I've survived the loop diathermy

[Softie]

Had loop diathermy for treatment of cin3 yesterday and survived. It was really funny when I thought the chair was going to loop the loop, poor nurse said sorry it was her first time operating it. Doctor was non too pleased ,but at least I laughed. Nurse then proceeded to put stickey pad with wire attached on my thigh, thank god ,I thought they were going to keep a check on my heart during procedure which scared the life out of me. Had two lots of local anae
but unfortunately could still feel it quite a bit. It was performed by registrar, not consultant and I wonder if perhaps he wasn't so experienced. He was very kind and suggested if second treatment is needed I should have day patient general anae. I haven't really started to bleed yet, is that normal? Anyone had second treatment or loop for cin3. Do they take a thicker layer than cin1 or 2, maybe that's why I felt it.Even so a big thank you to all who reassured and gave me courage to get on that ride.

Hi Softie
I'm pleased to hear you are feeling OK. Ihad loop diathermy for CIN2 a few months ago, and prior to that 10years ago. I had the first treatment in Australia under GA but last time only went for a colposcopy 12 weeks after my little boy was born and they proceeded there and then! I was too overwhelmed to be stressed, but it really hurt too!!
I didn't bleed straight away either but when I did it wasn't very nice and lasted about 6 weeks in total,I had cramping too. Both times I got wound infections and needed antibiotics, although have been told that is really uncommon. I think I should have looked after myself a bit better this time but you know what it's like when you can't see the wound you feel you should battle on! Mind you, I hadn't had children the first time and was having a very stress free,happy and chilled time and it wasn't straight forward then either! Sorry to sound negative, but thought it was better to be honest than pretend all went well. Please look after yourself and rest so that you make a quick and straight forward recovery.
Best Wishes to you
Petall
When do you find out about whether or not you need further treatment?

Dear Petall
Thanks for your honesty. I did think twice about writing about not so good experience, but, then I needed to know if anyone had the same experience. It sounds like your colposcopy clinic had a see and treat policy ,which on the one hand is good, but on the otherhand doesn't give you a chance to get your head around it. I think they worry that women wont come back for treatment if they are given time, which may be true in some cases.
The doctor did mention the risk of infection, If poss could you let me know what to look out for as I didn't think to ask at the time (Iwas a little shaky). You would think they would automatically give antibiotics in case.I am sure heavy bleed will probably follow I'm just too unlucky for it not to.
It's horrible to think about but it is one of the only organs you can get access to without cutting you open. I think you are right and I will try not to underestimate procedure and rest. I have to go back in 6 months for smear then wait to see if further treatment needed.

Thanks again
Softie.

Hi Softie
Hope you are still feeling well and resting! Sorry I have not had a chance to get back to the computer for a while to respond.
The symptoms I had for infection,were generally feeling unwell, a temperature and the loss became offensive smelling(very pleasant!). I saw the nurse practioner at my GP surgery who had a look, took a swab for the lab and got a doctor to prescribe antibiotics. I contacted the clinic to talk to the sister and she told me it wasn't an infection, despite her not seeing me or even asking my name! Very thorough, but the swab did show that I had an infection, so I was really pleased I saw my own GP clinic rather than being brushed off on the phone by the colposcopy clinic.
So if you feel unwell you may be better off seeing your own GP than going back to the colposcopy clinic.
Take care and all the best
Petall

I had this treatment about 8 years ago, but not sure how bad the cell changes were. It bled very lightly, and then I got dragging sensations and sharp pains for about three days. Uncomfortable, but bearable. Hope you're ok, and feel better soon.

Hi Petall
Thanks for getting back. I may be lucky on this occasion.So far I have only had slight sort of bleed following treatment on Friday, that stopped yesterday but still cant believe I will get off that easily. Period due Saturday so no doubt both will kick in at the same time ha! ha!
I will keep you posted and thanks again for your support.
with kind regards
Softie

Chinchilla
Thanks for your message. Its good to hear when others talk about treatment they had 8 years ago. It makes you realise that as long as you get screened and keep on top of things, then it's not as bad as it seems when you are first told you have an abnormality.
Thanks again for taking time out.
Softie

I had this treatment but was a coward so had a general ane straight away. It was for CIN3. I had regular check ups afterwards and didn't need any more treatment. That was about 5 years ago. I had clear smears until recently when had a slightly abnormal one. Went to colposcopy who said it was due to the wound from my treatment, the next smear was clear. Going back to colposcopy next week for another smear but should be ok. You are right, as long as you keep going and keep on top of any changes, you will be fine. It's not very nice to go through but well worth it! Hope your feeling better soon xxx (i didn't get hardly any bleeding with my first treatment so you may be lucky too!)

bonniej
Coward no! People have different experiences, so you do what's right for you. I was given choice of general when I turned up for treatment ,but told I would probably have to wait 2 months. As I had mustered up the courage to go anyway, I thought lets get it over with dont want more time to worry. I will know next time and at 6 month check up will mention that if more treatment needed following result I would like general.
As my GP (lady) told me,"look at it all as an inconvenience instead of treatment".
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you next week.
good luck
Softie.

Message withdrawn

essbee
You can help her by listening. She must be feeling very frightened at the moment, I know I was. I couldn't even tell my husband because we had just found out his father was terminally ill. The fact she has told you is great because now you can tell her about this thread, she can read other peoples experiences and even though peoples experience of treatment differs, the outlook is not as you start to imagine when you first find out. This is especially the case when you are told you have cin3 which obviously means cell changes are worse than cin1 or 2. Tell her to try not to worry and I know you will be there for her.
good luck
softie

hi sofie, i have treatment a few years ago for cin3. had abnormal smears and told to go to collpioscopy to see consultant. they took biospy and descided to 'operate' there and then., aparently i have a long cervix!!!! so after a male consultant fiddled about, they called a female(apparently!) consultant in and she made me feel like climbing the walls! as anae wasnt strong enough and she kept saying 'this might hurt a tincy wincy bit!!!' after watching the gory process on a monitor next to me i was glad to get it over but felt very shaky afterwards after discovering what it meant(pre cancerous - you just hear cancer dont you?)on way home felt like my insides where gonna fall out(later realised, same feeling as after giving birth!)and passed quite a few dark clots. bit like child birth!as once its over you eventually forget the feeling so would urge anyone to keep getting check ups to prevent further probs!
god what a waffle!, no real advice but when i had it done, it was nice to find out people i worked with had gone through same thing..one friend described her loss as 'liver and onions'!!bleurgh, but if you havent had much of a loss, i would think that means, the sugery was very neat and you heal quickly!

Softie - no problem. I have had yearly smear tests, and all have been fine since. The surgeon told me at the 6 monthly post-op check that the biopsy taken during the op had shown that the changes were further along than had originally been expected. So I was relieved that my smear had shown them! I have now been told that I can go to 5 yearly smears, as I am over 30, but dh wants to pay to have them done privately. Funnily enough, I got a letter from my gp, reminding me that my smear was due...1 year after the last one! Lack of communication somewhere methinks!

Hope you are feeling well and not too sore.

my first clear smear after cin3 was like winning the lottery as we wanted to start planning a baby and were told to wait for all clear! touch wood all smears have shown clear and after childbirth, wouldnt bother me going for them once a month if it means evrything is ok!

Hi everyone,

I am the friend essbee talked about! I had a phone call from my Doctor on Monday to say i have CIN3. I couldn't even remember when i had the smear (it was 4 months ago.) The Doctor was going mad about how long it has taken for the results to come through.

Just wanted to say that it is great reading this thread- to realise that others are going through the same thing. My Sister went through the same thing too about 8 Years ago.

It does make you feel better knowing all this, but i still have a nagging doubt in the back of my mind.... 'i know lots of people who have been through the same and are fine, but will i be the exception?' I suppose this is normal? I am not worrying too much, i am the kind of person who's glass is half full - not half empty!

We can all have a 'virtual' party when i get the all clear!!

Hello to everyone and thanks for all these messages.
Saintshar,good on you, keep positive and if it starts to get at you I'm sure essbee and someone
from mumsnet will give you a little advice and support.
Chincella, I know that they often put you back on 5 yearly smears after a time. I think your dh is right and if at any stage your GP says you cannot have them yearly on the NHS then I personally would go private.Prior to my CIN3 diagnosis I had had a clear smear exactly 2 years before. Lets face it they all have a budget and these things boil down to cost. I read a very interesting book
called the V zone, I borrowed it from the library
so I will try to find out who the author is for you and anyone interested. It is written, I think by an American lady and mentions the advances being made and the different teqniques in smear taking and diagnosis. I mention this because it appeared new teqniques made it easier to read slides.Not sure if the new types are available here yet, but if so they will probably be only available privately at the moment.
I'll let you know author soon as in case you're interested.
kind regards to everyone
Softie.

Thanks Softie. I know, it's really bad that the cost of the tests means that cancer could get missed. That's the NHS for you!

Hope you are feeling OK.

hi softie..how you feeling?

Dear Evesmama
So far and over one week later ,no sign of bleeding so looks like I've got off lightly on that side of things. I am feeling absolutely fine with no side effects. Thanks for your concern.
Still haven't forgotten you bonniej, will be thinking of you this coming week. Good luck at colposcopy.
Regards to everyone
Softie.

Dear Evesmama
So far and over one week later ,no sign of bleeding so looks like I've got off lightly on that side of things. I am feeling absolutely fine with no side effects. Thanks for your concern.
Still haven't forgotten you bonniej, will be thinking of you this coming week. Good luck at colposcopy.
Regards to everyone
Softie.