this is quite high. I didn't even realise until it happened to me and shared this with some of those closest to me. Hope this puts you at ease!

cassi

Thanks all. Its great to hear from people. All my friends thankfully have all had clear results so its nice to hear from people that were (are) in a similar position to me.

Its great that you ladies have had the all clear even if it took time. I think the thing that threw me mostly is that Im 100% fit and healthy otherwise and have never had any negative health results so the processing part was difficult.

I really am being strong and trying to not let it affect me in work, life etc. As said already its just always at the back of my mind. Hopefully this will ease off over time.

Thank you again and it would be great for people to keep contributing to this for other people in a similar position.

Tigger99

Ive had a few abnormal results. The first time I got it the wait til the next one was awful. I didn't realise how common abnormal results are - if that makes sense

I found huge comfort in the fact that it's all so well monitored. I keep getting abnormal results (albeit the lowest level) so had to have a colposcopy last year and the hospital did a biopsy just in case. That was also low level abnormal so have to go for another colposcopy in a few months.

Glad this thread makes you feel somewhat better.

Sycamore lady

Hi, I've actually a question regarding a normal smear test
I had a smear test January 2012 (due to heavy bleeing) and received confirmation a few weeks later that my test was clear. I also had a pelvis ultrasound and told it was also clear.
My problems continued however and in June I went to A and E. I was told my problem was more than likely hormonal and was referred to a gynae clinic a few weeks later. Finally, here during an internal the doctor found a tumour. I was subsequently diagnosed with stage 3bcervical cancer. You can imagine my shock but I concentrated on my treatment and getting better. I have since received the all clear and it is only now that I find myself questioning why both the cervical smear and ultrasound were clear/normal. I've repeatedly asked for a recheck of my smear but am still waiting (it's been almost a year since I've asked for the recheck)
Has anyone else been given a normal/clear result only to discover they did have a problem.

KimmyKims

Sycamore Lady...Did you find out what type of Cervical Cancer you had? I was diagnosed with Stage 1b1 in July, i was 26. Thankfully im all clear now after a radical hysterectomy. I had Squamous Cell, i know Adenoncarcinoma can go undetected on a smear as it tends to be higher up the cervical canal

mahamageehad

My boyfriend is German and cannot even begin to comprehend that smear tests here don't start publicly until 25. In Germany it starts at 18 or whenever you start having sex, which ever comes first. You also need to see a gyna once a year in order to get your pill prescription! It's scary to see the number of young people here who have had abnormal results!