First Abnormal Pap

[SarahB79]

Tuesday I got a call from my dr's office saying my pap came back with abnormal cells and that the dr. wanted me to come back in for a colposcopy.  I was in such shock that I just scheduled it without asking further questions.  

I called back the next day after I digested it and they said it "looked like LGSIL with moderate dysplasia due to HPV".  I called again and asked if they knew which number of HPV it was and they said no, just that it was positive.

I have the colposcopy scheduled for Tuesday the 17th at 9:30 am.  

I am 30 years old... Married for the second time, I've been with my husband for 3 years.  (married 1.5).  Previously I was married for 8 years and they are the only two men I've been with in the last 14 years.  I have no signs of warts and neither does my husband, so I guess that pretty much rules out HPV 6 and 11.  

Any advice, help, words of encouragement or information regarding any of this would be very helpful!

[mayflowers]

HPV is very common.  Most sexually active people already have it.  That's why the medical community is telling young girls between 9 - 14 to get the Gardisal vaccine. They want to vaccinate the girl before she becomes sexually active.  It only takes one sex act to get hpv and this doesn't have to mean intercourse.

Cervical cancer usually takes a long time to develop.  You don't have cancer, you just have abnormal cells which are going to be removed. .  Just keep up your yearly paps, and if you smoke - quit.  I'm sure you'll be fine.  Feel better soon!

[SarahB79]

My colposcopy and biopsy were Monday.  The dr. was able to see the dysplasia very easily and I think he was able to obtain a good sample for the biopsy.  I hope....

Monday, I had cramping all day long.  Yesterday and today I have had sharp shooting pain in the internal area that worsens with standing, walking, stretching and deep breathing.  Today, I am very tired.  I hope this all normal.  I am not bleeding, just hurting.  

[SarahB79]

just wanted to send an update that my colposcopy got rescheduled to Monday morning from this past tuesday because my darn period came early! :-( Oh well.

[roses711]

Having abnormal cell change doesn't mean that you have/will get cancer...it means that the doctor has noticed cell changes in the cervix ..which MAY lead to cancer. The colop will give the doc a better look at the severity of the cell (could be better or worse than the PAP). Depending on the outcome the cells may be removed. FYI..the body has been known to and can regress the abnormal cell change on it's own...HOWEVER ...doctors keeping an eye on you is smart and can help to alleviate potential problems.

GOOD LUCK..let me know what the results were..sending you positive wishes..

[somegirl377]

early stage of cervical cancer is very treatable and has good prognosis. if that helps you feel a little better. so it's good you caught it early. goodluck.

[SarahB79]

Thanks I think that helps me understand.  When I asked the nurse which HPV it was, I asked her if she knew "which NUMBER HPV it was"... she said they didn't get that info from the test, just postitive or negative.  

I have no warts or visual signs of HPV and being that is the case and it was found on an abnormal pap at the age of almost 31... it's likely High Risk huh?

I'll know more tomorrow.

[roses711]

there are two different tests for the low and high risk strains..a gyn will/can test for the low if there are warts and will test for high risk if you have an abnormal PAP or as a routine test during the yearly pap exam if you're over 30 or 35 (depends on the office)

Abnormal PAPs are usually because of the high risk strain..you're doc would/will say "you tested for high risk hpv". You can test positive for both high/low risk strains . I'd ask the doc if they know which strain you have....GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[SarahB79]

Thanks for the help.  I am coming to terms with all of this much more... I have pretty much read that HPV is like the common cold.  It's almost expected to catch it.  

Am I correct in my understanding that if you test postitive for HPV it is High Risk HPV because the test for Low Risk is an unnecessary cost and proceedure?  

So if I have a postive HPV, it is one of the types that are known to be High Risk?  

I assume the biopsy they do if lesions are found during colposcopy will tell the Dr. WHICH High Risk HPV it is?  

Sorry for my questions.  My colposcopy is tomorrow.

[roses711]

Unless your current husband and your ex are the ONLY men you've been w/..you could've gotten it before them..BUT THAT DOESN'T MATTER NOW...pointing fingers is pointless and a waste of your energy. Men who have high risk HPV RARELY show symptoms and usually never know they even have the infection. Putting the infection in perspective..about 80% of sexually active ppl have the infection and never know it.. and 90% of pple suppress/clear the infection NATURALLY within 6 months to 2yrs..

You can test positive for HPV and have low grade cell change and/or your HPV test can go from positive to negative and you still have abnormal changes remaining. They are being cautious and watching the abnormal cell change..but be aware that abnormal cell changes can regress own their own. I'd prefer they take a cautious route more than a laidback attitude.

make sure to tell your gyn/ob about your current medical issues and your hpv status and your plans to get pregnant...

good luck!

[SarahB79]

Thank you so much for your response.

I really am struggling with what emotion to feel right now. I am trying my hardest to not point fingers, because I know that neither of my husbands would have ever done anything purposely to put me or my health in jeopardy (I still have a very good friendship with my x husband).  

I already take vitamins due to the fact that my husband and I had been trying to conceive for the last 18 months.  But, I have increased my vitamin D because of a deficiancy found.  (I have a thyroid disorder).  

My WBC has been high for about a year... sometimes the total number falls back into range but my neutrophils constantly stay high and lymphocytes stay low.  

Is it possible to test positive for a high risk HPV but have low grade cells?  Does that just mean they found it very early?  

Thanks again for your response! I will check out the groups you mentioned.

[roses711]

Try not to panic.. you seem to have done your homework and finding out info about HPV. Abnormal cell change doesn't mean you'll get/have cancer... unfortunatley HPV can be dormant for decades...which mean that you could've gotten it at ANY time and will never know from who. Until your colop you should be helping your body to fight the infection ..no smoking/drinking, eat healthy (lots fruits/veggies espec. dark leafy and brite veggies), exercise/reduce stress, take multi w/ folic acid (@least 800mg...rec max is 1200mg) and L-lysine (rec by my gyn..together they can help production/maintenance/ removal of damaged cells)

I found out that i have it almost two months ago..had/have a normal PAP but tested positive for high risk HPV. Try to keep your head up and be positive. I'm slowly getting to the point where I don't see the HPV when I look in the mirror/fel ashamed/angry/terrified...You may want to try another HPV support group that have women that have dealt w/ colops and can give you more advise on the procedure,etc...don't let the name scare you..."national cervical cancer and hpv coalition"