Hi everyone
I have just joined as I am a bit worried.
I had CGIN 3 which was successfully treated back in 2014. I have had regular smears and a few colposcopy's since then and have been fine. I just got my smear results back at the end of last week (my smear test was on 5th March so quite a long time for the results!). The results say I have tested positive for High Risk HPV and there have been changes noted. I have now been referred for colposcopy which it says will be within 8 weeks (hopefully wont be that long!).
I am trying not to worry as it could be nothing! However, the fact I had CGIN 3 already is making me more concerned (I'm not sure if this is valid or not!) that it is going to be worse this time. This was also after my first 3 year cycle for my smear test after being on 6 month to 1 yr cycles for a number of years. I think this is making me panic that there is something more serious that wont have been picked up.
I have had worsening period pains especially in my pelvic area and heavy bleeding for the past few years but as I'm 40 this is being viewed as changes because of starting peri-menopause. I have also had severe back pain earlier this year that came out of the blue.
I know the best thing is to just wait and see and try not to panic, but as I'm sure you can all appreciate this is easier said than done. My partner has MS so this is a big concern for me that our lives have already been changed massively over the past few years since his diagnosis. Last time when I had CGIN 3 i ended up having some problems/infection post treatment which was quite traumatic and involved me having to be rushed to hospital and staying in - so even the thought of it being 'only' that again is still quite nerve-wracking.
Sorry this is really just a space I wanted to share my concerns!
Hi Jenga86 and welcome to our group.
I think it’s very natural to be worried when you’re still waiting for more tests, but yes, it’s not so easy not to panic!
Nowadays the initial screening test is first off a test for high risk hpv, and cells are only tested further when this is identified. I know the words “high risk” can cause concern, but the test is looking at the strains of hpv (high risk ones) which can cause us problems with cells becoming abnormal.
At the moment all you know is that there have been some cell changes identified, but without more testing you won’t know what this means for you. It may not be CGIN again, but I can understand after your last experience of dealing with this it will be a worry to think of going through potential treatment again.
Hopefully you won’t have as long to wait for the colposcopy as the maximum waiting time quoted as I’m sure you want to get this over with as quickly as possible.
You are welcome to share your concerns here at any time as it can be helpful to share with others who have gone through similar and can understand. I can appreciate that you have the added issue of your partner having MS and how much more difficult that makes things for you both, but try not to let your thoughts run away with themselves just yet. If you need any sort of treatment, it may be very different to your last experience.
Please let us know how you get on, and if you have any more questions or just want to let off steam, you’re very welcome to do that here-it’s a safe space for us.
Sarah xx
