Abnormal Pap

Updated on November 02, 2006
D.C. asks from Milan, MI
20 answers

I recently had a baby August 6th, and had my six week check up Sept. 13th. My OB called last week and told me that they found pre cancerous cells, and are going to have to do a biopsy. I also know that I have HPV, so I am really worried. Any advice that anybody could give would be great! Thanks -D.

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So What Happened?

Well, I had my appointment on the 6th, and they had to do 3 biopsies. I talked to them yesterday, and they said that I have some low grade changes, but nothing to be concerned about right now. I have to go back in 6 months, for another pap, and then 6 months after that. I'm glad that everything turned out to be okay, and I want to say thank you to all of you who sent a response,a nd for all the prayers!!! Thank You!!!!!

More Answers

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L.W.

answers from Detroit on

I would first tell you to take a deep breath and don't jump to conclusions. This happens to many and I even had a abnormal pap before my sister did to. It turned out fine. My sister thought at one time she had cervical cancer and it all worked out fine. I have been scared before about Breast biopsies and different tests. It is even worse when you have to wait and you just keep thinking about what if. But worrying yourself sick isn't good for you either. Do your research and if you are not comfortable with what they say get a second opinion. Believe me I have done that more then once. It turned out for the best when I did. I have spent several years of my life being misdiagnosed and the stress only made me worse. It wasn't till I found a dr. that would listen till I found answers. So if you feel funny about what they say follow your gut.

I will keep you in my prayers that it all will work out.
Stay focused on your family and it will all work out.

All of you ladies that are going through this prayers will help get you through this. It is what keeps me going. Prayers are said for you as well.

(((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))

L.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Toledo on

First let me say that you are lucky to have this typ of support group to go through something like this with. I had an abnormal PAP and HPV also about 3 years ago. I had my husband with me through the whole thing but it's just not the same as having a woman there with you.
You shouldn't be to scared, I know, easier said then done! :) It sounds much scarier then it really is, basically for the biopsy they will go in and take a sample of the cells and also look to see where they all are placed, relatively painless. Well, no worse then going through the PAP in the first place. Then once they get results and all the doctor stuff you will have the removal procedure, which for me was a LEEP. I think that is the common one. They give you a mild sedative and relax you from the waist down, and go in with a long stick and for the most part cautorize out the bad cells. You will be able to get up and walk out right after, you may be a little loopy from the sedative. The worst you will feel after the procedure is a little mild bleeding. It will be nothing compared to the regular monthly deal, nothing any woman can't handle. You shouldn't be to worried about getting pregnant after this either, I have a very healthy 1 year old little girl now. We are all here for you and keep your head up, you WILL make it through this!

1 mom found this helpful
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B.W.

answers from Toledo on

I had HPV also and my doctor did a biopsy. Which had a high level of pre cancerous cells they ended up doing a leep surgery well 7 years later I went back in and the HPV came back So instead of going through the process again at 44 years old I had a hysterectomy. Hpv can be cured by surgery but it does come back.

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S.S.

answers from Melbourne on

When I had my pap during my pregnancy they found abnormal cells and I got a colposcopy. As of my 6 week check up last week the pap showed that the cells had worsened. I am having another colposcopy and will know more after that. I am just as worried as you are so I can't help make you any less worried. All I can say is that you havepeople here to talk to and we will get through this.

I am a 24 yr old wife and mom of 3. My daughter will be 4 in Dec., my older son will be 2 in Dec., and my baby boy was born on Aug. 26th.

Remember: THIS TOO SHALL PASS..............

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J.M.

answers from Lansing on

Hi D.-sorry about your news those kinds of things are always scary. I had an abnormal pap 14 years ago. My dr. did a biopsy and found more suspicious cells, so they did cryosurgery. I've never had another abnormal test since, and I've had three normal pregnancy's since then. The test and surgery are alittle uncomfortable and I had bad cramps afterwards for a day, but that was it. Hope it goes as well for you.
Jackie M

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M.P.

answers from Detroit on

Well D. I don't know if this is any help but my gf went through the same thing and they did a biopsy and her's turned out to be nothing but she also has HPV.. So stay calm and do what the doctors tell you to do and take it one day @ a time .. I wish you the best and if you don't mind keep me posted k.. M.

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T.B.

answers from Detroit on

Oh My God!!! I've been going through this for over 15 years. I've had at least 10 surgeries. I've had Cryls and leeps. Forgive me if the 2 spelling's are wrong, but I've had so many surgery's that I can't even get a normal PAP, because I'm now stenotic. To the point that I have to have surgery to get a full PAP and the cells just keep coming back. My periods are more painful. I don't want anyone to go through this. They put me in a colposcopy clinic and it seemed like every time I went there. My PAP was still abnormal. Ask lots and lots of questions before any precedure.

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D.J.

answers from Toledo on

I have also had (have) hpv and basically what it is are cells that could be precancerous but not necessarily are. they due routine paps more frequently to keep an eye on them but you can go back to having normal paps witout ever having cancer. I went through the worry also and I had clear paps for 3 yrs then had another abnormal pap but my last one was also ok so it is hard to say if you will ever get cancer but it is good to know that your doctor is diligent on follow up to make sure if it turns into cancer they have caught it early enough. Hope this helps

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S.J.

answers from Detroit on

I had an abnormal pap before having my daughter and after several paps that followed, everything was fine. HPV will cause abnormal paps as well. HPV needs to be brought to the forefront with all mothers and young females. It is VERY common in women and men age 16-25. I'm sure everything will be fine. You will probably have some sort of biopsy to check the cervical cells, but stay positive and know that many other mothers have gone through the same thing:)

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S.C.

answers from Kalamazoo on

In the last year I was told the same thing. my doctor gave me meds for the HPV and he encourages me to have pap smears every 3-6 months to monitor the progress. One thing he said most women have the virus (HPV), sometimes it comes out in the pap smears and other times women do not know they have it. Just make sure you follow the directions of your OB. Best wishes

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C.M.

answers from Detroit on

Hi D.,

I too had an abnormal pap with pre cancerous cells about 4 years ago. But the only thing was they told me while I was pregnant so after I had my son they did a biopsy. Thank God my biopsy and pap was normal and my OB told me that it could have been abnormal because of my pregnancy. You know what....I have heard more of my family and friends telling me about their abnormal paps as well and I think the majority of them are young with children so I don't know if that has something to do with it because I had my children very young as well. It was when I was 19 with my second child I had the abnormal pap. I hope everything goes well with your biopsy. Good Luck!

Chanita

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L.H.

answers from Toledo on

Ihave had that happen twice. The first time, they did a biopsy called a colposcopy. The cells were still questionable. They did a procedure called a LEEP. It is a laser where they go remove these cells.Only a little discomfort. The second time I had another colposcopy, and it turned out to be nothing. Talk with your Dr. and make sure you know EVERYTHING. Even if you think it is a dumb question,ask it anyway!Good Luck!! L.

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H.H.

answers from Toledo on

D.,

I had the same thing happen to me, but it went on for years because my pap's would only come back irregular every so often. My doctor finally did a biopsy (which after birthing 4 children was slightly uncomfortable, but not painful). He told me that I had HPV, which initially freaked me out, but explained that I shoudn't have any problems with it.
I think that when we hear the word cancer we automatically assume the worst. This is not the case. I am sure you will be fine. Don't spend too much time worrying about it as that will just stress you out more than you probably already are.

Good luck,
H.

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S.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I have heard that HPV can cause cancer. Dont panic, there is so much great treatments here in Grand Rapids, and it is pre-cancerous cells. Therefore it is not cancer.
Look into alternative treatments to caner. I have researched nutrition and my sister-in-law is a nutritionist and cancer can not live in an alkaline environment, no matter what. There are alkaline diets on the internet. Most of our bodies are acidic, therefore disease grows inside of us. Think of it kind of like a dirty pool, if it is alkaline, algea does not grow in it. Also, a good supplement in CoQ10. This helps alkaline your body. If you do take the product, make sure it is a good product. I do not seem to be a sales lady, but I do sell CoQ10. It is highly concentrated and I take it myself. My website if you are interested is www.fhtmus.com/TomBell
click on true essentials.
Hang in there and remember, they are treating you before you have cancer.
Let me know if you have any questions.
S.

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T.F.

answers from Detroit on

Hi!

Most abnormal cells are called pre-cancerous cells, so don't freak out about the term. I've had 3 abnormal paps, the biopsy (called a colposcopy) Is just like a little pinch or a menstrual cramp. Treatment for this is fast and pretty painless and is nothing to worry about until you know something for sure.

70% of women under 30 have HPV, that's why the new immunization for HPV is highly recommended for women under 30. HPV CAN go away, so stay positive. There are 2 types of viruses that affect different places of the body, luckily HPV is the one that can go away.

When you go in for your biopsy, the doctor will look at your vagina with a microscope and will be able to tell you if anything looks abnormal, but you will still have to wait for the results of the biopsy.

I know it is scary, but try not to worry too much. Leave that for IF you have to after your results.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate!

Good Luck.

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E.R.

answers from Lansing on

it is actually very normal to end up having abnormal cells and get a biopsy. after they do the biopsy they will probably want to do a leep. it actually sounds worse than what it is. i had one done about 10 months ago so if you have any concerns just ask.

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K.C.

answers from Saginaw on

hi D.,
i assume your ob/gyn is doing a colposcopy. i have had two abnormal paps and two colposcopy's. everything turned out fine and it's not uncommon.
relax, and be sure to have the test and stay on it, for your health.
~K.

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E.R.

answers from Lansing on

I two have HVP. I'm not going to tell you not to worry because i did. But i have been thought the same thing twice. The first time i went back in and they did a coloscopy and then scraped the cells out and that was it. The second time i was at stage 2 cancerous cells (didn't go in for my yearly check ups it was 4 year before i went back in). They basicaly do a leep and that is they go in with a lazer and cut out(burn) the adnormal cells. I went back in for my 3 month and they did have to go back in and get the ones around the edges. 3 months later i was clean. Now you can do this in the office like I did (only because they had the equipment in the office to do it) or as outpatient. For some reason they make it sound scarrier then it realy is. As long as you go in for your yearly and stay ontop of it you have nothing to worry about. my last pap came back normal and i have been clean of the abnormal cell for 2 years now.
good luck
E.

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D.B.

answers from Detroit on

Hi my name is D. too. I have been dealing with the same problem except i have already had my children. If they have already did the biopsy you will have to have a leep procedure. Thats after the colposcopy. I am also a medical assistant. Not a doctor but i have been dealing with for almost a year now. Once they doo the leep there is a 95% recovery and you wont ever have a problem again. Then there is 5% like me it gets worse. Stay on top of your paps for early detection later on and you should have no problems.

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J.W.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hi D.,

I can completely understand your concern. I've had frequent abnormal paps even before I gave birth to my daughter four years ago. I was scared to death when I heard it and found out my abnormal cells were due to me contracting HPV. Did your doctor tell you what stage they are in? They may not find out until after your biopsy. It was about 5-6 years since my doctor first found abnormal cells. After my biopsy I was told they were stage 2, which is good. That means they are pretty much dormant and I would need a 6 month pap to make sure the stage didn't progress. I had normal paps until last December. I had to have a biopsy then as well. Luckily they were still in stage 2 like they were about 5 years previous. Yes, I still get scared, but if you keep up with your monthly paps and have biopsies done when necessary, you should be in good hands. Even if the cells progress, the doctors can do wonderous things nowadays and even if they do progress into a cancerous stage, the doctors should be able to get it all before it worsens. Feel free to send me a message if you have more questions -- I don't want to get too wordy :) If you don't mind, please let me know how your biopsy goes. I just wish someone was around to talk to when I had mine done since it felt like the scariest thing in the world to me at that time. Best wishes -- J.

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