Freaking out after colposcopy appointment and worried about possible LLETZ

[Clioooooo]

I am just looking for a handhold really. I had a horrible appointment today in the colposcopy clinic. I had an abnormal smear last year and had cell changes (moderate, I think) and a white patch. I had a punch biopsy as a result and the biopsy came back fine thank goodness. They scheduled me for a smear in a year's time and then it wasn't good so I had to go to the colposcopy clinic again today. The nurse was really frosty and was saying she couldn't see properly; I said I think it is because I have a prolapse and she was like "yes 😐" then she said she didn't see any changes so they would just do a smear test today (no biopsy as expected) and if there is severe changes I would need a LLETZ procedure and I said would this affect my periods and stuff and she said no but I could not carry a baby to full term. In a really blasé kind of way. But that this wouldn't matter if my family is complete but I hadn't even said my family is complete 😭

and now I am reading up on it and finding stuff saying you can sometimes need a hysterectomy and I am massively freaking out about it all. I was trying to ask questions at the end and was told (verbatim) that "if you're a worrier you should think this far ahead" but I am so scared. I don't know where to get advice, I don't know who I can ask as they didn't let me ask questions in the clinic. I had a friend who died at 28 from cervical cancer and I keep thinking of her and of not being able to have any more children and that I have cancer even though I don't.

Has anyone had a LLETZ, did it hurt? I am massively freaking out.

Tia x

I had a lletz procedure last year, it definitely doesn't mean you can't have children.or carry to full term. The male gynaecologist did it and the nurse was there just talking to me about random things to take my mind off it. I had CIN 3 cells, I got a letter a few months later to say that the procedure should have dealt with it. I had a smear test this year and was told that I didn't have HPV anymore and to have another follow up smear in 3 years, but just because of what I have been through I'm going to have a yearly smear test and go private..
Also , it does sting a bit during it but I think they numb it down there so it's not too bad. Wish you all the best of luck with it

Nothing to freak out about. As a procedure you barely notice it, and all over very quickly. I had one (or maybe two, I think) years ago and it was just not a big deal.

OP - I had LLETZ. Like Tiramisu says it’s just a bit stingy but nothing horrendous. I then went on to have 3 children including twins so the nurses’s information is incorrect!

I then had yearly smear tests for 10 years (all with normal results) and then moved back into the normal 3 year screening.

Hope that helps a bit. I was also really scared as my aunt had died of cervical cancer at 36 - my (male and near retirement age!) gynaecologist told me no one had ever died on his watch so that was reassuring 😳. Since then I’ve occasionally had a nurse comment on “the work” I’ve had down there when having a smear but never think about it now.

good luck

I've had 2 Lletz - the speculum was uncomfortable, quick sting from local anaesthetic, didn't feel the actual procedure. It was not as bad as the colposcopy and biopsy for me.
The nurse also gave incorrect info re future pregnancy and you should complain about that.

Hysterectomy is a final option if less invasive treatments like Lletz don't work.

I’ve had two LLETZ procedures and carried two babies to term. Not sure where that’s come from. I’ve not been told this could be a complication at the time, midwives asked about it and noted it but also didn’t say anything about that at the time.

Thanks so much for your replies everyone x

Could I get a biopsy done privately? Would it cost a lot? I feel like I want to get tested way more often than yearly. I don't know if I could afford it though.

I hate the not-knowing 😔

@Magnummum1 I am very sorry for the loss of your auntie x