Aibu to worry more? Colposcopy.

[Ollie0123]

Hi,
I did post in health but have had no replies and I am feeling really anxious about this so have posted here for traffic.

So I had my smear last feb which was fine.
Since about March my periods have been really heavy, I’ve been bleeding between periods and had a lot of pelvic pain, extra discharge.
I had a phone consultation with GP who referred me for an ultrasound thinking it was endometrosis.

I ended up in hospital a couple of weeks ago because the bleeding was so heavy and I was being sick. I had an internal and swaps taken and the doctor there said she would refer me for a colposcopy. They did the ultrasound there and was clear other than gallstones, which none of the doctors think is causing the pain.
They did a laparoscopy and see that I have adhesions from previous ops but didn’t think they were that bad, ovaries were fine, nothing that could be causing pain and certainly not bleeding.

So I called the colposcopy clinic today to ask how long roughly the appointment would be (I.e weeks or months) she said that the doctor has requested that I be seen by a specific consultant rather than a colposcopy nurse for the colposcopy so it would take slightly longer but is a couple of weeks away.

I’m really worried now. Why would they request a consultant To do it and not a colposcopy nurse?
Has anyone else had this?
I know there is no point panicking until I know but I feel sick thinking I have cervical cancer.

I suspect because it’s not massively obvious what’s causing your pain and bleeding, so they want a consultant to do it as they’re much more knowledgeable. The good thing to take from this is so far they don’t know what it is, so it’s potentially not an obvious cancer or anything like that.

I’ve had abnormal smears and things too, by the way, and I was told while an ultrasound cannot diagnose a cancer, it can detect what is believed to be. So if you’ve had an ultrasound and they haven’t put you on the two-week pathway, that’s another reassurance. Another reassurance for you is I was told that cervical cancers generally are slow growing. So if you’ve had a normal smear last time, that’s a good reason not to worry.

Thanks so much for replying. I’m sure everything will be ok but have that doubt that’s making me paranoid and the wait is awful.
Im glad you’ve said that about the ultrasound, I was unsure and that’s made me feel better.

At my smear last year I had to go back 3 times because the nurse couldn’t find my cervix. On the 3rd smear she said she ‘thought’ she had it. It’s made me second guess that the smear was all done properly. I know it most likely was but it’s just the worry I think. My smear before then was 5 years due to pregnancy but all fine too.
I have had an erosion about 8 years ago so maybe it could just be that again.

I'm not sure if this will help but both my colposcopies have been done by consultants, the second after I was referred to an oncology gynaecologist within 3 days as the GP was very concerned ... It was not cancer. I also suspect that they feel an experienced consultant may be able to sort it. My oncology gynaecologist was so reassuring.

I've had so many gyni issues, each time I was so worried about cancer but it seems I'm prone to issues.

I hope you get your answers soon. I won't say don't worry, because you will, but look after yourself.

All my colposcopies have been done by consultants. I imagine it's because if they do see any CIN they treat it there and then. A nurse might not be able to/have the authorisation to perform that type of treatment?? I'm not sure. But I definitely had a consultant every time.

I’ve had two colposcopies and both were done by consultants.

Oh that has made me feel so much better.
It’s only because the receptionist on the phone said that *usually they are done by a colposcopy nurse and that the consultant had less appointments available so that’s why it took slightly longer than it should have to get an appointment.
I had assumed this was the case with everyone.

Thanks so much for your comments everyone. It is really helping me with my anxiety over this.

It’ll all be fine I found colposcopies distinctly unbothersome as well, for what it’s worth.

I also did have cervical cell changes which then just magically fixed themselves 🤷🏼‍♀️ Even if there are cell changes it doesn’t necessarily need to be a big problem

When I had mine done it was done by a consultant and he removed some of the cells that had changed there and then and did a biopsy. It was uncomfortable but completely fine. You will be fine x

All my colonoscopies have been done by consultants too, I’m not sure there is such a thing as a colonoscopy nurse? Could be wrong but certainly not in our LA.

Hope all goes ok for you OP and you don’t have too long a wait

If you need help with any advice regarding the prep beforehand (if you’ve got to take Moviprep) come back to us. It’s not the nicest of drinks but can be made more palatable.

Oh no! Scrap what I’ve said, totally read this wrong! It’s not a colonoscopy you’re having sorry

Didn't want to read and run, I've had 2 colposcopys, both were done by a consultant. First for biopsy, second for LLETZ for cin3. Where I am they do biopsy and wait on results, (mid Wales) but most other places seem to do treatment there and then, thought that would be worth mentioning. Had to wait 3 weeks or so for the biopsy appt, then a further 2/3 weeks for the results, then a further 2 weeks ish for the treatment. Just wanted to mention it since it was a bit grueling all the waiting around.
Good luck x

All done my senior consultants near me. Try not to worry it sounds like you will be in good hands and they can remove anything worrying.

A laparoscopy is a bigger deal than a colposcopy in my opinion. A colposcopy is like a smear test with your feet in stirrups. There are lots of possibilities for your bleeding and pain and many of them are not serious and easily treatable. Stay positive and strong (easier said than done I know.)

How did you get on op?