<p>Of course after absorbing the news and writing down the medical terms, I did an internet search and then realized the absolute best place for personal advice was here on CC. </p>
<p>After reading many stories, some with links to pages with real medical advice, I realize that:</p>
<p>1) I don’t need to start a new thread because it’s all here already in Parent Cafe, and
2) I want to thank everybody for being so available, each of us for each other, far beyond the customary travails of high school and college issues.</p>
<p>I haven’t had one yet - probably should as I am in my 50s, and my Mum had colon cancer (in her eighties). And she is a much healthier eater than I am.</p>
<p>My husband (almost 70) had one a few years back because he was anemic and they were trying to find a reason - I guess for men the colon is one of the first things they check out with anemia. He is supposed to be having another as soon as they schedule it. </p>
<p>The worst part is the preparation. That’s why I keep putting it off.</p>
<p>Wait a minute - the thread title says “colposcopy” which is a completely different thing than a “colonoscopy”! (let’s just say that one’s husband can’t have one of the former…) Which one is it?</p>
<p>Whatever the case - good luck, Fairfielder.</p>
<p>swimcatsmom, Maybe you misread this post for a reason. Call your primary care physician and get a referral ASAP. Do it TODAY! Your doctor should be the one doing the nagging… Have you been getting your annual physicals?</p>
<p>This test for potential cancer of the cervix (not the colon; I am the one putting that off!!) is a result of my annual pelvic exam, which I schedule each year exactly one day after the last year’s appointment (insurance won’t cover two within the same 365 days). There’s a history of breast cancer in my family but no other cancers that I know of.</p>
<p>I would encourage all women over 40 to be religious in their annual exams, and of course the same for men. I had always done a little jig when getting the “all-clear” from the doctor’s office a few days later. Statistically speaking, I will be getting an all-clear after this test, too, maybe with a few more frequent pap smears for a while. I’m a pretty sturdy 58-year-old and I intend to enjoy at least a couple more decades of excellent health.</p>
<p>I had a colposcopy about 10 or 12 years ago. I had atypical cervical cells following a Pap test. The procedure was performed in the doc’s office and I was up and about for the rest of the day. Had to get re-checked more frequently for a year or two, then I reverted back to once a year. </p>
<p>Now that I think of it, I think I may have had one of those a few years back. Didn’t have an iffy pap smear, but randomly had a period after having been in menopause for 2 years. Called the doc just to make sure it wasn’t anything to worry about and she said i needed to come in and have a biopsy (cone biopsy I think) as it could be a problem. If it is the same thing, it was done in her office and was not a big deal. Of course, I may have completely the wrong procedure again.</p>
<p>Either way - good luck. Hope it is nothing on both counts (procedure wise and results wise).</p>
<p>I’ve had two of these. They are indeed no big deal though somewhat more unpleasant than your usual PAP smear. If the doc gives you the option of local numbing medication, take it.</p>
<p>I had one when my oldest son was about 6 months old. They told me not to worry if I didn’t get my period the next month, so I didn’t. When I didn’t get it the following month, i called and they said that was unusual but still possible. The month after that, they finally had me in for a pregnancy test. My D was born when S was 14 months old. She’s turning 20 this month and I haven’t had a problem with my PAP since.</p>
<p>Good luck and make sure to wear panty shields or pads for a few weeks afterwards…</p>
<p>Well, the procedure wasn’t much fun but it could have been worse. The doctor took a few samples to biopsy and said that there might be something small, local and treatable, or it could be nothing at all. Very likely it will fall into the Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS) category, which basically means they don’t have a clue what’s wrong.</p>
<p>It wasn’t the best visit I’ve ever had–he did bad German accents, ignored my request for real-time information as to what he was seeing, and tried to give me an antiviral medication for shingles after glancing at some bug bites on my upper chest. I think he was having a bad day, and I wasn’t feeling that great either. </p>
<p>After his umpteenth joke, I said: Doctor, this is something which is of concern to me! Then he patted me as if I were a child and answered my questions when it became clear that I’d done my research. I complained to the nurse after he left. She said he was trying to put me at ease, and I said that’s what information is for, not jokes.</p>
<p>The rest of the day I’ve felt edgy, anxious and alone. I’m sure I will be fine (there are many stages between where I am now and the worst case scenario) but the experience was quite invasive and not without discomfort.</p>
<p>I miss my daughter who is away at college! Just a side point–how many parents have full disclosure of medical issues with their children? This is not something I’d inform my daughter of, because she would worry, and it’s midterms at the moment. It might be that in a year, after a few normal pap smears, I might mention it, but not before then.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who gave advice and words of support.</p>
<p>How’s this for a diagnosis: acute and chronic cervicitis with reactive epithelial changes!
not cancer related or pre-cancer indicative
had it for a long time
by random accident doc swabbed that area of my cervix that has an irritated spot when he did the pap smear
next pap in a year; he’ll swab same area and see if there are any changes</p>
<p>When I asked the nurse what would irritate that area, she said “any number of things”, not intending a double entendre I don’t think, but with a grand total of two sexual partners in the last 21 years, I didn’t think it was related to anything transmittable. Just some crud there! </p>
<p>I remember in 1990 after an exam, being told that I had a small lesion about a quarter the size of a lentil on my cervix. Most likely this is that same thing that never went away.</p>
<p>So all is well. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and support, and who sent me private messages giving their own stories. </p>
<p>Hugs, and here’s to excellent health to all!</p>