To be scared about colposcopy tomorrow?

[MumVsKids]

I don't really know what the procedure entails, just that I need one as I've had some dodgy smear results.

I think I'm scared mostly at the speed of the appointments.

Smear was on 12th December, results back on 19th and phone call from hospital on Xmas eve to make appt for tomorrow.

Does it normally happen that fast?

[Montybojangles]

Glad it all went ok.

[diddl]

Glad it went OK.

I didn´t look either!

[LegArmpits]

Glad you're ok. I had no desire to see mine whatsoever!

[EuroShagmore]

I'm glad you're ok and that it was all over pretty quickly. I can't believe you didn't get to see your own cervix - that was the best thing about the whole precess for me!

[MumVsKids]

Ok, I'm home and I'm fine.

I've had colposcopy and LLETZ treatment, took about 35 mins altogether.

I had a local anaesthetic before the LLETZ treatment, and it made me a bit lightheaded, but no pain or discomfort nothing.

I'm a bit disappointed I didn't get to to see my big pink donut either!!! I got to watch Eamon and Ruth on this morning instead - oh the joys :)

[Dominodonkey]

It's totally fine. I've had 3 after abnormal cells, each time they said there was a small abnormality which didn't need treatment but which needed monitoring.
I had taken the day off work but actually felt a bit of a fraud, although the worry beforehand is quite tiring.

[MaltesersR4LifenotJust4Xmas]

I can't add to everyone physical description of the procedure, but I wasn't prepared for how emotional I felt after it, I can only describe it as a mixture of adrenalin, nerves, relief and vulnerability, I came out and had a bit of a cry without quite knowing why! This is only my own experience tho and I'm sure others can do it without the theatrics lol, would not worry about the procedure again if I needed it, but would bring dh/friend to drive and def wear a skirt!

[midori1999]

It's understandable that you're scared, but it will be fine.

I had a colposcopy after a smear showing severe abnormalities in September, they did a lletz treatment there and then and it was fine. The staff were lovely and very careful to maintain my dignity and it really didn't hurt at all. I went by myself as my DH was away and I drove home afterwards, I felt fine, although later I had some cramping and felt exhausted and a bit weepy. I had to have a repeat lletz 5 weeks later as they weren't sure if they'd removed all the abnormal cells and that was fine too.

Good luck for tomorrow.

[EasilyBored]

The sometimes give you an injection that has adrenaline in it if you have a LEEP as it helps with bleeding. I wouldn't drive after that - I was ready to run the 20 miles home!

[LegArmpits]

They say not to, but I drove home, about a 15 minute journey and I was fine. I think the sheer adrenalin of having it over and done with kicks in and you feel a bit invincible. I even had a bit of a sing and a very large whiskey when I got home But do take it easy afterwards. I suppose I had the luxury of Christmas lazy days on my side really.

[TarkaTheOtter]

I have one next Wednesday and am scared too. I was planning on driving myself. Will I be able to drive back home afterwards. Will be about 30mins including a 5 min walk to pick my 11 month old up from friends house.

[MumVsKids]

Thank you, I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow :)

[EuroShagmore]

The colposcopy itself is, as others have said, just a glorified smear (in a more comfortable chair, in my experience). Speculum in, get the camera focussed (I found seeing my cervix on the screen fascinating), then paint the cervix with a solution (this doesn't hurt, feels a bit like a smear) and for me that was it. They couldn't find anything to biopsy, so they just gave me a repeat smear during the colposcopy (again, seeing that done in glorious technicolour was fascinating!).

To complete the story to date, that smear also showed abnormalities (although nothing had been visible), but I had another one 3 months later as part of a work medical and it was clear. I won't quite believe it until I have a second clear one, but fingers crossed, the abnormality has cleared up by itself.

[LegArmpits]

Also, don't be scared of the "colposcopy" aspect at all. In a way, it's better than a smear, because you'll likely be more comfortable (in a proper set up rather than a doctors surgery) and if they DON'T take any biopsies, you shouldn't really feel a thing as all they do is spray some vinegar up your fanjo and have a look. Ask them for a modesty blanket, this made a massive difference for me.

[Alconleigh]

As per the others, I've had one, followed by treatment on another occasion, followed by another colposcopy to check if all still ok. All were fine. The nurse singing "ground control to major Tom" up at my cervix was simultaneously hilarious and possibly insulting!

[DontstepontheMomeRaths]

I had a thread running in chat as I was absolutely terrified. In fact everyone in the waiting room looked worried tbh beforehand. Thankfully I got chatting to someone really lovely as I waited. She went in first, when she came out, she told me it was all fine and that helped me massively.

When I went in myself the waiting room was empty, but as I came out there were 4 very scared faces looking at me.

I had a man carry the procedure out. He had 2 nurses with him and one of them held my hand. I had 2 biopsies taken but no heated wire loop treatment. I'm awaiting the results at the moment actually, so I may have to go back. But I won't be half as nervous next time. They were very sensitive and caring and did everything they could to maintain my dignity. In fact, I found it far more dignified than a smear.

I asked them to turn the screen away, as I'm squeamish and I couldn't face seeing myself close up Which they were more than happy to do.

The leaflet suggested wearing skirt, that was a wise move I found. So wear a skirt is my advice. Good luck.

[LegArmpits]

Honestly. I was the most terrified person in the world this time last week. I wrote a post in General Health afterwards (and before!) with the express intent of wanting to reassure people about the procedure. Without doubt the worst part of it is not knowing what they'll find/say/the unknown. I knew I was going for LLETZ treatment (which was worse in a way) but I've actually had worse dental visits. Seriously, the nurses were fantastic, reassured at every step of the way and a week past treatment, my worst symptom is a bit of tiredness really. Haven't bled, just some discharge (mm, nice) that warrants a light pad. Even the anaesthetic, which I was really worried about, I didn't even know she'd done it until it was over.

I know everyone is different, but really, the worst bit is in your mind (my mind too, currently terrified of the postman) - the actual physical aspect of it is ok.

Thinking of you and offering a hand hold.

[BelaLug0si]

OP you may find this site useful. It's the colposcopists' association website site. I've linked to the questions section, it lncludes a video about colposcopy.

Just out of interest, did your results letter or your appointment letter include a leaflet explaining your results and what colposcopy is? It's supposed to be sent out to you before your appointment.

Best of luck for tomorrow.

[IdaBlankenship]

Please don't be scared. It is fairly quick and the worst bit is having the local anaesthetic put in. The nurse held my hand and talked to me throughout to distract me, and it wasn't as bad as I was fearing. I had severe dyskaryosis (sp?) and was imagining all sorts of horrid scenarios especially as I hadn't had a smear test done for 6 years (stupidly get putting it off), but they got rid of it all and I have had normal smears since. Good luck.

[Blatherskite]

I had one in 2005. Same as everyone else, they got me up in stirrups, sprayed on the vinegary stuff to make the abnormal cells show up and then removed the odd cells with a heated loop.

It's a distant memory now but I don't remember it being anything more than uncomfortable. I definitely had some period like pains afterwards though and know I spent the rest of the day on the sofa and a couple of days after that taking it easy on doctors orders.

My smears have all been normal since although I do have to have them annually now and because of the level of change the cells they removed showed, I will need to keep having them annually for 10 years. To be honest, I'm so used to it now, I think it'll feel like a very long time between smears when I go back to having them 3 yearly.

[ThedementedPenguin]

I had one done on the 12th dec. I had smear sometime in November, letter from doc saying I being referred and got a call next week.

Anyways... I was so nervous before mine but you will be fine.

Basically you get another smear, I seen my cervix on a screen. Spray some solution to see abnormal cells. I got a biopsy done, which kinda hurt but your given GA so it's not so bad.

The only thing I was exhausted after and a bit sore. Nothing a paracetamol didn't sort out.

Honestly it's nothing to worry about. You'll be fine.

[Dogsmom]

I've had one and it wasn't too bad, yes my legs were in stirrups but the gynae was lovely and chatted away about his christmas dinner, I had a nurse holding my hand and generally distracting me.
He took 2 biopsies which entailed me coughing while he snipped a bit off, I did feel it but it wasn't painful and I had what felt like normal period pains for a couple of days after.

[WeAllHaveWings]

Had one years ago.

As others said, was on treatment couch in stirrups. Camera in, got to see my own cervix (big pink donut!) on the telly.

local anathestic injection into cervix which felt a bit like getting a jag at the dentist, uncomfortable but not sore.

Had a cone biopsy (which looked huge on the telly, but was tiny), then treatment (cant remember exactly but they either burnt or froze off the top layer of cells) which I didnt feel at all after the anathesic.

All happened really quickly, and doctors and nurses were really nice.

Quite sore cramps a few hours later when anathestic wore off, so make sure youve got painkillers at the ready. Fine the next day.

Biopsy and future smear results came back clear.

Remember being really worried about the whole thing, kept it a big secret as didnt want anyone to know incase it was really bad news. It wasnt until after and I spoke to friends that I realised its a very common procedure, especially for pill users (iirc pill causes cervical erosion).

Hope it all goes ok for you tomorrow.

[verytellytubby]

Good luck.

[VerySmallSqueak]

I agree with what the others are saying.
No worse than a smear.Really.

You will be fine.