Help--7 years of normal paps, suddenly CIN 1/HR HPV

[BE 123]

Thanks for your encouraging words Lagirl. It was easy for me to suddenly abstain and consider lifelong celibacy when I heard the news. The man I have always been so attracted to suddenly could not turn me on for my life. This news was so left-field and shocking. I realize now that I have been foolish and uneducated about STDs. I think I will feel better if my biopsy indicates the same or better as my pap, but I'm pins and needles waiting.

I searched & searched to NO avail for Tori Hudson's article (I'd seen it mentioned in your other posts), but I finally found her line of herbs/vitamins--Vitanica. There's vitamin A, green tea, and "Vag-Pak." Is this what you used? I am looking into an appointment with an ob-gyn holistic DO in NYC (expensive and time-consuming as it is) for guidance. I used the Naturopathic website and they did not list anyone with experience in HPV dysplasias within 4/5 hours drive for me.

Ladies, if you have familiarity with these products, please chip in:

* Veregen (a recently-approved FDA green tea ointment for warts--the insert says NOT for intravaginal use, but I plan to ask my gyn-onco for an off-label use, if this doesn't clear before my next appointment).

* I3C/DIM--I know 88Shadow used this, anyone else? Lagirl? I'm currently taking 200mg.

Thanks again everyone!

[CynwithCIN]

Hi Brie,

Actually there is a little more to this story. I may as well share so others are aware of the incompetence that can accompany those employed in the medical profession. I got tested through Kaiser for HPV in January of 2006, and the lady that called me actually told me I had types 16 & 18. I asked her if this was common to have more than one type and she said yes. At the time, I was not knowledgable enough on the subject to doubt or question this. After I got married I went onto my husband's insurance. So, in early 2007 I requested copies of ALL my medical records to forward to my new doctors. It was at this time I learned the value of getting copies of everything immediately after a procedure is performed, and reviewing it for yourself so you can ask questions if something seems out of place. Anyways, I noticed on the lab from Kaiser it noted Positive for Human Papilloma Virus High/intermediate risk group types 16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/68. *Please consider counseling and testing this patient for HIV. That was it. By this time I had done far more research and knew 16 & 18 were linked to cervical cancers, but I did not see anywhere in my records specifically what type or type(s) I had from Kaiser. I noticed my new doctor had written on my physical exam sheet + HPV 16,18. So I figured either they were seeing something I wasn't in my records, like they knew how to read it, or they make note of these types due to its significance and the lady that called me from Kaiser back in 2006 gave me inaccurate info. I discussed this issue with my doctor during my last visit, and it turns out it was the latter. They don't do specific typing since protocol would remain the same, and for the reasons previously mentioned I am kinda glad they are equally diligent about the other types of HPV...at least until more research is performed.

The dilation was for a repap. It was a VERY easy procedure, and felt just like a normal pap really. She used a little plastic dilator, quick & simple. The results for that pap came back normal, and the transformation component zone was present this time!! I have not had another colposcopy since my follow appointment to check on my cervix just after I had LEEP. I have read posts on here where women post LEEP get colposcopy directed paps, but I was never offered this. I have yet to understand why it would not be protocol for all women with known history of CIN & who have tested positive for HPV to get colposcopies along with paps for the first few years post treatment. I know I would rest much easier, the false negative rate for paps makes me a tad skeptical. I can only assume its an issue of money, which is just sad.

I am going to keep close watch for news on the vaccine. I have heard recently there may be blood clot issues from it. I think its hard to beat natures cure personally. Antioxidents pack a mighty punch! I also feel that everyone is different, and some people are naturally going to be more vunerable to certain viruses than others. Staying healthy & on top of paps seems like a good plan of attack to me

[BE 123]

Thanks Cyn, for sharing. I will get a copy of everything as you said. I'm wondering now if my last year's pap actually showed koilocytosis or something even though the card they sent me said "normal." As you say, the false negative rate for paps is worringly high.

What is a colposcopy-directed pap? Is it a pap on suspicious revealed during colpo, in lieu of a biopsy? I'm with you--I think for those of us who test positive for hrHPV, a colpo AND a pap are both in order at the same time. The colpo is so quick and easy, as you said it's probably just a matter of money. I think that if you asked your doctor to perform both during your annuals, that would cover you.

The results from your last pap is such great news. Also, I'm so glad to hear your TZ is ok! Do you get to return to annual screening now?

Do you think the vitamins/antioxidants regimen you were/are on made a difference? I'm so hopeful that mine will.

[CynwithCIN]

I recommend it just based on my experiences. I had the HPV test in Jan of 2006 through Kaiser since it was the last month I was going to be covered by them. In Feb of 2006 I went to Planned Parenthood for my repap. I got a call back saying, "Your pap was slightly abnormal, we are going to do it again in three months". I was floored at first in 2007 when I got all my records together & read them for the first time. The pap in Feb was ASCUS, but the HPV they did came back negative. So one month I tested positive, and the next negative?? I asked two different doctors about this recently, and they both agreed that it is more likely to get a false negative than a false positive. Had they said it was ASCUS, but the HPV came back negative, I would have told them Kaiser told me I tested positive just last month. Which would have prompted more questions, more of a discussion, and perhaps I would have gotten a colpo. The protocol is do colpo on ASCUS if the HPV test is positive. If nothing else, it would have put my mind more at ease, I have more confidence in the colposcopy than the pap. However, I put the pieces together over a year later, and by then my new doctor decided to start clean slate as in do a pap, and go from there. So here I am. Thankfully my latest was normal YEY!!!! I can go back to a year screening now. Am I 100% confident about this? No, I do have my doubts. I went yearly for paps, always normal. So it either went from normal one year to CIN III the next, or the pap missed the abnormal cells. I have a tendancy to think things into the ground, which isn't always the best thing. Paps have a high false negative rate, but they are making some improvements. Plus the odds are they will catch abnormalities eventually if you go in regularly.

I have learned from this mistake though. The doctors sometimes omit things they do not feel is pertinent for you to know. Another example, I had a CT scan done over the summer which noted "mild fatty infiltration of the liver". When the urologist gave me the results from the scan, he did not mention this. I saw it when I got the report & read it for myself. I questioned my primary about this, and he said given my age & the fact I am at my ideal weight its nothing to worry about. Its very common. Doesn't change the fact that THEY SHOULD TELL YOU EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR BODY!!! At least now I know its wise to make sure liver function tests are included in my annual blood work, and to make sure I am diligent about getting tested yearly. I didn't mean to go on a tangent. I'm always telling people to get copies of everything just because I have had a handfull of negative experiences. Doesn't mean its the norm, and hopefully others will be in the hands of COMPETENT people....its better to error on the side of caution though I always say. Also it is important to be proactive in ones healthcare I have also learned.

In lieu of a biopsy. Like they do the pap, then apply the solution & take a quick peek with the colposcope at the same time just to be extra diligent. They could take a biopsy if necessary. It would be nice, but because of costs, its likely just wishful thinking. Some doctors will perform colposcopies at request I am hearing, but I have not been so lucky as to find one of these doctors.

I think vitamins, eating healthy, & exercise are all important. I was the portrait of health...always ate healthy & worked out regularly, and I still got slammed big time by the virus. I will admit I was better about my health before my bad pap than I was after my LEEP. Kinda went into a slump you could say there for a little while. I think the treatment of LEEP gave my body the break it needed to help get on top of it. I give more credit to the Acyclovir than anything for my latest good news. It was in 2006 that I started taking it. Could just be coincidental of course, but there is something there that perhaps warrants more research!

So how are things going with you? Are you still waiting for biopsy results to come in? The waiting stinks more than anything probably. Wishing you the best!!

[lhinton60]

Hi. I am new to this forum and am now in this predicament. My problems started showing up back in January. I've been having annual pap smears since probably at least 30 years of age, if not earlier. Always normal. I am almost 48 years old and had my first abnormal pap back in January, negative on HPV, had another pap in June, still showing ASCUS, negative for HPV, had another pap smear two weeks ago, came back yet again showing ASCUS, this time positive for HPV. I also have uterine fibroids. Have been married before. And did things I am ashamed of many years ago, when younger. I cannot change things I have done in the past of course. I remarried back in 1993. Been with him 17 years now. I have to have a colposcope this Monday afternoon to look for more cells. The ones present now have not changed any. I understand from what I've read here that the doctor doesn't know the strain you tested positive for. Is this correct? But they test you for the certain strains that were mentioned here. I am wondering about this Acyclovir. What is this given for? Thanks.