Hello all, I am a newbie here and am reaching out in the hope that I can get some advice / support as I am currently in bits....
I am a sufferer of extreme Health Anxiety which has got much worse since menopause.
Five years ago the results of my smear showed HPV and low grade changes - I have had yearly smears since then and they have all been the same - for some reason my body has not got rid of the HPV and cell changes. My smears are very uncomfortable as I have a tilted uterus as well as a vaginal prolapse. Two years ago I had a Colposcopy and it was decided at that time to just carry on with the yearly smear checks. After my smear this April (2025) the consultant decided to carryout a LLETZ to remove the cells that were not going as I am post menopausal the at my age getting near the time that screening stops.
I got myself all geared up and went for the LLETZ on 24th June. During the appt the Consultant asked if I'd had any bleeding as he could see a new area on my cervix that he hadn't seen before. I had had a couple of episodes of light bleeding in the months before. I went into complete panic, especially when the Consultant said he wanted to take biopsies of this new area. He told me he would send a letter in about two weeks with results.
I am now 10 days on from the LLETZ and Biopsies, and have not had results but am in a severe state of anxiety - I cant work because I am constantly in tears, I can sleep or eat. As I say my health anxiety is very severe and I have been having some counselling for it, but it doesn't seem to be helping. Can anyone give me any advice to try to help me deal with this awful brutal wait for results..............
Thankyou
Hi LiLiV100 and welcome to our group.
I wanted to say hello, and hope that you’ll get some replies from other members in the group who have dealt with something similar.
I’ve not had a LLETZ myself, as I went straight to a cancer diagnosis when I was referred to gynaecology so my situation was very different. As you’ve got severe health anxiety, it might not be helpful to read anything which will make you more anxious, so hopefully the ladies who’ve had experience of the LLETZ procedure will be able to offer some support from their experience.
Sarah xx
Thank you LiLiV100 -that’s much appreciated. It’s a balance to be achieved here, trying to help but not overly scare someone, especially those who do not have a diagnosis of cancer.
I do know what it’s like to suffer from generalised anxiety which I have suffered from, but I’ve never had severe health anxiety despite everything I’ve been through! I’ve been on medication and had counselling for this in the past.
I’ve had biopsies and had the wait for results but most of us have had to experience this as part of the diagnostic process.
You might want to give the support line a ring to chat things through as being unable to sleep or eat will wear you down. The number is in my signature, and they might help to see this from a different perspective.
I was always more of a glass half full type of person, so never assumed the worst, but I appreciate that this will be different and much harder for you. I hope you’ll get your results soon and there’s nothing of concern for you.
Sarah xx
I’m just sad to see you suffering from such high levels of anxiety. I know how difficult it is for me suffering from anxiety but your situation is much more difficult to manage.
It’s so hard to remain calm when your mind overtakes everything. I do Mindfulness on an app on my phone, and listen to calming sounds like the ocean which helps a bit. I try to bat away those anxious thoughts and not let them intrude, and I always try to avoid questions like “what if”. The results will be what they’ll be-I’ve had good and bad results and always been anxious about getting them, but for me it has got easier with time. I have become more able to accept these things as time’s gone on.
I’ve also phoned the support line-even in tears- and there is always a kind voice on the line to try and help us all.
I hope things can get better for you once you have your results, but we’ll always do our best to support you through whatever happens, so never be afraid to post in the group about any of your worries.
Sarah xx
Hi LiLiV100
I’m glad you felt able to phone the support line-it’s good to have that listening ear, and I hope you found it helped even a little bit.
It’s absolutely not easy not to let the negative thoughts intrude, but I’ve found that it’s something that you can learn to do over time even though it’s not easy. I had to try very hard to do that, as no matter what was happening at every stage for me I knew I couldn’t change things and had to trust in the team taking care of me. It didn’t stop the worry of course, but I felt in safe hands all along the way. Even when I was having major surgery, I managed to sleep well the night before and even I didn’t think I would manage that!
Try to remember that you don’t have any diagnosis yet, and until you know what the results are you don’t know if there’s anything to worry about.
Please look after yourself.
Sarah xx
Thank you Lisa-I don’t like to see anyone so distressed and worried, so I’m always about for a chat if you need a friendly ear or shoulder to cry on.
Sarah xx
