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Original poster

Abnormal Smear 12 week wait for colposcopy

43 replies

cherrypied · 20/10/2023 23:09

I've had two (2021 and 22) smear test come back HPV + and this year low grade dyskaryosis" .

But it's a 12 week wait for a colposcopy!

Sure this is not right? Shouldn't it be more urgent?

I'm waiting for a letter every day now and no idea how to chase a referral as GP surgery is not easy to contact when at work.

Four weeks into my nervous wait.

I know these are pretty routine but it it's still nerve wracking.

OP posts:
Bichonmum · 20/10/2023 23:13

I've had this for the past 3 / 4 years or so. I'm having yearly check ups but each smear is showing signs of HPV. I'm due another one in December.

Try not to worry, it can take years for cells to change.

Original poster
cherrypied · 20/10/2023 23:17

Have you had an annual colposcopy @Bichonmum?

Did you have a long wait for your first one?

Yes I'm hanging in to the fact cels change slowly.

OP posts:
Greenshake · 20/10/2023 23:17

I don’t have any advice but sending lots of love 🌷

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Original poster
cherrypied · 20/10/2023 23:18

Thanks @Greenshake that is very touching

OP posts:
Massivescreen · 20/10/2023 23:18

I would try not to worry as if they thought it was cancer they would I presume but you on the two week pathway.

Thesearmsofmine · 20/10/2023 23:19

I had this too. From 2020 I was at the hospital supposedly every 6 months but it was more like every 10 months, had biopsy’s taken etc. i was just signed off a few weeks ago as everything seems ok and I’m back to 3 yearly smears. Try not to worry(easier said than done)

Massivescreen · 20/10/2023 23:20

Sorry I should say I’ve also had various abnormal smears and signs of HPV and had to have more regular smears / went for a colposcopy

CandyLeBonBon · 20/10/2023 23:25

cherrypied · 20/10/2023 23:09

I've had two (2021 and 22) smear test come back HPV + and this year low grade dyskaryosis" .

But it's a 12 week wait for a colposcopy!

Sure this is not right? Shouldn't it be more urgent?

I'm waiting for a letter every day now and no idea how to chase a referral as GP surgery is not easy to contact when at work.

Four weeks into my nervous wait.

I know these are pretty routine but it it's still nerve wracking.

About 15 years ago I had CIN3 (highest grade dyskariosis) and I wasn't seen sooner than 8 weeks I think. 12 weeks sounds around right, but if you're concerned speak to your gp.

Dyskariosis is not cancerous. Please try not to worry. I had a colposcopy and yearly checks for 5 years and all good. Best of luck

Original poster
cherrypied · 20/10/2023 23:28

Thanks everyone you have eased my mind.

I did lots of reading but it's not clear what they can tell and can't tell from the smear test it's self but it seems they can detect a range of changes and triage them.

I'll just sit and wait a little less impatiently and read a bit more now I have. Clearer understanding.

OP posts:
Ejismyf · 20/10/2023 23:32

Yeah my abnormal smear was May 10th, CIN3 and my coposcopy, LLetz treatment and biopsy weren't done until August 24th. I finally got the biopsy results last Friday, so 6 weeks but was told it could be up to three months. Defo doesn't seem to be a fast process. It's horrible waiting. Hope all goes well for you.

Ejismyf · 20/10/2023 23:34

I have to get 6 monthly smears going forward for the next 6 years but thank goodness the biopsy was negative for cancer just CIN3.

Original poster
cherrypied · 20/10/2023 23:40

Great news for you @Ejismyf Flowers

had you had a HPV +ve smear the previous year?

OP posts:
catrescuelady · 21/10/2023 04:11

I am going through this. Smears and colposcopy every 6 months.
It's not nice but better to be safe.

Bichonmum · 21/10/2023 12:25

cherrypied · 20/10/2023 23:28

Thanks everyone you have eased my mind.

I did lots of reading but it's not clear what they can tell and can't tell from the smear test it's self but it seems they can detect a range of changes and triage them.

I'll just sit and wait a little less impatiently and read a bit more now I have. Clearer understanding.

Sometimes reading up can make you worry more. Dr Google can make you feel worse.

I have yearly Colcoscopy's and smears but they keep coming back with signs of hpv.
I had a biopsy early on and letz treatment then was discharged back into the community with a yearly smear. That still showed signs of hpv so I ended up back at the hospital.

I'm back to the hospital in December.

J3llycat · 23/12/2023 18:16

@cherrypied hi OP, how are you getting on? I'm in the exact same situation. Just been told I've got low grade dyskaryosis after two years of positive smear results. Have you had your colscopy? Hope you are well. Really scared and nervous.

Bichonmum · 23/12/2023 18:51

cherrypied · 20/10/2023 23:17

Have you had an annual colposcopy @Bichonmum?

Did you have a long wait for your first one?

Yes I'm hanging in to the fact cels change slowly.

I've had another Colcoscopy and biopsy early this month which showed mild dyskaryosis with high risk hpv.

I am now waiting for the smear results.

I've already had cold coagulation which didn't get rid of all the abnormal cells so now waiting to see if I need loop excision as this has been going on for 4 years now.

verrymerryberry · 23/12/2023 19:34

OP here

Had my colposcopy last Sunday at it was good news. No changes other than "gov changes" whatever they are. Consultant did my colposcopy.

Recalled for a smear in one year r

The wait is like limbo - rational brain is it likely just routine and fine and other part is well it could be serious. I did use the Jo's trust website a lot and it is good.

Changes are slow though so the wait isn't an inherent risk it's just bloody awful!

ScoobyDoesnt · 23/12/2023 19:40

I’m in a similar boat - positive low grade HPV +ve smear end of October, still waiting for colposcopy. They’re apparently ‘behind’ due to lack of staff.

I had a colposcopy 6 years ago but clear since until now. Worried but hopeful it’s because it’s not life or death.

J3llycat · 23/12/2023 20:12

@verrymerryberry that's really great news, fingers crossed I can join you on that.🤞 Did they take a biopsy? Would you say it was similar to getting the smear? Just waiting for my referal letter to come through as I'd just had my results letter today, I really hoped this would be the year it had gone but nope! Right before Christmas 😅

verrymerryberry · 23/12/2023 20:21

Typo in last post should say HPV changes but autocorrect to Gov Confused

It's a bit more unpleasant than a smear as you are in a weird chair thing (that's quite comfortable actually) but then it goes on for a while as they do the observations and the test with acetic acid . Not painful just unpleasant.

I'm glad it's over though and sorry for those going through it

No biposy or anything. Just recal in1 year for a smear

Assuming these will be annual now and annual colposcopies .

Bichonmum · 23/12/2023 20:25

J3llycat · 23/12/2023 20:12

@verrymerryberry that's really great news, fingers crossed I can join you on that.🤞 Did they take a biopsy? Would you say it was similar to getting the smear? Just waiting for my referal letter to come through as I'd just had my results letter today, I really hoped this would be the year it had gone but nope! Right before Christmas 😅

For a biopsy they numb the area which stings a little and then tell you to cough and take the biopsy then. The instrument they use looks a little daunting but it's not painful.

thehonscupboard · 23/12/2023 20:30

Someone tell me I'm being silly. This came up in my feed and now I'm panicking because I've only got a 4 week wait for mine. If you take out bank holidays and strike days that means I'm being seen relatively quickly and now I'm spiralling that this means it's likely bad.

Gingerkittykat · 23/12/2023 20:43

I think waiting times vary in every area. I had a letter for a colposcopy before I had my smear result in November and it was less than a fortnight after the results had been posted out to me.

DecisionFatigue · 23/12/2023 20:50

thehonscupboard · 23/12/2023 20:30

Someone tell me I'm being silly. This came up in my feed and now I'm panicking because I've only got a 4 week wait for mine. If you take out bank holidays and strike days that means I'm being seen relatively quickly and now I'm spiralling that this means it's likely bad.

Waiting times will vary from one area to another, 4 weeks may be average for your location. Try not to worry Flowers

J3llycat · 23/12/2023 21:09

@verrymerryberry thank you for this!! Really helpful and makes me feel hopeful. I feel this HPV is a stubborn buggar and isn't going to go away without a fight. I've ordered some shittake mushroom extract capsules today out of desperation as I read the high vitamin D and other properties could help with fighting it. Worth a shot. Feeling very defeated and helpless, this is such a weird silent illness! Very glad to have gone for the test but also sad it's going to be on the back of my mind for the foreseeable. Thank you so much again 💓 thanks also @Bichonmum, I'm going to prep myself mentally that I'll be getting a biopsy that day, massive wuss with these things.