2nd abnormal smear - being referred for Colposcopy - my worst nightmare :(

[Friendlymum67]

I know I'm not the first person to post on here about this but having just received the letter, I want to cry.

I was half expecting 'bad' news after the 1st recall but what's really freaking me out is the whole colposcopy thing!! Even having had children, the thought of being examined like this is something I dread and then having to worry about what they find ..... :(

Is this retribution after 16 yrs of marriage, for having 2 partners in 1 year??!??

((hugs)) + .

I've had lots of colposcopies and TBH they are 'nicer' than the smears they do at the GP's surgery. They use a proper gynea chair which gets your pelvis into a good position and there should be 2 nurses, one to chat and one to do the investigation.

I ended up with CIN3 in 2004, 2 lots of LLETZ treatments, several clear colposcopies 2 dc's by c-sections as my cervix was broken, then another abnormal smear and a hysterectomy in 2009.

At the time of my first colposcopy I was shitting myself (and on diazepam) but looking back from the other side I am eternally grateful we have a whizzy NHS system that can deal with potential problems. Once I was in the system I didn't go more than 6 months without a colposcopy and I very much felt like they were keeping an eye on me.

It's not nice but the alternative is so much worse. Let them know you're scared / terrified and they'll talk you through it. Or take a friend with you, even if they just wait outside for moral support.

Please try not to worry. I had this a couple of years ago, was referred for colposcopy, and, like you, I was terrified. It really wasn't as bad as I thought- they even let me watch what they were doing on a screen (although you don't have to!) and the nurse chatted away to me while the doctor did the examination. It wasn't painful, and I had cryotherapy too. I felt a bit shaky and weepy afterwards, so make sure you take someone with you.

Since then I have had 6 mthly smears and they have all been normal. I now look back and am actually quite proud of myself for addressing any potential issues there and then- it can actually make you feel quite "in control"

And I doubt it is to do with your 2 partners! I had my first abnormal smear after 9 years of marriage (and no cheating!)

Good luck. There are loads of us on here who have been through it, so keep posting for reassurance.

Thanks for your lovely reassuring messages! Am still tearful at the thought of it - undignified, embarrassing etc. Think I will need to ask for valium to get me thro it :(

Should add that the 2 partners in 1 year weren't as a result of me cheating!! My ex left me after 16 yrs of marriage - took 4 years before I was even brave enough to attempt dating let alone anything else!!! Can't help thinking if I'd remained celibate this wouldn't be happening. Neither of them were 1 night stands either!

Apologies for sounding 'needy' but anyone else with 'positive' experiences out there?!??! I need to phone my GP's for further information re referral etc but just can't bring myself to do it yet :(

I had a whole host of random smear results and several colposcopies before being referred for lletz treatment. Colposcopies were fine actually and having not hand children before found the whole thing quite undignified. Having had children now don't give a fig who is looking at my bits.

All my treatment cleared the CIN 3 and I have had annual smears sinec which have all been fine

Reminder to self next one due!

Please don't worry - its been identified as a 'potential' concern and the colposcopy will help further identify any worries - it can then, if necesary be treated.

xx

Bumping for you

My tip- try not to think of it as "undignified" or "embarassing". Try to see it as something positive you can do, that you have been brave enough to deal with, to stay healthy longer, and be proud of yourself for addressing it.

The only thing that threw me a little- when I was referred for the colposcopy I convinced myself that they were just going to have a quick look and tell me everything was fine, false alarm, blah blah. But they didn't! They used a special dye to show up the abnormal areas (I could see on the screen- there were a lot!!) then went straight for cryotherapy, which I was NOT expecting. Now, i'm not going to tell you it was fun, but when I look back now (3 years all-clear later) I am SOO grateful and glad that I had always had regular smears, and that I had the treatment. If I ever have another abnormal smear, I will be far less apprehensive, and would go for the treatment without a second thought.

Hello, I was a bit of a fool and left my smear tests for a few years, when I went last December I was found to have severe dyskaryosis and sent for a colposcopy. I was devestated, I remember reading the letter and crying and shaking thinking it was all over for me. They have caught some abnormal cells early for you and if needed from your colposcopy will remove them (mine were taken at the time of the colposcopy using lletz). It takes 10+ years for abnormal cells to turn to anything more sinister I was told by my consultant.

It's easy to say don't worry about the lletz but I was really scared, I cried on entry to the room and a total mess, allow yourself to be worried if you need to be the nurses are wonderful. I hate people touching me even after children so just tried to concentrate on dh and talking to the nurse. I still wonder sometimes who it was that gave me hpv and it does upset me but once the cin (if you have it) is removed your body has a stronger chance of fighting it off, I think it's 95% so it's really worth it.

When are you going in? Make sure you really do rest for a few days afterwards.

sorry I meant don't worry about the colposcopy not the lletz as you may not have to have one!

I had a colposcopy and LLETZ treatment ten years ago and like you I was dreading it. It's not the nicest experience but I had a lovely gynaecologist who kept me topped up with local anaesthetic so I didn't feel any pain. I also had nurses talking to me throughout.

I have had normal smears ever since

You will be ok x

Here's some information about colposcopy and abnormal smear results.
The colposcope is a special microscope for magnifying the surface of the cervix. It's used in conjunction with a speculum and you'll usually sit on a couch with stirrups. If you are offered treatment on the day, then go armed with a pad, paracetamol, and get a lift home as you may be a bit achy/wobbly.

Absolutely agree with everyone - had the LLETZ in 2002 and was terrified. It was fine. Local anaesthetic, no pain at all, and just a little bit of bleeding after. Dh watched it all on the screen wierdo! It'll be fine.

I had Cin 3 diagnosed after routine smear a couple of months ago. Had colcoscopy which really was fine, better than a smear. Had large growth of cells and they were removed a few weeks by cone biopsy under general. Everything was much better than it sounds. All my dodgy bits have now been removed and that will probably be it for ever. Its quick, painless and everyone will be lovely!

I had a colposcopy due to repeated mildly abnormal smears a few years back and on the day they also decided to take a biopsy of my cervix (can't actually remember why now). To be honest I didn't really know what to expect and it was completely fine. Yes it is a bit embarrassing for a moment but try to remember these people do this multiple times every day and do not see it how we do (personal, inimate areas being examined) AT ALL! The alternative, as others have said, is far worse. Honestly do try to stay calm - I think the worry about being upset in front of medical professionals is actually worse than the physical experience but the nurses etc are generally absolutely lovely and will have ways of dealing with us when we're nervous/scared/upset etc. Far better to have it dealt with now than end up with a serious health problem.

FWIW even the biopsy didn't really hurt, just felt like intense period pain for a few seconds and then mild aching for a few hours, then nothing. And it was all clear, most importantly - have never had to go back since, all smears have been normal. Turns out it was just natural changes causing the dyskariosis and they righted themselves (and I did do naughty things in my youth!)

Oh friendly poor you. It is a really horrible feeling getting the letter, and the run up. I had to go to 2 appointments - 1 for a biopsy and 1 for treatment. I remember though when I was being treated the nurse came and held my hand and let me squeeze really hard! I cried a bit because I was so upset and she wiped all the tears away. She really was lovely.

It was very tricky because I had a young, male doctor doing it. He was very professional (of course) and it wasn't as long as I thought it would be.

The treatment was really no worse than the biopsy. I think it was something being frozen or burnt off (it either had heat or freeze in the title, but it did the opposite of the title I think??).

I was slightly ill a couple of days later, but it may have been a coincidence as I was fine after a day.

oh, and to add, I had general anaesthetic for both my LLETZ treatments. I wasn't prepared to have it done while awake. Each GA was really quick, just out for 30 mins or so.

Also, I spent a lot of time googling, and really upset myself. The fear was easily the worst part - I convinced myself that I was really in deep shit. Didn't help that the doctor, just before going in, said "Oh, women your age (24 at the time) never have to have treatment" and then pretty much IMMEDIATELY saying that I needed treatment. OH and I split up for a year and a half, and it was during this time that I had the colposcopy. We were both seeing other people at the time but I remember telling him how scared I was etc. Really needed to be able to talk about it with someone.

Thanks ladies for more lovely responses - special mention esp for joolyjoolyjoo for bumping for me :)

Reading others experiences has helped, tho am still dreading it! I don't have an appt date yet and not sure who to take with me (StrawberrytallCAKE definitely won't be DH - soon to be Ex DH ).

Can anyone tell me how long the actual procedure takes??

What really freaks me out (and this makes me sound a wierdo and a wuss!!) is the stirrups!!!! I really do think if they weren't used (I know this isn't an option!) I wouldn't be so petrified!!

I've never had stirrups for a colposcopy in an NHS hospital. I just had to put my feet up on the little rests.

I did have stirrups once when I had a private colposcopy and it was a bit weird.

TBH, whenever I was shitting myself I always told the person doing it and they were lovely, I was never made to feel silly for being anxious.

Meglet - thank you!! I shall hang on to that piece of information. You'd never believe I've had 2 children, the fuss I am making! The daft thing is I am really good at reassuring and listening to my friends when they are anxious etc - I obviously need to give myself a good talking to!! :o