I'm really worried about this and no one's responded to my post...please, if someone could get back to me - i'd really appreciate it.

I've had numerous cycles of normal to low grade changes in my paps and finally the last one came back high - and the biopsy they did at the same time was negative. ????

I don't understand this and i'm worried...someone please respond if this has happened to you and/or you've had the cone procedure done...
Thanks.

Lily - I am sorry no one has gotten back to you sooner about this. I can understand your feelings of fear and concern about this procedure. I personally had a LEEP conization done, I am assuming you will be having a cold knife cone. From what I have read (and believe me, I've read quite a bit), it is not uncommon for a CKC to be done when paps repeatedly come back abnormal (showing dysplasia or CIN) and they are unable to determine why (the negative biopsy). I wish I could tell you more about the CKC procedure, but the LEEP is somewhat different, and I was awake for it, whereas I believe you have anesthesia for the cold knife. My best advice to you is to discuss your concerns with your doctor - such as why is this procedure needing to be done. Communication is so key here - I still struggle with that, but I'm working on it. In the meantime, try to relax (yeah, right, I know, I know...easy to say, very hard to do...). I'll be thinking of you.

Karen

It's more precice and a clearer cut with the knife, but has a slightly higher incidence of bleeding or future issues with pregnancies than leeps (but still is VERY rare and can be worked with--- somehting like 1 or 2 percent)

You will be under, which is better for the dr to get a precise cut, and they tend to take a bit more with the cone than the leep. Also used commonly for a positive ECC (dysplasia going up into the canal, or if its right near the opening and a leep might not get it) or the CIN3 is going deep enough that the leep may not get it.

It also does tend to be a bit more successful for advanced issues, being it's a bit more invasive, so its good in that way ..... just be VERY VERY careful for a month after, no bending, lifting, exercise, anything that would interfere with the healing.

Dont worry, its not a painful or serious surgery, just make sure you get an experienced gyn/oncologist (just a GYN usually hasnt done enough of these) and if you are planning to have kids in the future, let the dr know this so they can be sure to take the least amount out ...........

lily, I had a cold knife cone about 4 months ago due to severe dysplasia. It is a bit more invasive than the LEEP but it is really not painful at all. You will just feel a bit dizzy for a few hours that day because of the anesthesia and you will have some bleeding resembling a period for about 2 weeks. Like Lobo said, try to take it easy for a couple of weeks. That is hard to do because you actually feel perfectly ok within the next day or 2 so you want to go back to your daily routine. Full recovery takes from 4-6 weeks depending on how much they take from your cervix.

do you really need the cone biopsy?
I'd ask the doctor if you can have cryosurgery instead.

cryo is not for her - its really only for a mild/moderate case with a small area. the rate of recurrance is much higher as well with cryo - i had it and 3 yrs later ended up with CIN 3

I agree with Lobo. Biopsies are more accurate than a pap but there's still the possibility that the samples taken by the doctor were from places of no dysplasia.
How many specimens did he take during your biopsy?
Having had so many abnormal paps with the last one showing high grade changes is something that needs to be looked into. A cone will most likely not only effectively treat the dysplasia but will provide an accurate pathological report of what's going on with your cervix.

Thank you so much for everyone who's taken the time to answer some of my concerns.
I was told that this would be something that will be disscussed further with my regular DR. as she's just coming back from matt leave. The DR. who did the biopsy took one sample and said it looked okay but just to be safe decided to take a biopsy anyway...i'm not sure exactly why.
Some posted about the low rate of occurances of any problems due to future pregnancies...and i'm hoping that's right because i couldn't find much info on actual percentages. The DR mentioned misscarriages due to incompetent cervix and that FREAKED me out right there. We were planning on having another child soon...i don't know (hoping everythings ok) when that will be able to happen now???

Again, thanks so much for answering and i talk to my DR next week and hopefully i'll get some more reasurance from her. I know the main thing is to make sure there's no serious problems...but i'm just worried more about the incompetent cerivex issue....UH. :eek: