NWR - TMI Gal Health Question

Re: NWR - TMI Gal Health Question

• baileyleev member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  I do!  After finding out I had a colposcopy (schedule almost right after my pap came back abnormal.) The procedure wasn't fun, but results were fine, but now I have to get them every 6 months. 

  
  

  I was a ball of stress until after the procedure. But the doctor did say that it's pretty common (as most people now have been exposed to HPV) and just to make sure I stay on top of paps. 

  
  

  Good luck! 

  

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• emarston1 member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  I don't but I just wanted to say I hope everything is ok!

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• larzhope member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  I've never heard it be called a cervical lesion, but I've had an abnormal pap a few times, had a colposcopy (twice), and just recently (about a month after the wedding) had to have surgery to remove "moderately pre-cancerous cells"
  
  I panicked during every step, but each thing is no big deal (I promise!).  They will do a colposcopy (which I describe as tweezers picking out portions of your cervix).  My gyn told me to cough as she was "pinching" and it made it extremely bearable.  The first one I had done they didn't tell me that coughing lessens the pain, and it did sting quite a bit.  overall, no big deal though.  you will experience some cramping afterwards though for a few days (nothing unbearable, just have motrin on hand)
  
  If your colposcopy shows changes from when they did the pap, then they will most likely either do a leep (procedure they do in the office with lasers to burn off abnormal cells) or a laser cone biopsy (which is what i had - in the operating room, only a 30 minute procedure, and my doc gave me the choice of a spinal or full anesthesia).  From that, they are able to make sure they got all the abnormalities, and you will have to have follow-up pap every 4-6 months
  
  Okay, that was probably WAY too much information, but the bottom line, is there are SO SO many steps to do before you hear scary words like "cervical cancer" - this is why you get yearly paps, because they are catching any abnormalities VERY early!  cervical cancer usually happens when women don't get paps for years and years in a row.
  
  good luck!

  Lost on Cloud Nine

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• Sue-n-Kevin member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  I'm sorry to hear you are worried.
  
  Everyone above gave you good advice. I've had a few colposcopies, while unpleasant, they are not really bad. The good news is that most women have these "lesions", some more than others, and they are caught early and create no long term problems other than perhaps having more frequent check ups than most women do.
  
  FYI: When I had my most recent gyno appointment, my doc was going to forego the annual pap since so many in a row have been negative. I reminded her I was a "DES daughter" (long story, but DES was a drug given to women in the 50's and 60's to reduce miscarriages, and my mom had taken it), and she said "Oh, yes, then let's continue to do them annually". Make SURE you are certain of your medical history and remind your doctors all the time, because they can't keep it all straight regardless of what your chart says.
  
  Good luck dear. I'm sure it will be fine.

  Wedding Website and Bio

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• sparkles776 member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  the ladies above gave great advice, I just have to add my 2 cents. You are not alone, it is extremely common. The colposcopy does feel like tweezers plucking out parts of your cervix. The whole thing for me took about 15 minutes. That day I was sore and experienced some light bleeding, so bring a pad with you just in case. I had to go for paps every 6 months until I had 2 consecutive normal paps. I think it only took a year for everything to clear up. My gyn told me that she took out the lesions and anything left, I am young enough that my body will pretty much take care of it and fight it off. If my body did not, then I would have had the LEEP procdure. good luck! everything will be fine!

  

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• matuofm member

  

  November 2011 edited December 2011

  Thanks so much, ladies.  It was really helpful to hear how many of you have gone through this  (Although that sounds awfully weird when I say that out loud ).  I also appreciate your descriptions of the procedures you went through.  Despite her best efforts, my doctor was definitely still a little jargon-ey, and since she's referring me to a specialist, she didn't want to go into details anyway, since she didn't want to guess what another doctor would decide to do. 
  
  I'm trying to keep my health worries in check until we know more, so I've moved from worrying about developing cancer and the procedure itself to worries about money.  Since DH just started a new job in September, my insurance coverage doesn't begin until January (of COURSE), and the doc says that this can't wait.  Which means that we're looking at paying for a surgery out of pocket - that's not doing anything for my blood pressure.   
  
  I'm making the appointment with the specialist today, so we'll have to see how it goes.  Thanks for all your help and well-wishes, ladies. 
  

  

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