cervical dysplasia

Hello again!I had my colposcopy and biopsy on 2/14/05 and it came back abnomal....I think mild dyplasia and so I am going to have cryosurgery on 4/6/05. I feel very frustrated having HPV and realize now that when I am with a new partner I have share this information. I am also feeling concerned about dyplasia and if this cryosurgery will work. Can I expect to have to go back for more procedures after this? What does this procedure feel like and how long does it take??

Thanks ladies!!

Donna


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Donna
3/12/04 SAH (left cervix) for uterine fibroids; 4/6/05 cryosurgery

I have not had crypotherapy, so hopefully there will be some lovely ladies who can share their stories.

I wish to offer you support during this time. Perhaps if you write a list down for the doctor, the next time you see him/her you can ask these questions.

Most HPV evenutally goes away by itself, but in some women (like me and others here) the HPV caused cancer rather than go away. Many women who have crypo/laser/LEEP find that the new cells that grow back no longer have HPV, but some cannot get rid of it. Whatever happens, please remember to have yearly (or more frequent as recommended by your doc) pap smears even if you are told it is all clear.

Good luck.xxx

I can't specifically respond to your question about cryosurgery. But due to my severe dysplasia (HPV high risk strains), I had a cone biopsy done at the hospital under general anestesia. I had no problems with this surgery. The margins were not clear so I was given the option of a hysterectomy or repeat cone. Since 2 months had passed after the surgery, my dr. did a pap and it came out only showing inflammation due to the surgery. It also showed I still have the high risk strains of HPV, so now I go every 4 months for a pap. I have to keep a close eye on things. Maybe the cryosurgery will take care of the mild dysplasia. But since you had an abnormal pap, you should continue to get paps on a more frequent basis as your dr. recommends.

Maybe someone will come along and tell you about their experience with cryosurgery. I know how you're feeling, nervous, etc. I was very nervous just having the colposcopy done, but it wasn't a problem for me. Take care.

HI Donna,
I had carcinoma in situ of the cervix 7 years ago. I had the Leep done first, then after going back 4 months later, my doctor realized she didn't burn it all off. I then had cryosurgery.
It's not bad at all. The only problem I had was the discharge afterwards for a few weeks. It's a little uncomfortable, but not nearly as bad at the Leep.
I just had a hysterectomy done, (TAH) due to endometriosis and my doctor removed my cervix because she said I would just be asking for problems later on. Even though I had normal paps for the last 7 years.
I'm 9 days post-op.
I promise you it won't be that bad!

(((Donna)))

I'm sorry that your biopsy came back abnormal. Things like this can be so frustrating! Don't beat yourself up about the HPV. As Nell mentioned, it usually goes away on it's own, just some of us seem to have recurring problems with it. Lots of people have this virus (80% will have one form or another of it by thier mid-adult years), and most of those will never know that they have it.

The good news is that it's only mild. I had cryo done a couple of times. It's do-able. I took a couple of Advil before going in, but honestly, the worst part for me was laying on the table and not being able to wiggle around very much--my legs got sore. If they are still doing it the same way, it's not a very long procedure. You'll be up in the stirrups. They run the freezing agent on your cervix for 3 minutes, turn it off for 5 minutes, and then do it again (at least that's how mine was done) For me, the first 3 minutes weren't bad at all. The second 3 minutes I definitely had more cramping and was anxious for it to be over.

After a few days, you'll pass the dead cells (kind of a brownish-grayish "clump" and you may have discharge for 2-4 weeks (mine was not very heavy at all). I felt a little sluggish for a couple of days (I think just emotionally exhausted--I hate having female procedures done), but it didn't keep me from going to work.

You will most likely go back for close follow-ups for the first couple of years. It's typical to go back every 3 months for 2 years, though not every doctor follows exactly the same schedule, so check with yours to see what you'll be doing.

Hopefully this will take care of the problem and you'll never need another treatment done. Remember, you can help yourself out by strengthening your immune system. Take a good multivitamin (folic acid may help us fight off HPV infection, as will some of the carotenoids). Eat lots of fruit and beggies. Get plenty of rest. Keep your stress to a minimum. Pray/exercise/do yoga. All of these things are believed to strengthen the immune system which will then hopefully keep this annoying virus from bothering you any more.

Good luck, Donna! I hope your procedure goes well. Please come back and let us know how you're doing!

Hi Donna,

I have a long history with HPV, biopsies and cryosurgery. I was diagnosed with Bowen's disease in 1987, it is caused by the HPV virus. My area was not my cervix, but my vulva. I have had laser surgery, leep, surgical incision and a skinning vulvectomy. Please please please go for your follow ups.. they may be a little uncomfortable, but so important. My lesions would appear within days of an exam by my gyn.. so make sure you so self exams regularly. The skinning vulvectomy in one of the most painful procedures a woman can go though. I hope you're procedures and painless and your results ... good news!!