I have had an abnormal smear result - bit worried, any advice?

[QueenEagle]

Today the burse called me to say I need to have a colposcopy as I have had an abnormal result. Probably have to have cells lasered off by the sound of it.

Have looked it up so know what the procedure entails but has anyone had experience of this and can tell me how they got on?

I have had loop diathermy, whereby the precancerous cells are burnt off with a hot wire.

Sounds horrid, but had a local injected into cervix, a bit oooh ahhh, then the procedure (I held the nurse's hand) took a few minutes.

A bit of bleeding afterwards, two days loafing ( I milked it a bit har har) and right as rain.

6 monthly smears for 3 years after, then annual ones, now every 3 years.

HTH

It's pretty common. I had it about 14 years ago. Uncomfortable but I was back at work next morning.

Cheers for that, it's not the procedure that worries me too much tbh. More concerned about everything being caught early enough and there being no longer term problems iyswim?

yy we all feel fraught with fear at this stage

Had colposcopy 10 years ago, was just like a slightly more uncomfortable smear. Mostly because they decided to show me the problem on camera and tis not right to see your own fanjo from that angle. Anyway they took some cells away decided it was the HPV virus and that with no further treatment whatever it was was fixed - three months later had another smear and all was right again. No other problems since (touch wood).

Is very natural to fear the (unlikely) worst, how long until the colposcopy?

The colposcopy is just a thorough smear test. I've had about 6 of them and TBH its more comfortable than a smear as you have to lie down in a proper chair with your legs up (instead of a cramped bed in a doctors surgery). You can look at your cervix on the tv screen if you want .

I've had 2 laser treatments on my cervix and as I'm a bit of a wimp I had general anaesthetic for both of them. However I had to have such a large amount of my cervix taken out that my cervix is tight and won't dilate. I had very painful periods for a couple of years as the blood wouldn't come out and I have to have c-sections, something you might want to bear in mind if you are planning any more children - although it's very unusual to get complications.

It's 4 years since the treatment and I just have to have a colposcopy every year now.

My last smear was over 4 years ago before the birth of my youngest. 10 years ago I had abnormal result and have the HPV virus but needed no treatment, just yearly smears and it all went back to normal. I am waiting for an appointment to come from the hospital.

QueenEagle - I had a colposcopy after an abnormal smear not long ago but got letter last week saying all was normal again and I think this is fairly common as abnormal cells can revert, so you may not even need any further treatment.

just wanted to back up what everyone else has said. easier said than done i know but don't worry unduly about it. it isn't really any more traumatic than a smear (except, as others have said, the total weirdness of seeing the tv image!)... no one can make you any promises, but i too have had all my smears come back ok since that one abnormal result. i wish now i'd booked a doctor or nurse appointment when they could have reassured me that there was probably nothing wrong, as i freaked out a lot and with hindsight i've now read more about it and realise i shouldn't have. (but, its only human to worry a bit!)

Hi QueenEagle,

I had a smear in March which showed up something not quite right, then had a coloposcopy which showed I needed a LEEP procedure.
Had the LEEP procedure done today- the delay was due to mc
The procedure wasnt too bad but I felt bit sick afterwards and my dh had to come to collect me as I didnt feel up to driving home.
So you might want to take someone with you as sometimes they may do a coloposcopy and treatment at the same time.
HTH