O/T Abnormal Paps, etc.
Anyone go through this? 6 months ago I had an abnormal pap smear for the first time ( I was 30 at the time). I had to have a colposcopy and the results were fine but I was put on a 6 month pap smear schedule. So fast forward to last month where I have my 6 month pap smear. I get the results back yesterday- the gyno says the pap smear was worse than last time and has progressed at an unusual rate to "moderate to severe precancerous cells" ( I am now 31 years old). I have to go back this month to have another colposcopy and biopsies (fun!) but the scary part is the results of this one. If it is bad, I will need "treatment". I am scared to death. Anyone else go through this? Will this happen every 6 months for the rest of my life? I know I am catching things early so that is good, but my God!
I had three bad paps in a
I had three bad paps in a row. I was terrified. Mine were labeled "precancerous" as well. I've already had cancer before, so that made it even worse.
Even with three bad paps, mine turned out to be nothing to worry about. I can't remember exactly what the final diagnosis was...I think it was just some kind of infection. Nothing that even needed treatment.
Don't panic yet.
Thank you. I know that the
Thank you. I know that the HPV virus which something like 90% of people (myself included) can cause infections and make paps go crazy with results so I am crossing my fingers.
after the 3 bad paps did they
after the 3 bad paps did they go back to being normal?
I had a normal pap after the
I had a normal pap after the last abnormal one. They told me I could go back to once a year pap smears again.
But...I was also having insanely heavy periods. I was so anemic that no amount of iron was helping. So I had a hysterectomy. They gave me a choice...I could have just my uterus removed or have a complete hysterectomy and let them take everything. I had already been through cancer once. And one of my closest friends had just died of ovarian cancer. So I went the radial route and let them take everything.
No more paps for me!
I was in Europe during
I was in Europe during Chernobyl and received an abnormal pap smear for two years in a row. It turned out to be nothing. I hope all turns out well for you.
Thank you, did you have to
Thank you, did you have to have coposcopys as well?
Yes, I did, and they simply
Yes, I did, and they simply kept taking smears after that until it turned out normal. I had also had some interesting...let's say...'large exits' of material that concerned them, but they put me on birth control to try and stop that from happening. I've had normal tests since that time.
I had 3 abnormal paps in a
I had 3 abnormal paps in a row as well...I was going every 3 months at that point and every time just like you they were talking about the precancerous cells. I was also told I had HPV. This was when I was in my early to mid 20's and now I am 30 and have normal paps. I don't know why it all of a sudden became normal again but whatever issue my body was having it worked out. Coposcopy's are routine and I had 2 or 3 of those and a biopsy as well. It's really common I believe mostly in women in their teens and 20's but that's not to say it can't happen after that. I wouldn't get too worried about it, the doc sounds on top of it and they will make sure they take care of you.
I had an abnormal pap about
I had an abnormal pap about four and a half years ago. Had byopsies taken and then had what they call 'Cryosurgery' done. It pretty much freezes the bad cells and kills them and you bascially 'defrost' for a few weeks. Needing to wear a pad. I then had to get a pap in six months and then again in another six months. And then back to once a year. After that I have had normal paps everytime. So even if you do have bad cells they will take care of it. It is very treatable. It takes a long time for it to become bad. So as long as you have been betting yearly paps, don't worry.
I went from having a normal
I went from having a normal pap to "severely precancerous cells" in one year (which is the last stage before cancer). I had a LEEP procedure, which is an outpatient procedure where they take a little electrolized tool and basically scoop out the precancerous cells. That was when I was 18 or so, now I'm 31, and they've been normal ever since (I did have to go in every 4 months, then 6 months, etc for awhile to get rechecked).
Don't be too worried, it's quite common and the procedures they use work well (LEEP and the cryosurgery). Just be glad you're on top of your health and didn't let it go too long where it could have turned into something really bad.
Good luck!
It is so common. It's scary.
It is so common. It's scary. And the reason it is so common is because there isn't a test for men. And men usually don't have any symptoms. Some strains cause warts and others don't. So many women don't know they have it if they don't have a strain that causes warts. I think they say every women will have had some type of hpv by the age of 50.
Im not sure- she did mention
Im not sure- she did mention something about HPV sometimes making pap smear results go crazy-like if you have a cold or are rundown or something. I guess thats why she wants to do a coposcopy as the next step and biopsy anything that seems weird and go from there.
thanks ladies for all your
thanks ladies for all your responses. I feel a little better. I go in next wed. for the coloscopy. cross your fingers for me!
Just wanted to mention a humorous anecdote about BM- shes is the type we see on here a lot that is always claiming "cancer." :sick:
She has used this excuse as to why she is late for court! For the record, BM has NEVER had cancer- she just had some precancerous cells like I do. But that didnt stop her from, over the years, telling SS and anyone who will listen that she has "cancer." Despicable. But she is so unsympathetic in all ways I guess its the only way to get attention.
Coposcopy tomorrow in the
Coposcopy tomorrow in the middle of a snowstorm- wish me luck!!
Good luck! The waiting for
Good luck! The waiting for the test results is always the worst part. Hang in there.
*UPDATE* Had the coposcopy
*UPDATE*
Had the coposcopy today. Dr. took 2 biopsies (sucked!) but said they were in one place which I guess is good news. Biopsy results due next week and then we will take it from there!
aw, thats great! Thanks for
aw, thats great! Thanks for the pick me up!
*Update* Got the biopsy
*Update*
Got the biopsy results today. Not TOO much of a surprise- had an area on the outsid eof the cervix which has "moderate" changes. That was to be expected since the gyno saw it and biopsied it during the colposcopy. What WAS a surprise was that she brushed the inside of my cervix and also found moderate changes. Now, she said this might have been contaminated from the outside. This is much trickier as it is "blind" and she cant see it. Because of my relatively young age (31) she does not want to LEEP my cervix ye ton the off chance that hubby and I are actually able to conceive (after 4 years not looking likely though). SO.....going back for ANOTHER colposcopy in June- my 3rd in a year! hooray! We will reevaluate then but I feel a LEEP in the future. Aw.....this sucks
I had a LEEP done back when I
I had a LEEP done back when I was 23 years old. I had a "dream" one night that I needed to go see a doctor and they found moderate to severe dysplasia on my outer cervix. It took around 4 months to come back with a normal pap but it went okay. That was almost 20 years ago to this day, minus a few years.
I had the option of having the one severe patch removed or all of it that showed any changes. I chose to have it all removed.
I was very scared as I had this little baby girl and thought the worst.
The LEEP had no influence on my ability to get pregnant nor carry either. (unlress that is what caused my miscarriage? not too sure as they told us that we carried tay sachs)
PM me if you need a little more info but I was much younger than you when I had my LEEP done.