Hello. 

I received a letter this weekend to say my smear has detected HPV and low grade dyskaryosis and iv been referred for a colposcopy. Im terrified as I have always had normal smears and kept up to date with them. Do you mind me asking how you got on at your appointment in March and what I should expect. I havent been sleeping and cant bare food. Its really sent me into a spin. 

Oh bless please try not to worry. The appointment seems such a long time ago now. The procedure itself was just like a smear just takes longer, the nurse will explain everything to you and make you feel at ease. The nurse could see anything abnormal so I didn't have to have a biopsy so don't know what that would feel like.  I have to be rechecked in a years time. Will you still have the appointment with the lockdown still in place. Please let me know how you get on x

Thank you so much for messaging me back. Im so glad it went well for you. Has your HPV gone is that what they will be checking in a year? Did you have to wait long for the colposcopy? I have been referred and i am really hoping and praying that it wont be delayed by the lockdown. I plan on calling the colposcopy department tomorrow to speak to a nurse and see how long I will have to wait or if there is a cancellation list which could get me seen sooner. Being in lockdown hasnt helped as I havent been able to see my family to help calm me down and reassure me. X

I had an abnormal smear 16 years ago, back then they didn't check for HPV, I was re-checked 6 months later and all was clear, I then had yearly checks to a couple of years then went back to 3 yearly, all clear until my smear in January which was the first one to check for the HPV. Some people's bodies don't clear the virus very well, the nurse said to me that the virus will lay dormant and come back in times of stress, and it was around a very stressful time. Hopefully when I'm tested next year the virus will have gone but maybe not but doesn't mean there will be abnormal cells. I really feel for you not being able to see your family it must be very hard.

i waited 2 weeks for my appointment which really scares me as I thought it was really quick and that there must be something really bad wrong.  As you said speak to the clinic tomorrow and see what they say they may be able to put your mind at rest . Always here if you need to chat x

The stress things makes a lot of sense as I have been with my husband for 13 years so couldnt work out how I now have HPV. The past 5 years have been incredibly stressful as I lost my dad and my brother and my mum had breast cancer so my stress levels have been through the roof and I wouldnt say I had looked after my immune system. I hsve a B12 deficiency so have 6 weekly injections for that. All of my previous smears have always come back normal. Iv started taking lots of vitimins etc to try and boost my immune system to help fight the HPV. Im praying it will all be ok. It terrifies me as I have 2 children. Thank you so much for taking the time to reassure me and share your experience. It really does help. X

My story is very similar to yours. My dad passed away in November, I think this is what made the virus flare up again, I have been with the same partner for 17 years so also couldn't understand why I had come from until the nurse explained to me it lays dormant, you may well have been the same, had it for years but as the smear never used to test for HPV you wouldn't know you had it. I'm hoping that it will all be clear for you. Please let me know how you get on x

Me too! I will let you know how I get on. Fingers crossed its all ok when i go for the colposcopy and my immune system starts to get rid of the HPV and I can breath again.