Hi Laura. 

I keep seeing replies from you on many posts. It's very reassuring.

I am 26, I have two children 9 and 5. My periods have always been weird due to being on the implant. But I think in December it lasted a few days longer than normal. Fast forward to this month, I had my period as normal. It lasted around 10 days which is normal, then 4 days later I started bleeding again and bled for a week. Classed as spotting as it was never enough to wear a pad or anything. I phone my GP, explained everything and she didn't seem too worried. She booked me in for my first smear (haven't had one due to Covid) and also said she'd take some swabs 'to be on the safe side' (don't know what they're for?) 

Since speaking to her I've noticed I have lower back pain in a morning which eases off throughout the day. I have groin pain pretty much constantly, it's just a dull ache and I also noticed I had stomach cramps the day after having sex. Te cramps were pretty painful. They eased off in the evening. 

I don't have any smelly discharge, no bleeding during or after sex, no bloating, I'm not off my food and I don't think I've noticed any changes in bowel movement either.. 

Just looking for some reassurance really. My smear is booked for 10th March but I'm ringing to ask if they can bring it forward. I'm due on on the 10th march and all this worry is really affecting me. 

Hi, sorry I didn't see your post until now! I hope you are doing well and you've found out what is going on. At your young age I wouldn't think your issues would be cancer related but it is always good to follow up and keep tabs on things.  Please message me if you need to. 

Laura xx

Hi hope you don't mind me writing to you so I am 36 and I have been referred to gynae to say getting seen tuesday, as I have an inflamed cervix bleeding in between periods, and sometimes after sex and really itchy down below. Go has already ruled out everything they can std tests etc, I am worried sick I googled about cervical cancer and read if you have symptoms it's usually advanced 

Hi Pink,

I had symptoms and I was at Stage 2A, which was still treatable. I had actually been having symptoms for a couple of years before I finally got the courage to get checked out. You sound like you're doing the right things and following up-that's so important. I wouldn't worry too much and stay off google! The stuff you read there doesn't apply to everyone's situation so you can't use it to try to compare. There is so many other female problems it could be, and even if it is something, it is so much better to find out and get it taken care of! Let me know what you find out.

Laura xx

Ok thank you I am a nurse and finding it hard not to do research I am worried it's spread into my vagina with have the soreness and itchiness, I have a 3 and 5 year old and I am petrified for them, my gut is telling me it's not good news what symptoms did you have 

Hi Pinklady

Sorry to butt in, but it’s not true to say that cervical cancer is usually advanced by the time there are symptoms. Dr Google is not a good place to look for self diagnosis! Itchiness is not a symptom of cervical cancer that I’ve heard of-I’ve had cervical cancer and regularly speak to many ladies in other groups who have had this cancer. Not once have I heard itchiness mentioned as a symptom that anyone had. This is much more likely to have another explanation. It’s good you’ve got a gynaecology appointment so hopefully you’ll find out more then.

Hi I have read that itchiness is but very rare so with my symptoms I am worried that it's advanced I had abnormal cells when I was 20 and had a loop excision I am now 36 so with symptoms is it still treatable, the go said my cervix was very inflamed 

I’ve had cervical cancer twice and undergone a lot of treatment. I’m in groups where I hear from so many people who have this cancer, but seriously in the last 3 years of dealing with this I’ve  never seen itchiness as a symptom. My cancer when diagnosed was “locally advanced” which means it had spread beyond the cervix, and into the vagina, but was still treatable with chemo and radiotherapy. Even when it came back it was STILL treatable. An inflamed cervix doesn’t mean cancer by any means... you definitely need to see the gynae to get a proper examination first before you can know what’s going on. 

Ok thanks so much it's hard as you will know the waiting 

Hi Pink,

I agree with what Minska shared. I had not gone to a doctor in about 10 or so years when my symptoms finally drove me to do it. I had a watery, smelly, bloody discharge (no itching). My periods were very sporadic and when I did have them, they were very heavy. I was extremely tired and lost a lot of weight because I couldn't eat (felt too full to eat).  Of course I don't advocate waiting like I did (that was really stupid on my part), but even with such a long time, my cancer was treatable.  Keep us posted on you how you are doing.

Laura xx

I had yellow discharge that now is bloody but has no smell to it, did you have pain in your vagina at all, I bleed after sex in between periods even though I am on the pill pelvic pain not all the time, inflamed cervix, pain down below , I also only got these symptoms when I started sleeping with new boyfriend, doctor said that could be coinsidental, I feel sick with worry  Laura thank you for support what were all the symptoms you had if you don't mi d me asking 

I had yellow discharge that now is bloody but has no smell to it, did you have pain in your vagina at all, I bleed after sex in between periods even though I am on the pill pelvic pain not all the time, inflamed cervix, pain down below , I also only got these symptoms when I started sleeping with new boyfriend, doctor said that could be coinsidental, I feel sick with worry  Laura thank you for support what were all the symptoms you had if you don't mi d me asking 

I don't mind you asking. I didn't have pain during sex but did have occasional bleeding. I had waited so long to go to the doctor I am not sure what my cervix looked like. I didn't have pain until a week/days before my diagnosis, and then it was quite bad, lower right side, groin area. I had night sweats/couldn't sleep, was incredibly tired and could not walk very far at all without becoming exhausted.I kind of had a pressure or a cramping feeling all the time, too, that made me thing my period was going to start, but it never did, at the end.  One thing I remember is that when I finally did go to the doctor and she looked at my cervix, she said she was 99% sure it was cancer. I should also mention that I was 48 at the time, so pre-menopausal, I guess. Just keep following up with all your appointments, maybe see a counselor to help with the fear/health anxieties. Let me know how you are doing.

Laura xx

Ok thank you 

Hi Laura,

I hope you don't mind me messaging you but of all the experiences on here yours resonated with me the most.

I basically have the symptoms you are describing, I am literally out of my mind with worry and anxiety and wondering how I can muster up the strength to deal with what's around the corner.

I have been told by my GP via a phone appointment that my symptoms are heavy menopause bleeding, I tried to explain to her that I feel awful, have no energy, fatigue is off the chart etc. I also have low lying pelvic pain and a burning, stinging sensation.

I went to the surgery yesterday for a smear test and insisted that I be booked in for a full vaginal examination. Will the GP be able to see anything sinister at this appointment do you think. The nurse yesterday said she couldn't see anything.

I just feel so wretched, crazy where your mind takes you. Feel I have let my son down as he is extremely scared as well.

Thank you for listening, any advice or support you can give would be so appreciated.

Hope you are well.

Thank you,

Sam

Hi Sam,

So sorry for the delay in responding. I think that you are doing the right thing getting checked out, that is the only way to put the worries to rest. If it is something, you are on your way to getting through it and if not, you can relax and deal with your symptoms. My doctor was able to see the tumor when she did a pelvic exam/colposcopy. She told me then that she was 99 percent sure it was cancer. However, everyone is different and unfortunatley our "symptoms" can be from other causes. So, we have to follow up, get the tests and go from there. Try to take it one appointment at a time, stay off google and if you need to talk, feel free to message me privately, I hope all goes well.

Laura xx

Hi 

I am new to this site, I have read lots of stories on here and can relate to everyone's worries. I am 48 and had a colposcopy 2 weeks ago, they did a biopsy there and then as they noticed 2 lumps on the neck of my womb. I am having lower back pain on both the right & left sides. Have also had some mild pelvic pain. GP did my full blood count last Thursday so am waiting for the results for them too. I am worried and finding it hard having to wait for results:(

Thanks Jo x

Hi Jojo,

I'm sorry you are going through this right now. Yes, waiting is so hard, try to just focus on one thing at a time if you can. We are here to provide you support and someone to talk to! Please keep us posted on what you find out. 

Laura xx

Hello jo I've just read your post, it's hard waiting for results isn't it? . The ladies on here are so helpful and they will help to calm your fears, I'm so glad I found them, hope everything turns out ok for you 

love dawn xx

Hi Dawn,

Thanks for your reply, yes it is hard feeling anxious but keeping busy with work & the family.

Can I ask if you don't mind what your story is?

Thanks Jo x

Hi Jo

Welcome to the forum and Laura’s thread. It’s a very anxious time for you, but hopefully you will find support with us to help you along the way as you navigate this. You are very welcome to join in the chat and ask questions. Obviously we are not medical professionals but can give some advice based on our own experiences. xx

Hi no I don't mind at all, about 6 weeks Ago I had a spot of blood  and lower abdominal pain called the doctors because they thought it was a uti as had had the same symptoms in the past, had a 3 day cause of antibiotics, wiped a small amount of blood away a few days later so they had me in for an examination, they could see something on the cervix so I was referred to coloscopy, I had the appointment within a week, the consultant took one look at the cervix and said it looked high risk and booked mri and ct while I was still in the office, I had news on Friday that biopsy came back as cancer, ive had ct don't and have mri on Thursday evening then it goes to the panel on the 12th, I'm just praying it hasn't spread as not many symptoms but until the results are in I'm an absolute wreck xx