Abnormal cells in smear followed by biopsy and LLetz

Hi all,

Just wanted to share my positive experience as there are a lot of horror stories out there.

Had an abnormal high grade cell changes in a smear. Was referred for a biopsy within 2 weeks. Had a colposcopy where they took 2 biopsies. I won't lie, the first biopsy stung a little bit, but 2nd one they took did not hurt at all, in fact I did not even feel it. 

Results came back at cin2 and appointment for lletz within 2 weeks. Was very anxious about this as I have a severe fear of needles. The way the doctor described it to me is that they inject 4 needles into the cervix, then cut away the areas with cell changes, and then apply heat to tidy it up then coagulation to stop bleeding (I am paraphrasing here ). 

Hand on heart, I did not feel the needles AT ALL. And I am a wimp lol.  Didnt feel anything after that either, maybe just a bit of heat and pressure. Took about 15 minutes in all. Would have taken less but he was applying cotton  wool to one area for a bit to stop the bleeding.

I can honestly say that it went very well, I was anxious but I shouldn't have been. In my eyes, the biopsy was worse, so if you handle that, you are going to be absolutely fine with the lletz!

So anyone worrying about it, please don't. I am the biggest baby and I dealt with it very well. No it isn't pleasant having your bits out but just lie back and take deep breaths and you will honestly be fine the worst bit was probably taking the specculum out and worrying I was about to pee haha.

I know about 10 people in my life who have had this done, it's totally common and nothing to worry about. In fact, I find it totally amazing that they can stop cancer in its tracks with such an easy procedure. 

 

Good luck ladies, ask any questions if you like

  • Thank you for the positive post.

    I'm 32, and received my results back from my third smear on Saturday to say I was HPV positive/borderline changes. 
     

    My first smear was fine, second was hpv positive/borederline and I went for the coloposcopy and told normal smear again in three years. I chased this up in feb this year as I never received a letter to go and I was due in January. Receptionist was telling me I wasn't due as "the little box hasn't popped up". I asked her to check, and got a call back from a nurse who said I was and booked me in 11th March. When I attended the smear appointment the nurse asked the history of my last smear and I explained, she then said oh so this is your 12 month appointment? Apparently I was supposed to attend again after 12 months, this was just over three years by the time I got the appointment! That started to give me a bit of concern. Anyway I didn't hear back after 4 weeks so rang to chase, rang again after 5 weeks. Then once more on Friday just gone , 6 weeks after my smear. I was told on the phone all was normal, no recall. I was so relieved. 
     

    I go out Saturday morning, come home to find a letter which I almost didn't read properly, as it was confirmation of my smear results. Turns out it came back hpv positive and borderline again. I had to wait until yesterday to speak to my GP surgery, who advised me it was human error and apologised. The letter is the right result and I'll be called/wrote to for an appointment. I've now got my colposcopy this Saturday. I'm relived I'm getting seen sooner rather than later and I really am trying not to worry. I know that everything is on my side, I just feel like my trust has been completely destroyed from start to finish and it's unfortunate. 
     

    I just needed to rant and also say thank you for the positive read! 

  • Oh that sounds a nightmare, sorry you had to go through all of that back and to!!

    Sounds like any changes are very mild so your  colposcopy will probs just be them checking and putting the dye on your cervix to make sure it's okay. The iodine brings up any white patches which are cell changes. Im sure you'll be fine, but they haven't handled that the best way at all in fairness. Let me know how you get on, honestly, it's a breeze