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
