AIBU to be frightened and worried

[thebigmummabear]

Im posting on here for traffic as I'm worried out of my mind. I have had bleeding after sex for around a year. I went to the GP and i was referred for a colopscopy. I had some biopsies done and they came back as CIN 1, so minor abnormal changes and i was told to come back in a year. However, the last 3 months the bleeding has become worse and sex has become uncomfortable at times. I was going to ring and make another appointment with the GP when my routine smear test came through. I went and got it done around 3 weeks ago. I had a letter turn up this morning to say that my smear test has come back abnormal and i have also tested positive for high risk (for cervical cancer) HPV and i have an appointment at the hospital next week for further tests. Im so worried. Last year when i went to the GP the wait time at the hospital was around 3 months for an appointment after the smear test result so I'm now worried that its only a week this time. Iv also had a phone call today from the hospital about the appointment. Im worried about this result, along with my other symptoms and the fact my grandmother had cancer of the cervix/womb and had a hysterectomy as a result. I am only 25, i have two young children one of which is disabled and i haven't been able to stop crying all day thinking the worst. Does anyone have any similar experience or can even just offer me some advice.
Thanks

[bluebelle2662]

I don't have any advice, but I didn't want to read and run.

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

I have no advice. However, you're being treated, it is being looked into.

Chances are it's nothing BUT you've done the right thing and you're seeking help.

And MN is totally here to support you.

[thebigmummabear]

Thank you, sorry to ramble on but haven't got anyone else to talk to about it. I keep googling it which is probably the worst thing to do but I'm just so scared and can't stop thinking about anything else. I suppose at least its only next week that i have to wait to which is a good thing

[A1Sharon]

Hi thebigmummabear, Have a massive chocolate hug! ((()))
That is scary, I would be worried too,tbh.
However, as a nurse I can only tell you that 'worst case scenarios' really are very rare. Luckily they do push more urgent cases forward, which is right and proper. You are young and I presume otherwise healthy? You have been on the ball going to GP etc. Did they do any scans/xrays last year?
Try not to get yourself in knots, I know its hard! But really, even if it is some form of bad news, treatments etc are so good nowadays. I'm sure all will work out.
Keeping fingers crossed for you.
My good friend had blood after sex for quite a while recently, 'mass' seen on scan, urgent follow ups etc. It was cysts on ovaries, all good now. It is worrying, but as I say, unlikely that what you're imagining is in your future.

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

Okay, if you're going to google then look up baby owls or something.

Nothing good has come from googling symptoms. Back away.

[Junosmum]

I had hpv (high risk for cervical cancer) and was referred for a colposcopy. That showed pre-cancerous cells and a biopsy was taken. Showed CIN1 & 2. I had LLETZ about 3 weeks later, didn't hurt but I was signed off work for 2 weeks and bleed for a few days.

I then had smears every 6months for 18months, then yearly for 5 years. They've all come back clear and I'm now back to every 3 years.

I've since had a baby as well.

Try not to panic, which is hard I know. It's good that you are in an area that tests for hpv, not everywhere does.

[NashvilleQueen]

I don't have anything meaningful to add but I just wanted to lend my support. I had a ovarian cancer scare last year and it was a stressful time. A total hysterectomy later and all clear in the tests and I was back to normal but I can put myself back in that position of going back and forward for tests and worrying about what they'd find in a moment. The chances are it will all be absolutely fine. I was told I was being treated as a priority because whenever the NHS have the slightest concern that it could be ovarian or cervical cancer they are all over you til they've resolved it. They kept apologising for the tests and saying it's almost certainly nothing but we want to be sure. And they were right. I wish you the very best of luck.

[wwyd123]

Sorry you have this worry

If you have CIN1 cells then your smear would come back abnormal (from my understanding )

I had CIN 3 cells back in 2006 I had loop diathermy to remove them and normal smears and 2 children since then. So I hope this brings you some comfort.

I was told by a nurse at the time it takes around 6 years for normal cells to turn cancerous (passing though the CIN levels on the way)

So i think you will be fine x

[thebigmummabear]

Hi thanks everyone for the replies. I am otherwise healthy and am only 25. I have been googling all day and think I'm going to stop as its doing nothing but stressing me out and i just feel exhausted from it all. Junosmum, your story has calmed me a bit. Do you still have the high risk HPV? And to be honest i do not want anymore children and neither does DH. We both have our hands full, nashville, were u offered a total hysterectomy or did u ask for it? As its something I'm seriously considering if I'm offered it.

[thebigmummabear]

Logically i keep telling myself that it can't have gone from CIN1 to cancer in a year, but its just the whole picture with the symptoms, family history and now this high risk HPV that is stressing me out so much

[MistressoftheYoniverse]

I second King ...don't google... it will drive you insane...

I had a smear that was abnormal last year and bleeding after sex for as long as you and also eventually bleeding between periods, I was anemic, with hypertension and all sorts...

My smears later on came back ok and will be monitored, I had a polyps that were removed.

Try not to get stressed till you have real results... the treatments now are good and you have the support here on MN take care xxx

[Comeonmommy]

I am so sorry you have this weighing on your mind. I have no experience to share with you but just wanted to ask, can your dh come with you for a bit of moral support?

[trashcanjunkie]

Aw you poor thing. I had cervical cancer, very early stages. I had a loop excision, which is where they remove the nasty bit in your cervix. If they are happy with the results, then job done. Hopefully that's all you'll need. I had two, and then a transvaginal hysterectomy. It is very scary, but I'm perfectly fine now! I remember how I felt at your stage. Keep the faith. Feel free to pm me if I can offer any support xxx

[trashcanjunkie]

And you are right, CIN 1 can stay as that for years, so hopefully you'll get sorted quickly. Best of luck x

[Alexa444]

No don't google, you'll convince yourself you have typhoid or something. Worst thing you can possibly do. I thought I had mouth cancer from googling symptoms. It was textbook. What I actually had was TMJ dysfunction.

Honestly, it is probably fine, I know several friends who have had abnormal smears and all have been fine. May I ask how old you are? Only one friend is getting into the menopause years and has been reassured by her doctor that things down there change as you get older and an abnormal smear is not necessarily going to be bad. she was also told that pain and bleeding during sex at her age may not be anything to worry about as women going through the change tend to have more trouble getting wet (sorry, I really can't think of a less crude way of saying it) when they have sex. Try not to worry yourself too much over it, even if it is cancer, it has already happened. Why waste energy fearing it? Whatever it is or isn't, you will soon know.

[takemetomars]

the family history is irrelevant as almost 100% of cervical cell changes are due to HPV infection so at least you can stop worrying about that aspect of things - there is no genetic link/ inherited risk here.
Good advice and info from other posters

[NotMeNotYouNotAnyone]

Never Google symptoms, only Google sleepy puppies or something!

I'm afraid I have no practical advice apart from that but

[thebigmummabear]

My dh can't come with me as he has to look after my 2dc. I am only 25 so fairly young. Im going to have to try and put it to the back of my mind until next week i think as I'm literally just driving myself mad. I am thinking of getting a hysteroctomy done as would eliminate any further risk and i know i don't want anymore children so thats not really an issue. Thank you everyone for the support it means a lot

[NashvilleQueen]

My surgery was done by gynaecological oncologist and he recommended it. I was happy to get it all done (I've no ovaries, cervix nothing) but I'm early 40s so it wasn't such a dilemma. Some positive stories on this thread OP. Try to stay strong x

[NashvilleQueen]

Ah I see your last post about not wanting more children.

[thebigmummabear]

I think I'm going to mention it at my appointment next week. I know for a fact i don't want anymore. Even if i was (hopefully not) divorce my dh. Just don't know if its something they offered via the nhs unless u actually needed it as treatment. I just would rather eliminate the worry and risk as i have to think about the children that iv already got and the stress its putting me through is unbearable anyway.

[Whippet81]

I had this a few months back. Honestly was just like you - was so worried - in tears every day. Went to the hospital and had a colposcopy and there and then the consultant said I was fine - nothing there and I could go back to three yearly smears.

I've had abnormal cells etc before and had the laser and everything and nothing has put me into a panic like this did. I'm not sure the letter/info is worded very well.

[Strokethefurrywall]

I had CIN3 with borderline malignancies in 2004 when I was 24 and I was treated with a loop/lletz thingy and I was fine. I can only be grateful that I didn't have the wherewithall to google as I too would have turned myself into a wreck.

To go from CIN1 to CIN 3 is a massive step and it takes a long time to get there. It is a good thing you're having smears. I had never had one and one day I woke after dreaming that my teeth were falling out. I woke up and my first thought was "I need to get a smear test" - booked one for the following week, results 2 weeks later, colposcopy, biopsy and the treatment all followed.

I had to continue to go back for another smear 6 months later, then a year after that. I now live abroad and continue to have them every year. Just had my last one a couple of days ago and everything has been normal since. And 2 kids too.

[Esspee]

What is important is that the situation has now been picked up and you will be getting help. It would be very much worse if you didn't know and the condition was getting worse unknown to anybody..
Big hug, chin up!

[FlibbertigibbetArmadillo]

Just another note to reassure you.
I had an abnormal result from my first ever smear test. Had to go for a coloscopy and biopsy. Had pre cancerous cells so had the Loop procedure. Went back for a smear every 3 months then every six. All totally clear now and back onto several years between smear tests. My Dr told me that these sorts of things move very slowly.
I know that initial letter can be scary but chances are you are totally fine!