Need to have LLETZ

[megonthemoon]

I've had annual colposcopies since abnormal smear 5 years ago. Only ever CIN1 and went yesterday expecting the same or that it had started to improve. Instead dr took one look and said "Oh we're going to need to treat that. Can we do it today?" I was quite shocked that it has progressed so much that it was really obvious treatment is needed rather than having to wait for smear and biopsy results first :(

In the end he decided best to wait as I had DD (10 weeks) with me and was going to collect DS from nursery so he didn't want me to be fretting about her while being treated, or wobbly and in pain after while in sole charge of them.

He took a biopsy so they know for definite how severe it is and will get me back in the new year, likely for LLETZ rather than anything else, when DH can be there to look after me and the children

Feeling a bit wobbly - have 2.8yo and 10 week old and had lots of morbid thoughts during night feeds last night even thought I know this is a long long way from being cancer. Need to get practical which is my usual way of dealing with things! So in that spirit, can you let me know what LLETZ was like - physical and emotional side of treatment and then any issues you had after?

Just looking for general info, support, stories etc.

Thanks!!

bump

Hi MOTM,

I have had it done. TBH it is a very minor operation and has replaced 'laser treatment' as it is far more effective than the old laser treatment.

Physically it is a lot like an extended smear test. The only really uncomfortable part is an injection of local anaesthetic. You will have some bleeding and discharge afterwards and I felt a bit shaky and emotional but was fine to walk out and get on with things. They are basically cauterising a little bit of skin on your cervix. They will then send off this little piece to be looked at in a lab. I think it will set your mind at rest to finally have this treatment done and get the results rather than waiting every year to see if the infection (HPV) has cleared up.

I was in a different situation as it was my first ever smear test and it came back with severe changes and I spent weeks on google losing my mind. Now I am glad that I was picked up by the system and got treatment as I had been ignoring that smear letter.

I found it hard to cope emotionally but this was mainly to do with 'what ifs' and with fertility issues. Actually the procedure will not affect fertility at all if that worries you.

I wouldn't fret about them offering to treat it there and then. The clinics operate slightly differently, some offer 'see and treat' at the same time and others will always go through the biopsy system. It doesn't mean that what they saw was really bad, just that they probably do offer the 'see and treat' option. That option is seen as less stressful for the women as it cuts out the weeks of waiting for the biopsy result and having to go back for another procedure.

Hi meg - i had to have two lletz procedures - they missed a bit the first time!

I think psychologically it is much more draining waiting for it! The actual procedure is fairly straightforward. You will be in stirrups and they will inject your cervix first to numb it - this is a bit stingy for a few seconds but thats it. Then you won't feel anything else except a dull sensation of something going on down there iykwim. IIRC it's a little heated loop they use and you will smell a nasty burning smell- kind of like that smell if you ever burn your nail lighting a candle or something! That's pretty much it. You may have a bit of spot bleeding afterwards for a few weeks and I found it a bit stingy at first when the anaesthetic wore off but that went away quite quickly. No sex for a while...can't remember how long. I felt a bit shaky afterwards so it is good that your husband will be with you. Again, I think it was more psychological than anything else.

I went on to have two children after the procedure (had it done in my early 20s) with no problems. I've only had two borderline change smears since and they went back to normal by themselves. I've been having them 6-12 monthly with gaps for babies :) HTH

If you have any questions please ask! :)

Thank you both! Been feeling a bit down today - wish I had had it done yesterday because as you say the waiting is actually the hard bit! But I was so shocked that I wanted time to think and dr also thought maybe best to have someone with me and DD (DH too far away to come and collect us). I wish he had said I could come back in a couple of days but it will probably be end of Jan now.

I'm lucky in that I don't have to worry about future fertility or any of the issues around carrying babies to term really as we are fairly decided on just having 2 children anyway and even if I wanted more at least I would have these two. But of course now I am worrying about the implications on my children of this, hence all the morbid thoughts - thank heavens they have caught it and that the treatment options are varied and generally successful! Just keep crying when I'm bf my DD at the moment - she's so little and vulnerable and deserves parents who are in good health and I can't bear the thought of letting her down in that regard IYSWIM.

Wallowing allowed for the rest of the day I think and then need to snap out of it an soldier on with Christmas prep I think.

Were you able to get back to exercising straight away - is it just sex out of bounds? :o - or did you have to take most things easy for a while? And when did you have the follow ups to check that they had got rid of everything - soon after or not for a few months?

Thanks for details on the procedure too. I'm not worried about that side of things as I'm quite stoical and strangely fascinated about medical things - always watch my colposcopies on screen! But it's good to know it's fairly straightforward and pain free.