So, for the first time in my life I had an abnormal pap and I have a colposcopy scheduled for tomorrow. I'm not sure exactly what was abnormal but the nurse said "pre-cancer cells". I'm not freaking out, but it's taking a lot of effort :) Has anyone been here before? What can I expect tomorrow? Any questions I should ask my dr.? Any advice, suggestions, etc. are appreciated. Thanks, Moms.
Since nobody else seemed to mention it...you may bleed for a few days afterwards and cannot use tampons, so if you're not a "pads" girl, make sure you have some around beforehand.
You are doing better than me. I was so stressed, I almost fainted. "PRE does not equal cancer" is something I kept telling myself.
Take TYLENOL at least 30 minutes before(not aspirin due to bleeding).
It was really simple, like a Pap Smear with a pinch inside. There was a computer screen to show what was lit up, indicating precancer cells if I remember correctly. There was a small amount of blood, drops really.
It was 40 minutes in and out. You go back every couple of months for a pap and check. Mine were negative and after so many, you do yearly paps.
:-)
Hi A.,
I had a colposcopy done last week. I had biopsies taken, and that hurt much more than I expected. I think the area that is biopsied should be numbed somehow. If I ever have to have another biopsy done again, I will be sure to ask if numbing is possible. I had no problems once the procedure was done and now am hoping to hear that the biopsy results are normal. I wish you the best tomorrow.
I had this done as well many years ago - probably about 18 now after a bunch of abnormal Paps. It was relatively un-remarkable, as others have said. I don't think it hurt very much at all, the smell of vinegar is what sticks out in my mind, the biopsies were fine and everything turned out fine for me. I had Paps every 6 months for awhile but now have them annually. I agree the worrying is worse but re-assure yourself that this is VERY common and they have lots of good ways of dealing with the findings. You may already be done with your procedure if it was today, I wish you peace of mind and "normal" cells.
Hi, been there, hated it. I remember crying afterwards not from the pain just from the emotional stress. If does pinch but the worry was worse. I had to do the more frequent paps for a while but they all came back normal. It has been around 10 years. Best of luck to you and I second the chocolate and Tylenol!
Hi A.,
I have had a couple colposcopies - they are mainly more diagnostic. They will be able to give you more information from the results. It is similar to a pap...not painful, maybe a little pinch if anything when they do the biopsy. I flet fine after, they say you can feel a bit crampy but Tylenol should help.
Hope this helps.
good luck!
I had the same thing. My doc said that it was more than likely HPV. She wouldn't test me for it because it's expensive and about 95 % of the time, the test comes back to say it is HPV. Don't worry though. You get rid of it yourself over time.
