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General health

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Original poster

went for a smear and have been called back...

16 replies

OnlyWantsOne · 09/03/2009 17:54

Hospital called me this morning and sent me in a panic. I had a smear couple of weeks ago and have been called back for further "tests". When I asked what they were the woman on phone said they would be discussed with me before hand and then a tissue sample of my cervix would be taken.

She insisted that I go this week, and told me to not bury my head in the sand (she was nice though)

So - it's sent me in panic mode, Im alone as DP away abroad working and actually Im quite frankly bricking it.

What does / could this mean and has any one else had this? My mum says its prob just to be safe etc and happens all the time.

OP posts:

Horton · 09/03/2009 17:58

Is it a colposcopy they want you to have? I have had one, had treatment for abnormal cells and my smears have been clear ever since (about six years). Try not to worry and DON'T GOOGLE!

Original poster

OnlyWantsOne · 09/03/2009 17:59

lol thank you, i sahll not google - whats is a colposcopy?

OP posts:

Horton · 09/03/2009 18:30

It's when they look at your cervix in detail to see how and where the abnormal cells are growing. I think they shove a bit of dye up there. A bit like a smear but one step up, IYSWIM! Mine was with several students in the room which was a bit odd. It is no more uncomfortable than a smear and better in some ways as they're much more at pains to make sure you are okay.

Dior · 09/03/2009 18:35

If you have cell changes, you may need a loop incision. It is not exactly pleasant but not too bad. I had one about 14 years ago and have had annual smears ever since - all of which have been clear.

Try not to worry. If it IS anything it will have been caught early enough by the sounds of it.

Sibble · 09/03/2009 18:38

ditto horton. I've had one years ago and am having another one in 2 weeks for abnormal bleeding. It's like a prolonged smear, they put dye on the cervix to see if it changes colour and the biopsy can feel a bit like period pain but doesn't hurt. It's easy to say don't worry about it, but it's not bad. Good luck.

Horton · 09/03/2009 18:45

Good luck to both of you, OWO and Sibble. I had the loop thing like Dior. It's not exactly fun but it doesn't hurt and it's all over pretty fast. And Dior is definitely right - catching it this early means you have an excellent chance of it being nothing at all to worry about.

CoteDAzur · 09/03/2009 18:57

"a tissue sample of my cervix would be taken."

That is a biopsy. It is done during a colposcopy, where doctor applies vinegar (seriously) to your cervix, which permits him to see where the changed cells are. Then he cuts little pieces to send for analysis.

None of this hurts, by the way.

Original poster

OnlyWantsOne · 09/03/2009 19:28

cote - that does sound painful never mind.

Just have visions of Jade Goody in my head...

OP posts:

BellaNoir · 09/03/2009 19:33

The two 'dyes' are: weak acetic acid (vinegar as above) and iodine. The vinegar shows up areas that have alot of protein, that are quite active such as abnormal areas.
The iodine stains areas which have lots of glycogen which tends to be the more normal areas. This helps the colposcopist examine the cervix better.
They use a local anaesthetic so if they do want to take a biopsy it won't hurt.
If they do take a biopsy or treatment such as a loop then you will find driving back tricky as I'd suggest getting a friend to go with you or plan someone to pick you up; that's what I did after I had a loop treatment.
The Nhs Screening programme website has more info about colposcopy as does the British Society of Colposcopy: www.bsccp.org -there is a section written for patients.
If you need more info then the colposcopy staff should be able to give you more advice over the phone before you go there.
Hth

ChairmumMiaow · 09/03/2009 19:37

Only - I had a colposcopy at 21 after a few irregular / insufficient smear results.

IME it isn't pleasant, but its also nothing at all after the indignities of labour! Mine found some cells that could become pre-cancerous (IIRC) and I had six-monthly smears for a while, then yearly ones for a while. All were clear but I felt so much better knowing that if there was something wrong, they'd catch it quickly. After that you'd never catch me skipping my smear!

I hope all goes well for you. Its really not that bad, and well worth it for the peace of mind.

FatController · 09/03/2009 19:49

I too got called to the hospital after a smear found some "abnornal cells". I had a colposcapy - as described above where they have a good look and take a biopsy- and was found to have some pre- cancerous cells. Not as bad as it sounds, the Dr explained that it was not cancer but if left for another 20-30 years it MIGHT turn into cancer. Had them removed in a 15 minute job which was uncomfortable and a little unpleasant. Then a check at 6 and 12 months. It's really great that they have found the cells so early on and can treat them but you must be worried especially as your DP is not there. Let us know how you get on.

CoteDAzur · 09/03/2009 19:54

OnlyWantsOne - It is NOT painful. Really.

There are very few (any?) nerve endings on the cervix.

Biopsy didn't hurt at all. The bits cut off were about the size of nail clippings.

Even the LEEP didn't hurt when I woke from anesthesia, even though a piece the size of a finger's first digit was cut off my cervix.

Horton · 09/03/2009 19:58

I promise, none of it is painful. I had my LEEP under local not GA and even that was fine, I promise!

ChairmumMiaow · 09/03/2009 20:06

I don't remember being given any anasthetic so perhaps that's why mine was uncomfortable!

Ohforfoxsake · 09/03/2009 20:13

Another one here - they sort of took a snip from my cervix. Not nice, but short and sharp! Its over in seconds and one of those things you have to do I'm afraid.

Try not to worry, we are probably all very aware of this at the moment, but its a precaution at this stage.

Hope all goes well

FatController · 09/03/2009 21:11

another vote for not painful - just uncomfortable and an odd sensation, just like a smear really!

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