Hi Lexis,

I can't speak medically, but from my own experience, these changes happen from time to time and the testing is to make sure no further action is needed. So, you have high grade this time and the colposcopy is needed to decide next steps, if needed. I've had "abnormal cells of undetermined significance" before and then several months down the road, nothing. You are doing the best thing possible, being proactive and getting things checked out. Knowing is so much better than worrying and ignoring things! I hope this eases your mind - make sure to come back and tell us how you do.

Laura xx

Hi Laura,

Thanks ever so much for taking the time to reply and offer reassurance. It’s so difficult when you already have health anxiety and then something like this happens, I always tend to catastrophise and think the worst! Hopefully my ending will be similar to yours, I will let you know. Thanks again xx

Hi. I’m so sorry I can’t help reassure you, however I could have wrote this, I have health anxiety and had my normal smear that was due in march, comes last week I get a latter saying HPV positive and high grade cell changes ( can’t remember the name)

I have a colposcopy on Thursday so find out more, but I can’t get the feeling of very bad news out my head! All I hear is cancer cancer cancer! It says small chance they find that, but I have a feeling I’m that small chance.

my smear 3 years ago was normal and I have been with my husband for 12 years so really wasn’t expecting anything like this. 

Hi, so sorry you’re also going through this :( I have nothing to reassure you with as I’ve found myself spiralling and like you, thinking worse case scenario, worrying about leaving my husband and kids etc. You look back and start to analyse things, I’ve had back pain, periods where I’ve had some spotting or discharge etc, and you wonder whether you’ve missed something. I’m the same and really was not expecting this. I’ve read lots of posts with women who have experienced similar, and they’ve had treatment and been totally fine and it wasn’t cancer, just pre cancerous cells - so hopefully we will be in that group too. At least Thursday is not too long to wait - let us know how you get on. Mine is next week on Wednesday xx

Yeah I feel exactly the same as you, everyone I have spoke to says how common the changes are and it will be fine, and I stand there like I don’t know anyone with HPV?! Seriously how unlucky am I! I’m only 30 and been married 12 years! So it isn’t like I have had many sexual partners! I will absolutely keep you posted lovely! Are yours the same as mine high grade borderline? Why are they taking so long? My letter with the news said for high grade appointment should be within 2 weeks? X

Yeah same here, it makes no sense. Mine says “high grade (moderate) dyskariosis.” So I think they can be low grade, moderate or severe, and then borderline in amongst all that! I had my smear 8 weeks ago and have only had the results yesterday, so technically the appointment is within that 2 week wait - just can’t believe it took them 8 weeks to process the smear and then give me this result. Apparently my GP says the lab only processed the sample Friday last week, then they referred me directly to my local hospital for colposcopy, and I got the appointment through yesterday afternoon. Really hope you get positive news, there are positive stories out there, I’ve read pretty much every chat on here and most women have treatment and then it’s all done xx