Text from GP

[Justpondering12]

sorry, posting here for traffic.

I had my smear test two weeks ago and I’ve been anxiously awaiting my results.

tonight, i received a text (annoyingly 45 minutes before the practice closed) saying that my results revealed Candida and that a prescription would be sent to my chemist.

Oh, and I should collect a form for my annual blood test (assuming because I take SSR’s).

The text however, made no reference to whether the smear itself was Ok or if anything else came up. I called the surgery (my anxiety wouldnt let me not) and waited on hold for an hour before being cut off. I now have to wait until tomorrow.

Is it likely that this means the smear was OK?

I don't think they'd be funny with you. I think it's entirely normal to have a first diagnostic appointment privately and then go to NHS for treatment.

My colposcopy appointment is in the morning, feeling nervous.

Unrelated, my periods have been late a lot so I went to the doctor about that, before my smear actually, and they booked me an ultrasound. That was last week and it looks like I have polycystic ovaries, and perhaps a cyst on one of my ovaries. The ultrasound has put my mind at ease, because until then I could have easily convinced myself I had cervical cancer which had spread right through in to my ovaries. Still shitting myself though.

I don't think you should just turn up to your NHS appointment and pretend you haven't been private - you're setting yourself back and potentially delaying a colposcopy for someone who needs it (see 14 week wait above.) Call them up, tell them what your private doctor said, and get booked into the next stage. Or ask them in advance if they will do the LLETZ at your existing appointment.

@Traisonthewine78 oh wow, it’s petrifying isn’t it? It’s not easy being a woman. It’s also a very lonely place to be! I really don’t think I’d have coped without having mumsnet to come and vent to, thank you for always replying xx

Please try not to worry OP, I had CIN 3 severe changes found in my smear in the summer.

I got the letter back saying what they had found and to be told they would book for my colposcopy. I waited around 2 weeks

The nurse was brilliant. She sat me down and explained would happen. She was going to have a look and make a decision then and there whether to do the treatment. She took one look at my cervix and said she would be doing the treatment. I had an injection in my cervix which made my heart thump for a few seconds and made me spontaneously cry. Very strange feeling. But after that I didn't feel a thing. I was 10-15 minutes and then it was over.

After they tell you to get dressed and wear a sanitary towel. You have to avoid swimming, tampons and sex for minimum 4 weeks. You will bleed a bit, it's not heavy just persistent. Then they follow up to tell you if the biopsy contained cancer. I'm thankful mine didn't, but because I went from 0 to Cin 3 in a year I need to go back in six months for my smear. Will be interesting because I'm currently 4 months pregnant!

It's not a nice experience, it's very scary, and I'm holding your hand through the internet. One thing my nurse told me was that they would call me if it was awful news.

If you get a brown envelope with a weird grey recycled paper letter, its them. Cry as much as you need to, it makes it feel better after!

x

Wow, 0 to CIN3 in a year! Were you on annual smears already?

I was HPV negative 3 years ago at my last smear. They're actually bringing in 5 yearly smears if you're HPV negative, think it's already in in Wales. So I'm consoling myself with the fact that, according to the research, I should actually be okay without a smear for another 2 years.

Unfortunately I was due to HPV positive the year before

Im thankful now though as the 4 yearly wouldn't be until 2026

So basically you have CIN1 which is precancerous and then a difficult to grade CIN which I would think (but I don't know) means it's very low grade. It's not difficult to see advanced disease.

The colposcopist will probably know you have had a biopsy just by looking at your cervix. They will totally understand why you booked privately given the wait times atm. I think call them up and explain everything and see what they say.

Try not to worry. It sounds very low grade and even if it is more advanced they can still sort it.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow @Traisonthewine78

Thank you @Hillsmakeyoustrong

They couldn't see a thing, and said I'll be called for my smear in 3 years which makes me very nervous as I thought it was annual if you are HPV positive.

Happy to go private if necessary for my peace of mind!

That’s great that all looks well @Traisonthewine78

I travelled for an hour this afternoon to see my Colposcopist, only for her to read the letter and lab reports sent to me yesterday and for her to tell
me i could either have another biopsy or cone laser. I was in and out, in 8 minutes 🙄

I’ve opted just to go for the laser, get it over and done with. Yikes

Oh dear! Why would you get another biopsy?

So you've opted to go private for the treatment? Will they be able to do it soon?

@Traisonthewine78 well, could be a number of reasons. My first guess would be to drive up costs for my insurer. Or, I’m being unfair and they just want clarity. They’ve confirmed CIN1 and another area, possibly CIN2 but difficult to confirm. I’ve been private this entire journey but I’m starting to think I should’ve just gone NHS. In any case, I suppose having treatment now will put my mind at rest. Xx

Yeah it will put your mind at rest and you can move on ❤️ It sounds like a fairly quick and easy procedure. He said to me today that they would do a biopsy to make sure i wasn't getting unnecessary treatment, if he'd been able to see anything. All the literature had said that they would likely do it there and then but that wouldn't have been the case, so doesn't sound like things have taken longer or you've been worse off for going private. I did have two lovely nurses chittering with me while he did it though and reassuring me, there was a student in and he said something quietly to her and I panicked, but he was just explaining something to her 😅

My mind is at ease but I think there'll be nagging anxiety at the back of my mind for the next three years unless I see someone in the interim! I am seeing my GP next week about the scan I had on my ovaries so will chat to her about it then I think.