gotta have colposcopy-whats it like?!

hitatotatus

I'm another one who fainted, even though I waited for a few hours after treatment before leaving. I was picking up the presciption from the pharmacy for pain releif and passed out in the waiting area! So I would definitelyhave someone with you to take you home.

fannyanna

My recommendation would be to arrange for someone to take you home. You'll probably be fine but just in case you're not it would be so much better to have someone to look after you.

In my opinion the colposcopy and treatment are fine. Colposcopy feels exactly the same as a smear and with the treatment you get given a local anaesthetic (sp) so it doesn't hurt.

I'll be honest and say that I did experience pain at my first appointment but that was because of a biopsy. The first was fine but the second biopsy was very painful - although I got a strong impression that it was not usual (I think he took a bit too much).

Personally I was glad I had someone (Mum) to take me home. Not because I was in pain but because by the end of the appointment I was an emotional wreck as I'd worked myself up into a state before the appointment.

imho

I have had the letter that says i have "borderline changes " and am waiting for the follow up letter with a appointment to have a colposcopy.So far i have waited 4 weeks and no letter !
I called my Surgery but says its nothing to do with them and to call the hospital.Called hospital and its a flipping answer machine.
How long did most of you wait for the hospital appointment ?
Secretary at Surgery said 4 weeks is not long to wait !! I said it is when it you waiting.
Thanks .

katepnlo

I have done all this and can echo what everyone else said. BUT I just wanted to say the waiting and build up drove me insane. I developed a phobia of it all after the first time and although i KNOW it really isn't painful I was still phobic :X The gp gave me some meds prior to all further trips to the clinic (few episodes over the years) which relaxed me.
Good luck. My next smear is in Sep and i have to go to the clinic for it not gp. Hoping it is clear!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Not sure if anyone's said this yet, but in the few cases where they see something like a little polyp, it is often possible for them to whisk the little bit out - a real life case of 'while you're down there...' . Not all treatment will affect your fertility, either.


When I did the typing for a colpo clinic, as the usual woman was off for three months, I never typed up one single case of cancer being detected. Plenty of all normals, plenty of biopsies come back normal, a few come back with changes that would have taken years and years to possibly change into something unpleasant, and a couple that needed treating sooner rather than later - but not one single case of cancer.


I had one borderline smear myself in my twenties. Had a repeat smear three months later, all clear, then had yearly smears for the next five years. All clear. Been normal ever since.


Recalls are mainly because the rules are in the lab, if in doubt/tired/got a headache/just not feeling 100%, put it in the retest pile. Better safe than sorry, as it were.

So stay relaxed as possible, bring sensible undies, please have a bath/shower before you come - you would be shocked how many people don't - and remember, being called up for colpo isn't the terrible thing it feels like at first.

zoesmummy_2006

Hiya all, I started this thread last year, after the coloposcopy they said the changes were minor enough to leave for a year and then have a further one, they took some cells to check etc etc-that was fun, they told me to cough and i'd feel a sharp scratch-well coughing on demand when you know whats coming isnt easy lol.

I have my follow up one this avo and my cousin is taking me again, I was a little shaky and uncomfortable afterwards so was glad she was with me. I have to say im quite nervous about it again, but am glad theyre checking it tand keeping an eye on it.

Pollycat

Zoesmummy
I hope it goes well for you, isn't too painful and you're clear of any problems.

RadoJo

If it helps - think how much worse it would be to have to have treatment if your 'abnormality' developed into something more serious. By catching it now, you are avoiding something which would probably be much more painful, invasive and take longer to recover from. That's how I try to think of these things, and it does make it seem a little more bearable! Good luck.

imho

Answering my own question as i called my surgery and got put through to my doctor and she said she has just got off the phone to another woman who is wondering when her follow up appointment is going to be at the Hospital.
Was told if i dont hear anything in 3 months ! to chase it up.Yet on the hospital web site it says its 31 days for a appointment and the page gets updated every 2 days.
3 months plus is really not good enough.

spicyprawn

imho wrote: »

Answering my own question as i called my surgery and got put through to my doctor and she said she has just got off the phone to another woman who is wondering when her follow up appointment is going to be at the Hospital.
Was told if i dont hear anything in 3 months ! to chase it up.Yet on the hospital web site it says its 31 days for a appointment and the page gets updated every 2 days.
3 months plus is really not good enough.

Wow! I think I got my appointment at 3 weeks and was told that it may be earlier if a cancellation came up.

I have to go for 3x 6 monthly smears and then every year for 10 years. I haven't had my first 6 monthly one yet. Not looking forward to it, well the results really.