So worried about smear test results and colposcopy

[uka888]

Hi, I'm happy I can get some calming advice as I'm feeling so worried.
I went for my first smear two weeks ago (I've just turned 33 and feel so stupid now for leaving it so long), the smear went ok but I bled a bit and the nurse said she may not have got a good enough sample so I may be called back in the sample isn't adequate but as I hadn't had a smear test before she would expect me to bleed. She asked if I ever bled after sex or in between periods which I don't. I was pleased after I had it done and didn't worry too much.
But then last week I had a letter from the doctor saying the nurse had popped in to see her after for advice on my bleeding and the doc just wanted to check my cervix to make sure it looked normal.
So I went to the docs last Friday and she checked and took a couple of swabs and it bled again a little (but not as much as last time and I had no bleeding after) she said just to be sure she wants to get the bleeding checked out so would be referring me for a colposcopy at hospital. I was quite upset and she said she hasn't seen anything to make her overly concerned, she just wanted it checked and it could be erosion it just looked quite frazzled. I asked her about cancer and worried I'd left it so long before having a smear she said to try and not give myself a hard time and many women do the same or even never have one and as I don't have any unusual bleeding in between periods or after sex it unlikely it's anything else.
I can't stop worrying though, I'm googling all the same and just feel sick. I've not had my smear test results back yet, she said she was putting in an urgent request for a colposcopy so I should have a letter within 7-10 days, I've just convinced myself it's cancer.
I've been on the pill since 18/19, only had 3 sexual partners, two between 19-23 then no one until 30 (which is stupidly part the reason I thought it was ok to put off my smear)..... I'm worried about the colposcopy and also what they will find, bad cells may have been there for ages and spread. Please help?!

Do try and distract yourself until the appointment. Lots of women get referred for a colposcopy, it doesn't necessarily mean you will need any treatment even. I am waiting for results after colposcopy and treatment and just trying to keep myself busy so I don't drive myself crazy worrying!

I just feel so stupid for not having a test before, in the time from when I had sex 19/20 bad cells could have spread couldn't they?
Is the colposcopy itself ok? Will they tell me there and then what they see?

I don't know much about the cells.
The colposcopy will be fine, it's just like a longer smear test and they have a look with a microscope.

Ok, do you mind me asking what treatment did you have? Did you have it on the same day as the colposcopy?

Yes I had LLETZ on the same day, but it seems it varies, a lot of people were saying that if they needed treatment then they had it another time

I admire your calm attitude, I feel like I'm getting really worked up about it all!

I've also had the awful wait for a colposcopy after an inadequate smear. They took a biopsy from me during the colposcopy which showed abnormal cells but they only wanted me to go for another smear after a year. I spent this entire year in a blind panic convinced that I would go back and it would be worse. I went back and it was normal.
It was only then that I was told most abnormalities fix themselves within a year or 2 and as long as you're being monitored they can treat any issues as they come up.
It's hard but you can't beat yourself up for not going before hand. You're going now which is the important part, stay away from Dr. Google is my main advice. I drove myself to severe anxiety over it and it's really not worth it.
Sorry if this post is rambling or unhelpful, just wanted to let you know I'd been in the same place as you

It is a worrying time, I remember getting quite upset after a few drinks at a works night out over it and crying on my bosses shoulder (I was much younger!). I had been getting bleeding after sex.

The colposcopy was, interesting, I got to see my cervix on tv. They gave me a local anaesthetic, took a biopsy and then burnt or froze (cant remember it was 25 years ago!) and I got the results a few weeks later and all was clear. No sex for 6 weeks to allow it to heal and after there was no more bleeding.

It is quite a common procedure and most of the time there isn't a serious issue, but it is a worry at the time.

Thank you ladies, its nice to know I'm not the only one who's been in this situation of worrying. I'm just getting myself into a right state about it, cant stop thinking the worse that I ll go for the colposcopy and they will tell me I have severe cancer cells and they have spread because I left it so long, even though I have no symptoms at all. I feel like I can't plan anything at the moment because I don't know what I'm going to be dealing with, I know I've probably googled too much which hasnt helped me.

Might sound like a cop out but try googling mindfulness techniques. I had therapy for my anxiety and that was what I had to do. It might help take your mind off the test

Hi ladies,
I went for the colposcopy yesterday which was a little uncomfortable but ok really, they saw some abnormal cells which she thinks looks like CIM2/3 stage and i'll be booked in for the lletz after the biospys are back. I feel a little better that at least the process is all moving now, but still quite worried. I've seen on some places online that the lletz is quite painful and there can be quite a lot of bleeding for 3/4 weeks after.... has anyone had experience of this? The doctor did keep telling not to worry but I'm still worried the biopsys will come back showing its already worse than CIN3 :-(.