HPV positive again and abnormal cells

[usernamenotavailable247]

I went for my first smear last year when I turned 25 which came back as showing HPV positive but no abnormal cells and had to be repeated in a year. I recently had it done again and it's still HPV positive and also shows high grade (moderate) dyskaryosis. With the letter I also received an appointment for next Thursday. I'm surprised it's so quick as a colleague has been waiting months for an appointment. Is this a reason to be concerned?

Is the colposcopy painful? I'm feeling quite worried as I've been sexually active since 16 so with me only having my first smear last year the HPV could of been here for many years. I'm just looking for some advice from people who have had the same thing or have more knowledge about this. I'm not actually sure if the appointment is for the colposcopy or just to see a consultant in the department, I'll probably ring Monday to clarify.

Also to add, I'm really anxious about the procedure as I have a very low pain threshold and even having my bp taken causes me to feel really sick, dizzy and faint. During the smear I was fine but once I was in the car on the way back I felt like I was going to faint and couldn't stop shaking. Any words of advice about puts procedure would be much appreciated.

I would expect you will have a colposcopy while there. The colposcopy itself, I found less intrusive than a smear - they aren't taking cells, they are painting on a substance and looking through a microscope which is outside your vagina.

I had a biopsy at the same time (same diagnosis as you); that was unpleasant, definitely the worst bit of the whole experience. Worse than a smear. You might want to tell them about your experience, and not leave straight away - ask if you can have a seat in the waiting room while you recover? Apparently it's quite a common reaction to having your cervix manipulated (first time I had a coil in, I threw up half an hour later). Could you maybe not drive - ask someone to take you?

Other than the biopsy - which hurt a lot - the worst bit was the anticipation. I've had colposcopies since and they are fine when you know what to expect!

I didn't find the colposcopy any worse then a smear. Was a bit weirded out being able to see a close up of my cervix They paint on a chemical first which shows up the cells white, they then make you cough whilst they take a sample, honestly I did not feel a thing and I have a very low pain threshold

Thank you both for your helpful replies. DP works away during the week so my mum said she will drive me drive me. I doubt she will be able to wait in the waiting room for me though. I feel silly but I just know I'll have a similar episode, I had to have a blood test a few months ago and it was awful for me, I wish I could get over it. If I have the biopsy there and then will I be ok the next day for work? I've also booked a hotel for the weekend with DP but have just heard you may need a few days to recover after a biopsy not sure how true that is? Appointment is Thursday.

It wasn't pleasant when I had mine, but it wasn't horrific.
They numb your cervix before taking the biopsy so I would say more uncomfortable than painful.
They don't let you go home straight away. They make you have a cuppa and a biscuit and someone else is meant to drive you home.
I took it easy for a few days. No heavy lifting or gym sessions, but was ok.

You'll be fine for work next day, I was back at work same day.

Staying in a hotel will be ok - but I seem to remember they recommend no sex for a few days... That may not be a problem for you or it might be!

The anticipation is horrible, much worse than the experience itself. The people in the hospital were great, chatting away to distract me from what was going on, explaining what was happening, very straightforward about it. Once it's over, it's like a weight's been lifted...

My cervix wasn't numbed when I had mine as it was just a regular small biospy. With cone biopsies they need to numb it as they have to go in deeper but with mine I was out and about straight away

In fact I had a lletz at the same time, where they slice some parts off for biopsy and laser off the rest of the dodgy looking cells.
So maybe that's why I was numbed. I don't think they numb for the punch biopsies where they take a small hole punch of the area.
Did the letter say a colonoscopy and lletz?
With the high risk cells they usually do both together.

The letter didn't mention a biopsy/lletz, it just said I had been booked to see one of the consultant or a member of the colposcopy team and says in some cases it is appropriate to offer treatment on the first visit, so unclear as to what I'm actually going in for!

I had a colposcopy years ago and the anticipation was by far the worst part.

The staff were absolutely lovely and did everything they could to put me at ease. They sat me down and talked to me first, and again afterwards, so it wasn’t like just walking in to a room full of strangers. If your experience is anything like mine, you’ll be just fine

Lots of people have issues with all sorts of medical things so don’t feel silly. It’s not always something you can control. Medical staff know this.

My biopsy was a similar pain to having your years pierced.

I hope you feel a bit reassured op. Make sure you tell the staff you are prone to feeling faint, they can make sure you are completely fine before you go home and will keep a close eye on you if you need any procedures.

Thank you all very much for the kind and helpful replies. I'm feeling more re-assured and grateful I've been able to get an appointment so soon. I'll give the clinic a ring on Monday just to see if they can clarify if I'll be having any procedures done there and then but it's really helpful to hear of others experiences.

Just coming back to this thread as I was feeling more Re-assured after posting this, but since I woke up on Monday I've had the worst anxiety and fear ever. I've been doing a lot of googling and I've scared myself shitless at getting a needle in the cervix for the anaesthetic. I feel weak and shaky thinking about it and writing this. I have no idea how I will cope. I can't bail as I know how important it is but the thought is horrifying. Anyone else? Is there any options like numbing cream before hand or anything?

Hey OP, don't go Googling anymore please!

I no longer remember if I had an injection or not, but they definitely gave me paracetamol half an hour or so before the procedure.

Trust me, they will not simply be sticking needles into extremely sensitive parts of your anatomy without any pain relief beforehand (and I don't know if they'll do it at all).

My pain threshold is extremely low and I can assure you that if I'd had something painful happen to my cervix, I'd remember it! They did a punch biopsy (no idea if that's the actual name) which was quick and over before I knew it.That's all I really remember that might have any relation to what you're describing.

Please call the clinic or your GP for more information, but stop Googling! And I mean that very kindly. It's going to be ok xx

@inthebleakmidwinteriwouldsing thank you so much for taking the time to reply, you're very kind. I know the last thing I should be doing is googling but I couldn't help myself! I'm trying my best to stay off it now, never does anything but worry you even more. Going to try put it to the back of my mind for now and just look forward to getting away at the weekend when it's over and done with.

I had this very recently, just what you want in lockdown! I was scared too as never had abnormal before (I'm 43) and letter said I'd need urgent treatment. I spoke to my female GP who told me what what to expect, and she told me to expect that they would do the lletz treatment at the colposcopy appointment which they did. It was very quick and not painful but uncomfortable. The staff were amazing. I had CGIN, which is abnormal cells in the cervical canal rather than the outside of the cervix and they always remove it all as soon as it's found as if it is left it us more likely than other types to develop into something. I believe they tend to do the same with high grade CIN, which is on outer cervix. If there was nothing found 12 months ago and now there is it is very unlikely to be cancerous yet, if ever, but they will probably want to remove it. I had 1st lletz and the sent off what they took out, they didn't get it all 1st time, most likely as harder in the canal itself, so I had to go back and gave second treatment. They took a bit more and I hit a letter 10 days ago to say all fine and smear in 6 months. I had period like cramps for a couple of days after the treatment and z little bleeding that got worse after about a week, then better. No swimming for a few weeks and they did advise no sex for a few weeks too so it could heal without risk if infection.

You will be fine the anticipation is worse than the procedure. I was surprised how quick it was. I did feel a little wobbly after but DH waited in the car. I did hypnobirthing breathing tpdurjnb which kept me calm. Try not to worry, it will be easier than you think.

I got my smear results last week but mine are worse than yours as mine say high grade severe.

Yet I am still awaiting the letter for my colposcopy appointment as a result I am in bits every day.

I can’t think straight or eat. The job I do is very fast paced and requires attention to detail and I am really struggling and making mistakes.

If it’s classed as severe why am I waiting so long for an appointment date.

I am such a worrier I have practically already signed my death certificate

@aShinyNewUsername I have just seen your comment, I'm so sorry to hear that your also going through this, have you had an appointment through yet? It's absolutely horrible waiting around, if you haven't heard anything I would definitely ring them and chase this up.

I went today for my colposcopy and had a punch biopsy. The staff were absolutely lovely and I felt so well looked after. I was so anxious and shaky as I went in. It was not pleasant but not unbearable as I stated previously I have a very low pain threshold and I've felt quite emotional this afternoon. Consultant said before we done the colposcopy that it was more severe than moderate, but then he said after the checks that due to my age and the fact I haven't started my family yet (which is really important to me) he did not want to overtreat me so would wait for the biopsy results back which will take 6-8 weeks.

I did not take all the information or ask the questions I wish I had of due to how I felt which I'm really kicking myself for now, I wish I had of asked at the end what he saw on the screen and what he thought, I'm sure he said though that it didn't look as severe as he thought but I'm not 100%. It's going to be a horrible 6-8 weeks of waiting. I have a strong feeling I will need to go back for the lletz which I'm not looking forward to.

OP I’m so glad that’s behind you now! Yeah it isn’t something one would do for fun but it’s not agonising or anything.

Could you not see the screen? You should have had the option I would have thought. I doubt there was much to see though. (In my case I had (and still have) a small lesion on my cervix which was visible as a little white spot, but that was it.)

@aShinyNewUsername that sounds absolutely awful for you. Please remember that the issues found are pre-cancerous changes. They are not cancer. They will be dealt with to prevent them becoming cancer. Cervical cancer is a very slow-developing form of cancer, which is why it’s not a problem to wait a little for a colposcopy appointment.

That doesn’t make the waiting any easier, but perhaps it helps to put your mind at ease just a fraction?

He didn't ask me if I wanted to see the screen, I had my eyes closed for the majority of it, he did ask me if I wanted to see what he had taken from the biopsy, I was apparently paper white by this point and the nurse kindly declined on my behalf 🤣