gotta have colposcopy-whats it like?!

imho

spicyprawn I think i live in the wrong area Thames Valley Hospital so am waiting for appointment from them and if you call the Colposcopy department its a answer machine ! I am over 50 so my smears have been every 5 years. I have always had a smear when its due and results come really quick but the Hospital is letting the system down if women have to wait 3 months plus for a appointment.

Good luck with your 6 monthly check up.

floralaura

I had a colp in Summer 2007 after a abnormal smear aged 24..This came back as CIN3 cells, the worst you can get. So I was convinced it was game over. I then had a LLETZ and had quite a bit of cervix removed. I found the LLETZ quite painful and it took a few days to feel ok afterwards.I quite liked seeing my cervix, I named him Colin! The people that looked after me during the procedures were lovely and I took a friend with me too. It all came back fine it wasnt game over..which made the credit card bill I ran up thinking I was a gonner quite hard to swallow lol. I then went on to get pregnant in Summer 2009, was warned I may not be able to carry to full term with having so much removed my cervix may not be strong enough to hold the weight in..I carried to 40+2 when he was evicted weighing 10lbs, so it can be done. The only issue I have is scar tissue on my cervix that did stop my dilating as quick as I should. All smears since have been normal and all is well.

imho

I think its like someone else on here said ,its not all doom and gloom now.My doctor said Jade Goody had a aggressive cancer that was well advanced so there wasnt much hope for her.
So it pays to have the smears done they only take 2 minutes and if anything is wrong they can now treat it.But thats if you keep having regular smears.

zoesmummy_2006

One of my friends went for her first smear at the age of 25 earlier this year, as per the rules now, only to find out that she had an aggressive form of cervical cancer which has resulted in her having to have a hysterectomy and she is currently undergoing chemo and radiotherapy.

The last I heard earlier this week her parents friends have paid for a full body scan to check that the cancer hasnt spread (they said lymph nodes were showing signs). The doctors apparently refused to refer her for the scan as they said it was too expensive!!!!! This girl has lost her chance to have children herself because they deem women under 25 not to require smear tests, if she had been able to have a smear from the age of becoming sexually active as was the case with me then it would have been caught much earlier/treated with more sucess and possibly without the loss of fertility.

imho

If i was under 25 i would go private and have a smear.Costs about £75 but really the NHS should do it from 18 years on.

Errata

The doctors apparently refused to refer her for the scan as they said it was too expensive!!!!! This

I find this very hard to believe as there are clear protocals and care pathways for treating cancers which treatment teams adhere to quite stringently. Do the woman and her parents understand what the care pathway is? It may be that a scan would be of no clinical use whilst she's undergoing chemoeradiotherapy and therefore a pointless use of NHS resources.

Trixi

I haven't read the whole thread but though I'd share my experience for anyone who is worried about their colposcopy.

I know it's is different for everyone but I found it quite simple and painless - I've had smears that were worse (they've been quite painful once or twice).

I did have a small biopsy from the cervix and was joining in the nurses's attempts to distract me by chatting away while they did it and I honestly didn't feel a thing - I was quite surprised to hear that is was done - I think I actually said 'already?!'.

Just to let people know it's not always nasty and painful (though I can think of things I'd rather be doing!)

spicyprawn

My lletz wasn't painful either, when I got home it was.

vl2588

Have this procedure (colp.) on Mon morning, followed by a stressful day at work incl. 3-5 hour drive (depending on traffic) followed by presenting all day the next day and driving back. Have I bitten off more than I can chew or is working OK for the majority of people?

I didn't get much notice so I couldn't cancel work or take the day off etc. but now I am panicking as have read that some people can't work afterwards.

Cancelling work is not an option unfortunately, but I just want to be re-assured that some people find it OK to work afterwards.

imho

vl2588 I still have not had my Colposcopy yet but even if they just do the normal and not take a biopsy there is no way i would or could go back to work. Its emotionally draining as well.

....Cancelling work is not an option unfortunately, but I just want to be re-assured that some people find it OK to work afterwards.......

No one has a a job where you cant take time off work.A job is not more important than your health.