Not friends-locked, cos I'm after info

[jobuni]

Anyone ever had results from a smear test which "revealed changes" and meant having a colposcopy? Or does anyone know someone who has?

It never rains but it pours...

Comments

[mrs_ralph]

Passing through via craftgrrl_uk

I had a colposcopy many years ago and it isn't really that bad. There is a minimum of personal contact and while the 'slight pinch' was a bit sharper than implied and I was slightly crampy afterwards but it wasn't painful the next day. The only real complaint I had about the proceedure was the antiseptic was easy to mistake for blood which startled me a bit when I got home mostly due to the quantity. A thorough doctor might examine your labia and, if you are carrying any extra weight, palpate the fatty tissue around your waist, hips and thighs to check for lumps and lesions. I was a little shocked (and slightly offended to be manhandled) so I thought I should mention it.

If you feel anxiety when being examined I suggest you tell your doctor and see if he can prescribe you a one-time dose of an anti-anxiety medicine. I know they will do that for people who have trouble with other proceedures (like getting claustrophobic in the MRI)so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I had a laser conisation biopsy of my cervix based on the results of my colposcopy (carcinoma insitu)no other treatment was required and I have been cancer free for over 20 years. Even that was done on an outpatient basis and I went home immediately after the proceedure.

If you have any questions or worries feel free to ask.

[jobuni]

Thank you so much for replying. This is just the kind of thing I wanted to hear. It hasn't eased my worry at all *g* but hearing a real person's experience is better than just reading about how the procedure is carried out. The warning about the palpation is useful as well. I am going to go and see the doctor next week before the appointment comes through and asking about anxiolytics is definitely a good idea. I hadn't thought of that.

I'm really frustrated at myself for being so worked up over this because I know that a few years ago (before having my son) I wouldn't have been that worried, or at least not totally and utterly freaking out.

I had a look at your profile and I think we have a few interests in common, so I'll friend you if that's OK?

[mrs_ralph]

Yes it's fine to friend me I think I'm pretty boring but you never know. LOL

I hope your test goes well. The whole 'some changes' thing usually turns out to be cervical erosion or something to that effect and they generally just put you on a list to have smears more frequently for a while to monitor the situation. I won't even bother to tell you not to worry because I know it would be fruitless and if you had a rough birth experience it is normal to be a little uneasy about being handled. A lot of people go through a period of being anxious to varying levels if they have had a traumatic experience. Generally it gets less with time.