ladies bits

[Donna Marie]

Hello everyone,

I've got a problem, i have recently been for another smear, i am having problems with this i have to have them done every 6 months due to "there not being enough cells" to get the results.
:unsure:

(Sorry to bring up such an intimate subject up).

Has anybody else had similar problems or am i just plain stupid?? :wacko: :blink:

or is this something else to worry about as well as lupus. :wacko: :afraid:

Donna (UK)

[hazey]

Hi Donna :wave:

This seems to happen every time I have a smear too! I don't know why they don't get enough cells first time, but I've come to expect the recall now as a matter of routine. :angry: Hateful thing to have done eh?

I don't know if we should worry about this Donna. Probably not - as we've got plenty to think about already. But we're definitely not stupid!! :lol: ;) My only tip is, have some cake/chocolate/new clothes afterwards, for having to put up with such unpleasant things!

Hazel

[angieD]

hello
my problem is that I always manage to bleed and then have to have it re-done or they say it's an inadequate specimen :(
Life isn't easy for us girls.



Hugs Angie

[birdie]

Oh to be a man :lol:

[alobreto]

Hi, Gals! ;)
One possibility for the lack of cells for the sample is douching within 72 hours of specimen collection. It seems that nobody ever tells any of us the things we need to know about intimate tests!

I hope this is the issue because it's so easy to resolve.
Regards,
Angela :flowers:

[AnM]

Hey,

I always have to go back every 3 months; so I understand the call back. ;)

But, it's not b/c there aren't enough cells. They always say that it's abnormal (I can't remember the actual word right now. :wacko: )

But, then they do it again and everything seems ok, except it still again abnormal.
So, they just keep an eye on it and have me come back every 3 months.

So, I understand having to continue to go back.

Just think it could be 4 times a year to have to go through this wonderful exam rather than 2- what you sadly have to deal w/ already! :o :D

Take care, n wishing better tests next time!! :)
Alicia :coffee: :flowers:

[bananawear]

Hi Donna - also check with your gyno to make sure they are using the cervical brush prep rather than the swab or the flat scraper prep, the brush gets more cells and also a better sample during the pap smear. I know most docs in the US are using this method now but not sure about the UK.

I have been having abnormal paps for the past year and thus have been having to go every 6 mos and have had to have 2 biopsies - not a good time but its good to get it checked for peace of mind. Not sure why the paps have come back abnormal then the biopsies are ok but I'm thankful for that.

Good luck and take good care- Chris

[Donna Marie]

thanks for all the input peeps!!

the last time i had a smear done they used the brush but it still came back with not enough cells on.

I currently have the "Implanon" implant in my arm which is a contraceptive which stays in your arm for 3 years which for me means no "monthly problems" :D
:woohoo:

which i think is great.

But i'm glad to know that i'm not on my own in this one. :goodvibes:

Cheers xxxx

Lots of hugs

[mashlynn]

Originally posted by bananawear@Feb 28 2005, 03:04 AM
Hi Donna - also check with your gyno to make sure they are using the cervical brush prep rather than the swab or the flat scraper prep, the brush gets more cells and also a better sample during the pap smear. I know most docs in the US are using this method now but not sure about the UK.

I have been having abnormal paps for the past year and thus have been having to go every 6 mos and have had to have 2 biopsies - not a good time but its good to get it checked for peace of mind. Not sure why the paps have come back abnormal then the biopsies are ok but I'm thankful for that.

Good luck and take good care- Chris
:wave: I know I read somewhere that certain medications used for lupus can cause abnormal pap smears. I seem to remember it being the immune suppressents and predisone.

[sunladyb]

:wave: Hi Donna,
I too have had abnormal smears come back and I am currently undx.
I have had 2 colposcopies in the last 18 months due to my cells :wacko:
The first time i was scared stiff but now it has become the norm for my to have smear every sim months I also have to have a smear test every year for the next 10 years :unsure: Just so they can keep an eye on me.
I am not sure on not enough cells though not heard of that one.
Take care.
Love Dawn :flowers:

[helloos]

Not enough cells I believe is caused by the doctor who scrapes them since you can't see the cells, sometimes there aren't enough collected to test or they get interfered from you to the container. This is what I have been told. It is a pain to re-do it. Abnormal pap they do further testing to see if something to worry about. I had a mass that was non cancerous and it caused an abnormal pap. A friend had a sexual disease and that also caused it to be abnormal.