I went for my annual pap the beginning of November thinking that everything would be fine like it always has been. I get a phone call a week later from my doctor asking me to call her, which sent my stomach into knots. I called and found out that I had HPV and abnormal cells! She said she wanted me to go in for a colposcopy, I was beyond scared! I went the next day and had it done (I was so grateful that I got an appointment so quickly), it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be but I did have some discomfort afterwards. The doctor called me at work this morning to let me know that the results came back that I have CINII. I thought I was going to pass out. She told me that she wants me to go in and have a LEEP procedure done. I am going to have this done on December 11. I am so scared, I don't think I have stopped crying since this morning. All these thoughts keep running through my head..most being that I will have cancer. I am 27 years old, just got married and want to start a family..I am scared to death...

HI

first can I just say I am so jealous have how quicky you get to be seen in the USA, that is so amazing! When I had my pap test and found out I had abnormal cells I had to wait 4months before I could have my colposcopy which is normal waiting time in the UK.
I was terrified too and felt just like you. Think they must do things a bit differnent here before during my colpsocopy my doctor was able to tell me from looking that I had CINIII and I needed a LEEP procedure and he did it there and then including a biopsy. So I had it done in the office under local aneasthetic which is the norm here. I wont lie to you been awake it was pretty frightening and I cried through the whole thing as it hurt quite abit as I had reaction to the injection so it didnt work properly. I then had to wait 6weeks to get my results which came back CINIII but clear magins which means that they should have got rid of all the bad cells.

Our you having the LEEP done under local or general anaethetic? If you are having it done asleep then you have nothing to worry about you will just wake up alittle sore and might bleed and have discharge for a number of weeks/months after which is abit of a nuisance. I had some cramping pain after the procedure and was bit uncomfortable but it wasnt too bad, just remember to have no sex or use tampons for 6weeks after as the cervix needs to heal!

I dont know if I had HPV as they dont do the tests in the UK they just get rid of the cells and send you on the way, so not sure what caused my cells but I guess it doesnt matter at the end of the day, its still scary. What you need to remember though is that CIN II is just a spectrum of pre-cancerous cells which could(not always) become cancer in the future if not treated, which is why we have a leep. Its a really common problem all other the world and it doesnt always turn into cancer, but there is no point in taking chances. I never thought I would be going through this at 24 as I feel so young and stressed.

i have my followup colposcopy next Thursday to confirm if the CINIII has actually gone or not. As you can imagine I am so terrified! i just pray its now over for me and it will be for you too!

good luck x

Thanks so much for your response. I am going to be awake for the LEEP, the doctor is giving me valium before hand to calm me down and my husband (who is actually from the UK) is coming with me for support. I am thankful for this doctor, she has been very understanding and I have had luck getting in quickly. I think that the waiting is the worst part about it. The more I think about it the more I realize that I am happy for this technology and the ability to stop cancer in its tracks. A few of my friends have also had the LEEP done and have had fine paps ever since. Its crazy how many people this affects. You are DEF in my prayers and I am sure that they got everything and will be fine. Keep me posted!

Hi Jennie,
Sorry to hear you are going through this, I know how upsetting it can be. I just wanted to share my LEEP experience with you. I took an Ibuprofen just before. They have you pretty much in the same set up as they would if they were doing a pap. They used local on me, and I did not feel ANYTHING while they were doing it. The only physical response I had was a raised heartbeat during the incision. Thats it. Mild cramping afterwards, but I was able to go out to lunch immediately after with my family. The worst part was the discharge after, its pretty unpleasant. I had to wear pantyliners for awhile, but all in all my LEEP procedure went smoothly. I just layed there with a magazine while they did their thing. I pray your procedure goes smoothly as well. You may want to talk to your doctor about a health regimen to help boost your immune system, if they haven't mentioned it yet. Health is important in order to keep the HPV & abnormal cells at bay in the future...

Feel free to ask any questions you might have, there are tons of ladies on here with loads of experience & more than willing to help when they can.

Hugs & best wishes!

Thank you so much! Chatting on this site has made me feel a lot better about everything. Have your paps come back okay since the LEEP? What regimen did you go on to boost your immune system, at this point I want to do anything and everything I can to keep myself healthy.

This board is very helpfull! Its sometimes nice to just vent!

My LEEP was in May of 2005. I was still testing positive for HPV in January of 2006 which may have been the cause for an ASCUS pap, and another that showed epithelial cells with reactive inflamatory changes. My immune system has since been able to suppress the virus to the point it no longer shows up on the rader, and I now test negative. The last pap I had at the end of 2006 finally came back normal. I just had one recently that came back normal as well. I can now go back to having paps once a year : ) LEEP should not get in the way of your plans to have a family, though it might delay if for a little bit since your body will need some time to heal. Also, your doctor will want to make sure your follow up paps come back normal as well before giving you the green light on baby business.

I take folic acid, beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, and a multi. I also try to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and stay active. Antioxidents are REALLY important!!!! I also have HSV, so I take Acylovir daily which is an anti viral medication that may be providing some benefits as well. I am sure other ladies will offer up some tips in this area also. There are a few that have had their dysplasia successfully regress after a steady regimen.

Wishing you lots of luck!! :)

Hi Cyn! I am so happy to hear your last pap was again normal! Thanks for sharing and giving us hope.

Jennie, please don't be scared, I know it's easier said than done since I had the same reaction as you (but I don't have a husband or boyfriend making it much harder for me to deal. I felt so dirty & used). Right now, it is so important to build your body up to the BEST it can be, so it can eliminate the dysplasia AND HPV since you caught it early.

Cyn offered excellent advice on the antioxidants, and you also want to do a search for Lagirl81 and 88Shadow. They've both successfully regressed dysplasia after intensive regimens they were kind enough to share with us. In fact, I've booked an appointment with a naturopath over winter break for my own dysplasia hoping she will offer some suppositories in addition to the multi, folic acid, several other supplements that I take. Good luck!