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Can we discuss about HPV again?
I think went to this board about six months ago when I was kind of freaking out over getting the news that I had HPV? I just went for my yearly exam and didn't have any symptoms of anything abnormal. I learned that this is very common and that it doesn't have to turn into anything.I got very upset because I had no idea what it was or where it came from. My gyno calmed me down and told me that it's nothing to be scared off and told me to go and get vitamin C, selenium and D vitamin, try not to stress and come back and see her in six months.
Well, I was supposed to have my appointment tomorrow and they called to confirm it today. I asked the nurse if I was going to have an actual exam and another pap smear to follow up. She asked me "if I've had any symptoms"?! Of what?! I never had any before. And I was not to have another pap smear. So why am I going I wonder? I cancelled but asked her to have the Dr call me so I could talk to her.
I'm confused over this. I take this very serious and I don't want to ignore it if this is something that turns into cervical cancer, I want to be able to stop it in time. Am I overreacting or should I push my gyno to give me another exam and pap smear?
Re: Can we discuss about HPV again?
So... do I have this straight: You got an abnormal pap at some point and was told it was due to HPV. You went in again recently for a pap and it was normal. The office scheduled for another appointment?
I'm actually a little confused so I'll just give you a rundown on HPV.
If you get an abnormal Pap, the results are rated to tell you something about their abnormality. You can get an abnormal pap for all sorts of reasons: the sample was poor, your cells have significantly changed, or something in between. But, these results should really have been explained to you. If you have cellular changes, the cause is almost 99% due to HPV.
Usually, if you get an abnormal pap, they bring you back in for a repeat to see if you get the same results again. Or, if the changes are quite significant, they skip right to colposcopy and check out the cells in greater detail. If your repeat pap comes back normal and there are no signs of cellular changes, it's usually back to yearly paps. If you had significant changes and the colposcopy confirms, sometimes the cells are removed and sometimes you wait it out. It really depends.
For what it's worth, I have a high grade CIN III result for one of my paps. That's step below cancer. I was brought back in, had a colposcopy, followed by a LEEP and had repeat paps every three months for the next two years.
If you want to read more about HPV, I covered it in depth on my blog (I'm a biochemist): LINK
I think you should reschedule your appointment and ask your questions to your doctor.
I don't understand why you cancelled your appointment?
I had an abnormal pap due to HPV a few years ago. I went in and they did a colposcopy, and it came back fine. Even so, they doctor had me come in every six months for two years to get paps done. They all came back normal so after two years I went back to my regular annual exam schedule. So all that being said, I had multiple paps within a short(er) period of time after my abnormal one, even though my colposcopy came back fine.
I would definitely call and try to get your appointment back - and ask your doctor the questions you have.
bloggity blog
All that I'm getting from this is that you didn't want to fork over a copay to have your questions answered by licensed professionals.
Well, I am between insurance right now. So yes, I have to be selectful when going. Although I DO understand this IS important so I will go but I have to work late this week and will reschedula for next week. That's why I came here in the meantime.
I appreciate all your advice on this. I actually tried getting to talk to my gyno but that was like asking to talk to the King. She did check with my Dr and ask her my questions because I thought it was weird that I wasn't coming in for another pap smear. Again, the Dr said she wasn't going to take another test when I came in this week? So why was I coming in I wonder.
But I will call back and tell her I want another test done and that's it. Reading your replies reinforce how important it is to have another done to see where you are.
Thanks for all your help!
Reschedule the appt.
In the meantime, I'd ask to talk to the nurse. I never get to talk to my OBGYN on the phone, but her nurse is always available to call me back and answer questions within 24 hours.
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice
If your doc said you're ok to wait another 6 months, then I say listen to her. It's good that you actually spoke with her (I personally would have gone to my appt to speak with her in person).
I had an abnormal pap about 8 years ago, was diagnosed with HPV. I fully admit that I freaked out when they told me (the nurse called my cell...I was in a Starbucks about to head to a job interview). In the next few years I had 2 colposcopies and one LEEP. Ever since the LEEP, which was maybe 5 years ago I've had fully normal paps and now only go for my annual check ups.
I fully recommend listening to your doctor. Mine calmed me down a lot by talking to me about what's what and what to expect. If your doctor is saying you can wait, then I'd say wait, but if you're still freaking out, then make an appt to see her sooner.
I had an abnormal pap in Sept 2000. In Oct, had a colposcopy and was told it was HPV and CIN II. Scheduled a leep in Dec. 2000. Had it... it actaully came back from LEEP as CIN III.
I had paps every 6 months from Jan 2000 until Jan 2006. All were fine. Then I did annuals until 2011. They then re-tested me for HPV and I tested negative.
I will still get paps, but every other year (I am in my early 40s now).
Anyways-- if you doctor said wait for 6 months, then wait. But please do get things checked.
I had a normal pap in 1999... so I went from nothing to CIN III in 12 months. Thankfully nothing happened after and now my body has fought it off and I don't even test positive for HPV (which I did not know was possible until my doctor explained it to me).