SAAFE forum
General Category => Questions and Answers => Topic started by: Cardibarbie on 02 September 2019, 09:34:09 pm
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Hello everyone,
I am very careful with my health and recently went to do tests (blood and swab in the vagina) everything came back all good and negative.
But recently, I found out my smear test showed that I caught a viral infection.
Also to add, that mum received the letter... :FF anyway, I gotta go back to my doctor, and am freaking out...do I have cancer? Wtf is that about ??? Can I still work?
Thanks
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I'd expect the letter to explain what it is Cardi...does it not?
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Your mum should not be opening your post, so when you've sorted out the rest it's time for a firm chat about boundaries (and possibly also the law, since doing so is illegal).
It sounds like HPV, which they should have told you? It's extremely common among sexually active people and you've probably had it for some time - it doesn't mean you have cancer, just that you may be at a slightly higher risk of changes to the cells in your cervix which they might want to have a look at. It won't affect you working for now at least and your doctor will explain it all far better than we can in terms of having sex following any further test they might want to do :).
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Salty, the letter said: Following your smear test we find a viral infection and we need to do a colposcopy for further research...I’m so sad, I don’t have any more details.
Amy, yes mum is a very invasive person, she do that all the time, no matter what :'( I told her off, but, anyway, what is done is done.
I am scared, and yes I can only work 4 days this month anyway, but I feel very bad and frighten. :'( :'(
Thank you so much for your answer :)
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Well I can't claim to have had one, but I just did a quick search on here for 'colposcopy' and plenty of people have! I'm sure some of them will see this, but in the meantime maybe do the same and have a look through the threads - there's likely to be some useful stuff in there about work and so on to make you feel a bit better :).
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Cardi it just means they want a closer look at you with a microscope and may take a few cells. Check out the N .H. S website. My friend had HPV related condition and the doc will tell you if they're just double checking or if you have anything that should be sorted. Later she had a tiny bit of tissue lasered and everything's roses! She was sore for a few weeks then was fine to work. This is exactly why we have smears, thank cod. It's so good we get these tests before any damage is done. It was sorted out quickly. She's 32 and fabulous. Don't fret.
I agree with Amy lots of us have HPV's in the normal course of life, even children... some people are effected with symptoms and some aren't, depends on which of the 100 strains you have and your immune system.
https://saafe.info/main/questions-and-answers/hpv-vaccine-at-boots-stores-ages-12-44/
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Cardi, you need to educate yourself and calm down.
About 80 percent of the population carries one form of human papillomavirus or the other. It's transmitted sexually, but by skin-to-skin contact, so condoms only reduce the risk slightly. Some of the strains cause neoplasms (which can develop into cancer), others cause genital warts.
If you have any irregular cervical cells, the first stage to a neoplasm, you'll go for a colposcopy where they take a closer look at your cervix and will probably take some biopsies. Nine times out of 10, everything will be OK, and they'll just do another colposcopy and/or get you in for smears every 6 or 12 months. It can take a few years for your body to clear the virus, and it's easy to catch it again, but it doesn't mean anything bad will happen. And if does, as said, often mild laser treatment will get rid of it.
If you're under 25, you might want to ask your GP or a GUM clinic about having the HPV vaccine if you were too old to have it at school. If you're 25-45, you might want to consider buying it privately.
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Hi ladies,
The gynaecologist rang and said that following my colposcopy I need to speak and take an appointment with a doctor!! They left me a voice mail so I gotta call tomorrow to find out more...
I am feeling very stressed and unwell, what could it be? Do I have cancer? :'(
Do you girls have more information? I’m worried about my health and work...
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Hi ladies,
The gynaecologist rang and said that following my colposcopy I need to speak and take an appointment with a doctor!! They left me a voice mail so I gotta call tomorrow to find out more...
I am feeling very stressed and unwell, what could it be? Do I have cancer? :'(
Do you girls have more information? I’m worried about my health and work...
You need to speak to the Dr, only they can advise.
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Hi ladies,
The gynaecologist rang and said that following my colposcopy I need to speak and take an appointment with a doctor!! They left me a voice mail so I gotta call tomorrow to find out more...
I am feeling very stressed and unwell, what could it be? Do I have cancer? :'(
Do you girls have more information? I’m worried about my health and work...
Try not to worry. At worst you may have to have a bit of laser treatment, but wait and see what they say.
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Hi ladies,
The gynaecologist rang and said that following my colposcopy I need to speak and take an appointment with a doctor!! They left me a voice mail so I gotta call tomorrow to find out more...
I am feeling very stressed and unwell, what could it be? Do I have cancer? :'(
Do you girls have more information? I’m worried about my health and work...
The letter says you have a viral infection. Visuses don't cause cancer. The letter would have said "abnormal cells" if it was a cancer type investigation.
If your mum is overbearing she may have conditioned you to live in a fear response.
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The letter says you have a viral infection. Visuses don't cause cancer. The letter would have said "abnormal cells" if it was a cancer type investigation.
If your mum is overbearing she may have conditioned you to live in a fear response.
Researching cervical cancer and HPV (a group of viruses), reveals that "Almost all cervical cancer cases occur in women who have been previously infected with HPV" (nhs website).
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The letter says you have a viral infection. Visuses don't cause cancer. The letter would have said "abnormal cells" if it was a cancer type investigation.
If your mum is overbearing she may have conditioned you to live in a fear response.
Human papillomavirus does cause cervical cancer, also some penile, vulval and head and neck (especially throat) cancers.
I'm wondering if it was the OP's first ever smear, in which case she could have had HPV for years. Also, different NHS trusts screen differently. In Hertfordshire, everyone just got cytology (at least until I moved last year), but in Lancashire they test for HPV first and only do the cytology (to look for irregular cells) if they detect the virus, though they don't say (or test for) which specific strain(s) you have: there are 20+ and only a few are tumourigenic.
If you just have a few irregular cells they normally just watch and wait to see if your immune system will get rid of them itself. Anything more advanced they would probably suggest laser therapy.
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I can’t stop 😭 crying and would like to thank anyone who participate in this thread.
Apparently the stage of the lesion is very advanced and therefore I will have to get a biopsy done.
Which mean an important surgery for conization cervix. I read that this can cause 2/4 times more chances of miscarriage if I get pregnant one day. I won’t be able to work for over a month.
Does any of you has that? Would you recommend me getting a hpv vaccin? I have an appointment with the nurse, she will explain to me everything. I’m devastated. I did plan to move overseas but apparently I will have to go back for more controls every 2/3months.
What would you do? Should I keep going this line of work?
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Sorry to hear that, but try and be positive: they've caught it and you're being treated.
If you're under 30, I would definitely get the HPV vaccine (Gardasil rather than Cervarix, as it protects against more strains). If you're 31-45, I'd strongly recommend it.
As for working, if you have alternatives I would consider them. You may find you have some irregular bleeding, especially if you need treatment after the biopsy.
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Thanks Kay!
Good idea I will ask for a vaccine, I am scared of catching it again although I always use protection.
I am scared that sex my become painful even after 1month. Interestingly I worked like crazy this month (I felt something bad would happen since the post) and I saved up money. I also have savings, so if I don’t work for two months, it’s less money in my pocket but everything is covered.
Since I am studying I have many exams coming up so I can focus on that.
But I am worried of the consequences for work, has anyone please got feedback on work after a biopsy? Thanks
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Thanks Kay!
Good idea I will ask for a vaccine, I am scared of catching it again although I always use protection.
I am scared that sex my become painful even after 1month. Interestingly I worked like crazy this month (I felt something bad would happen since the post) and I saved up money. I also have savings, so if I don’t work for two months, it’s less money in my pocket but everything is covered.
Since I am studying I have many exams coming up so I can focus on that.
But I am worried of the consequences for work, has anyone please got feedback on work after a biopsy? Thanks
If you are in the UK and not in one of the free groups you will are likely to have to pay for the HPV vaccine, I am in my 40s and have paid approximately £500 for the course of 3 (that's total not each of the 3).
Two largish high street pharmacies are selling it, details are on their websites.
My local GUM didn't know about the private provision, so I've given them information incase other patients are interested.
From the NHS website the free vaccination programme is for children aged 12-13, and men up to the age of 45 who have sex with men.
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Sorry to hear. How about just offering massage and handjob whilst recovering after the op. You can explain in your profiles the reason without going into too much detail.
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Thanks Kay!
Good idea I will ask for a vaccine, I am scared of catching it again although I always use protection.
I am scared that sex my become painful even after 1month. Interestingly I worked like crazy this month (I felt something bad would happen since the post) and I saved up money. I also have savings, so if I don’t work for two months, it’s less money in my pocket but everything is covered.
Since I am studying I have many exams coming up so I can focus on that.
But I am worried of the consequences for work, has anyone please got feedback on work after a biopsy? Thanks
The savings and focusing on exams is a great idea, I've never had a biospy so can't advise on that.
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Mirror: thanks for the information on the vaccine, I will definitely get it done, I have a private insurance so they might cover the cost.
Lushblossom: I could try, but not sure that would work, I think I might just wait until the operation and take it from there, if money is low I might do it but I have also other plans but only time will tell.
Thank you
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Sorry to hear that, but try and be positive: they've caught it and you're being treated.
If you're under 30, I would definitely get the HPV vaccine (Gardasil rather than Cervarix, as it protects against more strains). If you're 31-45, I'd strongly recommend it.
As for working, if you have alternatives I would consider them. You may find you have some irregular bleeding, especially if you need treatment after the biopsy.
A vaccine won't work if you already have HPV.
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China girl: yes my surgeon said it won’t work
So to give you an update ladies, I have a CIN III which is precancerous, I am going under the knife to get a leep, so they will cut out a part of my cervix :-\
I’m terrified but this surgery is necessary, I asked the surgeon and he said I could have sex only after 1month. I also asked him if it was ok to have multiple partners, he said yes at the condition that I use a condom (which I use anyway).
I feel very ashamed of all this, I am unsure I want to keep working after this, although I am very low volume, but still. What would you girls recommend?
Thanks
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China girl: yes my surgeon said it won’t work
So to give you an update ladies, I have a CIN III which is precancerous, I am going under the knife to get a leep, so they will cut out a part of my cervix :-\
I’m terrified but this surgery is necessary, I asked the surgeon and he said I could have sex only after 1month. I also asked him if it was ok to have multiple partners, he said yes at the condition that I use a condom (which I use anyway).
I feel very ashamed of all this, I am unsure I want to keep working after this, although I am very low volume, but still. What would you girls recommend?
Thanks
Let me reassure you that a LEEP isn't "going under the knife" at all - it's a hot looped wire that sort of scoops the pre-cancerous cells off and out, and seals the area at the same time (so zero stitches). You won't feel it at all. You might feel the injection that numbs the cervix, and you might have cramps for a few days after, but you shouldn't feel the actual procedure.
Please don't be ashamed. Three of my very close family members have had this procedure. Two of them went on to have children (so no damage to fertility).
I would recommend that you give yourself time to heal, take the doctor's advice of NO sex until bleeding has stopped etc.
I don't know if you smoke, but that was a BIG advice that my smoking family member was given - STOP SMOKING. Smoking inhibits the body's ability to heal or remove HPV infections, and encourages bad cells to multiply.
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+1 re. the smoking - it's a very bad mix with HPV in terms of increasing the risk of malignancy.
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Just wanted to add some hopefully reassuring advice Cardibarbie. I had a procedure this week, slightly different but in the same area. The numbing injection was actually a LOT less painful than I was expecting and that was into the cervix. I HATE injections and this was much more manageable that the ones from the dentist, no comparison especially as I really did expect it to hurt.
I was actually going to have a spinal anaesthetic as I was told they didn't offer it under local. Turns out they did and that's what I went for but a spinal could be an option for you if they offer it and you are happy to be totally numb waist down.
I had a biopsy and I've had very little pain, a slight ache which is gone now 2 days later and have not needed any pain relief. I was honestly petrified about the whole thing but it was much better than expected, the anticipation is the worst.
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Thanks for your supporting messages :) :) I stopped smoking as soon as I realised it might make it worse, the surgery is due soon, I’m freaking out, but no need to worry, hopefully they will remove all the bad cells and that would be it
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Cardi i know a couple that have had this procedure done both were fine afterwards so try not to worry. There just stopping something before it turns to something more sinister down the line.
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So I’m back working today, after almost 2months off after the operation, first client and I bleed, is it normal? It wasn’t a lot but still I’m thinking of working with a tiny sponge, what would you recommend?
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Great news you had it all done cardi!! I'd check with you doctor. 2 months seems a good long time to.allow healing though.but I've not had this op.
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Hello Salty :)
Thanks for your message, I thought 2 months would be enough too, but yeah hopefully nothing too bad :( but it’s annoying for work
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;D
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I had this procedure , I waited the 4 weeks to have intercourse and no bleeding so I would recommend getting yourself checked out for your own peace of mind .
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Ok thank you, I will call the doctor :o I wonder it it might have been a scab that felt off :'( :FF
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So I just confirmed an appointment with a doctor on Tuesday, meanwhile I accepted two bookings tomorrow (Monday), I have some sponges (not my favourites, as I prefer sea sponge usually)
But anyway, I did some tests tonight, put the sponge as far as possible but no blood? I am maybe considering colored condoms although they seem not very discreet, but really maybe my first client just might have pushed a scab and it bleed just that one time? Ahhh so annoying to get back to work that way :/