Abnormal smear results?

[midori1999]

I have had a letter todaysaying that my recent smear showed changes that require further investigation and I will receive a letter from the clinic within 8 weeks with an appointment. I also received a letter from the clinic with an appointment in two weeks time for a colcoscopy.

I realise that most abnormal smear results are nothing to worry about as such and most require no treatment, but the letter doesn't say whether the cnages are mild or anything, is there any way I can find out? The letter says I can ring whoever took my smear for more information, will they be able to tell me if the changes are mild, moderate etc? This is my first abnormal smear result and it was a bit overdue as I had been pregnant with twin girls who I lost after they were born very prematurely and then was TTC again and was pregnant etc etc.

no one will be able to tell you anything at this stage, well they won't anyway, they need to investigate, so unfortunately you will just have to wait, try not to stress to much, if they were overly worried they would have you in much faster, so try to think of it as a good thing, at least you are in the system,

you could phone the clinic and say that you are available to fill any canceled appointments leave a mobil number, you may get lucky.

good luck

If you are in England then the sample taker will have a copy of the cytology report which does state what level the changes are. The colposcopy unit will have a copy of the cytology report. You can ring either for more information.
The eight week target is usually for low grade abnormality referrals but the result letter information may be different in your area so please check with your sample taker for your own information.

Thankyou very much. I am in Scotland. I rang the GP surgery and the receptionist/whoever I spoke to on the phone said that they had had a letter saying I needed a repeat smear in six months. However, obviously I have a letter here with a hospital appointment! She is getting one of the GP's to ring me back thsi afternoon, so hopefully they will have more information. I am not panicking, but I'd prefer to have all the available information really, as I'm a bit of a control freak.

The GP rang me back and said the results show severe changes. He made it very clear that this doesn't mean it's cancer, which I knew anyway, but I am a bit nervous about the prospect of needing treatment and what that means etc. Particularly as my DH is in Afghanistan until mid October and I don't really have any friends or family nearby.

Try not to worry - i have been in the same situation. Realistically you will probably need treatment, but it is very straightforward and done on an outpatient, in fact it will be done when you have your colposcopy. Any abnormal cells will be removed and sent away for biopsy. There are three levels of "severe" changes iirc, thats CINi CINii and CINiii - i was CINiii which is basically the stage before they call it "cancerous" and a few of my cells had "gone over" but they were removed and everything was fine. That was in 1997, i had to have a further colposcopy and "deep smear" in the following six months and then yearly smears for ten years. Im back on three yearly recall now and have just had my smear which was normal. I have also had a baby since then so no effect on fertility.

oh and the treatment is no more uncomfortable than your smear, you'll be fine. You might have some bleeding afterwards but no more than a heavy period. I would say you will be no more than an hour start to finish (allowing time to get changed etc) so if you can get help with the kids for the afternoon that would be good. x

I had changes which resulted in me needing to be seen. Unfortunately just after my smear I fell pregnant so no treatment was allowed.

I went back after birth and there were no more cells at all and hard smears every 12 weeks to make sure for 2 years then one a year after that.

MIL came with me first time but I left her in the waiting room. Would a friend be able to go with you?

Thank you. I'm trying not to worry and I'm not the sort of person to worry at all usually, but it's really hard, two weeks seems like forever. I have enlarged lymph nodes in my armpits which the breast clinic said were probably due to silicone from my breast implants, but they didn't biopsy as I am breastfeeding. I'm not sure if the two things could be related. I've also had some spotting mid cycle and after intercourse, which I'd previously thought nothing of, but of course, now it's hard not to wonder.

I think, from looking online (at reputable sites) that 'severe' does mean CIN3 which means its very likely I'll need treatment, although it seems the treatment is only a minor procedure.

I am going to struggle enough to get my 15 month old looked after, so there's no one to come with me to the hospital or who I'd want there. I could ask my Grandmother to come then, she was planning a visit anyway and she could sit with my DD in the waiting room/cafe then.

I know I'm being silly, but I'm scared.

You are not being silly, it IS scary - because you don't know what the score is yet. You don't have very long to wait which is a good thing. Its funny, because i suffer from anxiety, but when i had mine, i wasn't even bothered once i knew what was going on. I knew several of my friends had been in the same situation and not had any furhter complications so i figured i'd be the same. CIN3 does NOT mean cancer!

The only thing i would say is - the first lot of treatment i had i was absolutely fine and went shoe shopping straight afterwards. The second lot (belt and braces check up) i had cramps and bleeding and had to lie down on the sofa for the rest of the day. So depends on how active your grandmother is, just in case you need her to entertain the kids for the afternoon.

Its natural to worry - TRY not to, keep busy and keep away from Dr Google, he is not your friend!

Thanks. Well, my Grandmother can't come then, so that's out. I'll have to try and sort something else out.

It's a relief to hear that you had another child after treatment and it was all ok. My Aunt had recurrent late miscarriages/late second trimester losses due to an incompetent cervix after a cone biopsy. I really want another child and am already classed as high risk, so any increase to risk would mean we probably wouldn't be up to TTC.

I didn't have a cone biopsy, just a lood diathermy that took the cells away, some where cancerous so they did a second colposcopy and a further loop treatment for belt and braces, but nothing as deep as cone biopsy. No problems with my subsequent pregnancy :)

Sometimes they can put a stitch in the cervix.
There's more information on the colposcopists' website including videos about the investigation and treatment. Jo's trust is also a source of information and support. It's aimed at women and their families with cancerous and pre-cancerous changes. The forum is here. Depending on what the colposcopist sees that will determine what they suggest e.g. could be a biopsy or treatment. Sometimes they do offer treatment on the day - you probably would need a lift or taxi home and would suggest trying to find someone to look after your DD just in case.

PS I'm sure you will mention your TTC concerns but please do as there are several treatment options if you need it.

Thankyou. Ive seen the colocoscopist site but will look at the other.

Yes, I will certainly be mentioning my TTC concerns. I don't think I'd want to risk a stitch as I lost my twins due to preterm premature rupture of membranes, which is a risk with a stitch and there's no way we could go through that again. Although obviously I may not even have any problems in future pregnancies, do will try not to worry for now.

I definitely can't get anyone to drive me to/from the hospital, trying to get child care is proving challenging enough for now and the only friend who could possibly come with me doesn't drive.

I'll sort something out, sorry, as I know I sound very negative.

Well the other thing to say is that you don't have to have treatment on the day (if you do need it), they can do a colposcopy and assess what the changes are on the cervix, then arrange another day for treatment if needed. That would give you more time to arrange transport and childcare. There may be hospital transport available if you give the clinic a ring to explain your situation.
Just wanted to make sure you're aware there are options around this. You don't sound negative, just trying to get your head round something that's a shock. Give yourself time and space

do you have a local volunteer beareau where you are? Or red cross? They often have volunteer drivers who will take people to hospital appointments, you just have to pay the petrol fees. Of course that doesn't sort out your childcare but it is one less thing to worry about. I don't drive myself but i definately couldn;t have driven after the second lot of treatment, was quite wobbly on my feet. Which was weird as my first lot of treatment was a breeze and thats when they did the bulk of it.

I am loathe to suggest that your DH could come home? would that even be possible? Not that i think it serious or anything (i genuinely don't) but you need some practical help and if there are no other options? As he is due home in october anyway? I assume he is in the army? would there be any flexibility?

Thankyou. Again!

Yes, my DH is in the army. I could ask the welfare office to arrange for a driver to take me to and from hospital, but I'm reluctant to unless I really need to tbh. I could get a taxi I suppose.

DH could probably come home if I needed him to, but he only has a few weeks left, so I am really reluctant to. It shouldn't affect his career, but it will and the next couple of years are really important for his job security and that's obviously important to us as a family. I did consider putting off my appointment until he is back, but I am not sure if that would be a really bad idea? I'm sure I can sort something out, but I may ring the clinic tomorrow to see how important it is I get DD looked after and how feasible/sensible it would be to put my appointment off until DH gets home.

midori1999 you should speak to the SAFFA rep in your area and also speak to the AFF rep. I would also speak to welfare even if just to ensure that should you need to make childcare plans it does not come as a shock to anyone. Who is dealing with rear party matters? I understand what you are going through as my DH is also due home in a few weeks. Do not put off your appointment!

Don't put off your appointment, but do discuss with them the possibilities of delaying treatment until he can be around as its only a couple of weeks, they wont know until they look and will be able to advise, it might be that a couple of weeks really wont make that much difference. What about paid childcare? maybe a childminder for the afternoon, get your grandmother to come to the hospital with you. Best case scenario - you can have a quiet coffee afterwards and not have to rush back, worst - you can go and lay down with a hot water bottle for a couple of hours.

Marriedtoagoodun. Thankyou, but I really don't want to involve welfare or SAFFA or anything if I don't have to tbh. I know that's what they're there for, but I'd just prefer not to. I'm quite a private person.

Paid childcare is a possibility, I have a friend who's a childminder, but I am not sure if she's full. It's definitely an option though. Part of the problem is I am anxious about leaving DD, unless it's with someone I really trust, but I would be happy with the childminder friend, so I'll speak to her.

My Grandmother can't come up at all, but that's ok, I'll be fine, I'm a big girl!

I really do appreciate all the replies and support, thankyou so much. I'm suprised by how much this has shaken me.

Ahh midori I know you are private and it sounds as if you are a 'coper'. When is DH's POTL (post operational tour leave?) and can you use his bonus (should have been paid by now if not check via pay office) to bring in a nanny for a few days? I do know how you feel and can understand your wish to keep yourself to yourself.

Thank you. A nanny wouldn't be out of the question if it is needed. I think I'm ok for now though. I've been very upset all night and decided to ring the hospital to see if I could get my appointment brought forward/a cancellation and they are going to see me this afternoon. I feel so relieved and obviously things will be clearer once I've seen them, a friend has offered to have all of my children.

This is good to read midori - its just horrible waiting, holding your hand xxxx Do let us know how you get on, best of luck

If it is of any help, I had an abnormal smear result from a smear test taken shortly before I became pregnant for the first time. I think I had 2 colposcopies during my pregnancy, the result of the latter one was that the consultant decided my treatment could wait until after the birth (as opposed to being induced early). I gave birth at the end of October and was admitted as a day patient for a cone biopsy in the following January, from memory recovery was absolutely fine and the biggest recovery was from the general anaesthetic. I have since had 2 more DC (the first one was conceived in June of the same year following the cone biopsy) and I have had annual smears since (now 11 years ago). I won't be having any more smears though as I have just had a total hysterectomy (completely unrelated to this bit of history), and the surgeon took my cervix out because of the previous cone biopsy.
I hope that all goes well for you.

Midori which part of Scotland are you in? I'd be happy to help if you are near Edinburgh x