Colposcopy Worry

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2003
Colposcopy Worry
3
Thu, 08-28-2003 - 12:21pm
Hi, I had my first PAP recently (I'm 31) and got an abmornal result, my doctor recommended I get an colposcopy performed, which I have scheduled.

Needless to say I am anxious, and access to all the information on the web is both reassuring and frightening at the same time.

I have also been referred by my PCP to a Neurologist for what feels like nerve pain in my groin/upper leg. I'm hoping it is not GYN-related. But am worried never the less.

Are colposcopy's common, should I be worried, talk of biopsy also scares me!

My appointment is a month away and I'm anxious, both at the prospect of the wait, the procedure, and what they might find.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
In reply to: 544132
Thu, 08-28-2003 - 12:42pm
It's good to see that you had your first PAP done! Good for you! This is exactly why we do this every year. If something isn't right, it can be fixed early!

A colposcopy is a simple procedure. They doctor will put a vinegar solution on your cervix. This will bring up abnormalities such as warts(HPV). It's painless so don't worry about that!

I've never had a biopsy done so I'm posting a link to a message. This poster explains her experiences with it.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhgynconcern/?msg=10158.1

Here's an article explaining a coloposcopy directed biopsy.

http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/testproc/content/0,,547962_567851,00.html

I know it's scary. Is it possible to get an appointment sooner? That sure is a long time to wait! I know how you feel. I've been there. It's no fun at all. Feel free to post here. We are good listeners!

Please let us know how everything goes. I'll keep you in my thoughts!

Kristin

 


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2003
In reply to: 544132
Thu, 08-28-2003 - 12:49pm
thanks for the info and support...I have to approach this rationally, very easy to slip into anxiety when confronted with something daunting like this.

I'm seeing a GYN who only have two weekly slots for this procedure, and I'm on vacation during this time also, so hence the wait. I'd try elsewhere but hate all the admin.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: 544132
Fri, 08-29-2003 - 9:31am
Colposcopy sounds scarier that it is. It's a quick procedure. I remember it pinching a tiny bit when the doctor took samples from my cervix (after the abnormalities were revealed by the vinegar solution) and then cramping for an hour or so after the procedure, but nothing worse than period cramps.

One other thing I had to do after the colpo, since it came back fine and the abnormality cleared up, is have a pap done every three months to insure I stayed clear for a year, and then I went back to once a year.

It's really good to keep current with your checkups so that any changes can be found early. Since you can't see for yourself what's going on in there, you'll never know if something's wrong until it's too far progressed. I worry more because cancer seems to run in my family. :-p

Good luck!

Sharon