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Hi everyone. My Dr just called this morning because I have had two abnormal paps in the last 2 years, the most recent being last week. All she told me was next week I am seeing the GYN for a coloscpy and a biopsy. I just want to know if either of these procedures hurt and what I can do to prepare for them?
First, relax. It is great that your doctor is now taking the proper steps. The Colpo is just like having a Pap Smear but they are only looking at your cervix with a magnifying glass type of thingy...the Biopsy on the other hand does hurt a bit. Some people tolerate pain better than others, I am NOT one of them. I am bad at Paps and even worse with the Biopsy. They must take a sample of your cervix by cutting a small piece...I can best describe it (in my own experience and low-tolerance of pain) as like plucking your eyebrows, but instead plucking your cervix. The best thing to do is relax and it is done sooner than you expect. It only pinches for at that particular instinct. However, when they are swabbing your cervix with the acetic solution (the solutions will make abnormal cells on your cervix change color, here is where they will biopsy) you feel a little cramping...like if you had menstral cramps. So overall, its not terrible but its in no way pleasant.
Hi Kristenkk9,
You can prepare for the procedure by taking Tylenol beforehand, too. Some people advise Advil, though in general any medicine with ibuprofen can cause slightly more bleeding, and there's a little bleeding generally when they take biopsies, so you might want to take Tylenol instead.
I've had a few colposcopies and never found them painful. It can cause cramping, as noted in the last post, and it can be uncomfortable to have a speculum in for the length of time these exams take.
Relax as much as you can, remember to breathe deeply, from your belly, and good, good luck!
Sophie
Thank you guys so much. You put my mind at ease a little bit. Can I ask also what exactly are they looking for with the coloscpy and teh biopsy and will I find out immediately or do I have to wait for some type of lab results? I am a little freaked out but I guess I should just calm down and wait for next Friday and see what happens...
I know how you feel. I just had the procedure done today and it wasnt that bad. They will spray stuff to numb you and it will burn a little but its not that bad so dont worry. You will most likely have cramps after wards but not that bad. I was so scared I was shaking I couldnt breathe but all that kept goin thru my mind was what are the results gonna be. Im so scared I dont know what to do with myself. My family and boyfriend are very comforting but it doesnt stop me from worrying. I wish you all the luck in the world. If you wanna talk my e-mail is akelly221@yahoo.com
Just had my done yesterday for the first time... Did not hurt at all..
there is no need to worry about the coloscpy. i had one in december of 08 along with a biopsy, and i agree 100% with "iluvtosinga" about the biopsy.
i was surprised on how i was so wrong about the pain, i was so worried i was gonna burst into tears and its less pain than a papercut (im not good with pain, but im also not bad with it either). you and i have something in common though. i am scheduled to have a coloscpy in august. i went for a follow up to my biopsy and coloscpy from december and all he did was a pap. well assuming that i was fine because i got no call, i went worry free. to my surprise i came home from my boyfriends today and was told that my dr called and wanted to do another coloscpy. honestly, im not worried.
all they're gonna do, kristenkk9, is put some different little chemicals in you to make everything easier to see, kinda like make it light up... and then they take this huge machine that looks like the x-ray machine from the dentist and just look up in there (ftr no they dont put it in you lol) and see if theres any abnormalities. its simple and pretty much painless. it may burn from the acetic acid they put but its just discomfort, as opposed to full-out pain. discharge will be a little odd afterwards for the rest of the day, itll look really icky brownish (idk if its from the biopsy or the coloscpy or both), but no need to worry unless it changes to some unusual color or something.
but seriously, go in there, take a deep breath, and itll be FINEEE! i promise!! if all of us can get through it with no trouble, so can you!
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