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General health

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Original poster

Problems with smear.......starting to worry.

120 replies

breeze · 19/05/2003 12:37

Been experiencing bleeding in between periods, and the need to pass urine more often, I went to the clinic who rules out any infections, and was advised to go to the doctor and have a smear, even though I was not due one for another 2 years.
I hate the whole process of the smear and the nurse made no effort to distract me or make me feel at home (Although she was not horrid). Before she had done the smear she told me the results would be back in 4 weeks time. After the smear she said you will hear from us in about a weeks time, I asked her why not the 4 weeks as mentioned earlier, she said that she found some red-ness up there and it looks sore and obviously something is not right, at this point I just went into a blind panic and thought of the dreaded (c) word, she told me to try not to worry, and as she was running very late and had a room full of people I left.
Just wanted to know if anyone has experienced anything similar. Telling me not to worry is like telling me not to breathe.

OP posts:

Batters · 19/05/2003 12:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Girly · 19/05/2003 13:16

Breeze, i have some idea of what its like, about 7 years ago I had an abnormal smear result which of course sent me into floods of tears and panic.

I had to have a biposy and then laser treatment and altho it was uncomfortable it was not nearly as bad as i expected. Since then have had no further probs and just have smears every 3 years.

I cannot offer any medical advice only a bit of moral support, smear tests are horrible but a nescessary evil. If you want to chat about it you can get my email from tech. Hugs xx

cheeky · 19/05/2003 13:37

It must be awful for you, but maybe is cervical erosion or just an infection like thrush or something. I think both of these can cause bleeding in between periods but I'm not sure. A week after my smear I was called back for another test as I was told my results were inconclusive; I worried like mad all week only to learn that they had done routine swabs at thesame time and it was them that had been abnormal instead, they'd tested once and there was an abnormality then tested the same sample again and it was fine. It was a chlamydia test but then they tested again and it was fine again.

expatkat · 19/05/2003 13:44

I have no medical training or personal experience, I'm sorry, but it sounds so much like an infection, especially given the symptoms you describe. Given such obvious signs of infection, they are probably hurrying the results along so they have all the info sooner rather than later and know how to treat it before it gets worse. Also--if you weren't due for a smear for another 2 years that suggests you had a smear relatively recently. . .and wouldn't something have shown up on that smear, some small suggestion of abnormality if there was something bigger to worry about? I have had so many medical scares (that thankfully came to nothing) over the year that I have finally learned that there is no point worrying until you have proper info. I hope someone responds eventually who has been through this; I think you could really use some peace of mind before the end of the week, from someone who actually knows something.

pie · 19/05/2003 13:49

Can I ask when your last smear test was?

As far as I'm aware the majority of cervical cancers take 10 -12 years to develop, so if you have had one only a year ago (assuming you go every 3 years and this is why you are not due for another 2) then it is unlikely to be the big C. More likely to be an infection. Even if there are actually abnormal cells, it doesn't mean that it is cancer, nor does it mean that what ever the treatment you may end up having wouldn't be 100% effective.

I had a friend who had abnormal cells come back on a smear when she was 22, she had them burnt off over a couple of outpatient appointments and has never had an abonormal smear result again in the past 4 years.

Best of luck, and please try not to worry!

Original poster

breeze · 19/05/2003 14:03

Thanks all for your comments, my last smear test was 3 years ago.

Girly, Thank you so much, I have asked mumsnet to pass my email on to your as not sure if they would give me yours, thanks a million.

OP posts:

robinw · 19/05/2003 21:49

message withdrawn

Mum2Toby · 20/05/2003 10:18

Breeze - how awful!

My Mum has had 2 positive smear results. The first she needed laser treatment, the 2nd was just an infection.
I had a positive one which ended up being thrush!!
Why don't you ring you GP and explain what happened and he/she might be able to give you more info.
Hang in there mate!

batey · 20/05/2003 20:06

The "other thread" was me posting about my sister (abnormal smear result/colposcopy-under health topic, Dec02). Briefly, she had an abnormal result.It was "grade 3", 3 being the worst a smear will show. She had a colposcopy and laser treatment at the same time and was fine. Recently she had a check and is still fine.

She had a major panic about the whole thing a still finds it hard to believe she's O.K.
Just to reiterate,it is highly unlikely to be cancer. I was told by Cancer Backup, that cervical cancer is very rare now,due to smear test screening. And even if it were it takes 15-20 years before it MAY become a serious problem. Whatever the problem is, it is treatable and the treatments are very sucessful.

I havn't experienced this myself, but went every inch of the way through this with my sister. It's a good thing you went, it's a good thing they'll get the results quickly as, if you need anything, you'll get that quickly too. As I said to my sister sooo many times, you will be fine. She didn't believe me either!?

Original poster

breeze · 29/05/2003 15:39

Had results of 2nd test back and all I was told is that they cant tell me anything over the phone, but I need to book an appointment, the earliest they could do was next Tuesday. Hope I do not drive myself insane with worry in the meantime.

OP posts:

Bumblelion · 29/05/2003 16:00

I am also "sort of" going through the same sort of thing. Had an abnormal smear (CIN #1) in 2000, had to have a colposcopy in August 2000, had repeat colposcopy in January 2001. Had baby in October 2001, had another smear - all fine. Had another smear earlier this year - have to have them often because of my past history.

Had had irregular bleeding after being on mini-pill but went to see doctor last Friday as it seems I bleed for 3 weeks, stop for say 10 days and then start again - complete opposite to what it should be.

Because of my history, my doctor is writing a letter for me to take to my hospital (being referred privately - get private health care through my work and I will get sooner). Seeing this thread has just reminded me to phone my doctor to see if the letter is ready for collection. They said it would be ready Tuesday but I think they forgot it was the bank holiday because when my mum went to collect it, it wasn't ready.

Just phoned them and it is ready for collection today. I have to phone my local private hospital, make an appointment to see the consultant and take the letter along with me. My doctor has told me I can read the letter as it does refer to me and my history.

Breeze - it is so hard not to worry but after reading this whole thread it does give me some confidence. If I had got anything bad (what with the continuous bleeding), surely it is better I get it sorted sooner rather than later.

I am sure you will be fine. If anything "bad" had shown up, they would have done a biopsy and colposcopy and followed it up.

From your first posting, it could be that you have thrush on your cervix and that is why it is showing up slightly inflamed. You wouldn't get the normal symptons of thrush as it is so far up (sorry to be so graphic).

Tortington · 29/05/2003 18:38

good luck breeze - thinking of you

Tortington · 29/05/2003 18:39

bumbilion too

robinw · 29/05/2003 19:03

message withdrawn

Original poster

breeze · 30/05/2003 05:16

Thanks for all your kind words and support, especially bumblelion.

As you can see I am up at a silly time, DH went to work and I couldn't get back to sleep. Have decided to go to the clinic this morning to get the results, I may have to wait hours but as least I won't have it hanging over my head over the weekend, sometimes it is the not knowing that makes it worse, and I think my problem is I watch too much corrie.

Most of the time I feel positive and reading the comments on here have helped, DH read them last night too and felt better (think it was actually the first time he hasn't laughed at mumsnet and my addiction).

I will let you know when I know anymore.

Good luck too with you Bumblelion.

OP posts:

robinw · 30/05/2003 07:05

message withdrawn

robinw · 30/05/2003 07:08

message withdrawn

Original poster

breeze · 30/05/2003 07:11

Thanks Robinw

OP posts:

batey · 30/05/2003 07:13

Thinking of you, hope it goes O.K. today. But like Robinw said, if there was a major problem they'd have got you an earlier appointment.

Ghosty · 30/05/2003 07:19

Good luck Breeze ... let us know how you get on? Thinking of you

Ghosty · 30/05/2003 07:19

Meant to do a hug ... ()

Original poster

breeze · 30/05/2003 07:37

You guys are great

OP posts:

M2T · 30/05/2003 07:58

Good luck Breeze.

pie · 30/05/2003 08:02

Good luck Breeze

Original poster

breeze · 30/05/2003 09:49

Just got back and its a grade 3 Although I know from your comments that it probably can be sorted, but that doesn;'t stop me crying my eyes out at the moment.

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