Abnormal Pap....

I'm like many who have already responded, had mild dysplasia in my early twenties and all ended up being fine. Take solace in the fact that they're waiting to retest in a few months...if it were more serious or if they were more concerned, they'd have you back in immediately!

I had that when I was 19. It ended up being what they called mild dysplasia. I was freaked out becauase the lady said that it utimately could lead to cancer. The dr. went in did a scope and removed it did a biopsy and all was well. Haven't had another abnormal one since, and that was 10 years ago.

When my abnormal pap was serious, they tracked me down in a class and had me come in that day. Your doctor's laid back attitude is a good sign. The doc doesn't really believe anything serious is going on, so relax and follow doctor's advice on the retesting.

D. Kimbriel
Grandma to 2 beautiful boys

I just went through this last year. My results came back abnormal a typical something or other. I spent the entire six months FREAKED out. I went back six months later as the requested and it was nothing. Everything the second time tested normal. I spent much time calling everyone I know trying to find out if something might really be wrong. After talking to a lot of my friends I found it was common to get an abnormal test and nothing really be wrong. So don't worry (easier said than done I know) Def. go back for your check up but I wouldn't freak out.

This happened to me a few years ago and it was HPV (human papolloma virus). It's that STD you see commercials about the guardasil vaccine for. It's an STD that goes basically undeteced except for by pap smears. It causes pre-cancerous cells and it's really important that you go in for your pap smears in the future to monitor it. But for most women it clears up by itself in a few years. Mine disappeared after giving birth (that happens for a lot of women). Almost a year ago i got a post card in the mail that said the results of my recent pap smear were NORMAL! It was the first normal one I've had since I was 17! I was so excited I hung it on the fridge!
This may not be what you have but if you do, it's very common, but it is an STD. If you have unprotected sex your boyfriend will become a carrier (he'll have no side effects and most men have no idea they are carriers)

I have had a couple of abnormal paps, both were after I had my sons. Mine turned out to be fine and normal the second time. I was freaked out too when I heard it and got the letter. The second time wasn't as scary as the first time. My doctor said it happens sometimes just because of all of the changes we are going through.

I had an abnormal pap back in 1995. The doctor is making you wait a couple of months before you have another pap in order to have the cells that they scraped off grow back. This will make sure you get an accurate 2nd test. If your next pap comes back Normal, I would recommend that you insist that you have another pap in 6 months rather than waiting another year. This will help ease your mind and make sure that the second test of "Normal" is really normal and not a false negative. My second test was abnormal and I then when in for a biopsy. I was already at severe dyplasia so I obviously had prior tests that were "normal" when really there was something there. Either that or my abnormal cells were growing quicker than typical. It was kind of scary, looking back, but the laser treatment was really pretty easy. I have a pap every year and have not had any problems since. You'll be fine!

Like some of the other moms, my 2nd one came back normal. Don't worry about it. If it was super worrisome, I would think you would be in sooner than March. Best of luck and hope we have eased your worries!

I, too, had an abnormal pap a few months after my daughter was born. My dr told me this was very normal so soon after giving birth. When I went back 4 months later to recheck it was fine, and it has been normal every time since then.

When I was in my early 20's I had dysplasia, which is very pre-cancerous cells. I had a minor procedure which was completely painless to remove the cells. After the procedure there was some minor pain, less than normal monthly cramps for me. I have also had friends that have had abnormal paps and it has turned out to be nothing. Regardless of what it is, it is nothing to stress about. If it was something more serious they would have had you come in immediately for more testing (ie biopsy).

That happened to a friend of mine. The Dr told her that,for example, taking a bath the night before, having sex, etc. can sometimes get the results off. Her follow up pap was normal. Good luck!

DO NOT WORRY! I had my first abnormal pap right after my first child was born. We took a conservative approach and repeated the paps every 3 months for a year - the rest were all normal. My doc said we probably just did the first one too soon after having a baby. Just make sure to keep your appointment for the follow up paps!

I had an abnormal pap when I was about 23. I remember they called but didn't want to tell me any details on the phone, but I was kinda upset with what does "abnormal" mean. They told me not to worry, but I wasn't going to listen to that. I remember I insisted on getting the actual doctor on the phone and I said "You don't understand. I am on a ROADTRIP with my BOYFRIEND. Is there something WE should know???" and he laughed and said "Oh, I see--you're fine, have fun, have sex, come in when you get home". (*whew!)
I don't remember medical terms, but I know my personal situation was that some cells tested abnormal and could turn to cancer if ignored. I went in again a few months later and it hadn't changed so they just went in and froze them and scraped them off (or out, or whatever). It maybe took 15 minutes. I have a checkup every year, and nothing has been wrong since then. It's just why you go get checked out every year---to make sure things don't go ignored and turn into something later. You shouldn't worry at all, just follow what your doctor says to do.

I had this when I was mid-20s...they called it minor displasia (sp) and they lazered it off (ouch). They said if they left it alone, it would become cancerous...I too was crying, in panic! I don't understand why you're having to wait...I wouldn't do that...? If a second opinion is something you want, try Dr. Roth @ Baylor, GV. He's great...? Good luck, prayers and hugs.

I have been told this several times just do the recheck and everything should be fine. There is several reasons that this can happen. It is just safe to recheck. D.