Abnormal cells treated yesterday by loop excision.

[ChickandDuck]

Hi,

I've been having 6 monthly smears for as long as I remember, last month I was referred for a coloscopy at the hospital which determined that there were abnormal cells present in my cervix. I had a 'loop excision' to the cervix yesterday to remove the abnormal cells. TBH I haven't really thought properly about what it all means until today, and it's taken me a bit by surprise how crap I feel, still having period pain type cramps and just want to lie in bed all day feeling sorry for myself (much to the annoyance of my DP .

Just wondered how common this is, if anyone else on here has had this, or if anyone knows how common it is for the abnormal cells to return. (Have stupidly been searching on the internet and I'm panicked about the mention of hysterectomys etc).

Anybody? [hopeful]

The vast majority of women only ever need the one treatment, I've been told (I'm sure the consultant mentioned something reassuring, like 98%). However, of those who do have a recurrence, the likelihood of further reoccurences after that is far greater. It is normally possible to have several treatments on the cervix before it becomes necessary to consider alternative treatments - eg hysterectomy - and mostly even in the women who have to be treated several times, this is many years after the first treatment (and by then they are pretty relieved just to get rid of the whole cervix, in any event...).

As for how the treatment makes you feel, it can cause a bit of cramping and discomfort for a few days and the bleeding is very off putting (because it's a constant reminder) and can go on for quite some time. I think it can also have an emotional effect - I felt a bit sad shortly afterwards that I was, albeit internally, somehow disfigured and damaged, even if all in a good cause. I think the physical and emotional feelings are all pretty normal and understandable.

Thank you for your response Rabbitstew, very helpful to have advice from someone who has also had this treatment. I think I completley underestimated it (I was told by the consultant that it's just like a coloscopy only takes a bit longer )

(have also just seen the other thread about coloscopys so have been lurking on there!)

colposcopy urgh