[Kitty]

My Gyn office called me today about the Pap I had done a couple of weeks ago. Abnormal cells.....so they want to do a colposcopy.

Anybody here had one? Anything I should know? I looked it up online and it seems simple enough. Does it hurt? Will I be able to drive myself to the appointment?

I've had an abnormal test before - about 14 years ago. Turned out to be nothing. I'm going to assume this one is a false alarm, too. The nurse was very comforting and said that it's usually nothing to worry about but they like to be thorough.

[dahlek]

If you click on to this site? You'll find the basics....
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddise...s/colonoscopy/
There are two options for preps - one a gallon of a liquid and the other a pill sequence of 2-4 pills. Both REQUIRE that you follow the days before prep in terms of eating light and also of HYDRATING! I cannot understate the need to glug water to the point of almost floating.. In the end? [sorry bad pun] it makes life easier overall. DO follow all doctors instructions completely and...with OUT exception! Don't think you can drive yourself there and back home? You can't!
Do have a pak or two of baby wipes w/aloe and lanolin or the like handy -You mite be spending more time there during the 'prep' [clean-out] than you'd like and it helps make things easier.
Keep drinking water before and after as instructed. Once done? Start to eat gentle things such as puddings and mashed potatoes... You will likely suffer from gasses? They pump air into you to get a better look...that air doesn't come out gently at times.
If you are working? Start the real prep on Thursday, with prescribed diets the days before. Then get the test on Friday, which will give you the weekend to recover.
As one gets older? It happens more often...these tests I mean. At least DURING the test? You are in what's called a 'twilight' state...essentially OUT for the duration. So little pain from the procedure, It's the prep and aftermath that are where you should be cautious.
I've survived at least three of these tests far better than several other tests! So go with knowledge and no fear. Just super prep!
Good luck and let us know how you've survived! 's - j
Do note that this type of test is essential to overall health in the long term, DO IT! Don't chicken out. Please?

[Kitty]

No, not a colonoscopy......that's a whole different area! This is a colposcopy and it's a "female" procedure. Google the name and you'll fine lots of info on it. I've never had a colonoscopy but I get the feeling my day is coming. But thanks for all your info and good wishes!

[Kitt]

Yes, I had one or two colposcopies. A number of years ago. Not exactly that much fun. If you ever have to have the LEEP procedure; that is not fun at all. The gyn should have retired long before these procedures were done.

You should be fine.

[soxmom]

Wishing you luck. lET us know how it goes.

[Kitty]

Well, I'm finally going to get my colposcopy tomorrow. Not having a car plus other minor situations is making it hard for me to make it in. I go in tomorrow morning and the nurse said it takes about five minutes. Not painful and I can get right back to doing what I normally do afterwards. That won't be hard.....since I don't do much of anything anyway!

[Jomar]

My sister probably had one years ago , plus a biopsy also.
Just some oddball weird cells , nothing bad showed up.

good luck

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

My sister probably had one years ago , plus a biopsy also.
Just some oddball weird cells , nothing bad showed up.

good luck

I've had an abnormal Pap before. The doctor said the cells usually resolve themselves over time but they like to be proactive and do the tests just to be sure. I hope it turns out to be nothing.

[butterflybrr]

Originally Posted by Kitty

My Gyn office called me today about the Pap I had done a couple of weeks ago. Abnormal cells.....so they want to do a colposcopy.

Anybody here had one? Anything I should know? I looked it up online and it seems simple enough. Does it hurt? Will I be able to drive myself to the appointment?

I've had an abnormal test before - about 14 years ago. Turned out to be nothing. I'm going to assume this one is a false alarm, too. The nurse was very comforting and said that it's usually nothing to worry about but they like to be thorough.

Yes, I've had two of them and there is really nothing to worry about. I was SO scared for my first one because I had cervicitis to the point that when the Dr touched my cervix with a q-tip it would bleed. I thought that the bigger tissue sample would hurt but strangely instead of pain it was more a feeling of relief. It's really not much worse than a normal pap-smear. Hang in there and I hope it's a false alarm like you said!

[Kitty]

Got my results back and they were normal......thank you Lord. My doctor was the one to call me with the results so that kind of scared me at first. I was expecting him to say I needed further treatment......but it was good news so I am thankful.

I do, however, need surgery to correct pelvic organ prolapse. He said that it could be outpatient and I could come home that same day providing everything went well. He did say I could opt to stay overnight if I felt more comfortable doing that. We'll see once I find out the dynamics of what the surgery entails.

Strangely enough I'm more relieved than scared. Years ago I would have been freaking out at the thought of having surgery. Now, I'm just thinking that it'll take one day and I'll feel so much better afterwards. I guess I'm ready for it! It probably won't happen for a month or two but whenever it is....I'm ready!