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Original poster

Anyone had a colposcopy/cervical biopsy?

22 replies

Terramirabilis · 20/08/2013 00:58

I am having a colposcopy plus (presumably depending on what my cervix looks like under the microscope) a cervical biopsy in a couple of days. This follows an abnormal smear test. I couldn't believe it when they told me I had to do this. I'm only 32. My husband was in tears because it brought back bad memories of his mother's breast cancer when she was roughly the same age as me and he was about 10. Thankfully she is still with us 30 years later. Anyone able to tell me what it was like?

OP posts:
fackinell · 20/08/2013 01:19

I've had two. First one was quite painful but this was due to me being terrified and seizing up. The second one was virtually pain free and not much worse than a smear tbh. They took two biopsies (second time) and I was asked to cough hard while they took them. I felt a slight sting. It's actually more uncomfortable than painful, the thought of it makes it worse. The first time was silent but the next Gynae and nurse chatted away and it was over before I knew it. I haven't had kids but if you have, I imagine its bugger all compared to that!!! Grin

Monty27 · 20/08/2013 01:27

I think I've had four coloscopies and only one biopsy (biopsy during the first coloscopy). It's just a more indepth smear. Please try not to worry about it. I've had normal smears since then :)

Please don't worry. Did I already say that? And your dh sounds lovely.

Honestly. :)

Monty27 · 20/08/2013 01:32

Over a period of 15 years! Oh for goodness sake, I'm rubbish at writing.

They call you back for a smear every year once you've had even one colposcopy, and it is a bind, but they're just keeping any eye on you. If there's one sneaking suspicion the cells aren't right you're back in there. You have to do three clear smears before you're free.

Sorry to hear about dh's dm :(. It's all different now though.

nona2706 · 20/08/2013 01:35

Im goin through the exact same thing and in only 25. I have to receive my appointment yet but i know its to be within the next two weeks and i am panicking a bit about it as my doctor made it sound scary in the way he said it was urgent etc plus my granny died of cervical cancer.

Helentres · 20/08/2013 01:39

I have a colposcopy (4th one) coming up in 2 weeks. All mine have been pain free, including the one with the biopsy. A little discomfort was felt but thats all. I'm 26 and got an abnormal smear from my first ever test! I have CIN 2 so this next appt is for treatment. But I'm sure ill be well looked after , just as you will be Smile

Monty27 · 20/08/2013 01:44

Depending on what they see, there is not necessarily a bipopsy. Let alone finding anything in the biopsy that is mysterious. (I had one at my first colposcopy and they found nothing apart from stage something on a scale of whatever, which kind of made it zero worry).

They're just checking on you, making sure nothing's wrong. And if there is (which there probably isn't) at least they've found it early.

OH please don't worry.

Original poster
Terramirabilis · 20/08/2013 07:16

Thank you everyone you've made me feel much better about the appointment and what the gynae might say. Fackinell I will try to think r e l a x i n g thoughts throughout [grins]. Nona I will pm you.

OP posts:
bodiddly · 20/08/2013 07:33

I've had loads of these - pretty much every 6 months for 8 years now. My advice would be to take some paracetamol or ibuprofen 30 minutes before the appointment just to take the edge off. I find it all depends on who is doing it and their technique etc as to how I find it but you shouldn't have a problem. The anticipation is the worst bit so try not to stress yourself, you will be fine!

MegaClutterSlut · 20/08/2013 10:21

I've had one done recently and it's no worse then a smear imo, I'm 31. I was literally shitting myself before hand though as I didn't know what to expect but the nurses were really lovely and they go at the pace you are comfortable with. I also had 2 biopsies taken and didn't feel any pain. hth :)

eurochick · 20/08/2013 10:29

OP, tell your husband 1/20 smears is abnormal but the rate of cervical cancer is teeny tiny. The smear detects abnormal cells, most likely due to the presence of the HPV virus and in the vast majority of people the virus messes with the cells for a bit and then your immune system blasts it into submission!

I've had 3 colposcopies and they are really not that bad. The key, as with any gynae exam, is not to tense up and "fight" the speculum - that hurts. Try to relax and it really is fine. It's like a smear but with a magnifying glass peering up you while they "tickle" your cervic (they paint it with a couple of different solutions to show up the abnormal cells). At the third colposcopy I had they took a biopsy. Like the others I had to cough and didn't feel it. I had some mild period type cramps for an hour or two afterwards but that was it. No bleeding. I held off dtd until I was sure the biopsy site was healed and I have been fine.

pepperquip · 20/08/2013 16:51

Sorry you are so worried about this. I had one in my mid 20s and was completely terrified, but it really wasn't all that bad. And I am the wimpiest of wimps when it comes to being meddled with down there!
My doctor prescribed me some diazepam which helped enormously. And I asked the nurse if I could hold her hand which also helped my nerves. The worse part of the whole thing was sitting in the waiting room before!

I found it wasn't as awful as I'd got it in my head that I thought it was going to be.
Being recalled for colposcopy is extremely common. After mine I have had smear tests every year for the past 10 years so they keep a good eye on you to make sure the abnormalities have gone.
Try not to worry, It's easier said than done but perhaps if you speak to your doctor about your anxiety then he/she will be able to prescribe you something to help.

GW297 · 20/08/2013 22:20

It's honestly not any worse than having a smear and the nurses are lovely and so caring. I've had one recently - good luck!

DizzyPurple · 20/08/2013 23:39

I've had a few over the last few years. Some with, some without treatment. Again not much worse than a smear, better in a way you can watch it on the monitor! All that fascinates me and takes your mind of the rest I find. There always seems to be a couple of very chatty nurses who are a good distraction. I think I might suggest it to my grumpy dentist!

DizzyPurple · 20/08/2013 23:40

The chatty nurses that is, not have a colposcopy at the same time. That would be rather interesting!

tillyo · 20/08/2013 23:46

It's nothing to worry about. My doctor made jokes the whole way through so made me very relaxed. The worst part for me was sitting there with no knickers on he was a young good looking doctor. If you want to know anymore just holla I've had enough to last me a life time. Hope all goes well x

Original poster
Terramirabilis · 28/08/2013 17:42

Just reactivating the thread to let you all know that the colposcopy was fine. In fact it was no worse than a smear and I didn't even notice that biopsy samples were being taken from my cervix until it was nearly over.

The gynaecologist said at the time that she could see nothing serious and I got the biopsy results yesterday which showed the same as the smear: a few atypical cells but mostly normal cells and certainly not precancerous or cancerous.

OP posts:
MamaTo3Boys · 28/08/2013 18:02

Ah that's great news Smile

It's helentres by the way, I've NC x

eurochick · 28/08/2013 18:06

That's good news OP.

flusteredmumto2 · 31/08/2013 23:52

Just bumping as today I had a letter telling me I have to go for a coloscopy and a whole load of cancer leaflets. In the letter it said I have severe dyskaryosis having googled I have scared myself silly. I'm 27 and a single mum to 2 young children. I know the chance of it being the big C is minimal but theres still that chance. I've recently had a lot of weightloss and abnormal bleeding which is why the dr sent me for a smear. I'm trying not to think to much but this waiting is going to drive me insane!

MamaTo3Boys · 31/08/2013 23:59

Try not to worry too much. Did the letter say you've to ring up and make an appointment for colposcopy? They normally book you in pretty quickly as they have to see you within a certain time of having the initial smear done.

flusteredmumto2 · 01/09/2013 23:52

No mention of having to ring up for an appointment but will be ringing in the morning to find out if I have to make the appointment or if I'll be sent one. Feel better today as nothing I can do about it so not much point getting stressed and worried. Its not going to change the results so just got to get on with it.

MamaTo3Boys · 01/09/2013 23:59

Exactly Smile that's what I did too. Not worry as there's not a lot you can do really apart from keep all your appointments. Best way to go about it i think Smile

I have a colposcopy coming up on Wednesday for treatment for CIN2, but I'm going to have to ring and re-arrange in the morning as Mother Nature has paid me a visit this afternoon Hmm

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