Absolutely terrified - need colposcopy and prob biopsy after abnormal smear, anyone had similar?

[anyuary]

Desperately down and terrified by this.

Got a call yesterday that smear is abnormal and have CIN 2 (or equivalent as I live abroad and they have a different categorisation, but it's the one with cell changes to quite a high degree, just one step down from actually having carcinoma,) and have been referred for a colposcopoy and biopsy. Appointment in 2 weeks at the hospital. HPV is also still there as was with last smear. I'm 49 and had the same partner for ages, HPV popped up 2 years ago, no idea why.

I know that rationally it is a good thing to have been checked and to have the privilege of now being seen and treated, and I know people get actual proper bad news every day and this doesn't compare, but I am honestly utterly terrified, I'm crying all the time since yesterday, scaring the kids!, can't concentrate on work or anything. Not only that it could develop into cancer but also that the colposcopy/biopsy will be very painful. I am dreading it so much. Life feels almost unbearable right now.

Anyone had similar who is of a nervous disposition as I am, how did you get through it?

I had that all done. Had to wait ages as I'd got pregnant after my smear. It was fine, not particularly painful. Results were ok. Do you get this anxious about other things?

Thanks for your answer. Yes I am a pretty highly strung person. I recognise this and do my best to overcome it, take exercise, read a book, talk to friends etc, but there's only so much I can do.

Yep, had an abnormal smear detected when I was just pregnant with my second. Waited until after birth to have it done, wasn’t pleasant but nothing to be hysterical over. It’s the whole point of early detection. Post colposcopy and biopsy I had to go back and have more of my cervix removed under general anaesthetic, also not a big deal and nothing to cry over. I went on to have more kids naturally (they were not sure if it was possible, give it a try but if cervix did not cooperate with natural labour, would have been c-sections, also no harm or big deal).

Please help, it's tomorrow and I'm terrified! Has anyone had a cervical biopsy, how bad is the pain? I find it hard to imagine how large the bit they tear out will be, I presume it's very small like the size of a grain of rice, or lentil?

I’ve had two colposcopy’s and biopsies. I didn’t feel any pain at all.

They insert a speculum and the equipment they use to look at your cervix doesn’t go inside your body. They might put a solution on your cervix and if it shows up white patches they’ll take a punch biopsy which is tiny. They’ll ask you to cough and it will be over.

I was terrified but the staff were brilliant and reassured me straight away.

I had a colposcopy after abnormal smear test. The procedure took about 30 minutes, couldn’t feel anything due to anesthetic, they removed cells, I presume they lasered them, I could smell slight burning. I took it easy the rest of the day and was fine to work next day, although was wanting to lay down by 3pm. I had to have another smear 3 months later and that came back ok, then yearly smears for 5 years.

Honestly, I had one and although it was uncomfortable, it didn't hurt. The nurses were brilliant and kept asking me questions so I was distracted by what they were doing.

Nothing to be scared of, at all. I had to have 2 consecutive visits for this, several years ago. It was all very straightforward, didn't hurt, and I drove myself home afterwards. There will be a chaperone, if that bothers you. On the second appointment, I was telling jokes to the consultant. Just relax, and you'll be fine.

Thanks! I live in Germany and have found nurses tend to be pretty cold and functional, which doesn't help. Usually they just raise their eyebrows if you are nervous. There is no nice comforting banter like you get in the UK. They don't give anaesthetic of any kind for the biopsy. They also never do stuff on the same day, it would definitely be a separate appointment for the treatment so I would have another terrified wait eg for the LLETZ procedure, honestly don't know how I can face that.. :(.

You absolutely do not need an anaesthetic. Read all the posts on here, OP - it is a simple procedure and not a big deal. You asked for people's experiences and we have given them. Why don't you believe us?

I do feel reassured by the posts definitely, and appreciate them. Rationally, I believe it. Emotionally, I am really overwhelmed both by the fear of what they will find and by the fear of the different procedures. It is possible to have a local anaesthetic even as a gel, for the biopsy. I will ask, if they don't have it, then OK.

I wasn’t offered a local anaesthetic but I wouldn’t have needed one anyway. It takes 1-2 seconds to take the biopsy.

The woman who came out of the room before I went in was beaming with relief that she had got though hers and told me not to worry and I felt the same once mine was over.
I went and did some shopping right after mine as a treat.

Your results could come back fine with no treatment needed. My cells were left to go back to normal on their own and they had by the next check up.

Thanks so much! My partner will be with me. I have unfortunately become more and more anxious about health stuff over the years. Managed to have 2 kids, one with no pain relief, but nowadays I am honestly so depressed and fearful about any health issue.

I've had it done. Not to bad at all I went straight back to work. Had the LLETZ too and that was also fine. Didn't need any painkillers but you could take paracetamol I guess. Look up Jo's cervical cancer trust for more info but don't panic!

Just had it and it was nowhere near as bad as I’d thought, more like a slightly extended slightly more unpleasant smear test and even the biopsies were no worse than bad epilation moments I’ve had.. the nurses were really nice as well. Now the wait for results.

update to anyone kindly reading this, I had results today, have CIN 1 and CIN 2 and nothing that looks bad, so no treatment needed for now, smear in 6 months and colposcopy again within 12 months. Will probably need the LLETZ later down the line but seems to be it for now. I'm relieved but had got myself got worked into a proper depression about it all, so slowly surfacing. At least I can now reassure people who are scared that the colposcopy and biopsy were really really not bad or distressing in any way...

Yeah had this years ago..all fine when they had the closer look

Thanks for the update.