"abnormal"

BbyCarter13 · January 2014

I went for my annual gyno visit last week. Today I got a call from the receptionist saying that my Pap Smear had come back "abnormal" and that I needed to come back in for an addition test. She said the pap showed that I may/probably have precancerous cells on my cervix. I couldn't schedule the testing today because I don't have health insurance right now (I paid out of pocket last week). I'm fighting to get my coverage back but I really don't know when that will be.

Has anyone else had an abnormal Pap Smear? What was your turn out?

bel194 · January 2014

I didn't but my mom did not that long ago. They had to cut out a small peice of her cervix for additonal testing which I guess was very painful. I'm not sure exactly what it was, I think it was HPV, but it went away on its own. Thoughts and prayers for you that everything is okay!

ColieAnn31 · January 2014

Ok what I'm about to say isn't meant to scare you! I always have abnormal paps because I contracted HPV a few years back. When my first abnormal came back they said it showed precancerous cells so they had me come in and I had to have a colposcopy performed and they did a biopsy. My doctor also saw some cells on her own that she wasn't sure about so she froze those during the procedure. So far nothing has come back really bad so I am thankful and the HPV didn't cause any problems with my vaginal delivery since I don't have (TMI) vaginal warts. I was devastated when I found out but I was told a lot of women have HPV for years and don't even realize it because there are no symptoms. Sorry this turned into a novel but try not to freak and I hope I didn't scare you. I hope it was just abnormal and that you don't have anything to worry about!

BbyCarter13 · January 2014

I'm really hoping that I can get the testing done in the next few weeks. I really hope it's not something to worry about. I had the HPV vaccine when I was in high school. Thank you all for your thoughts& prayers!

bel194 · January 2014

BbyCarter13 said:
I'm really hoping that I can get the testing done in the next few weeks. I really hope it's not something to worry about. I had the HPV vaccine when I was in high school. Thank you all for your thoughts& prayers!

There are multiple types or strains of HPV, the vaccine covers only a few of them. Not trying to scare you! More T&P's!

kelly422 · January 2014

The vaccine covers the 4 most common strains that cause cancer, so it's good that you got the vaccine. TONS of women come back with abnormal paps and it's likely due to HPV which is SUPER common. Most of the time the repeat sample comes back normal because your body fights off the virus. Try not to worry!

ETA: I was one of the many who had an abnormal pap many years ago and my repeat was normal!

phishgirl29 · January 2014

I had an abnormal pap 9? Years ago. Everything came back fine, but FYI, that colposcopy hurts like a mother F-ER!!

BbyCarter13 · January 2014

Thank you all! I'm hoping the next test comes back normal. @phishgirl29 did they give you any numbing meds or pain meds?

phishgirl29 · January 2014

It was so long ago I don't remember. I never had bad periods (like, ever) and I was crying on the couch the whole night after I had it done. Really bad cramps!

Cricket81 · January 2014

phishgirl29 said:
I had an abnormal pap 9? Years ago. Everything came back fine, but FYI, that colposcopy hurts like a mother F-ER!!

+1

ColieAnn31 · January 2014

I had the HPV shots, still got the HPV. I shrug it off now. But yes, I forgot to mention the colposcopy hurts like a bitch. I ended up puking after the procedure and blacking out. But the pain only lasts (supposed to at least) 10 minutes. Mine lasted longer because she decided to go ahead and freeze some of the cells. I also bled for a little bit after which is normal. Best of luck to you!

Maelara · January 2014

I've had that exact phone call! I went in for more Pap smears and had no more abnormal cells detected. It's so scary and I was terrified but all turned out well. In most cases, it does. Good luck!

mommakristydawn · January 2014

I had a abnormal pap after my 3rd son. I was really scared and of course the nurse can't say much on the phone. When I went in my doctor was so cool and said that abnormal Pap smears can be alot of different things (infection, bacteria) and that since I hadn't had a abnormal one before if it was bad it was very very early and it wasn't concerning. I had a repeat 6 weeks later and it came back normal and I have had a normal one ever since (8 years)! I can't tell you not to worry but I had to let you know that I have been there and it turned out to be OK. Good luck hoping for good news on the next smear!

megaroo64 · January 2014

I'm so sorry! I am actually going through the same thing right now. Mine came back abnormal, and honestly, that was not my first abnormal pap. Usually the next step is a colposcopy, and sometimes they biopsy during that procedure. Mine have usually come back fine and they are just watching it. This time, the biopsy came back with severe cell dysphasia (literally just got off the phone with my dr- only reason I remember) so I will have one more procedure done in a few weeks. Anyway, the risks are really low with the next phase of treatment, and then it will be done.

Anyway, I totally relate and know how scary that phone call is. But if you have never had problems before, I wouldn't be too worried. Oh and none of my colposcopy procedures hurt- like a little cramping, but that's it.

Good luck! I'll be thinking about you!

BbyCarter13 · January 2014

megaroo64 said:
I'm so sorry! I am actually going through the same thing right now. Mine came back abnormal, and honestly, that was not my first abnormal pap. Usually the next step is a colposcopy, and sometimes they biopsy during that procedure. Mine have usually come back fine and they are just watching it. This time, the biopsy came back with severe cell dysphasia (literally just got off the phone with my dr- only reason I remember) so I will have one more procedure done in a few weeks. Anyway, the risks are really low with the next phase of treatment, and then it will be done.

Anyway, I totally relate and know how scary that phone call is. But if you have never had problems before, I wouldn't be too worried. Oh and none of my colposcopy procedures hurt- like a little cramping, but that's it.

Good luck! I'll be thinking about you!

Good luck to you! And thanks! Hopefully everything will be ok for both of us. I had a pap when I first got pregnant but I hadn't one before that in 3-4 years so there's no way of knowing yet if this is something new or recurring. I just know my luck with things like this is not good.

megaroo64 · January 2014

@BabyCarter - when I first got tested, my sister gave me good advice - do what you can, but don't worry until you know you have something to worry about. It could be nothing, so no sense in wasting your time worrying about it until you know it is worth the worry.

And I had my first abnormal pap probably five or six years ago and this is the first time the biopsy came back with the severe cell dysplasia. Good luck!

needanustart · January 2014

I have had abnormal paps on And off before I had DS1. Had HPV like half the world. After 2 abnormals I had a colposcopy, then just normal monitoring and more abnormal papa for a year or two, then another colposcopy and that time they decided I needed a LEEP procedure to remove all of the cells.
Colposcopy hurt but not too bad. LEEP was a bitch. It actually took 6 months to fully heal. We waited to start trying for DS1 until 6 months after so my cervix was back and ready to go.
Don't worry too much, even if you need a colposcopy chances are things will be just fine! It is super common!

amberdt03 · January 2014

I've had abnormal paps that showed pre-cancerous cells likely due to hpv. I had the colposcopy done twice. I had to have paps every 6months until I had 2 clear ones. I think it took almost 3 years before I had 2 clear ones. It was recommended to me to take ibuprofen an hour before the colposcopy. I don't remember it being that uncomfortable.