hpv-colposcopys-cone biopsy - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

pleaseread · 07-10-2007, 11:40 PM

Hello.
I have been told I have hpv and have had abnormal paps since 2004. I have went back as recommended for the repeat paps and during that time I have only had one normal pap.
I have had 3-4 colposcopys showing mild dysplaisa low grade squarmous (sp?) cells.
The gyne I have been going to said to just watch it and eventually it should go away on its own.
I went to a new gyne for insurance reasons and for an annual checkup. Pap came back abnormal again with the mild dysplasia.
The new gyne wants to meet with me to just talk (pre-op) about having a further procedure to treat. Possibly a cone biopsy. I have been doing research online and I do not want to have to go to the hospital. I read that Leep is a new procedure used instead of cone biopsy and they can do this in the office.
Anyone with experience with this? I am so nervous what to expect and if it hurts. I dont want to be put to sleep I have always had a fear of that. Please help! I am so streesed and scared!

msremi · 07-11-2007, 10:24 AM

I started having abnormal paps after many years of normal ones. My doctor did a LEEP procedure. It was done in a hospital setting with twilight sleep. I did not have any ill effects from the anesthesia, but I had to take it easy for a long time. You should look at the board here for cervical and ovarian cancer. You will see that many women have had the same procedure and they have answers/advice. It has been a very helpful for me.

Good Luck,

msremi

ncyky · 07-11-2007, 09:10 PM

Hello,

I think you should go ahead and have a leep done. I also had an abnormal pap smear back in 2004, biopsy, then leep surgery and all of my 6 months paps have come back normal. Having a leep will treat the mild dysplagia that you have. See if your doctor is just doing biopsies and not treating the dysplagia then you will more than likely continue to have abnormal paps (unless it clears up on it's own) which has not been the case thus far..correct. I had a leep in February of 2005. I was put to sleep and when I woke up it was if I simply went to sleep. Nothing hurt at all. No cramping for me and barely any bleeding. I was able to go to work the next day. So it just something to think about it. I'm sure you must hate to have a biopsy so often, so it would be best to get the leep.

Good Luck!

tracy80 · 08-15-2007, 09:39 AM

You should be concerned, but it's not something that can't be treated. I've had abnormal pap smears for the past two years. The pap test would come back abnormal, then I would have a cervical biopsy, and everything would be fine, or just show mild dysplasia. This happened in March of this year also. My pap test came back as a CIN 2-3, and my doctor did a cervical biopsy. The biopsy showed that everything was normal. However, a month later I had to go back because I was having cervical and low back pain. He did a repeat pap test, and it showed CIN 3 this time. I had to be scheduled for a cone biopsy in one day surgery. The absolute worst part was waiting for the day of surgery to come. After the surgery I had some mild menstrual cramps and back pain, but nothing that the pain medication and a heating pad couldn't handle.

However, I would get a second opinion before having a cone biopsy done for mild dyplasia. It seems like an agressive step to take when your dysplasia hasn't progressed.

Just proceed with caution, and know that the cone biopsy is not that bad. I was unable to drive for about five days, and had to limit my movement (walking, etc.) for approximately four days because it caused my low back to hurt so badly.

I wish you the best of luck. I know this can be scary. I go back for my first pap test after the cone biopsy tomorrow. Hopefully everything will be fine

shnarfer · 08-16-2007, 12:28 PM

I think everything has pretty much been said here-although my understanding was that cone and LEEP are pretty much the same thing using a different tool- but if you do get the LEEP done I would suggest getting the anesthesia and being asleep throughout. My doctor told me that the old-fashioned way was to do it without putting someone to sleep, but he said it was awful and I have heard some terrible stories about the pain involved from other women. He now will only do it as a regular anesthesia surgical procedure. Personally, I'll take a quick surgery- in and out the same day over the other possibility.
For myself, the surgery was the best part about the first few months finding about the HPV/dysplasia stuff. Sleeping through something is a lot easier than the discomfort of the colposcopy and the endless paps throughout last year.