Question regarding procedure - not requesting medical advice!

heartbreak_star

Hi guys,

I wonder if you could help me.

I need to have a colposcopy soon, and I'm pretty scared - both of the actual procedure (will it hurt, will I have to go back and have more) and wondering if they will find cancer.

Have any of you had this procedure? What were your experiences.

Many thanks,

HBS x

alleycat`

Edit:- helps if i read the procedure correctly :-)

dancingfairy

Deleted as obviously completely confused. Sorry for any confusion.

sweaty_betty

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Hi guys,

I wonder if you could help me.

I need to have a colposcopy soon, and I'm pretty scared - both of the actual procedure (will it hurt, will I have to go back and have more) and wondering if they will find cancer.

Have any of you had this procedure? What were your experiences.

Many thanks,

HBS x

Hello there - I've had 2-3 of these, although it was about 15 years ago, so I might be a little out of date. I was also scared of both the things you mention, so can really empathise.

The best way I can describe it was like a more intense smear test, you can choose to watch what's going on on a screen (I didn't!) and basically they seem to have a look around and then (in my case) do a couple of biopsies. The biopsies themselves are not very comfortable, but they're over quickly.

My results were considered to be OK, but I had to go back 1-2 times at 6 month intervals just to ensure that they'd not missed anything. I have a number of friends who've had colposcopies, many of which were like me, with little follow up treatment needed. A small number had to go back for laser treatment (I think) to get rid of some cells, which was apparently very similar to the colposcopy itself. None of them have had cancer diagnosed or gone on to develop anything more serious, but obviously it's best to get these tests done in case they detect something more serious, but I think the odds are fairly low.

I really hope it goes OK, I remember getting the letter telling me I'd been referred for colposcopy and being so upset and worried, but it was bearable and the reassurance it gave was definitely worth having.

heartbreak_star

Thanks everyone. I'm trying so hard not to be scared, being scared is very unlike me!

Do they let a partner in to hold your hand? It's up to him if he wants to, obviously

HBS x

sweaty_betty

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I'm trying so hard not to be scared, being scared is very unlike me!

Do they let a partner in to hold your hand? It's up to him if he wants to, obviously

HBS x

Any kind of medical treatment (particularly diagnostic where you have lots of "what if" questions going around) can be scary, what you're feeling is normal.

I'm not sure about letting someone in with you - I didn't want anyone there - your best bet would be to phone the hospital and ask them about their policy.

Good luck

LE3

the OP is asking about a ColPOScopy, not a CoLONOscopy
Completely different procedures!

dancingfairy wrote: »

I don't remember the cleansing stuff to be too bad to be honest. I do remember the procedure being pretty uncomfortable but only for a relatively short time (right at the end), although a while later I did have extreme wind etc which again was rather uncomfortable due to all the air that was pumped in to inflate you so they get a good look. I'd look at peppermint tablets/chewng gum, hot water bottle etc for when you go home to try and get rid of the wind.
Good news is that whilst its painful at the time it's not like a major operation where your body will take lots of time to recover.
Hope it passes smoothly for you.

lau_dicker

I had one a couple of years ago, after having borderline smears for 6 years (had to go every year), never had a 'normal' one yet! I was really worried too but it wasn't as bad as I thought. The only bit was when they took the actual biopsy, it was a little sharp but eased off pretty quick. Afterwards I had period like pains for a day or so too, maybe a little worse than a normal period, so don't plan on doing too much afterwards. I was worried about the outcome too, especially with my smear history, but they never found anything too bad, they said I had CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) but it cleared up by itself

Mojisola

This explains it well - https://www.jostrust.org.uk/about-cervical-cancer/cervical-screening-smear-test-and-abnormal-cells/abnormal-cervical-screening-results/colposcopy?gclid=CPmpwe3ws7gCFU1f3godkDcAgw

LittleBoots

Hi

I had one last year following an abnormal smear, there were some cell changes noted so I returned for a repeat 6 months later which showed things had returned to normal naturally.

Your fears are normal, but you have to remember that its a way to catch cancers/abnormal cells early and get rid of them before they become a real problem.

The procedure is quite uncomfortable I wont lie but the staff do their best to out you at ease and should explain what you are about to feel. Afterwards I had bad period-like pain (normal) so take some painkillers with you incase you do too.

When I got mine done I could have had someone in with me but obv each to their own!

Try to relax and not worry too much, its very normal for us girls to have changes down below and its better to get it checked out and treated if necessary.

time2deal

Hi,

I've had a lot of colposcopy's recently - so I can give you very up to date advice! First, be aware that I am in the very very small % of people who did have cancer so my experiences can sound scary, and even then after 6 months I am completely cured and fine. Feel free to PM me with any questions about the process, the potential results and treatments.

The colposcopy itself is, as sweaty betty says, similar to a smear. They make take some 'punch biopies', where they send a little probe into the tissue to take a sample. When I did it they made me cough, and you are sort of distracted by the coughing action, mixed with a very short sharp pain.

They also apply some dye to bring up changing cells in a different colour. Normally you can watch this on a screen, but I never had any interest in looking! This dye isn't painful, and may come out over a few days like a grainy brown discharge.

The next step - sometimes called a Cone Biopsy or LLETZ isn't normally done at this appointment. I had mine done under a general anaesthetic. The term biopsy is misleading here. Punch biopsy's are small and done at the colposcopy, the LLETZ/Cone biopsy is larger, and will require some anaesthetic - local or general. A cone biopsy is also a treatment, and can be curative in itself - by removing all the impacted cells. It's probably better called a cone excision.

When is your colposcopy? What did the letter say? Severe dyscaryosis (CIN 3), or borderline?