Hi all, I’m not sure why I’m posting but I’m so scared I just needed to share with others.
I had a smear test 2 weeks ago and whilst doing it the nurse said that my cervix looked abnormal. GP called to make an appointment which was this week, GP could see some streaky vessels and I’ve been booked in for a colposcopy next week.
I am terrified about what they might find. My smear test came back negative for HPV, I also had one in 2021 which was positive for HPV but no cell changes and then 2022 negative for HPV. I keep thinking something has been missed and I’m going to be really ill.
I don’t think I’ve had any symptoms, just once the tiniest bit of pink on a tissue in between periods but I’ve felt so unwell with stress since my initial smear test I now don’t know if I ever felt OK or if I’ve always felt like this. I keep crying, I’ve had several panic attacks and I’m struggling not to think about it every moment of the day. I’m 35 with two young children and I don’t want to leave them behind.
Hi Lemons123 and welcome to our group.
I’m sorry to read how worried you are-I can feel the panic in your words. Your level of stress and panic will be making things even worse for you.
Can you try to concentrate on what you know for a fact right now? That is that you’ve been referred to have a colposcopy, and that means that you’ll have a closer examination of your cervix. It doesn’t mean you have cancer, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be really ill or leave your children.
We do see many ladies join the group in a state of panic, imagining all sorts and reading Google to diagnose themselves, but I’ve not seen anyone in my 4 years here come back with news of something which cannot be treated.
Your stress and worry it itself can cause you to feel or imagine symptoms, and you’re already having panic attacks before you know anything, which is really not good for you.
Once you have the colposcopy next week, it won’t be long before you know more, though if any biopsies are taken then there will be a wait for the results.
I understand that this is scary, but you need to know more, so please try and rein in the bad thoughts and trust in the process of getting this checked out.
Sarah xx
Hi Suzi1 and welcome to our group.
I notice you haven't actually joined the group yet, so you might like to do that so you’d be able to make your own posts (you can reply to any posts, but not make a new post without joining the group).
I can understand it is worrying to have a result of CIN3, but it’s difficult to predict what’s next as it will depend on the biopsy findings. Since CIN3 is the highest level of precancerous cells it would be usual to have treatment rather than leave this to be monitored, so it might be that you need another LLETZ, but it will depend on what the biopsies show.
It is possible to have another LLETZ if you’ve had one before, but it will depend on how much was removed last time. You could still go on to have a successful pregnancy, but would need to be checked regularly as you may need to have a cerclarge done (this is when they put stitches in the cervix temporarily to keep the pregnancy in the womb and prevent early birth).
I think my main advice would be not to be have this on your mind 24/7 and become more and more anxious. Worrying won’t change anything and won’t make things better and we all have to wait for results even those of us who have had a cancer diagnosis. It’s just part of the whole diagnostic process for everyone. I understand it’s hard, but it’s best just to keep living your normal life until you know more about your results and next steps. But you are welcome to be in the group, and please let us know how you get on.
Sarah xx
Hi Lemons123
It does actually sound quite normal to be honest. A doctor doesn’t know for sure until the results of biopsies come back so it’s not that they are trying to make you feel better really-it’s simply that they can’t be sure of anything at this stage.
I got my biopsy results in a week, but I had an almost 4cm tumour which was visible to the naked eye, so it was very clear that my gynaecologist had a very good idea that he was looking at cancer. So that was a very different situation to you having 2 biopsies taken where they need to check thoroughly through the lab.
Sarah xx
