My sister just went through the same thing. High grade pre-cancer cells, they said. She went for a biopsy, and then she had to have a..... what's the word.... I don't remember, but they removed a portion of her cervix. She's gone back for a couple of follow-up biopsies since, which came back clear. Now she just has to go every 6 months for a pap, and eventually back to yearly. You're lucky that you found it in time to take care of it before it develops into cancer. I can't imagine how scary it must be to get that news, though.

(((((Janemarie5)))))

Yes, that happened to me. I, too, had regular yearly paps and then one year it came back abnormal. After the biopsy, they decided it was dysplasia (pre-cancerous cells on the surface of the cervix). I had a procedure called a LEEP, where they take this little device that "scoops" out the bad cells. It was relatively painless. Then I had to have paps every 3 or 4 months for a year, then every 6 months for another year or so. I've never had another abnormal pap since but am diligent about having them done.

I completely freaked out at first too, but it ended up being not too big of a deal, so try not to worry about it too much. There are many options of removing the abnormal cells. Unfortunately, this is becoming more and more common, and alot of women have been through it.

(((janemarie)))

Here is a link that might be useful: dysplasia info

[[[[[[[[[[janemarie]]]]]]]]

I've also gone through this and you have received good advice. Please try to relax; you are taking the right steps to get this under control. Find a good book and bring it into a bubble bath with you along with some soothing music. I find that this helps me.

LEEP, that's the word I was trying to remember.

Happened to me and to DD too. I freaked out more for her than for me, of course, but the biopsies came out fine. I just had to have a pap every six months for the following year.

Thank you for the encouraging words.... I have had ongoing ovarian cyst issues, blocked fallopian, touch of endo and have spent the last 5 years back and forth with him. This is such difficult news as I feel that I just can't get well, I am only in my early 40's and just feel like my whole reproductive organs have failed me. I have 2 children so I am sensitive some can't even do that. But to continually be "invaded" by the dr is unnerving. I really like/trust him but I am just tired and scared...

I had what they call pre-cancerous cells too. I've had a couple abnormal paps and had some sort of freezing (I think) done both times. Makes you a little crampy, but it's not painful. All my recent paps have come back fine.

((Janemarie))

Happened to me and I had an infection. Try not to worry, and I'm sending good thoughts that you have no reason to worry.

It happened to me also, and it turned out to be caused by an irritation. A treatment or 5 with some betadyne gel (now that's messy stuff!) cleared the problem right up. I hope yours turns out as well as all of ours have!

Janemarie, would you and your doctor consider a second Pap, before doing the biopsy? Sometimes there can be an error in any test.

Sue

I had an abnormal Pap test when my younger daughter was 6 weeks old. Held my breath for the next three months, luckily the next time it was normal. I've had a Pap test every year since,they're always normal. Oh, and it happened 18 years ago, and I'm still here. Good luck!

I have to say.. and I mean this sincerely that I have been a wreck for the last 24 hours but just a few posts from some cyber friends have made me see that this might just be another hurdle, but not something to fall apart over.

Sue Va.. I don't think he would do another pap and wait. Since I have had ongoing issues plus, since it came back High grade precancerous I would much prefer we move quickly to the biopsy for my own mental well being :( The thought of waiting another week at this point would feel like eternity.

Did any of you take ibuprofren/pain killer prior to the colposcopy/biopsy?

I had a similar experience, oh, must have been fifteen years ago or so. I don't recall there being any pain. It was a false alarm too.

I can't remember if I took an ibuprofen or not but I remember that the biopsy didn't hurt and you just spot a little afterward. The only part of the whole process that hurt was when they had to give me a shot of novacaine in my cervix before they did the LEEP procedure. YIKES! It only lasted a second and it wasn't so much the pain, but it just felt really weird. I suppose it would have hurt alot more to have the procedure done without novacaine though, LOL. Compared to surgeries or other procedures you've had in the past, this will be a cake walk. I've had menstrual cramps that were a hundred times more painful and uncomfortable then this procedure.

janemarie-I've had the same thing happen to me! I had atypical cells and low grade legions. I usually tend to think the worst too, but so far it's been fine. My doc said sometimes it can even regresses by itself, I guess due to hormones etc? The website Jennmonkey linked is pretty good with info.

I'm not sure if the LEEP is the same as a colposcopy? But I had the colposcopy and it was uncomfortable-felt like instant menstrual cramps! So please take some motrin or something before you go in. And you will spot or bleed afterwards, for a day or so, I think due to the vinegar stuff they use to identify cells.

I think the biggest thing you have going for you is that you get regular exams, so if (big if) there was anything, you caught it very quickly!!

I know it's tough not to worry, but you are taking the most important step by getting checked out!!

Hang in there!!
((HUGS))
Teresa