Smear results - very worried, please help?

Hi rubylady, I had borderline changes three or four times. I can't remember what happened at the follow ups (this was nearly 40 years ago!), so it certainly never developed into anything else.
Many, many women carry the HPV virus, without any side effects, so please don't worry about it- unless you're planning to get pregnant!

We usually get Vit D from sunshine.....sadly lacking in this country at the mo', and necessary for bone strength amongst other things. The best immune support/enhancer is a healthy diet and a multivitamin, please don't go wasting your money on Chinese mushrooms or other possibly dubious 'cures'.

I'm sure you'll be fine, things have been picked up very, very early.

((Hugs)) x

I have 5 SILs, two of them had further checks after smear results picked up "early changes", and that was the end of it. It was so insignificant that I can't even remember what the next steps involved.

I know it's easy to say, but stop worrying, or you'll join the army of "worried well"people, which is an unfortunate side effect of all the health tests and screening we are subjected to nowadays.

I have no doubt you'll be totally fine. And step away from the Google!

rubylady I didn't spot your new thread in time and have posted again on the other thread.

Ruby, I used to work in Cytology, which includes the screening of cervical smears. This borderline result is very minor, bordering on abnormal rather than bordering on cancer! It is a very confusing term, which I hoped would be phased out. HPV is a wart virus, which like warts on your fingers can disappear of their own accord, but the presence of some strains has been linked to eventual development of pre-cancerous changes, which left untreated for several years could become cancerous.
You are one of the lucky ones for whom the virus can be watched for a while and nipped in the bud with a very simple out-patient procedure if it doesn't disappear. As long as you have your repeat smears when suggested you have no need to worry. Easier said than done, I know!

shysal what a great, matter-of-fact reassuring post.

On another note, I was just on Twitter and a woman ("a model") who had the same result as ruby er, has tweeted a photo of her cervix.

Ergh ! the tweet.

If I was ruby I'd be very reassured by shysals post. She was right we're all wonderful here

I'm another who had borderline changes over years then it all cleared up.
Your GP will prescribe Vit D Ruby, so don't spend money on it. The lack of sunshine means most of us are Vit D deficient, especially at this time of year. Older women should probably all take it I suspect. try not to worry and read shysal's calming post again.

iam not all GPs will prescribe it - my GP told me to go to the pharmacy and buy Vitamin D when I tested as being low on it, which I did, and it cost me about £3.

Oh Rubylady! Try not to worry. It is not cancer. They may just keep an eye on it and see if it clears up on it's own.

I bought some vit D tablets in the pound shop! (Never did remember to take 'em)

Please do not go wasting your money on Chinese mushrooms and other so called "cures".

Have you been asked to return for more tests?

Ad Cal D3 is the usual drug prescribed for vitamin D deficiency.

Visit your GP to see if anything can be done re the Herpes virus- it has lain dormant for a long time.

Please do not worry, whatever you may have has been found early.

Charleygirl, sorry to be picky , but HPV is Human Papilloma Virus, not to be confused with HSV, Herpes Simplex Virus. The wart virus (HPV) can remain harmlessly in the system for years, some even believing it can be passed on through the generations. Hence the need to continue cervical smears even if you are not sexually active.

Hi, thank you all very much for your replies. I have PM'd you shysal, thank you.

I have received my appointment for my colposcopy this morning and it is next Wednesday. I am now in a panic as it is very soon and less than 3 weeks since my smear and the colposcopy department said that it would be in the next 6 weeks, not 6 days. Does this mean that it is serious if they want me in so soon?

It would have to fall on a weekend when I can't get any answers from the department itself.

to you all for your incredible support.

Three years ago i had a smear and was told i had a polyp. They took a biopsy and said if it was clear that would be the end of it. The results came and it was clear but they still went ahead and made an appt for me to have it removed under anaesthetic in hospital, it was all done quickly within a few weeks and I thought there was something dreadful they were not telling me. ( About twenty years earlier I had a polyp removed without anaesthetc and walked out an of the surgery an hour later ). I complained bitterly to the surgeon who thought i was being awkward because he was Indian, but in fact I told him I was p***ed off at the waste of my time and his, because I had to take a day off work and arrange for my sister to pick me up from the ward and stay overnight. It was all for nothing, and the surgeon said, when he came round afterwards, that I was right, it was all for nothing.
The NHS swings between lack of care due to shortages, and overcare not to get sued.

Hi, I went on Wednesday to have the coloscopy done. Not too bad but glad when it was over. Biopsies were taken and I shall have the results in three weeks. I have had pain and slight discharge since so kept a low profile for a day or two.

Today though, been busy sorting through boxes that were brought from my old house and just put under the bed. Now I have 5 black bags of rubbish and need some new storage boxes for the few things I want to keep. I inted to sell some stuff too, no use hanging onto it when my offspring will not be interested in it or just cash it in themselves.

Glad it is over for you. I hope you are not worrying so much now. Glad you are feeling energetic again.

I pity my offspring when I leave this house, either for a care home or in a coffin! I am a dreadful hoarder of 'things which may come in useful'. There is no room to climb into the loft, as everything is now piled around the opening. I doubt whether I shall ever feel like clearing it. Anyone need an unused rabbit trap (don't ask - complicated answer)?

Nearly there ruby get the results and with everything crossed breath a sigh of relief and carry on with your life. Ever onwards ever upwards

I got the results, pre cancerous cells. They are having a meeting to determine the course of action and I will know when they have decided. I just feel so down. I have to go for my heart tests soon too so it's all doctors and hospitals, no fun.

I had pre- cancerous cells too Rubylady. They were zapped and I had yearly follow-up smears for quite a while. There was no recurrence, but I know it can feel rather daunting. This was about 20 years ago and while my fitness level is not quite that of a fiddle, that's mostly down to achey knees and other age-related things. So don't worry and just think how good it was that you had your routine smear.

Heck ruby you've got a lot on your plate right now I agree with Belladonna, Your smear has done what it's supposed to do - pick up potential problems. After a cancer scare in 2009, I would never miss a smear. Just take one day at a time and try to remember the cells are precancerous.

Thank you Bella and Wilma it is invaluable to know that others have gone through this too, so thank you for sharing your experiences. I have calmed down a bit today, chocolate cake helped and watching the girls in Birds of a Feather. Plus I have just ordered some more flowers from Sainsburys this week so that will help cheer me up. I'm not usually down for long if I can help it. I will just take one day at a time, look forward to the break I have booked and get some rest (painful shoulders and neck just now so that's not helping the sleep!).

I hope you are both enjoying a lovely Sunday, relaxing regardless of the overcast weather. Time to snuggle and watch a good film. Thanks again. X

Sorry you are having a difficult time all round,*rubylady*! Don't be alarmed by the 'cancerous' part of the diagnosis. You don't have cancer, and won't have, as long as you go along for your treatment and follow-ups. Look after yourself, continue with the pampering!

Thank you Shysal and, of course half term is over in about 7 hours! lol.

I'm going to have a pampering day Monday.