http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif everyone!
I have had two bad paps (August & November), a bad colposcopy with biopsy (last week) and am scheduled for a LEEP procedure on December 30th for cervical intraepitheliel neoplasia III/Carcinoma-in-situ (CIN III/CIS). The colpo wasn't so bad and I had no pain meds. I hear of some being out for the colpo, but it was not bad, really. My gyn said they would give me something in a IV, and cervical lidocaine injections for the LEEP http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif ,but I'm just not really sure what to expect from the procedure itself, even though I've read everything on the Net. Just wanting to talk to someone else concerning the "reality" of it. It's one thing to read about it out of a journal and quite another for someone to tell you from their own experience. Anyone who's been through this, or if any of y'all have any questions please email me ([removed].com)

Thanks so much!
TexasLdy http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif

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I am going through the exact same thing! I was diagnosed last week with dysp, both 1&2, after a colposcopy w/ a biopsy. Now they want me to have a LEEP cone or cryotherapy, although this doctor who diagnosed me prefers the LEEP cone. He does it with a heated wire under general anesthesia. I found out on the internet that sometimes its done under local and/or with a laser, although I wasn't presented with that option. I also posted a note about finding another doctor. I live in NE NJ.

This is all new to me too, but if you want to email someone who can relate, or need info, or have anything to share, please feel free to email me @ [removed].com

In the meantime, hang in there & have a happy holliday!

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[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 02-19-2003).]

I just found out i have to a have Leep procedure myself, anyone who can make me feel relaxed about this would be helpful, i have heard it's not so bad, but i know that is easy to say if your not going through it at the time.

Melissa

Hi Melissa~
I know you are nervous and I understand that. I had my LEEP on December 30, 2002, and am doing well. I had a discharge for about three weeks.

Ask your GYN if you can be put into a "twilight sleep". This is what happened to me, and I wouldn't do it any other way! The downside is that it has to be performed in the operating room, but you FEEL NO PAIN. It is considered a Day Surgury so you get to go home afterward. I did not feel any pain during the precedure, but felt uncomfortable and "hot" on my cervix afterward and was given 2mg of Morphine in my IV in the recovery room.
Like I said, I wouldn't do it any other way but the twilight sleep way. There are those who will say they had it done in the office with just lidocaine and epinepherine cervical injections and had no problem, but I wanted to be completely comfortable and relaxed, which the twilight sleep provided...

Hope this helps you...email me anytime..

Paula

Paula, thank you, igo to the dr. on Tuesday so i will know more about everything with the surgery.

Melissa

Hey Melissa! Good luck with the procedure! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif
wr

The following is not for the faint of heart. To answer the first few people's questions about the experience of a LEEP, I went through one of those about 4 years ago now. I had a lower grade dysplasia, and I don't know if it was because of this fact or what, but I had ZERO options for pain management for the proceedure. I had it done in the office, with the wire method (sorry if I forget the right terminology, it's been a while and I have tried to put this out of my head). I did take valium before the proceedure because I am a very tense person to begin with. I have to say that if you do have options, I would select one appropriately because my experience was HORRID. What I recall more about the proceedure than anything was the surprising and scary NOISE and SMELL. Sorry to be gross about this, but they are basically burning your flesh, so you can imagine, the odor is bad and there is even smoke (this sounds like it out of the 18th century, I know). The nurse's job is to hold a vacuum-like tube inside of you to suck-out the removed material. This is an extremely unpleasant feeling. With all this stuff going on, I don't even remember feeling pain, to be honest. I was in tears by the end of the proceedure, I am lucky that it lasted only about 5 or so minutes.

The other thing I want to share with you all is that my stupid doctor didn't bother to tell me that after the proceedure, you should NOT EXERCISE for 6 weeks. I immediately started walking (for exercise). This made me bleed very badly over the first couple of weeks and probably hindered my recovery.

Good luck everyone and have a better experience than I,
Floridiangirl

I've already had one colposcopy/biopsy and cryotherapy. I got worse instead of better. I go for another biopsy Friday and then on to a LEEP. I'd like to know more about the recovery from a LEEP. When will I feel like getting off the couch. I want the truth. When will I want to be out and about? How long? How bad is the cramping the day or two after? Details please!
Thanks
mt

to answer marybeth's question.....

I recall that after my LEEP, I was in bed/on the couch for about a day. I did feel very cramped....I took a lot of ibuprophen and used a heating pad. It wasn't so horrible that I couldn't stand it or anything, but it was very uncomfortable. The next day, I felt relatively good and I went to work. But like I wrote in my previous reply, it is very important that you do the minimal possible moving around for the first week or so, and for 6 weeks, no exercise or sex (like you'd want to by that point anyway, my sex drive was wiped out for a couple of months or more after my LEEP). Try to get someone else to do chores for you, shopping, etc. for that first week or 2. You can go to work provided you don't have an active job, but that should be about it.
Also, like you, I had several biopsies, a cryotherapy....and things got worse. I was really scared when I had the LEEP, thinking this was just going to get worse and worse. However, my doctor told me that in most cases, the LEEP takes care of the problem. I was one of those people, I have had completely normal paps ever since then (with the exception of the first one following the LEEP, which was sort-of inconclusive), that was 4 years ago. Also, as you get older, your body becomes more capable of fighting-off the virus that causes this (mainly HPV) so you have that working for you. Hang in there!
Let me know if I can help you any more.....incidentally, there is a newsletter for people like you who have questions regarding this condition, proceedures, etc. I believe it is called "HPV News". Look for it on the web to register (it is a hard copy mailed to you).

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Finally..some real answers! As far as the chores thing...Do I want to get someone else to do it for me b/c of excessive walking or something like that? I'm a teacher so I'm usually up and about a lot. Should I stick to my chair as much as possible. How long were you sore? Thanks to your description of your experience I have decided on the general anesthetic. My doctor said she did a lot of them in the OR so I'm going for that option. She's giving me a valium for this coming biopsy(this Friday! EEK!) so I'm really excited about being able to relax...the ECC just about killed me the first time around. I'm 25 and a bit freaked by all this. It just started last April and I thought everything would be fine after the cryo. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's had issues like this! Not that I wish anyone undo pain or suffering of course.
Thanks for the info. I've been searching forever for some real people stories! I'll look up the HPV news site. I've been tested to see if mine is high or low risk. I should find out soon.
Thank you again(I think I'm starting to sound a bit pitiful with all these thank you's)
mt

I had a LEEP done in April of 2002 as an in office procedure; I thought it was awfully painful. The only thing that made it easy was that it was very quick and the recovery was short. I was able to go back to work the next day (I sit most of the day at a PC on the phone.) But I don't think I would ever have it done in the office again. Just the smell and the sounds and sever burning on the cervix just is too much to deal with for myself. I never really realized what it felt like to have something hit my cervix or pain on that cervix, but you never forget that feeling.

Hi Marybeth,
hope your biopsy went ok. About the chores, yes, I'd recommend you have someone else do them because you want to limit your walking/moving around as much as possible in the beginning. Just do what you absolutely have to- go to work walk from your car to your desk, that's about it. YOu will heal faster if you stay as imobile as possible that first week or two. After the proceedure, I never had a feeling of soreness like you asked, it was more like a strange, unsettling feeling, I felt sensitive, but I guess that's it.

Cheers,
Floridiangirl

Hi everyone. The biopsy wasn't nearly as bad this time around. That ECC is a killer though! I should have the results tomorrow but I'm already scheduled for my LEEP. It'll be Friday. I'm having it done in an operating room. I'm not sure if it will be general or twighlight sleep and don't really care! I did find out that I have both high and low risk HPV types. Crap! I am taking Friday(obviously) and Monday off work. Think I'll need any more time? I guess I'll have to find someone to take my class to lunch and things like that when I get back next week. I am so scared! Not about the procedure so much but about recovery. I really appreciate y'alls input.
Thanks
mt

I have had the leep and the other biopsy you are talking about. The other biopsy was much worse than the leep to me. They didn't give me meds via IV with the leep, they only gave me a numbing shot in the cervix, so you should do even better. The biopsy was painful to me and nerve racking since I could feel it. the Leep should be much easier on you, even though being nervous is to be expected. The leep managed to get whatever abnormalities out of my cervix that they were seeing, since then I have been fine. I had mid stages of Dysplasia (spell?)

I got some bad news today. My biopsy results came in. I had 3 biopsies taken: 1 had CIN I and the other 2 had CIN II. The bad part is that my ECC (endocervical something) came back with CIN II. My last biospy, last Sept. had normal findings for the ECC. I am now scheduled for a laser conization this Friday with a differnt doctor. Anyone had this done by any chance? They're doing this instead of a regular cone b/c I'd like to have children and don't want the complications it my cause.
HELP!
mt

I had a LEEP about 3 weeks ago. I had been putting it
off for over a year because it sounded a little scary.
Even though I still don't know if it has solved my
problem, I wish I had done it in the beginning. It was
a breeze. It was done in the doctor's office and took about 15 minutes from start to finish. I was given shots to deaden the area. I felt no pain or discomfort. Yes, there was a smell of burning flesh, but it wasn't that bad. I had no cramping
whatsoever afterward. I was even scheduled to play a
tennis match the following morning, but it was canceled due to rain. My doctor and his staff told me that there would be no problem with me playing. I went about my normal routine as soon as it was over and
have had no problems. So, the LEEP is not as bad as it
sounds

TO MARYBETH...

Hi... I actually just posted a message with questions about the exact same thing you are going through.

I am 27. I had a biopy done after a year of abnormal paps and the results showed moderate dysplasia (CIN2) and the results came back positive for HPV (high risk)... so I guess we're not alone.

I am going for a LEEP procedure at the end of March.

Hopefully after that everything will be fine, but I don't know anyone who had that done.

Any comments, answer here... or to my personnal posting about "Dysplasia, CIN2, HPV, and LEEP procedures".

Thank you. Hope everything goes ok for you.

I jsut had a LEEP done two days ago. I had a colposcopy a few months ago.

The colposcopy was fine...jsut uncomfortable and scary since you do not know what to expect. My LEEP was bad and I (like someone else on this board mentioned) would not do it again without being knocked out. The nurse said the local anesthisia jsut works differently on different poeple. Some it take on right away and they feel nothing, some it does not work so well on and they still feel it. I felt everything.

Glad to hear I wasn't the only one. After reading these reply's I will definatly insist on going to the hospital next time.

The good news is after both my colposcopy and LEEP I was back to normal in a few hours. The recovery is a piece of cake. In fact I felt better faster after the LEEP then even the colposcopy.

I just had the leep procedure done myself yesterday, and I have had the colposcopy done twice. I hope this can help ease some people's worries, as I know I had a lot of worries before I went in to have mine done.

My doctor froze my cervix before she started the leep procedure, and I did not feel anything. I had no pain, and no cramping. She took two samples out of me during the leep. I could feel her moving the instruments around, but I could not feel any of what she was actually doing. The machines do make a lot of odd noises, but nothing that you should worry about. I could smell a faint odor, but nothing major like I had read that I would. After the procedure I felt fine, and I have felt fine all day the day after too.

I hope this can help answer some questions, and I'll check back to see if there's anything else I can answer for someone.

Good luck to everyone with their tests http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hello everyone. I´m so glad I found you all. I feel so good that I´m not the only one going throw all this. My Leep procedure is schedule for the first week of April, and I´m very scared. Not because of the procedure but because of the posible consecuences. In the las three years I´ve had three cryo´s and four colpo´s. I´ve dealing with these problem for a few years now.
My biggest dream is to have children (I´m 26 years old and being married for a year) and I´ve heard that this procedure may decrease the posibilities of conceiving. I want to ask if any of you have had children after the Leep? Was it hard to conceive? How much time should I wait before getting pregnant?
I really hope someone can help me. The best to all of you. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif

I am getting a leep in the beginning of April. I am 19 and very scared. The biospy was scary enough for me. It hurt like hell and i thought i was about to have a nervous breakdown lol. So i know the leep will be even worse for me. What exactly is this "twillight sleep"? I asked if they could just put me to sleep for it, and they said it was dangerous and it could be alot more easier if i just leave it as a office procedure. So i told them please give me something for my nerves, and they gave me 1 pill alprazolam (Xanax) I am scared that will not be enough, please expalin to me what the twillight sleep is? and why they wont put me to sleep!

I am getting a leep in the beginning of April. I am 19 and very scared. The biospy was scary enough for me. It hurt like hell and i thought i was about to have a nervous breakdown lol. So i know the leep will be even worse for me. What exactly is this "twillight sleep"? I asked if they could just put me to sleep for it, and they said it was dangerous and it could be alot more easier if i just leave it as a office procedure. So i told them please give me something for my nerves, and they gave me 1 pill alprazolam (Xanax) I am scared that will not be enough, please expalin to me what the twillight sleep is? and why they wont put me to sleep!

I'm getting married in May and am scheduled to have the leep procedure done in April. I'm wondering if that is enough time recuperate or if I should perhaps put the procedure off. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I see there are some new posts with some questions, and although I think you should talk to your doctor too, I can tell you what my doctor told me about my procedure.
First off my doctor told me I will still be able to have children after having the leep procedure done. It does not prevent you from being able to have kids - which was great news http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
Second off, if they gave you something to calm your nerves before the test, you should be fine. I just took two extra strength tylenol before my test, and I did just fine. I honestly didn't feel anything, and it was no where near as bad as I thought it would be. They told me it would take a couple weeks to heal up after I had the procedure done, and scheduled an appointment for me to see my doc after the two weeks was up just to check everything out. I have been able to do everything I could before the leep, with the exception of no heavy lifting.
Hope I helped and good luck http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Tasha --
I am 23 and had the Leep done about 9 months ago...i assure you I was scared stiff when I went in for the procedure...i even brought a towel to cover my eyes and to bite if it hurt. to my suprise it was virtually painless and they gave me nothing; however, they did totally numb my cervix. It was uncomfortable at the worst moments...and i have to agree with the funny smell comment. Since then I have had 2 normal paps and i assure you the alternative is much worse. You should really tell all of you female friends about hpv as i have found very few women even know about it and it is the main reason for getting pap smears in the first place. Good luck... hope this gives you a little peace of mind.

Well thanx everyone for there feedback...still scared cuz it seems to me it affects different women differently, so its know way of telling till i go, i am will go thats for sure, just nerve racking, my aunt told me it hurt like hell to her sooooo..but it could go either way, and yes not many women know about hpv, i knew about it before this happen, i had heard of it, but didnt know much and didnt know it could cost other probably besides warts(which i dont even have) and that you could contract it w/ or without a condom! I SHOULD OF NEVER STARTED HAVING SEX, we never listen till its too late ! lol..life..sucks! But it will only makes us stronger..

Hi Tasha,
My experience was very similiar to most of the other respondants. I had the LEEP done 1 month 20 days ago. I am still bleeding from the procedure (not heavy like a normal period). From research, prolonged bleeding is normal for a few weeks after the procedure. So, I am waiting for those few weeks to expire.
Before the LEEP, I read and research for about 1 week, so I knew what to expect. Most people said it was painless and didn't feel a thing. I did feel a little pain and discomfort during my procedure. It is a feeling that I can't describe. Like if you shocked yourself, you can't really describe how it feels. It doesn't hurt, but the sensation is rather annoying. I could actually feel the electric sensation on my cervix as the doctor removed the problem area. All I could do was drop my mouth and widen my eyes. It was painful, just irritating. Mind you, I had 3 anesthetic injections in my cervix (which I didn't feel at all). Actually, before the procedure I was scared of the injections not the procedure. The procedure lasted about 10 minutes including everything. The doctor cauterized my cervix to minimize bleeding. I do remember the vacuum and noise, but it didn't bother me. I didn't smell anything but the vinegar solution they put on your cervix to view abnormal cells.
Mentally, I've been affected since the procedure. I have no desire for sex. I feel really icky since I've been bleeding every day since the procedure.
Luckily, the abnormal cells are gone. I am happy that I don't have to go through this again.
My advice to you is pray about it, take some advil before you have it done, be optimistic. Remember it is better to suffer now than later. Take care of yourself b/c your body is a temple. And finally, never have unprotected sex again unless you for sure that you in a monogomous relationship.
Sincerely,
Sista Girl

Good luck to you TTFN!!! I went to my doctor for my follow up from my leep this week. I did have abnormalities in the areas they removed - but the good news is they got it all and my cervix is healing good she said...so it was defenitely worth it to have it done. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I just found this site, and I hope I can find friends here. I have been told I need to have the LEEP procedure done, and I am terrified. I have had other gyn surgeries and my blood pressure dropped to 70/30 but I came back. From the stress I guess. Stress is the key word for my life right now. My boyfriend is about to break up with me because we didn't have sex for a few weeks because the darn warts showed up again. I am afraid I will lose him if I have the surgery and have to abstain for a few months.

Re-reading this, it sounds like one of those unbelievable fake posts. I just can't write. My life is a wreck. I am almost 40 years old, not married, non-sypathetic boyfriend, and now facing the option of cancer. Please excuse my disjointed writing.

-Sue

well, i had the leep about 3 weeks ago. now i'm being referred to a gynogologist oncologist. due to the severe dysplasia/carcinoma. if anyone has been this route, i would love some encouragement. i can tell anyone who is fixing to have the leep procedure that i had absoultely no pain what so ever, a bit of mild crampong the following day, no biggie. and i guess i had that twilight sleep thing also. they didn't call it that, but i don't remember a thing, i would recommend it to anyone having this done.

thanks ttfn, however it's sue w/ the unsupportive boyfriend.( Sorry sue. ) Good luck w/ your LEEP, you'll do fine! Sue if you need to talk i'm listening, you can always find better support from someone who shares the same conflicts you do, than from someone who has no clue! take care, Michelle

HI! I'm glad I just found this site. I am having the LEEP done in one week, under general anesthesia. I am nervous about being put asleep for it. I don't know why, I should be glad that I won't feel any pain. Reading through these posts have made me feel a little bit better. I will be so glad to get rid of the abnormal cells. I haven't really felt "normal" since I found out (I have moderate dysplasia). Good luck to any others out there who have upcoming LEEPS!

Hi everyone. It was a godsend to find this site. I too have just been thru a colpo and am scheduled for a LEEP procedure. I am waiting on the results of the 4 biopsies they took, but doctor said looks like a LEEP is in the future for me. I was so very scared, and feeling alone, but finding this site has made me feel so much better about this. Thanks for your honesty and feelings that everyone listed. It really makes a difference for those of us who need support, but don't have anyone to turn to who understands. Lori http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

ok i'm faced with having to make a decision. conization which from what i understand is like the leep but they cut furthur( a much larger cone) or a partial hysterectomy. just the cervex and uterus.i'd appreciate any input from anyone who's possiblybeen faced with this same decision. i'm scared to death of being put under all the way, with the conization it will be like my experience with leep, which was fine. but then i may eventually have to have the hysterectomy anyway. help!!!i need some input here. thanks, michelle

Michelle, I too have had LEEP and results then came back as a CIN III, severe dysplasia and now the doctor says it shows further up cervical canal. She just did another ECC on Thursday and now I wait again. She told me a conization would probably be next. In my opinion, I would rather just be able to have hysterectomy and get rid of this stuff. Why be put under for cone and then have it come back again without a clear margin. I understand where you are coming from. I think I will just make an appointment with a Gyn/Oncologist and talk to them for where to go next with this all. What do you think? This site has been a great help.

I had the LEEP procedure done 6 times last year and had lots of tissue removed on other occasions. When they did my Papsmear they said from a scale from 1 to 10, 10 bein the highest i was at a 9. According to the doctor he said it seemed like i had cancerous cells for yrs which was probably true because as long as i can remeber i have had abnormal paps and i was to scared to get it taken care of. Before i had my son i had 5 misscarriages due to the cancer. I had no idea even then that i had it. I had many problems during my pregnany i had my son when i was 8 months pregnant and he weighed a little over 4 lbs. I am only sayin all this b/c i want anyone who is scared to go to the doctor to think about what could happen if they don't go. I am also lettin anyone know that if they have any questions about cervical cancer that i am here. ty for reading this
Angel

islndgirl920, thanks for the reply, i have sched. the hysterectomy for the 25th of this months, i'm trying to get past my fears, and i was thinking exactly like you, why do the cone procedure, and then have to go thru the waiting and worrying all over again,then to be told i have to have a hysterectomy anyway. the 4-6 weeks off work is what's gonna be hard. i will definately keep checking here to see what you decide, and i will let you know my outcome. good luck!michelle

Michelle, thanks for the update. Hope all goes well with yours. I called my doctor on Friday for latest ECC results once again and nurse said it was benign. O.K. fine and all, however it's always been benign but shows CIN III. I will call back on Monday and ask to speak to my doctor for the results. I'm scheduled for May 9th for repeat Colposcopy, ECC and so on and then go from there. I still think I should just go to a Gyno/Oncologist for a 2nd opinion about the hysterectomy. I'm finally healed from LEEP and then just had my period and I'm tired of being like this. I will check back here to see how everything goes for you. Please keep me updated on this as I'm very interested in your outcome. Thanks again for the response and I wish you all the best on your day. Julie

I really have to thank everyone for their posts...it's made me a little calmer about the procedure! I am scheduled to have a LEEP under general anesthesia in 2 days. I was actually looking here for info on how I would feel the next day. I am an athletic trainer (personal trainer) and have an extremely physically demanding job. It requires being on my feet, walking, helping clients on/off equiptment, being on my knees, jumping... I am scheduled to work on Friday (the day after the procedure). My husband keeps suggesting I take the day off, however I just started a new job and am not yet comfortable taking 2 days in a row off...any suggestions/recommendations from women who have had the procedure? I received all the recommendations from my doctor and it said i could go back to work the same day, if I wanted to, but I wasn't sure if they were talking about mostly office/sitting jobs...

Also, I noticed no one who had had the procedure more than 6 months to several years ago mentioned getting pregnant/having children after having the LEEP procedure done. Have any of you gotten pregnant after having a LEEP? Just wanted some personal stories about difficulties in pregnancy, getting pregnant...after this surgery. (My husband and I were all ready to start trying to get pregnant when we found out that I needed to have my moderate cervical dysplasia taken care of...our schedule is put off until mid-summer now!)

Anyway, thanks again for your posts and in advance for addressing my concerns!

Ronc-- I would definitely take at the very least two days off. When I had the procedure I was beginning a new very physically demanding landscape job and was told that I needed to delay my start date for at least two weeks. This probably isn't realistic for you but you should really take it easy for the next few days folowing the procedure...your cervix is in a fragile state after the procedure and in order to heal properly needs to be given some stress free time off your feet. You want your cervix to heal with as little scar tissue as possible. Also, you will probably feel pretty crampy after the procedure...i know i did for the next couple of days. As far as conceiving after the procedure goes, my doctor, who was a Gyn/Oncologist said that if everything went as planned and the cervix healed properly that there should be no problems having children. The main concern is if the cervix is not allowed to heal properly or a leep procedure had to be performed several times then the cervix could be thinner than normal and it would be more difficult to carry a child to term. Good luck with the procedure and please try to rest afterwards...just to be safe.

Ronc- I just had the leep under general anesthesia 5 days ago. It wasn't bad at all. The worst part was getting the IV in, and then I felt very sluggish when they woke me up. But I had no pain, no cramps, and have had no discharge. In fact, it doesn't even feel like I had the procedure at all! By the following day I felt back to normal, and even started some spring cleaning at home. I have a job very similiar to yours, I am a PT, and I would suggest taking that extra day off. Even if you feel ok, its still good to let your cervix heal, and i know how stenuous it can be lifting patients, bending, etc. I was allowed absolutely no bending or lifting for 24 hours after the procedure. so, my advise is to take friday and the weekend off to relax and heal. There is nothing more important than your health, even if it means missing 2 days at a new job. Good luck! you will be fine!

KC

Hello Everyone,
I am new at this so bare with me. I had the LEEP procedure done at the end of March. My doctor told me not to insert anything into the vagina for 90 days. I had sex on Monday the 14th and my period was suppose to come Thurs 17 and it isn't here. What are the consequences to having sex before the time limit is up? Did anyone else have a late period after the LEEP procedure? I couldn't be pregnant...could I?
Thanks any input would be great!!!

dear confused-- In all of my research on leep I only heard to abstain from sex for 4-6 weeks, which is much less than 90 days!! The reason for the wait is because your cervix was cut, so think of it as an open wound. you don't want anything to touch it because it can get infected. I'm assuming it takes at least 4 weeks to heal. I have heard other women say their periods were different after the leep, I don't know becuase I just had my leep last week. But please! don't let anything come in contact with your cervix for at least another 2 weeks!

To tsks,
I regret that I had sex because it hurt sooo bad, I won't do that again!!! The only reason that my doctor told me 90 days is because my PAP went from normal in 2002 to abnormal in 2003. I had the colposcopy and after everything was said and done I had CIN III, then I had an emergency LEEP. So you say that my period being late could be normal?
Thanks a bunch
Confused

I just underwent my second LEEP in my lfetime. I had my first one three years ago for pretty widespread CIN III. A full hysterectomy was recommended, but I was still thinking about having another child. Now, I wish I would have taken it. This time, I was told at the time of my colp that it was CIN I. After the results were in it was CIN II. I then went through my LEEP. I just got the results back saying that it had progressed to CIN III. Alo, the margins are not clear, meaning there could be some cells left over. The doctor said that the margins would be small, and the abnormal cells would have been "vaporized" by the current. I called the doctor that performed the LEEP on me three years ago and found out that this is pretty much standard procedure. I don't know if anyone else has gone through those kind of results after the LEEP, but if you have I would like to know if there is something else I could be asking or having them do about this. Thanks.

hey Julie, i'm scheduled for surgery tuesday 4/29/03. i went for pre-op yesterday. they're going to give me an epidural and the twilight anestethia. They'll keep me in hospital 2 days. I'm scared but glad this will soon be over with. i will be sure to let you know how it went. good luck with whatever you decide. michelle

I am following up letting yall know the update, I had my leep on April 8th, it was a 15 minute procedure they gave me a shot in my cervix, which is what hurt most, but not that bad, they also gave me a zantax to calm me down, which i think helped alot cuz i was very nervous. Afterwards i was lucky i think i had no cramps at all nothing, i felt as nothing had happen, and still do besides the abnormal discharge and wearing pads all the time. The biospy was worse then the leep!

hi!! everyone I'm new , but I have seen this site for the past 3 weeks , actualy I was looking for information about the LEEP,I had my LEEP today, and then I have read same of your postings, and I'm confuse and scared please help!!!
I thougt that the LEEP will take care of my problem (CINIII), but some of you are talking about results from your LEEP??? my doctor didn't say anything about results, she just wants me to go back in a month to see how I'm healing. please help me . what's next???

HI-
I am on my way tomorrow morning for what seems like my 500th pap. I have had two cryo's and a LEEP. I was cin2. I haven't had a good pap in over 5 years. Even after the cryo's and LEEP. The LEEP was the most painful thing I have ever been through. It was done in the office. Never again. I had all four of my children natural childbirth and would rather have a baby than have another LEEP. Something should be done about this procedure. No man would ever endure such a painful treatment. Why should we?

Hello to ALL,
I am 27 year old and have been going through the same things that all of you talk about. I have had cryo, the freezing and the LEEP all went well for me. No Pain! I have been going for the regular 3 month Paps for a year now and the last one came back High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions CIN III Marked Dyslpasia (Carsinoma in situ). I am sure this is a old news to some of you. But I do have a few questions. I go back for another colpo and I want to know if I am just starting over again will it be the colpo then another LEEP or because it is a CIN III now will it be different. Also I have heard that if your have healthy immune system it will fight it and the test won't be bad. WHat do you know about this? Can I take a vitamin to help my immune system fight it. Also, I know how some Doctors are and not explaining some things so I want to share what I have found out. This IS caused by an STD the STD is HPV. Now if that is not a heart breaker, I have been safe my hole life how can I have an STD. Is what I was told is that you can have it for years and not even know it. Would some one please correct me if I am wrong. Thank You for the forum I look forward to reading more my next appointment isn't till the 19th of May so I will be ready till then. Thanks AMBER

i had my LEEp done on april 24 and it was okay, at least better than i had thought. but yea, the HPV virus does stay in your body forever, and SUPPOSEDLy you couldve gotten the virus a while ago without knowing cuz the symptoms dont reallie show up until for at least 3 weeks. its good to keep your immune system high cause that way theres a chance that it can wipe out the virus, but im not sure how high that chance is. as for vitamins, take vitamins B and E i think, and take foods that contain folic acid, IE BROCCOLI and any green leafy food.

Hi everyone!, i wish i had found this forum sooner! .. well i had leep procedure doen three weeks ago, i am doing fine and had no complications so far... although i am still confused about a couple of thngs! i had the same boyfriend for 2 years, though we recently broke up http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif, i had todl him that previous to him i never had any abnormal paps and all my STD test were negative, i found out about 10 months ago i contracted HPV, when i confronted him about it and explained to him he was the onyl one i been with in the last 3 years he went to his doctor to get tested, well his doctor had informed him that he couldn't contract HPV becaue only women get it!!!????? so how did i get it???? and it had to be from him..right??? sicne he was the only one since my lst std test!!!! im soo confused and there isn't much info on men with HPV...We are still freinds and im concerned about his health as well and how wil he be affected if not treated?? can u only get it if you don't use a condom??? my next concern is when i am ready for a new realtionship or partner, how will i explain or HOW woudl i explain my heatlh situation..im stressed out and feel as though no one will ever want to be with me agian if they know!! will my new partner be safe if we are protected all the time!! please someone help!!!!!

Hi. Would like to thank everyone who has posted information regarding LEEP on here. I read through all of them last night and had my LEEP done this morning. I felt much more prepared after reading everyones actual experiences. Mine went really well. I had it done out patient at the hospital and all of the staff were trying to talk me into having general anesthesia but thanks to reading all of the info on here i knew it could be done with only a local. I finally convinced them to just give me a local and everything went fine. I only had pain for about 10 seconds and after that felt nothing. So far have had some cramping and a very small amt of discharge. Well, just wanted to thank everyone for their postings and if i can help anyone out with more info let me know.

Hi! I just found this board and am so glad. I am 27 years old. I got my first bad PAP in June of 01 when I was 8 weeks pregnant. Things just seemed to get worse from there. I had my first coloposcopy whn I was 7 months pregnant and had 3 more before I delivered in Jan 02. My first LEEP (in an office with a local) was done in April of 02 for CIN III. I guess I was nieve and thought that it would take care of everything. I haven't had a normal PAP since. In Jan of this year I was put on oral and vaginal anitbiotics for HPV. This was the first time I had been told I had HPV. I had a PAP done in April and the results came back ABCUS and can not rule out CIN.
Yesterday I went to the oncologist and she went ahead and did another LEEP. Again, it was done in her ofice with a local. I had very good experiences with both LEEPs...little pain or cramping. She told me that the PAP results showed that not only were the cells found on the outer of the cervix but also they were glandular (sp?). As standard, she call me and let me know if it was CIN III or cervical cancer. I am a nervous wreck. We would like to have one more child and I feel like I have no control over planning my life at this point. This next week will be a living hell as I have just come to expect the worse. It is nice to know that so many others have had the same experience. I feel like if I can have just onemore child then I would like to have a hystorectomy. Is that jumping the gun? Has anyone had cervical cancer and been able to have another child? And finally, am I overreacting to all of this? I really am a nervous wreck...hiding it well, but it is eating me up inside.

Hello Ladies:

I have one concern and a few responses, please bear with me.

This site is incredible. First, the reason I am here. I had my LEEP two days ago and am worried about starting my summer job. I am a river guide in the summer and am going to swift water school in two weeks. This means I will be combining vigorous activity with bathing in dirty river water. I have seen everything about returning to work, but then I read about no douching, no hot tubs, and no exercise. What to do?

Now, to describe my experience for some of you. I went in for a follow-up to my colpo (the second colpo was much easier than the first) and wasn't taking things too seriously because I had been through all of this before and have become somewhat numb. Anyways, I got a letter the day before my follow-up that said I needed to do Cryo or LLETZ. When I went in, we realized that there would be no good time, but right then to do either procedure since I am moving and changing jobs in two weeks. Fortunately, becuse we did it on the spot, I had one day of stress and that was it. It also meant no Zanax, no general anesthesia, no tylenol, nothing. The doctor and the nurse were stressed about doing it after a long day and I was just plain stressed. I'm sure my BP was high, but the nurse always gets a really high bp on me. So, without any real preparation, I was in it. The worst part was that they have to use a bigger speculum than for the colpo or a pap. I swear those edges are made of sandpaper! The vinegar really stung in the colpo, but not in the LEEP. Then, they gave me the shot and it was only mildly uncomfortable, which totally shocked the nurse. She has no idea how strong I have become because she is new. The effects of the shot were freaky, though, and they hadn't warned me. The numbing was great. I wasn't totally numb, but numb enough. But the epinephrine went straight to my heart and then to my legs and then spread out. My heart was racing - in addition to the already high bp - and my whole body was quivering. I was really worried that I wouldn't be still enough for him to finish. How he didn't miss and take my whole vagina or uterus is amazing. I barely bled on the table and the smell was disturbing mostly because I hadn't been warned. The loop was warm and uncomfortable, but the shot must have helped. I took my mom with me and I think us squeezing each other's hands hurt worse than anything else. The part that was a shock was how big the chunk of flesh was that they took. I saw the pics and diagrams, but I had no idea the cervix was even that big - the diagrams are not drawn to scale! My mom said it looked like a strawberry. I didn't drive home because of the trembling and because my vehicle is standard and I didn't want to bring any more blood or activity to the area than necessary. When I got home I couldn't even hold my juice because of the epinephrine. When it wore off, I was sore and took some ibuprofen. I am slightly sore today. It is an odd feeling. It's like the prodrum of a migraine. I can feel the pain deeep inside, but it's not sharp like a cramp. It's like a very mild cramp, but still disturbing. I am not bleeding right now which is a miracle since I have a fibroid and have been bleeding all the time and I am anemic. I am avoiding painkillers so that I don't feel too good and do too much.

So the procedure was OK. I will let you know about the recovery as it happens.

Now, to answer a few questions about abnormal growth and HPV. I am not a doc, but I have had to learna lot about STD's. I had an abnormal pap two years ago and the witchy midwife told me I had HPV because it is the only cause. I was freaked out. I had been with one guy who had only been with me - and I had been raped. So, how did I get it? I would guess from my rapist and it would make sense that a man with HPV would have trouble discussing these things and finding consensual partners. Well, I didn't have HPV - that time - but she treated me like some promiscuous small town girl. Ladies: I don't care how you got HPV. Your providers don't know and should not treat you with any less care than you deserve. Even if you have had high-risk sex, you deserve to be treated with respect! My current nurse has not read my chart and is giving me the same cold shoulder - like I am young and foolish and got myself in trouble.

FYI, I had to learn the hard way that HPV is the only known cause of cervical cancer, not the only cause. Other causes may be just like other cancers. If you are worried about HPV, your doc can do a digene during your next pap to see if you have HPV DNA that are high risk. I dont think testing for HPV is done during a regular STD screening. I think they usually wait until after an abnormal pap so you may have had it before. Also, know that this is not the same virus that causes warts. That is a different strain of HPV and I am guessing that some of us may have more than one strain of it floating around down there. Talk to your doc and do some research on HPV. Also know that the area that is protected from the condom is all that is protected and HPV lives in the skin. If your skin touches his, you can get it and you can pass it on to him the same way. It is probably harder to detect in males and less risky for them, but it can cause penile cancer which is rare, but must be plain awful. I am dealing with this issue again now because I was assaulted again last summer. My digene two years ago was negative and now it came back high risk. The same guy also gave me HSV. It has been tough to deal with, especially since I am single and a healthy sexual relationship is a long ways off. I don't know if I will find someone who is willing to get past these issues in getting to know me. And if I love them, too, I really don't want to infect them and condoms really only gurantee protection from things that travel in fluids (even then there's no guarantee).

As for your immune system, stress is going to deplete it. At this appointment, my doc explained that HPV lives in the cervix and not in the spinal cord like other viruses. The blood flow to the outside of the cervix is minimal which is why it will take some time for your immune system to fight it, but most women's bodies take control of the virus within a year. Staying healthy can not hurt!

My doc gives me those statistics all the time and minimizes things for me. Please take heart and remember that we are not statistics. The first time I went through this, I took things very seriously, did research, learned, and got scared. It ended up just being an abnormal pap and the stress was for nothing - statistics were on my side that time. This time, I believed him when he told me that most women get over dysplasia, that most abnormal paps resolve themselves, etc. Then, I had the high risk digene, had to do the colpo, now the LEEP. I chose the LEEP to be able to get lab results and know what we are dealing with because I was too non-chalant this time and need to be more vigilant. I look forward to lab work that says that he cut it all out no matter how severe it was!

It is nice to have a place to share my thoughts with others like me. Thanks for reading. I welcome your responses and will be more brief in the future. This forum really helps empower and heal us.

Nik

well i finally went back for the results of my LEEP a week ago and the doctor said that hes unsure if all thats need to be removed has been and we wont know until i do my pap in 3 months. anyways that foul yellow stuff i was leaking everyday turned out that my cervix was infected from the surgery. so the doctor gave me these antibiotics to take for a week. it seemed to work okay, until in the third day of taking it i began vomiting and was constanly nauseous. my doctor then told me to stop taking the medication cuz it was too strong for me or something.

Hi everyone! These stories have been great, and have calmed my nerves a great deal about whatever it is that is ahead of me.

Here is my story... On top of having severe endometriosis, which I had mostly removed 3 weeks ago, my last pap came back abnormal and I was told that I have HPV. I've come to terms with having HPV. I wasn't the safest person in the world, looking back on it, but I talked with all of my partners before having sex, so I don't know what else I could have done beside practicing abstinence. I wish more people were informed about HPV. I had NO idea how easy it was to contract until I already had it!!!

My pap results came back, and the lab said the results were somewhere between ASCUS and CIN1 (ASCUS but can not rule out CIN1). I have a colop. scheduled for next Wednesday, and may have a biopsy (I'm sure they'll take one to be on the safe side).

My question is, what are my chances of having to have a LEEP or something like that to have this removed? Or is it more than likely from the HPV and I should just have another pap in 6 months? Will the abnormal cells die, or do I HAVE to get them removed at some point?

The cells, at worst, are only mildly abnormal. I'm worried about having a LEEP, not because of the actual procedure, but because of everything I have going on in my life right now. I know if its the best for my health I'll get it done, but can anyone ease my mind about the likely hood of having to get the procedure done?

Jules the LEEP isnt as bad as it seems, at least for me it wasnt. the doctor had this numbing spray that literally numbed the inside of my vagina/ cervix, and then afterwards he gave me some kind of anesthesia, and i didnt even really feel nuttin cuz of the numbing spray from before. anyways, i feel you when you say that you have come to terms w/ having HPV. i never thought that i would get any kind of STD, especially at such an early piont of my life. the abnormal cells will have to be removed eventually if you have them cuz theyre the ones that are going to cause the cancer on your cervix, so its best to get em removed while early and hope that they cells dont grow again. as for me im waiting for my pap in august, i dont know what to expect but if all the cells werent removed in the LEEP then im expected to either do it again or have to do another type of procedure to remove it.

I'm not scared about the procedure, I was just wondering what the likely hood was that I would have to get it done (since my results from the pap fell between ASCUS and CIN1). I am hoping they just ask me to come back in 4 months to check, and then if it is still there, do the procedure then!

Hello. First off, I will be redundant and say THANK YOU for this message board. It has been extremely informative.

I was married on May 03, 2003 and now June 4, 2003 I am schedule for a 7:00 a.m. LEEP procedure due to colposcopy results of mild & moderate dysplasia.

I am, of course, a little nervous; however, I have heard so many women say "Oh.. I've had that done" or "I know someone that has had it done" so my fears have withdrawn somewhat. The bummer part is being married for only a month at the time I have it done... then can't have intercourse for up to 4 weeks following that.

I am going to ask my doctor, but what do you guys think? I have the procedure on the 4th and then I am supposed to play in a softball game on the 9th. If I take it really easy and do little to nothing (except work which consists of sitting mostly)... is there a likelihood that I will be able to play ball on that following Monday?

Thanks!!!

------------------
Brooke C.

Sorry for the double post, but this is in response to Jules. To help clear up your thoughts on whether you'll have to have the procedure done or not... my original pap results (after 14 years of normal ones) was abnormal with ASCUS cells. Therefore, that's when they had me come in for the colposcopy and that's when they resulted in 3 mild and 1 moderate dysplasia (4-5 biopsies).

The doctor said it wasn't 'urgent' but the cells needed to be removed for precautionery reasons. Luckily, since it wasn't 'urgent'....it could wait until after I returned from my honeymoon *phew*. Then, they scheduled for the week after my next period.

Hope that helps answer your question on the likelihood of having the procedure. I am not scared for next week, just want it to get OVERWITH.

Jules- as for the likelihood of having to get the procedure done.. here is my scenario.

After 14 years of 'normal' pap results, I had an abnormal one with signs of ASCUS. They did the colposcopy which showed 3 mild & 1 moderate areas of dysplasia (4-5 biopsies). They highly recommended it be done (LEEP). Though, it's not a 'have to do right away' thing... since it was able to be scheduled after my honeymoon.

Hope it helps.

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Brooke C.

Hi! First let me thank everyone for posting messages regarding their experience with this procedure (LEEP) I came across this site a couple weeks ago and it has helped ease my mind alot. Having my first "abnormal" pap back in March was a very scary ordeal for me. May 9th I had the colposcopy, where 4 biopsies were taken afterwards I was so ill, just from the stress and anxiety, that I passed out. But, getting the results was just as stressful as the waiting. Thankfully, mine are "precancerous" I am scheduled for my LEEP on June 7th, a bit nervous, but anxious to get it over with and this site has helped me deal with it. It always help to have a good relationship with your doctor, a form of trust and I have that with my doctor.
Us women deal with alot and I only like to think that we are strong beings and as along as we stick to together and educate one another on our experiences with this widely common procedure, WE WILL ALL BE JUST FINE.....Keep your head up Ladies and Thank You! Anyone may email me...

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Lisa :-)

Had my LEEP done yesterday! Everything was great. I went in to the operating room, the guys started chatting with me... and the anesthiologist (sp?) said he was giving me the Milk of Amnesia (haha).. and next thing I remember is waking up and them saying "All Done"... and a big monstrous pad being between my legs. *laughs*

I was a little crampy yesterday and today. I am back to work (though probably not a full day). Also, the doc said I should be able to go to my softball game on Monday!!! WOOHOO!~

Brooke

PLEASE HELP IM SCHEDULED FOR A LEEP..I CANT TELL MY MOM EITHER..IS THIS PROCEDURE ABLE TO HIDE...DO THE SHOTS HURT...ANYBODY PLEASE RESPOND TO ME...I FEEL SO ALONE..IM ONLY TWENTY AND I FEEL LIKE IM 100 YEARS OLD...FOR ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE HAD A LEEP HAS IT CAME BACK FOR ANY OF YOU..PLEASE RESPOND

PLEASE HELP IM SCHEDULED FOR A LEEP..I CANT TELL MY MOM EITHER..IS THIS PROCEDURE ABLE TO HIDE...DO THE SHOTS HURT...ANYBODY PLEASE RESPOND TO ME...I FEEL SO ALONE..IM ONLY TWENTY AND I FEEL LIKE IM 100 YEARS OLD...FOR ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE HAD A LEEP HAS IT CAME BACK FOR ANY OF YOU..PLEASE RESPOND

PLEASE HELP IM SCHEDULED FOR A LEEP..I CANT TELL MY MOM EITHER..IS THIS PROCEDURE ABLE TO HIDE...DO THE SHOTS HURT...ANYBODY PLEASE RESPOND TO ME...I FEEL SO ALONE..IM ONLY TWENTY AND I FEEL LIKE IM 100 YEARS OLD...FOR ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE HAD A LEEP HAS IT CAME BACK FOR ANY OF YOU..PLEASE RESPOND

HiAll!
I had a colposcopy done two months ago that showed CIN 111 and CIS. This past week I had a leep cone biopsy done. At first, I was OK. Then two days after the procedure I started hemorhagging...has this happened to anyone. It was really scary! I had to go back under general anesthesia and have some stiches put in. I bled for 8 hours before the getting back into the OR. I'm still waiting for my biopsy results.

It was so nice to find this web site. I had a colposcopy about two months ago. It showed CIN 111, CIS. That part was not painful, the leep cone I had this past week was a bit more uncomfortable. Two days afterwards I started hemorraging...this was scary! I was blleding for about 8 hours before they had me back in the OR. Has anyone out there gone through this? I"m also waiting for my biopsy results to come back so hopefully eveything is OK.
Thanks,
Lisa

Sorry about the double post!

[This message has been edited by Air Force Vet Lisa Marie (edited 06-13-2003).]

I know I posted it AGAIN! Sorry!

[This message has been edited by Air Force Vet Lisa Marie (edited 06-13-2003).]

Im sorry, I must of really been out to lunch to have posted this 3 times!!!!
Lisa

[This message has been edited by Air Force Vet Lisa Marie (edited 06-13-2003).]

Wow...In reply to Lisa...No I havent gone in for that...but Im scheduled for a leep in July...Im scared for that..Did the shot hurt you...How long was the procedure...Is there a difference between a leep and a leep biopsy...So after the leep you still have to wait for more results after??????????????????I thought that was the end of it.

I am confused as to which SHOT you are talking about ym? I just had my LEEP on the 4th and it was not bad at all. There was no shot that I am aware of. I was under general anesthetic during the procedure which took place in an operating room.

I have not had any hemoraging (sp?) nor much problem at all. I have had some drainage and/or brownish discharge but the doc mentioned this was very normal... as long as no strong odor is accompanying it.

I got my pathology reports back and it showed that instead of mild/moderate dysplasia... some areas were severe. However, the margins were clear so they got it all. YM, that's why there are additional tests from the LEEP... to make sure they got all the bad areas.

Why do you need to hide it from your parent? It's not a disgraceful procedure.. it's a safety issue!!!

Brooke

TO Bev...
They told me that they were going to numb that area only...They dont put you all the way under...So that is what Im afraid of!!! I know it is a safety issue...but my parent dont know that Im sexually active..plus explaining that I have cervical dyslpasia due to an STD would not be something they want to hear

TO Bev
Anyways...I wonder why they put you under all the way??? Did they tell you that there are chances that it may come back?????????? and if does keep coming back then what??? Im just frantic right now with all these questions. Ive heard so many different stories its incredible....Thanks for the info though....

ym-

The reason I was put under all the way is a doctor's preference. I have read on here and in conversations with friends that others have just had the in-office procedure part done.

Are you have the colposcopy or the LEEP? Did you already have the colposcopy? When I had that... they told me that they would numb the area before taking the samples... they put a topical solution on it. However, the shot will not hurt. It can't be any worse than the biopsy samples being taken... and that's repeatedly.. not just a single shot. The cervix doesn't have THAT many nerve endings.

There is always the chance that the cells can come back as abnormal again/dysplasia. That is why precautions need to be made... as in trying to keep sexual partners to a minimum to avoid further STDs, not smoking (which I am not very good at adhering to)....etc.. That is why you will be placed on a 3 month pap smear cycle until a year of normal ones... it's all precautionary.

Hope this helps. And, please ask detailed questions such as these to your doctor, I am not one.. and do not claim to be an absolute source. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

ym-

sorry for the double post.

You asked what happens if it comes back... well, if it comes back.. you will just need to have the procedure done again. You don't want to 'not' do it, as then.... cancer could set in.

Please don't be scared/nervous. It's a simple procedure... heck, I was 'under' and it only took 30 minutes from the time I was knocked out... to when I woke up. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif

TO Bev
I had the colpo done with the biopsy...oh man that hurt...no numbing spray...it felt like they got tweezers and picked a piece of my skin off...It hurt bad...Put for my Leep pro. they said that I would get local anesthetic shot in the cervical area....Ouch and then the wire loop would remove all the abnormal cells...Did they say anything about fertility being diminshed!!! My info on paper says that fertility could be diminshed.

To Bev
Thanks for the info...

TO ym:

I specifically asked if fertility/having children would be affected by this procedure. They stated that it would not be. The only time it could be inhibited is if you do not follow the 'after' advice that they tell you (i.e. waiting 4 weeks before anything inserted in vagina) or if you over exert yourself in the first couple weeks... as scarring can cause issues.

HI!
I just had a colposcopy in May then a LEEP on June 5th.
The colposcopy didn't hurt at all even though he said I might feel a pinch. I didn't feel anything.
With the LEEP, I had a local anesthesia. The shot hurt some, but it wasn't long and was bearable. The procedure was a little uncomfortable but not too bad. And was fine afterwards. (They do tell you to take ibuprofen a half hour before for possible cramping after.) The lidocaine did make me feel weird and my heart race a little.
The tissue they remove with the LEEP procedure they will send to a lab for biopsy. I got the call yesterday (June 12) that I had severe dysplasia but the margins were clear. (The result of the colposcopy said moderate/severe).

Hey all!
I was asked about the difference between a leep and a leep cone...there is a difference. With the leep cone they are taking a larger piece of tissue out like when use to do a cold knife cone biopsy. This was explained to me by my Dr. You don't usually have to have a leep cone unless your have severe dysplasia CIN 111. I have not got my results back from it yet so I'm just waiting around to find out if I will need a hysterctomy. I have one child that I am thankful for but I have to say that I wanted to have one more. This issue depresses me but I have to think about my health, Have any of you had to have a conization done? Thet removed a lot of my cervix and it was very deep. In a way I wonder if they should have just done a hysterectomy. This was all so wired because I went from having a normal pap in 2002 to CIN 111/CIS in 2003. How could this of happened so fast? Any input would be great!
Thanks in advance,
Lisa

I just had a LEEP procedure and Cone Biopsy 2 weeks ago today. I went from normal pap smear to CIN III (severe dysplasia). The pathology report show that they got it all (clean margins). I am still having some clear with blood tinged discharge and hoping it ends soon (I should invest money in the panty liner's stock). I had anesthia for the procedure and was ready to go shopping 1/2 hour after it was done....I went home and took it easy instead. I had no cramping but after 1 week the doctor said that there was a mild infection and put me on flagyl for 5 days. The medicine made me nauseated but I managed. I was also told that the discharge could last up to 3 months. Anyone have any idea's on how long the discharge will continue???? Thanks

I have enjoyed reading everyone's experiences about their Leep procedure. I had mine done almost 2 weeks ago. It was done in the office with just a local. I had minimal cramping for a few days, but nothing bad. I am still having bleeding that is bright red. Hopefuly that will let up soon. My pap originally came back with CIN I, but when I had the colposcopy biopsy done, it actually came back with CIN III. My Leep results came back with CIN I with clear margins on one biopsy and CIN III with positive margins on the other biopsy. My doctor told me he was cautiously optimistic that we got it all even though my margins were positive. He said with a Leep procedure, alot of times the margins will come back positive because the tissue speciman has been burnt along the edges and the healing process takes care of things. Has anyone had experience with this? Has anyone had positive margins on a biopsy result and a clean Pap Smear and colposcopy at the next check up? Just curious. I think he will be relatively aggressive if my Pap and colpo came back again with CIN III. I'm done having children so the idea of a hysterectomy is not devastating, but I'd rather have it all taken care of with the Leep.

dear itaylor
Im going for my Leep and am so worried about the pain. does the shot hurt? What are the chances of having a hysterectomy?? Im only 20 and I want to have children.
Yvette

Hi Everyone. I had my LEEP done on June 18th. I had it done under a Local anthestic and it wasn't bad at all. The shot they give that numbs the cervix is a bit uncomfortable for a second , but that soon subsides, although I needed more numbing medicine than usual. The whole procedure took about 13 minutes. Here three days later, I'm just now starting to have a spotty discharge and I had no cramping. Couldn't sit up straight for a few hours, but everything else seemed fine. I think it's important that the first 2 weeks you take it easy, this promotes quicker healing and less scar tissue (that's what my Dr. stressed to me) I was instructed to obstain from sex for a month. It is a very scary thing to go through, but it's not that bad at all. I know how I felt when I found out that mine was severe, now I'm left to wait 2 more weeks for results, but it's not like waiting for those colpo results, trust me!!!!!! Good luck to you all and Keep your heads up and everything will be ok.....

Lisa

Yvette....My Leep was not painful at all. Different women have different experiences. It did get mildly uncomfortable at times, and felt a little strange. I had some mild cramping afterwards, but nothing worse than my menstrual cycle. Good luck with your procedure. Honestly, for me, my nervousness and the mental strain of biopsy results were the most unpleasant aspect of the Leep. The procedure itself was over in 15 minutes.

I have been putting off having the Leep procedure for a few months. I am scared to death. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif The doctors office called me today and want to schedule the procedure. Thank you all for the information. I think I will have to ask to be put under in the Operating Room since I don't think I can handle it any other way. I will be calling the doctors office and I will keep ya'll posted on my situation. Thanks again for all your information. It is good to know that I am not the only one that is scared.

I have been putting off having the Leep procedure for a few months. I am scared to death. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif The doctors office called me today and want to schedule the procedure. Thank you all for the information. I think I will have to ask to be put under in the Operating Room since I don't think I can handle it any other way. I will be calling the doctors office and I will keep ya'll posted on my situation. Thanks again for all your information. It is good to know that I am not the only one that is scared.

ymguerrero, I just had my LEEP done a month ago, and I had the same question, do the needles hurt? so I wanted to answer you, I am the biggest chicken in the world when it comes to needles, so I was very nervous to begin with, but honestly, I did not even know the doctor was done, I had 4 shots in my cervix and did not feel a thing, which was really weird, I expected it to hurt and everyone told me it would, but it did not. I know everyones experience is different but I just wanted to tell you not to worry, getting novicaine at the dentist in my gums was way worse that this! Also they say it will not affect your ability to get pregnant, as long as you wait a month to let it heal so you don't get scar tissue. I am 25 and my husband and I are going to start trying to have a baby soon, so I was very worried about this, but after talking to my doctor I am not, so just ask your doctor to be clear on all you are worried about, don't be afraid to ask tons of questions, I did! I know exactly how you are feeling, it is very scary and overwhelming. But you have to understand there are so many ways to fix and monitor this, as long as you have your regular visits you can treat this before it progresses. Dysplasia only progresses to cancer 40% of the time and this is only if you do nothing and have no paps for like 10 years, this is what my doctor told me. So as long has you have this procedure and keep an eye on things, no worries!
-T

Hello Everyone.
I had a LEEP on April 7th so it's been almost 3 months. Unfortunatley I didn't find this site until just after my procedure..it all happened so fast. I was notified on Friday of CINIII/carcinoma insitu colposcopy results and had the procedure done the following Mon! I have been reading replies on this site every since (I'm pretty sure I've read them all twice!) and only wish that I had found it sooner. My experience was great..no cramps, no odor, no real pain and had the procedure done while I was asleep at the hospital.
Anyways, my question to everyone is...It's been 2mos and 3 weeks and I still have discharge. Sometimes it's white and sometimes it's yellow tinted but it's been very heavy since the procedure. My doc says it's normal but I've never had it before. There is no odor but it's heavy enough to have to wear a liner everyday - especially when I go running. If my vulvar area remains wet from the discharge it gets irritated and can start to burn. (I have been tested for every other STD under the sun and am neg. for them all) Has anyone ever had discharge for longer than a couple of months?? If so, does it mean anything, is the dysplasia still there? My follow-up isn't until early Aug. but I know he's just going to tell me that's it's normal again. Any expereinced feedback would be wonderful.
Best Wishes to Everyone dealing with this issue.
~Meli

Please tell me that you are gonna tell your parents about all of this!! I am positive that they would rather know than not know. I am a parent myself and just went through the conalization last Thursday (6/26/2003). I think my mom was the first who knew!! Your health and well being will far outweigh the fact that you have been sexually active! You need to seriously sit back and think this through...what if (God forbid) you would have to give them more excrutiating news?? Then what??? Your Parents Will love you no matter what. Let them support you!!! Originally posted by ymguerrero:
TO Bev...
They told me that they were going to numb that area only...They dont put you all the way under...So that is what Im afraid of!!! I know it is a safety issue...but my parent dont know that Im sexually active..plus explaining that I have cervical dyslpasia due to an STD would not be something they want to hear

I agree that you should tell your parents. They would want to be there for you to help you and support you. This is a very treatable condition. If caught early, there is almost a 100% cure rate, but still, it is a very serious diagnosis. You should not go through this alone. I am a 33 yr old mother of 3; I work in the health field; I consider myself to be fairly calm under stress. But, I wil be the first one to say that being diagnosed with CIN III has been a scary and emotionally rough time for me. I am sure it will be hard to tell them, but your parents love you and will be there for you. Its just one of those things about being a parent.......unconditional love. You have enough stress right now without the extra burdon of keeping something hidden.

Hello to all!

I just found out I had severe dysplasia on May 22nd. I had a biopsy June 12th that confirmed it was severe and was scheduled for a conalization for the 26th...3 days ago. I will tell you one thing. I am not positive how I aqcuired this. I read on here about the cause being hpv which my doctor never mentioned to me. I am positive that there are other causes. The only thing that I am so angry with myself is that I went over 8 years without a yearly pap. WHY? I couldn't tell you why. I think about it and have so many reasons but none that are good enough to go that long without a yearly exam. I haven't received a pathology report back. I am assuming this will tell me if the edges are clear and I am praying for this! I have two children 12 and 10 and even though they consider dysplasia (I had CIN III - severe) or carcinoma in situ very treatable, beatable..... the thought of it being invasive has been devestating. I can't look back and say "if only I had....." because that is too late. I was very aggresive with the treatment. I went from Pap, to biopsy, to surgery all in about 4 weeks. I keep thinking I have so much to live for and THIS was my own stupidity. I have quit kicking myself and am now on my way through the healing process and of taking better care of myself. I thought that losing weight was all I ever wanted out of my body. Now, I want HEALTH!! It won't matter how well I fit in my clothes or if I am my ideal weight if I am eat up with cancer!!!! The procedure was not that bad. I was given verset to calm me down and then they put me to sleep but I was not intubated. He did give me a catheter and when I woke up I was having alot of pain (crampy) and felt like I had to urinate. In fact, I was insistant that I had to go so the nurse got me up and set me on the toilet. Nothing. I guess it was just that feeling of a cath...they said I just had the feeling of needing to "go". The nurse said I would probably bleed heavily for a week or so and I haven't at all. Just had some nasty discharge from the cauterization done. All in all, it was far less dramatic as I had invisioned but I just think now...gosh! what if I had not went at all?? I am so glad I did and I can thank my sister for it all. I went with her to watch her baby so she could get her pap and she snitched and told on me for not having one in so long and I ended up having one the same day. It also had to have been "divine intervention" for it took my sister 4 months to see this Doctor ( who is fabulous,I might add!) and in a matter of minutes, there was a cancelation and I was on the table having an exam. I am thankful. I have so much to live for and I will never ever miss another ob/gyn exam!!! I am a medical professional myself, an ARDMS or ultrasound tech for short. If anyone has a comment or question or would just like to have some sort of buddy system to support each other...sisters, I am HERE!!!! Hugs to you all.

Meli...I have read so many women who expererience different types of discharge that its hard to say what is normal. If you have discussed it with your doctor, and he says its normal I would trust his opinion. I had my leep done 3 weeks ago and have just now stopped bleeding. Some women don't bleed at all, yet I bleed bright red blood for 3 weeks. 3 months does seem like a long time to continue to have discharge. Most things I read seem to indicate the discarge stops in 3- 6 weeks. Good luck with everything http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thank you Itaylor.
Yesterday and today I've been having some blood in the discharge so I scheduled an appt. for Thurs. I know that everybody is different but I have NEVER heard of it lasting that long, whereas it's not uncommon for women to bleed for 3 weeks. I'm very worried and upset and tired of not knowing what's going on inside my body! This has been harder on me than I feel it should be ..and of course hard on my relationship of 7 years. I hope that your follow-ups go well and that your physician sufficiently removed all the cells!
If there is anyone out there is is going through the same symptoms...please let me know of your situation. I will keep you posted on what my doc says on Thurs.!!
Thanks Again

Hey Ladies,

Just to fill you in on my LEEP recovery so far. It has been about six weeks and it hasn't been too bad. It has kinda hindered my efforts to be a river guide this summer, but my health is more important right now. I did get out there and start swimming and rowing just two weeks later and I haven't had any pain or infections. It's pretty depressing that every time I push harder out there on the river, I will start to bleed lightly at night.

My doctor said that the LEEP should not interfere with your period - I know that was a concern for someone on here a long time ago. Your period comes from your uterus and the LEEP operates on your cervix. Stress can have all kinds of effects on your period and your overall health and we have all been through all kinds of stress with this.

The margins of my LEEP were clear. I had a follow-up two weeks after the procedure which was a little surprising. The doc took this thing that looked like a long match - I think he said it was silver nitrate and would help with the healing - and he scraped it all over the wound. It hurt and it made me bleed a little. For the next few days, I had weird black stuff in the disharge. Then, I started losing little chunks of tissue. I am assuming it was a little like a scab coming off.

I have one question for all of you. My doc and I didn't discuss sex because it didn't seem like an option at the time. I am terrified that it will be painful and awkward and I really have no idea if that 2.5 cm of tissue has grown back yet. I'm not in the practice of letting people poke repeatedlay at my wounds! How long did everyone else wait? Have you received lab results? How much tissue did they take out on the rest of you?

You guys are great and all so strong. I wish you all peace and health in the near future!

Nik

Hey Ladies,

Just to fill you in on my LEEP recovery so far. It has been about six weeks and it hasn't been too bad. It has kinda hindered my efforts to be a river guide this summer, but my health is more important right now. I did get out there and start swimming and rowing just two weeks later and I haven't had any pain or infections. It's pretty depressing that every time I push harder out there on the river, I will start to bleed lightly at night.

My doctor said that the LEEP should not interfere with your period - I know that was a concern for someone on here a long time ago. Your period comes from your uterus and the LEEP operates on your cervix. Stress can have all kinds of effects on your period and your overall health and we have all been through all kinds of stress with this.

The margins of my LEEP were clear. I had a follow-up two weeks after the procedure which was a little surprising. The doc took this thing that looked like a long match - I think he said it was silver nitrate and would help with the healing - and he scraped it all over the wound. It hurt and it made me bleed a little. For the next few days, I had weird black stuff in the disharge. Then, I started losing little chunks of tissue. I am assuming it was a little like a scab coming off.

I have one question for all of you. My doc and I didn't discuss sex because it didn't seem like an option at the time. I am terrified that it will be painful and awkward and I really have no idea if that 2.5 cm of tissue has grown back yet. I'm not in the practice of letting people poke repeatedly at my wounds! How long did everyone else wait? Have you received lab results? How much tissue did they take out on the rest of you?

You guys are great and all so strong. I wish you all peace and health in the near future!

Nik

My doctor told me to wait 3 weeks before having sex after my Leep. I was a little nervous, but it was fine. I did not have any discomfort or experience any unusual or excesive discharge. I also hated the idea of further trauma to that area of my body.

Meli....hope your doctor's appointment goes well. You will have to let us know what the doctor says.

Hi all!
I just had my first follow up pap today so, of course, I have to wait a week for the results. :-( He did check the discharge under the scope and told me that I had an infection and that's what's causing the bleeding. I was shocked because there is no pain or smell and the discharge has been there the whole time...I wonder if I could have an infection that long without knowing it. He said it's not an intorduced bacteria but an imbalance in my normal flora so that's a big releif. Just wanted to share everything with ya'll.

Nik-My doc said to wait at least 4 weeks to have sex just to make sure the cervix is completely healed. I waited about 5 and everything was just as before! Congrats on your results.

Itaylor - thanks for the reply...I will let you know the results of my pap next week!

I hope everyone is recovering well!!

Mel

My doctor dropped the bomb on me, then went on vacation. I just received the results from my Colposcopy and found out I have severe dysplasia and will need to have conization. I have been reading so many messages about having LEEPS performed, I am wondering if it is the same thing? I am wondering also, how much worse can this get? Someone wrote about their life being in limbo. I am afraid of more bad news. My doctor returns in 3 days and I can pose these questions, but I am going crazy right now. I am afraid to say ANYTHING to my kids or my extended family. I am afraid to worry them. Is this procedure, conization, pretty severe? What kind of recovery are we talking about? Help from anyone would be so much appreciated

My doctor dropped the bomb on me, then went on vacation. I just received the results from my Colposcopy and found out I have severe dysplasia and will need to have conization. I have been reading so many messages about having LEEPS performed, I am wondering if it is the same thing? I am wondering also, how much worse can this get? Someone wrote about their life being in limbo. I am afraid of more bad news. My doctor returns in 3 days and I can pose these questions, but I am going crazy right now. I am afraid to say ANYTHING to my kids or my extended family. I am afraid to worry them. Is this procedure, conization, pretty severe? What kind of recovery are we talking about? Help from anyone would be so much appreciated

------------------

Dear WVABEAUTY,
I have the same thoughts, alot of sexual guilt. I get down on myself sometimes for this happening to me. All of this is happening very quickly for me too. Pap, Colposcopy and Conization (scheduled in less than a week) is all within 6 weeks. Very scary and I am trying to be strong for my kids. I am a single mom and I am the only one here for my kids. I am so GLAD to have found this web site and thank everyone for sharing about their experiences.
I am wondering what kind of surgery you had? I cant believe I have severe dysplasia. I have only missed a year in my PAP smears. How could something like this come on so quickly?? I want some reassurances, again, about how treatable and beatable SEVERE dysplasia is. The very name invokes fear.

I would like to reply to iggie3 and wvabeauty.
Please don't spend another second "kicking yourself" thinking this is "your own stupidity." How can you avoid something that you don't even know exists? And how could you prevent it when even condoms are proven to be highly insufficient at blocking transmission? HPV lives in the skin cells and is considered one of the most contagious viruses out there. Even if you DID know about a virus called HPV that is causing epedimic proportions of cases across America, that probably won't be prevented by using a condom and that is 100% asymptomatic in men, would you have not made the choices you made before? Would you have remained abstinent? Probably not. You didn't act irresponsibly...our partners had no idea they had it just like we had no idea we had it until the pap.

This has been very hard on me too, I'm just trying to help and make everyone understand (including myself) that this is NOT our faults! AND for anyone who has been diagnosed with CIN III (severe dysplasia)or lower (CIN II and I), this is treatable and beatable. The mechanism of cancer is that it begins, say in the cervix, and slowy causes changes in the surrounding cells of those abnormal cells. With this particular type of carcinoma, it usually takes many many years to spread into the reproductive system and become "invasive cancer" which seems to be what a lot of people are worried about. So, if you have located the abnormal cells and removed them, you can't just jump to invasive cancer...your other organs are safe. All you have to do is go back for follow ups to see if it has returned and if it has, it won't have had the time to become CIN III. It will just be starting and you can most likely just remove a thin layer of cells. I guess what I'm saying is if you don't have invasive cancer now and you remove the cells and you go to your follow up appts. you can avoid/prevent invesive cancer 100%...so please don't worry. Thank God we found the abnormalities sooner than later!

I also wanted to say to iggie3 that I too had a pap last year and then had results of severe dysplasia this year. I have learned that your immune system and smoking play pivotal roles in the severity of the "disease." Most people who have results like us were either exposed to a lot of the virions (virus particles) upon transmission or have a weakened immune system due to various deficiencies. Smoking greatly decreases your ability to produce and activate the T cells needed to fight off this virus so a smoker may be exposed to the same amount of viral particules as a non-smoker but the damage done is much greater. I would suggest trying to boost your immune system with vitamins like A, C and E and other "cancer-fighting" antioxidants.

I know I'm not a doctor but I have done A LOT of research on this, am graduating in Dec. with a major in Biolgy/minor in Chemistry and just recently took a Virology course that covered HPV fairly extensively.

Please don't forget that stress is one of the greatest known preventable immune lowering factors out there... PLEASE don't blame yourself, don't stress out, take it one day at a time and be happy that this was detected now and not a year from now! We will beat this and go on to live happy normal lives! :-)

~Meli

hey you all...how are all of you guys.i havent posted for ahile bc i just have been so preocupied with my life. ive read so many of your stories and really dont know what to expect. i dont know the level of my severity. all i know is that i have moderate to severe dysplasia and am scheduled for my leep on the 23rd. my parents dont know and cant find out. i feel so alone and diseased. no matter what happens ill always have this ugly thing haunting me. ( To-ttfn212 Your situation is what im worried about? what if mine is out of the margins? What happens after that how mant times do they redo the procedure before they quit..does that lead to the hysterectomy? Im only twenty and want to have children. I have been having nightmares everynight. I have been dreading thid for a month already. Im scared of the pain, the side effects, the healing process, the needles, the ****s...All the information is so helpful from you all but I still doubt and worry that everything is going to be okok Hugs to you all...

TO TTFN:
oH MY GOSH..I REALLY DONT KNOW WHAT A HYSTERECTOMY IS EXCEPT THAT THEY REMOVE EVERYTHING WHICH PROBABLY MEANS I WONT BE ABLE TO HAVE KIDS RIGHT?? DID YOUR DOCTOR EVER EXPLAIN TO YOU THE CHANCES OF WOMEN HAVING A HYSTERECTOMY? BY THE WAY WHAT DID YOUR DOCTOR SAY ABOUT HOW LONG HAVING TO WAIT AFTER THE LEEP..AND HOW LONG TO WAIT UNTIL YOU COULD EXCERCISE? IM HEARING SO MANY DIFFERENT STORIES. ALL I HOPE FOR IS TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM AND NOT HAVING TO HAVE ANOTHER LEEP. I GUESS YOUR VIRUS IS VERY ACTIVE TO KEEP COMING BACK HUH? MAYBE YOUR LEVEL OF DYSPLASIA IS VERY HIGH WHO KNOWS I ONLY HOPE FOR THE BEST FOR BOTH OF US. THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO..SORRY ABOUT ALL THE QUESTIONS...

I had my Leep done on June 6. The results from that came back as one area with CIN I with clear margins and the other area with CIN III with positive margins. My doctor told me not to worry excessively over the positive margins because alot of times the healing process (ie. the inflammation and the coagulation from the burning of the tissue) will actually resolve the situation. He told me I had about an 80% chance of having the dysplasia taken care of. (I have read anywhere from a 60% to 90% chance). At my next check up in October he will go ahead and do a Pap and another colposcopy to check everything out. I guess we will discuss treatment options from there. I would agree to one more Leep before having major surgery.

to itaylor...
I hope everything works out for you. thats what im afraid of. the leep not taking care of the problem!! i dont want to have major surgery. i want to have kids im only twenty years old. i wonder how far the treatment would have to go before they decide to give me major surgery. i wonder if it is umhealthy to keep having leeps.?? i hope everything turns out ok on your next pap..i go for my leep on the 23rd of july..i am so scared of the pain..

Thanks for the reply from Meli/ Newbie.
I LOVE the words of encouragement. I am still having a hard time with the guilt. I am scared to death I am going to die and leave my children orphans because I was reckless! I am basically scared of everything right now. I try to take care of my health. I dont smoke and I exercise alot. I have only risked my health in the sexual arena (twice in the last year and a half!). THe only other thing I can guess is my diet not being very good. I am a single mom and eat occasionally, and usually on the run.
Since you have done so much research, I have more questions. I am more afraid of lab results more than anything. I already have my children, but I am afraid of something what else can go wrong? My doctor has told me that she doesnt know what has caused this until she gets the lab results back from the conization I am having TOMORROW. I have read so much that it is almost always the HPV. Is that really the case? Why has my doctor left it so open (more for me to worry about). Do you know what else causes dysplasia? How are you doing?
Thanks again,
So good to hear from you

TO IGGIE3
I AM RESPONDING TO YOU EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE TALKING TWO TWO OTHER PEOPLE. ALMOST 95% OF THE TIME CERVICAL DYSPLASIA IS CAUSED FROM HPV-THE STD. IT WOULD BE VERY RARE IT IT WAS ANTHING ELSE. SOMETIMES FOR SOME WOMAN THE VIRUS LAYS DORMANT AND IT DOESNT EFFECT ANYTHING..IN CASES LIKE OURS WE GOT THE ****TY END. SO I AM AZUMING THE YOUR HAVING YOUR LEEP TOMORROW..-PLEASE WRITE TO ME AFTER YOU GO THROUGH THE PROCEDURE. IM HAVING MINE ON THE TWENTY THIRD AND AM SO SCARED OF THE PAIN AND THE SHOT AND PROCEDURE. WHEN MY DOCTOR TOLD ME THAT SHE SAW SOME ABNORMALITIES..SHE ACTED LIKE WHATEVER.LIKE ITS SO NORMAL. HPV IS THE MOST COMMON STD OUT THERE BUT STILL IT WORRIES ME. WHEN I ASKED MY DOCTOR WHAT I COULD DO TO TAKE PRECAUTION..DO YOU KNOW WHAT SHE TOLD ME...."STAY HEALTHY" THATS IT YOUR TELLING ME I HAVE MODERATE TO PRECANCEROUS CELLS AND YOU CAN JUST TELL ME TO STAY HEALTHY...GIVE ME A BREAK..ANYWAYS WISH YOUTHE BEST TOMMOROW..JUST PRAY THE THE MARGINS COME OUT CLEAR...THATS WHAT SCARES ME THE MOST THE LEEP NOT TAKING CARE OF THE PROCEDURE..DONT FORGET TO UPDATE ME

Dear YMGuerrero,

Thanks so much for your reply! My doctor asked, "do we need to test for STD's?" I am not brave enough to voluntarily ask for it. But, I think they must have checked for them anyway.
I am not getting LEEP. I am getting conization. My doctor said she doesnt want the burning part of the cells to cause any problem with the lab results. Whatever. I have to trust her in that decision. I am scared to death also, but what else can we do? I am very afraid of the IV. I remember how much it hurt to put it in my HAND! I will not forget you and will send an update. Please remember me in your thoughts and prayers. (I hope you are not an atheist and have taken offense) The waiting for lab results is a real nail biter!!!!

iggie:
i am so confused what is a leep vs a conization? ive heard many stories with the conization, but am not sure what it is. At least you get to put put all the way under. I have to get shots in my cervix. Im scared of that so much!!! i am stressing more. my parents dont know and cant find out. i have hard core cathoilc parents and they dont even know im sexually active so telling them that plus this would get me killed!! thanks your in my prayers

I have had dysplasia twice. Once was 12 yrs ago and i had laser surgery to have it removed. I had normal paps until April of this year and it came back with moderate to severe dysplasia. I had a LEEP done on May 14. Please don't worry too much it really wasn't that bad. The shots in the cervix don't hurt nearly as much as getting novacaine at the dentist. I had no problems with healing afterward. (actually I am now pregnant and from what I can figure I conceived exactly 4 weeks after the procedure) http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Also, I have been tested several times for HPV and all of them have come back negative. so it is possible to have dysplasia without having HPV virus. Well good luck to you and don't worry too much. (I know easier to say than to do)

TO IGGIE:
I GUESS IN RE: TO BROWNEYEDGIRL MAYBE YOU CAN HAVE CERVICAL DYSPLASIA WITHOUT IT BEING HPV. THEY MADE IT SOUND TO ME LIKE THAT WAS THE CASE MOST OF THE TIME. HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING TURNS OUT OK

TO BROWNEYEDGIRL: THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE WORDS OF ENCOURAGMENT. I JUST HATE THE FACT OF HAVING SHOTS DOWN THERE...SOME PEOPLE SAY IT HURTS. I THINK YOU HAVE TO HAVE 4 TOO..BUT IN YOUR CASE IT CAME BACK HOW WIERD IS THAT...I GUESS BECAUSE WE NEVER GET RID OF THE VIRUS IT COMES BACK...YIKES THANKS FOR EVERYTHING

ymgurerrero,
I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I am in the exact same position as you are. I was diagnosed with mild dysplasia a year and a half ago when I went for my very first PAP ever and have since had two colposcopies and two biopsies, the latter of which turned up that the dysplasia has progressed to moderate. I am 21 yrs old and have gone through this all alone up until now. I haven't told my parents about all this for the same reasons that you have. When I was first told that I would need to have a LEEP procedure and explained what it was and how it was performed I was terrified. The first thing that went through my mind was how it would affect my ability to conceive and bear children. Being so young I was afraid that time might be running out to have children. Since I was told that I would need the procedure a few weeks ago I have read and researched everything that I could find about the procedure, dysplasia and cervical cancer. Reading about the procedure and visiting websites that have women's responses and experiances has made me feel tons better. I am a little concerned that I may have made the wrong choice by choosing to have the procedure done under local anesthesia. During the biopsies I didn't feel any pain only a mid stomach sickening sensation as the sample was taken. Something similiar to having stiches removed, but I have a pretty weak stomach when it comes to things like that. This is alot bigger than a biopsy and I am going to talk to the doctor a few days before the procedure to see if he can give me something for my nerves and to calm me down. He assured me that there is little chance that this procedure will have any negative effect on my ability to conceive and bear children as long as the post procedure guidelines are followed.

Most importantly, do not put ANYTHING into your vagina for at least 4 weeks. Especially no sex, the impact from intercourse could cause scarring of the cervix making it more difficult, not impossible, to conceive.

I am also worried that with a section of my cervix missing that once I resume intercourse that the impact might damage the remaining areas of my cervix. Also, does anyone have any information as to whether or not sex feels any different for men after a LEEP?

My advice is to research and learn as much as you can about the procedure as you can. There are tons of websites out there concerning LEEP.

I am having my procedure the same day as you, July 23 and would like you to know that if you need to talk, have any questions or need someone to relate to that knows EXACTLY what you are going through that you are more than welcome to email me or join me on an online messenging service. I am lucky enough to have the support of a wonderful man to help see me through this. My boyfriend is the only one that I have told about all of this and he has done everything he can to learn about the condition and procedure as well as to find ways that he can comfort and support me. I hope that you have someone, a trusted friend or other trusted individual that can help you through this. Best of luck and please keep me updated.

Julie

julie:
oh my gosh...you are in the exact same position as me. are you going to tell your parents?? did they tell you that your situatin was caused by hpv? i found out on june 3rd that i had to have my leep done. so i have researched everything possible since then...i have everything...trust me. i dont think there is anything left out there for me to read...by the way my biopsy was so painful. that is so wierd that were having our leep the same day. mine is at 9.00 am in the morning..and theres no way my mom is finding out either..my boyfriend is very supportive too so hes there for me all the way which makes me feel so much better. anyways i hope the best for both of us and our future..i want to have kids so bad..i hope we can concieve bc i have heard of a couple stories where the condition keeps coming back...thats what im scared of..anyways ill keep you posted..

hey. Mine is scheduled at 2:35 in the afternoon. Mine is from HPV also. I don;t know what the risk level of mine is. I've heard stories also but I try not to think about that. I guess if i dont think about it then it isnt uite a possibility. There is no way that I am telling my parents. I understand what everyone means by they love me and will love me unconditionally but they arent the ones in this family and they dont understand the dynamics that make up my family or what telling them about this would do. I understand they mean well but there is no good that can come from me telling my family. As far as the recurrences go I am scared to death of that mainly because mine got so bad so fast and i am trying to do everything i can to prevent it. In a way this is kind of a good thing for me because it has made me quit smoking (nasty little habit i picked up somewhere) and it has made me start eating again and keeping it down (eating disorders, another nasty little habit). I just pray that this takes care of it for good or at least until I have the family I want. I am not scared of possibly having to have a hysterectomy i am just terrified of the thought of having to have one before I can have children. Given this history and all these problems i am probably going to have a full hysterectomy after i have my kids just in case and to prevent any furher complications, I just hope that it isnt in my near future. Try to think positive though, everything will be ok http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

julie