Question regarding procedure - not requesting medical advice!

time2deal

I don't really think it is that painful to be honest. Certainly not much lasting pain, maybe like a sharp short period pain after. The biggest issue I have is stressing about the results, and also tension at the time of the treatment.

I know it's hard, but it is less painful if you relax. So if you take a painkiller, pick the one you know makes you most relaxed. For these appointments I usually take a codeine, or the nurofen with Lysene, as they seem to mentally relax me more, whereas normally for pain I find panadol perfectly effective. Or do whatever relaxes you, and take a deep breath when it starts.

heartbreak_star

Thank you time2deal - I am very glad that you are OK now.

I have high grade dyskaryosis so they will teat and take biopsies, they said that on the letter. I haven't had the appointment letter yet, just the information one

Thanks for the PM offer too. I may well take you up on that!

HBS x

time2deal

I found this page to be the best for colposcopy information.

Plus - I've done a blog, which hopefully helps. Blog

I was, and continue to be, trying to conceive, so there is lots about cervical cancer and fertility there too.

heartbreak_star

Oh I'm not bothered about fertility, I don't want children - BUT I really hope you conceive soon.

I will gladly have a look through your links. Thank you so much!

HBS x

onlyroz

It's a bit like a smear but they prod about a bit more. They'll also likely take samples, either by scraping off tissue or pulling a bit out with a small grabber thing (imagine a tiny version of those things you use for extracting small items from behind a radiator). It shouldn't hurt too much and is certainly nothing to be frightened about. I think you can also request a female doctor as well, if you're bothered by that sort of thing (I never was, but I can understand why some people might be).

ilovelondontown

I've had oooh about 8, and I'm so used to them now I don't even worry about them, as a previous poster said there not that far removed from a smear, only difference is you can get to see your cervix on a big screen if you fancy looking(!) It's not painful and it's over pretty quickly.

I remember when I first went I built myself up into such a state I was shaking as I went into the room, I actually laughed at myself afterwards as to how I'd reacted, but it's completely normal and the clinic will be used to dealing with your anxiety so do let them know.

For what it's worth I had high grade dyskaryosis then CIN1, CIN2 and CIN3 and even at that point after treatment and going back for check ups and crying about it with fear it still wasn't cancer and didn't necessarily mean it would turn into cancer either.

Look at this way, you're being monitored to prevent cancer not being monitored for cancer. Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss it more....

heartbreak_star

Ahhh thanks guys you're all awesome! I feel a lot better since putting this post up, and may take the PM offers once the appointment arrives.



HBS x

Pinkdebster

I had one yesterday!!! (My second - my first was in January and this was a follow-up as I was showing very slight abnormalities).

It really IS just like an uncomfortable smear test - it takes about 20 minutes. I found it unpleasant but, as mentioned above, the staff are really lovely and try to put you at your ease. It's soon over I promise!! Good luck x

LisaLou1982

Ive got to go in for one next month OP

Did you read the brochure that came with your appointment letter?

Its just like your smear test (they dont bother me at all so ive never understood why anyone thinks theyre uncomfortable) but they use a large magnifying glass type thing to take a look at the cells. It doesnt go inside you - so you shouldnt feel anything more than you do at the normal smear.

HTH xx

any_name_will_suffice

I have had a couple of these, once after my abnormal smear, and another 6 months after I had treatment.

I am incredibly squeamish, so I try not to look at things like that too closely, and tend to natter away to the nurse.

I was very much like a smear, although it did make me laugh when I saw the doctor having a look at my cervix with what looked like binoculars! I also had student nurses in there (I don't think there can be many health professionals left in the county who haven't had a poke around in my mini-moo!)

The biopsy I had taken was a case of the doctor counting 1, 2, 3 and cough, and then taking a pinch of cells when I coughed, it was a slight, sharp feeling, but nothing too painful. I put in a liner afterwards, mainly incase any of the iodine came was left, but
i don't remember any bleeding. I have had bleeding from a smear since, the nurse wasn't exactly gentle and apparently the surgery I had has left me vulnerable to this.

I remember how worried I was about the whole thing, particularly when they sent the information leaflets to me about cervical cancer, and whipped me in for surgery within a couple of weeks. I had a loop diathermy, and I requested to have it done under general anaesthetic, because of how squeamish I am.

I had severe dyskyarosis, but in follow up smears and coloposcopies there was no more problems. I was told at the time I would need annual smears for 10 years, but apparently as my recent smears have been clear, I can't have them. I was talking to my gynaecologist about it recently, and she wasn't at all concerned.

Don't panic about it! xxx