Help - Saint Louis, MO

Hi M.. I just wanted to respond to you because I have had abnormal pap smear's for years now. Don't sweat it. I think that if the dr thought it was something to worry about, he would not be waiting another 4 months. Good luck and I hope everything goes ok.
L.

Last year the same thing happened to me and when I went for my next pap everything was normal. My doc says sometimes things like that happen it a lab mistake. So don't fret.

M.,
I am one of those mothers that have had abnormal paps since I started having them. It is nothing to worry about unless the Dr. is concerned that something is wrong. Take everything in stride. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask me. Have a wonderful day!

I just had the exact same thing happen about a week and a half ago. My Dr. also told me to repeat in a few months. I did alot of searching online and found that in most cases it does correct itself in a few months and in the cases that it doesn't the next step is usually a biopsy. Hope this little bit helps, let me know if you come up with anymore info and I will do the same...hope both of ours turn out to be nothing.

When I was in my early 20's I also had a bad PAP. They did a biopsy which turned out to be negative. I still did a PAP every 4 months for a year. The porccess is a little nerve wracking, but I felt it was better to be safe than sorry in the end. Catching any problem early can save your life. Good luck!

Hello, (I see you have a lot of responses, I'm sorry but I don't have the time to read them all right now so you might have already got a response like mine.) I had the same thing happen to me several years ago and they waited to long to do anything about it. So by the time they checked again it had spread so much that I had to go in for surgery to remove the cells. If they would have treated me earlier then they could have simply froze the cells or removed them with a wire loop right there in the office without having to put me under. I am not trying to scare you because it could also be nothing at all!!! But just in case it is something then I think you need to try to get in a lot sooner. Better to be safe than sorry!!! I hope this helps!!

Hi M.-

I would call your doctors office and get more answers and reassurance. Just as the others are saying here, it's probably nothing and don't worry about it. However, knowing that's easier said than done, I'd call the office and explain how you're feeling about this and I'd be surprised if they don't spend some time explaining the process and the possibilities, and why waiting for 4 months is a safe reaction to have. Your doctor does not want you to worry and I am confident they will give more information once they understand it's needed.

Good Luck and hang in there!

When I was pregnant with my daughter my pap results came back very abnormally high. They told me that I had precancerous cells in my uterus, but they could not do a biopsy until after I gave birth. My doctor also told me that it did happen often and he was sure that after she was born and they tested it again they would be gone. I went back and had a biopsy and pap smear after she was born and everything was fine.

Hello M.,

Yes, this did happen to me quite a few years ago, and it turned out to be nothing. Do be sure that if something does come back in a 'bad light', get another opinion.

All the best to you.

M.,

I have actually had to abnormal pap smears now. The first time I just went in for a second one after about 6 months and it came back fine. The second time they had me back in for some other test with dyes and stuff. That test also came back fine. So I guess what I'm trying to say is try not to worry about it until you know there's something to worry about.

Good luck with the wait and the repeat test.

D.

I have had several in my lifetime. They always turned out normal when I went back in. If it was something that was seriously wrong the Dr. would have wanted to see you back alot sooner than 4 months. Keep that in mind. I certainly would not spend the next 4 months worrying about it because that will get you no where. Yes it can be a little scary to hear those words, the body is a strange thing and sometimes those abnormal paps are never explained....it was just your bodies abnormal day I guess!! :)

My mother's paps have come back abnormal for years. She goes in every 4-6 months and they run tests it has always been nothing. She is healty and it is just one of those things. Until they have done more test I wouldn't worry to much about itand if you are worried get a second opion on anything.

I understand how nerve racking it can be. In the fall of 2003 I received that same call that my pap came back abnormal. I had to get a repeat every 3 months. It can lead to something serious if not treated, but the majority of the time, there's nothing to worry about. You just have some cells that are abnormal. My doctor told me that most the time it will clear up itself. If it doesn't, they'll go in and either scrap off that tissue or use a laser to burn it off. It may be something you have to deal with from now on, but it's nothing to be overly concerned about.

I too have had many abnormal paps. It could be as simple as an infection, or if you had sex the night before that to can affect a pap. I have even gotten biopsies done. Everything is fine now. Don't worry, I'm sure everything will turn out okay.

M. I went threw the same thing when I was 20 years old. And come to find I had a small infection and with some pills I was fine. Then when I went back in 4 months everything was fine. I feel sorry for all woman out there for what we have to go threw. I hope this helps.
M.

honey, abnormal is never a good thing. I am going to tell you right now...GET ANOTHER OPINION IMMEDIATELY! I had an abnormal pap in February of 2004, in April of 2004 I was going in for a cervical cone biopsy to cut the begginings of cancer out. It is very important not to let it go any further, if it's the same thing I ended up with, 4 months is an extremely long time to let it go. You need to go in for another pap or really talk to your doctor and tell them you want to know EXACTLY what is going on and EXACTLY what cause the abnormality. Be firm with them, if you don't the consequences sould be great. Hope I haven't scared you too much, but It might just be a good thing if I did. Best of wishes and blessings your way, R.

I had an abnormal pap once...turned out to be a yeast infection. Hope that makes you feel a little better.

It's very common. I've been there, done that, too! :) Don't worry, if your doctor really thought it was serious, you wouldn't be waiting 4 months!

Hi M.,

When I had an abnormal pap, I ended up having a minor surgery because I had pre-cancerous cells. After the LEEP, I have had normal results with all my other paps. I had to go every 4 months after my LEEP until I had four good results. After that, I have gone to twice a year (I could just do once a year, but I like to get checked more often since my abnormal results). I have the HPV virous, which is the cause of cervical cancer, so that is why I had the abnormal pap. I would jump on it. I know your doctor is testing you in another 4 months, but you may want her to test you for the HPV virus sooner than that.

i have been down that road. one time it turned out to be nothing. but other times it was other stuff. most the its nothing... i wouldn't worry about it too much until you know what it is for sure. if you would like to talk about it more message me.

Hi M.,
An abnormal pap (without any action) might mean that you have a minor bacterial infection that will clear up on it's own. If in 4 months you go back and it's abnormal again, she will do further tests. I had an abnormal pap and my doctor gave me some insertion medicine and the next test was fine. It's completely understandable to feel nervous, but if the dr did not prescribe any medication this go around, things are more than likely okay. Hang in there and good luck.
M.

I get that almost everytime I go. Then when tey take it again it's fine. Breast exams too. Don't worry, give it to the Lord and let Him handle it for you
Queen

Don't worry I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago and when I went back in it came back normal. My dr said it can be due to changing hormones that for some reason were just slightly out of sinc at the time of your check up. I wouldn't get to excitied unless you have more then one abnormal pap. If your really worried try drinking more water then you normally do to flush your system and looking at healthier eating options if you don't already. Hope this helps

Hi M.!
I went through that same thing after my first little one was born. When I went back for the follow up, everything came back normal. Keep your chin up and stay positive!

Well, when I was pregnant with my first child, I had an abnormal pap. My doc told me right away that the ab cells might become cancerous, but I still had to wait until after my daughter was born to do anything about it. That scared me a lot. But really it was no big deal, I had to have a chryo type surgery to remove the layers of ab cell which was uncomfortable and when I was "defrosting" it felt like really bad period cramps, so I took a nap and then it was over with. I've never had a reoccurance of an abnormal pap and I'm sure if it was anything super serious your doc wouldn't wait to retest you. She probably is expecting it to go away on it's own, 'cause my doc told me that mine might by the time I have my baby, but it didn't so I had to do the uncomfortable stuff. I sure hope this gives you some reassurance, It's perfectly normal to be freaked out about anything abnormal in referance to your own body, but sometimes these things just happen. Good luck with everything.

I have quite a few times and although it does generally turn out to be nothing to worry about, Im confused they didnt ask you to go in for a colposcopy or at very least repeat pap.

M., it can be something very scary. I'm sure that doctors know best, but having gone through it myself I'm would be hesitant to wait 4 more months. If you have seen any of the commercials you will find that HPV is a very serious virus (shows up as an abnormal pap smear). It can lead to cervical cancer...and that's nothing to fool around with. Like I said, it can be very scary but it can all be cured. So, just express your concerns to your doctor and if you are shrugged off, I would advise a 2nd opinion.

I have had abnormal results before too. It turned out to be a urinary tract infection and I had to take medication to get rid of it. So don't stress yourself out it may be nothing.

Hi M.-

I had an abnormal pap smear about 6 years ago. I was retested 3 months later and it was still abnormal. They then performed cryosurgery and removed the abnormal cells. 6 years later I have not had another abnormal pap. The cryosurgery was a little uncomfortable but not too painful. I have know other people that haven't had to go this route and when they were retested they were normal. I don't know if this is helpful at all.

J.

Dont worry!!! It could be 1 of a 100 things... And none are anything to worry about... I had to have repeats about 6 times in the past!!! and every repeat it was normal...

Did you have sex the day before or two???

It could of been something silly like that or a bit of bathwater... who knows....

IT happens!!! Sooooooooooooo Dont worry just wait you will see!!!

I worried like crazy at first too... My mom had cancer and I am good!!!! All re doooo's were a OK!!!

Sending hugs!!! Dont worry!!!

T.

Hi M.,

I see lots of responses but Ill share my story short and sweet. I had an abnormal pap 4 years ago and they tested the cells and all that and they were abnormal and I just kept going back every 6 monts and making sure it didnt get worse and low and behold 3 years later of every 6 months of paps its finally clear. They say it can clear up on its own or you may need to get the cells scraped off or removed. Its all perfectly safe. As long as you stay on your paps all should be well. no cancers cangrow in 4-6 months to any extreme cases. I hope that reassures you. Good luck

it is acommon thing in wemen for paps to come back abnormal just follow ur drs advice and eating a yogert a day.

i am new i just signed up today for mamasource and your request was the first one i saw a few years ago i had an abnormal pap smear and like you it scared me the doctor like you told me it was nothin to be worried about anything can cause an abnormal pap smear (but let me tell you in the end it ended up being nothing at all and have had a normal pap smear since )and when you go back in 4 months dont worried if its still abnormal i went thru 2 years of abnormal pap smears after that first one and had to go to displasia ( not to sure of the spelling ) i had all kinds of test done it wasnt till after the birth of my son who is 6 now that i got a normal pap smear
if you need to chat any more im hear to chat

M.

I have dealt with abnormal paps for years. The first one came back abnormal and the follow up usually normal. I was on a 6 month checks. Although, very annoying, your cervical health is nothing to take lightly. By the way, I haven't had a bad pap in 5 or 6 years.

I had an abnormal one and my doctor just did another pap and it turned out fine. She said that maybe the lab made a mistake or that the test itself didn't work. If there was something really wrong, they would tell you right away.

I have had an abnormal pap before too. My doctor also had me come in a few months later. Everything did end up being fine. Sometimes something small can irritate things and result in an "abnormal pap smear". It could be something from the soap your using in the shower, to not feeling well and your system being a little down.
I've never had an abnormal one since.
Good Luck!