Twenty Seven Years - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

Kell1960 · 06-27-2008, 05:03 AM

I had my annual pap/pelvic exam in December 2007. In the past I have always received a letter telling me my pap was fine. I didn't get a letter this time and to be honest forgot about it. Three days ago I went to my Doctor for my diabetes check. I was told "You need to get the colposcopy done".
I said, "What are you talking about"? My pap came back abnormal with positive high risk HPV.

I'm a 48 year old diabetic. I've been married (faithfully) 26 years. I've been with my husband for 27 years and I completely believe he's been faithful. He has been my only partner, he had several before we were married.

I aquired HPV twenty seven years ago. I have my colposcopy in three weeks.

My maternal grandmother had cervical cancer.

My dad died from bladder cancer almost two years ago. One of his sisters from bladder cancer, one from lung cancer, another from breast cancer, and his father from brain cancer.

In the last three days I've bounced back and forth between worried, anxious and calm.

Pickle Eyes · 06-27-2008, 10:29 AM

((((Kell))))) I don't have long to talk right now, but I want to say my story starts out very similarly to yours. I'll be back in a few hours. If you can, you might read some of my story. Look on this board, going back as far as mid/late April.

I've been with my husband, faithfully on both sides, for 16 years.

(((((hugs))))) I'll be back and tell you some more.

Take some deep breaths. They always help me.

Kell1960 · 06-27-2008, 07:31 PM

((Pickle Eyes)) I found your story and it does start out very similarly to mine. I would love to hear the rest of your story.

I've have some very mild itching and mild cramping at times ... for at least the last 6-8 months, maybe longer. I'm been post menopause for two and a half years. Maybe the itching and cramping come from being post menopause?

Pickle Eyes · 06-27-2008, 09:02 PM

Hey, Kell! I haven't reached menopause yet, so I'm not sure about the itching and cramping. Have you had the colposcopy yet? If not, schedule it as soon as possible. Also, while you are there, ask them to do an ECC (endocervical curettage). I won't lie. It hurts, but it only lasts a minute or two MAX. That is how my doctor found my AIS. It is better to know than to have it there and find out in 3 years with symptoms!

My byn/oncologist said I was lucky that the gynecologist did the ECC. She said I'd have break through bleeding and bleeding after intercourse in a year and she said I'd probably chalk it up to the beginnings of menopause. She's right. And it would probably be another year before I mentioned it to my doctor. At that point, I'd be looking at more radical treatment than my hysterectomy.

Speaking of which, I don't know how much of the story you read, but I just had my hysterectomy last Wednesday. It is the only treatment I need for adenocarcinoma Ia1. She only took the cervix and uterus. I will not need to have chemo or radiation. I'm just looking at close observation for the next 5 years or so. I feel very lucky the HPV was found and that the AIS was found so early.

Please ask any questions you might have. I'll do my best to answer. I'm sure others will come along, too, and answer the questions as best they can (and to offer support! These ladies are GREAT about that!).

Mom22greatkids · 06-28-2008, 03:41 PM

Hi Kell, I too have had hpv for years. I had my first abnormal pap about 3.5 yrs. ago. I recently had another hpv test and it was postive still. So that means it hasn't cleared or my immune system cannot suppress it. I have been with my husband for almost 17 years (we have both been faithful, I am sure of that). I have only had that one abnormal, then they have been normal since, without treatment. As I get older I feel more anxiety about it, thinking what is it going to do to me. But I try not to let it overtake my life.

Your doctor waited this long to tell you? I don't think that is acceptable for him to not notify you!

I have been getting lots of cramping too, and some strange things going on with my period. I have attributed it to aging (my doctor has also), it hasn't occurred to me that it is anything hpv related.