CelestialBody
Starlet of India
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Pap Smears
- Thread starter CelestialBody
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CreamyLady
Uncompromising Visionary
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Don't panic. Take a deep breath.
I had a pap when I found out I was pregnant; I was told to come in for a consultation, because it was "abnormal." I really freaked!
However, it was a condition called dysplasia, in which cells were found in the wrong place. That's the simple explanation; there's a more complex one, but I can't go into it.
See your doctor and be calm. It may be what I had, or something else, but knowledge is always better than fear.
I had a pap when I found out I was pregnant; I was told to come in for a consultation, because it was "abnormal." I really freaked!
However, it was a condition called dysplasia, in which cells were found in the wrong place. That's the simple explanation; there's a more complex one, but I can't go into it.
See your doctor and be calm. It may be what I had, or something else, but knowledge is always better than fear.
CelestialBody
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Whispersecret
Clandestine Sex-pressionist
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Don't panic. I got a call like that a few years ago. I went in, had another test, and they found nothing wrong after all. No sense in beating yourself up before you know for sure. 
But definitely do go in and see what's going on!
But definitely do go in and see what's going on!
R Nitelight
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C.B.
Keeping a good and positive thought, sweets.
Keeping a good and positive thought, sweets.
BeautyBabe
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I went through this last year. It just means that they want a second look, at least at first. A lot of the time, it's nothing.
I received treatment to remove pre-cancerous cells, and will need to get a smear test annually for the next 10 years (UK, don't know procedure in US).
As Creamy Lady says, it's probably nothing, but get it checked! You'll feel worse if you worry about it.
I received treatment to remove pre-cancerous cells, and will need to get a smear test annually for the next 10 years (UK, don't know procedure in US).
As Creamy Lady says, it's probably nothing, but get it checked!
You'll feel worse if you worry about it.You know everyone goes on and on about how bad Pap smears are, and yes they are uncomfortable but, by having them we find things early enough to clear them up, or at least get them on the right track.
My sister had an abnormal one before she fell pregnant the first time around, she went back and it was the same as Whisper, it turned out nothing was wrong.
In Australia we HAVE to have them every two years and if you miss an appointment you get some rather nasty letters letting you know, I just got one as I missed mine this time around due to illness. You see my view is 5 minutes of discomfort or a lifetime to live ... which would I rather? I have a son so I'll take 5 minutes of discomfort to live my life to the fullest.
Go to your Doctor and see what is wrong, Good luck and keep us informed if you can
My sister had an abnormal one before she fell pregnant the first time around, she went back and it was the same as Whisper, it turned out nothing was wrong.
In Australia we HAVE to have them every two years and if you miss an appointment you get some rather nasty letters letting you know, I just got one as I missed mine this time around due to illness. You see my view is 5 minutes of discomfort or a lifetime to live ... which would I rather? I have a son so I'll take 5 minutes of discomfort to live my life to the fullest.
Go to your Doctor and see what is wrong, Good luck and keep us informed if you can
Earthmuffin
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Celestial Body: It's very common for sexually active women to have "abnormal" pap-smears. Believe it or not, it can be something as simple as when you had sexual relations last, or human error in the way the specimen was treated. It is a very good thing they caught this if it is something serious. Because you've had one abnormal you may be required to repeat your pap more frequently over the next year than you are used to. Again, while darned inconvenient, it is a good thing. *geesh I'm sounding like a medical Martha Stewart*. e-mail me if you'd like, I ramble but I can usually find medical answers quickly. Take care!
lickerish
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Dysplasia is verrrry common
2 years ago I had a pap which came back abnormal. My doctor said, 'Come in at your convenience to have it checked out. It's no big deal' So...10 months later, I rounded myself up to the doctors only to find my cervix had a large upper area and smaller lower area affected with dysplasia (like creamlady). Dysplasia is pre-cancerous cells and varies in degrees, I had 2nd degree (3rd degree is the onset of cancer.) I had cryosurgery done(like freezing a wart off)and was told that it had a 99% removal success rate and that only 1 woman in 9 years had to have a second procedure done. 4 months later I went in for a re-examination and discovered the upper portion had disappeared and the lower portion still had a pinkie size portion left.. (1:9 huh?! my luck is always like that) so I went had the procedure done 2 months later. When I had it done the 2nd time, the doctor said it had grown to the size of a thumb. That was 4 months ago and I find out the results this month..
I guess my point to this long ass post is don't worry too much until they give you something to worry about. And please, please, please don't delay in getting treatment/ care.
*Some side notes about dysplasia. There are too many causes in this world to narrow down how you may have got it. One strong one is the virus that causes genital warts and other related STD's. In my case, most of the women in my family have had cancer in one form or another in their lower regions (cervix, ovaries, uterus) and was more than likely passed down to my generation. Most degrees of Dysplasia is easily treatable and in some cases, even goes away by itself w/o treatment.
No, I am not a doctor and I don't claim to know everything. I just really educated myself on this after learning I had it. If you find discrepancies in my info please feel free to correct me.
Take care everyone and good luck CelestialBody
Lickerish
2 years ago I had a pap which came back abnormal. My doctor said, 'Come in at your convenience to have it checked out. It's no big deal' So...10 months later, I rounded myself up to the doctors only to find my cervix had a large upper area and smaller lower area affected with dysplasia (like creamlady). Dysplasia is pre-cancerous cells and varies in degrees, I had 2nd degree (3rd degree is the onset of cancer.) I had cryosurgery done(like freezing a wart off)and was told that it had a 99% removal success rate and that only 1 woman in 9 years had to have a second procedure done. 4 months later I went in for a re-examination and discovered the upper portion had disappeared and the lower portion still had a pinkie size portion left.. (1:9 huh?! my luck is always like that) so I went had the procedure done 2 months later. When I had it done the 2nd time, the doctor said it had grown to the size of a thumb. That was 4 months ago and I find out the results this month..
I guess my point to this long ass post is don't worry too much until they give you something to worry about. And please, please, please don't delay in getting treatment/ care.
*Some side notes about dysplasia. There are too many causes in this world to narrow down how you may have got it. One strong one is the virus that causes genital warts and other related STD's. In my case, most of the women in my family have had cancer in one form or another in their lower regions (cervix, ovaries, uterus) and was more than likely passed down to my generation. Most degrees of Dysplasia is easily treatable and in some cases, even goes away by itself w/o treatment.
No, I am not a doctor and I don't claim to know everything. I just really educated myself on this after learning I had it. If you find discrepancies in my info please feel free to correct me.
Take care everyone and good luck CelestialBody
Lickerish
Cheyenne
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Don't panic
Add me to the list of women who have had the "abnormal pap results" phone call. Scares the crap out of you, doesn't it? In my case, I just had to go back after 6 months to have another pap instead of waiting until my next annual exam. The mid-year pap in July was fine, as the doctor thought it would be.
When I heard "abnormal" I spent a few hours searching the internet that night to read everything I could about paps. Abnormal is very common and nothing to panic about. I know that is easier said than done, but just follow your doctor's orders and you'll very likely be fine.
Add me to the list of women who have had the "abnormal pap results" phone call. Scares the crap out of you, doesn't it? In my case, I just had to go back after 6 months to have another pap instead of waiting until my next annual exam. The mid-year pap in July was fine, as the doctor thought it would be.
When I heard "abnormal" I spent a few hours searching the internet that night to read everything I could about paps. Abnormal is very common and nothing to panic about. I know that is easier said than done, but just follow your doctor's orders and you'll very likely be fine.
forgetunome
Kisses Sweeter Than Wine!!
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Stay Cool
I too fall under the category of having them tell me I had an abnormal pap smear only to go in and the second one turned up nothing. I know it's easier said than done because our minds plays games with us and human nature is to always think of all of the worst scenarios but...don't worry until you're given something to worry about. As you can see from the posts that the chances are it's nothing to worry about too much.
I too fall under the category of having them tell me I had an abnormal pap smear only to go in and the second one turned up nothing. I know it's easier said than done because our minds plays games with us and human nature is to always think of all of the worst scenarios but...don't worry until you're given something to worry about. As you can see from the posts that the chances are it's nothing to worry about too much.
Oliver Clozoff
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I'm impressed with the sophistication of this discussion. There's lots of well-informed women here. If only the women I see were so informed...
I won't clog the discussion any more, other than to reiterate what's already been said:
Dysplasia is a precancerous condition, but it's very treatable. Don't take it so lightly that you don't get treatment, because it's likely to progress to cancer. However, don't worry too much about it, because with proper excision/cryotherapy, recurrence rates are low.
I won't clog the discussion any more, other than to reiterate what's already been said:
Dysplasia is a precancerous condition, but it's very treatable. Don't take it so lightly that you don't get treatment, because it's likely to progress to cancer. However, don't worry too much about it, because with proper excision/cryotherapy, recurrence rates are low.
Yep...have gotten that phone call as well, pretty recently, actually.
I went back to the gyno to get a biopsy and another pap last month. The pap is still showing atypical cells, but they say that the abnormality is not pre-cancerous and that I have to go in for a few follow up visits just to keep an eye on it.
Note: according to my doc, women who smoke sometimes show abnormal paps, even if there is nothing really wrong. Anyone else ever hear that?
I went back to the gyno to get a biopsy and another pap last month. The pap is still showing atypical cells, but they say that the abnormality is not pre-cancerous and that I have to go in for a few follow up visits just to keep an eye on it.
Note: according to my doc, women who smoke sometimes show abnormal paps, even if there is nothing really wrong. Anyone else ever hear that?
CelestialBody - My sister had that happen a few years ago. It turned out to be nothing at all. She was told that if you have your pap either too early to the time that you either started, or stopped your period, that can through off all the cells they take, leading you to receive an abnormal pap result. You already know it's not pre-cancerous, so that is one relief. Don't wait, it's better to go in as soon as they tell you that you can and find out an answer then to wait months wondering. Good Luck
Oliver Clozoff said:
Oliver...
Sweet and reassuring.. but don't lose sight of the human emotion of it all!
Just a little "excision/cryotherapy"... I mean geez!
You realize that despite the well informedness of us... there are still many here who may not know what that means, how it feels, what it entails, what it is like... and YOU my dear can help answer something like that and calm the nec. fears... so PLEASE I beg of you, don't ever lose sight of the emotional aspects... in ANY medical situation, in my experience... that is half the battle.
(You know I luv ya!)
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