HPV

[DavidinCA92284]

I recently went through a health exam that included an Anal Pap smear.  I've been a long term survivor since being first diagnosed in 1987, have had limited sexual partners over the years and have been in a long term relationship with someone for the past 15 years.  That said, there is no way to determine when some gets HPV, but that recent test has shown the following:

1) some epithelial cell changes, some "high grade" in nature, and
2) HPV type 18 and other "concerning" viral types

Therefore, I am being referred to a specialist concerning the tests.

My question for long term survivors is if anyone has dealt with the new discovery of such HPV tests?   Information about experience in treatment or tests to determine if its pre cancer or cancer would be of interest.  Or, just personal experience.   Thanks in advance.



 

[Wade]

Hi David ,
There have been several posts in this thread I think,
But doesn't matter. I started getting regular paps several years ago,
My first also showed up hi-grade.
You will most likely get an HRA , biopsy & tx at the same time ,
At least that's how my mine goes.

Good news is it is treatable , mine is done right in my docs office.
I have an HRA every six months, my last showed only low grade in
One spot only this past fall , and was treated.
If my next one this spring is clear,I will only get a yearly pap.
The procedure is a little uncomfortable, but not bad.

Mine was referred to as high grade dysplasia.
Hope this helps, Wade

[DavidinCA92284]

Thanks Wade for the response . . .and yes I visited some of the past threads on the issue, but just wanted a current response. 

What was confusing to me is that me being with the same sex partner for 15+ years either means I got it from him (very unlikely but possible), or that I obtained it years ago.  So I guess my curiosity is whether this can be dormant for years or whether it can be active for years, potentially getting to the cancer stage.  Since it's my first test, I hope that I'm not too late to discovering it as a 'beginning' phase - if HPV has a beginning phase.

[Wade]

Hi David ,
I am not familiar with the terminology they used in your pap diagnosis,
as I stated mine was just referred to as high grade dysplasia.
I don't think there is any way to tell when you were exposed to HPV.
Keep us posted, Wade

[harleymc]

Latest research from Australia
http://www.nchecrsurveys.unsw.edu.au/spanc/reports.html

[jm1953]

Hey David, I was diagnosed with HIV in 1987 too, so we have that in common.  And about a month and a half ago I noticed a white bump on the far back of the roof of my mouth.  My primary told me it was probably HPV and began a treatment of freezing it.  I went to my Infectious disease doc and he referred me to an ENT for a biopsy and evaluation.  She said it did not look cancerous and did not want to do a biopsy unless absolutely necessary.  So continue with freezing treatments.  Nothing has spread.  I too have been in a long term, long distance relationship.  We see each other as we can, and talk all the time on the phone.  He is the only one I have had sex with and that was a few years ago.  But I did have sex with my ex impulsively about 3 months ago and then this appeared a few weeks later.  My HIV doc said HPV may not manifest itself for many years, or sometimes in the short term.  He did not do an anal pap smear which I wonder about.  Anyway, have two more appointments for liquid nitrogen freezing and then hopefully done.  Bottom line, I don't know how I got it as I'm not really sexually active that much.  Don't know if this helps but just wanted you to know I'm kind of in the same boat as you.

[wolfter]

I don't recall the exact numbers, but I believe a large majority of of HIV+ men are co-infected with HPV.  Most will never have issues and it can be dormant forever. 

I have had a long issue with them and this last episode showed I had malignant high grade neoplastic masses.  Fortunately, it had not spread to the surrounding tissue so they were simply surgically removed.

[aztecan]

Hi all,

David, you caught things in the nick, it sound like.

HPV is endemic. They are now vaccinating people for some strains of it, there are many strains.

Basically, the current train of thought is anyone who has ever had sex with someone else has probably been exposed to HPV.

Not all strains are problematic, but some are and they are pretty prevalent.

The anal paps are now standard of care, but in rural areas, they are hard to come by. I have never had one, but would like to get one.

So, we are trying to get the Department of Health to come to the rescue. The doctor here is willing, but he has no place to refer people or to send the samples.

We are working on it.

HUGS,

Mark

[DavidinCA92284]

Thanks for the all the replies so far on this topic!

UPDATE - I went to the Surgeon on Wednesday and was told that it was his suggestion that I have it investigated to determine what exactly we're dealing with.  Unfortunately, I can't have it immediately looked into because another test . . . an EKG and stress test - showed that I'll be needing an Angiogram!   I have to be heart OK before they will perform the procedure.

God supposedly doesn't give you more than you can handle, but long term survivors have to deal with more than being HIV positive, an AIDS diagnosis and the pills to suppress the virus.   I think that these other things like Neurological issues, Hep C, HPV, and heart health are of equal if not more of a potential problem.  At least for me, I have to skip over guilt and being mad and go right to acceptance....because the sooner I have them looked at the quicker I can determine the nature of the problem.

But I write about my HPV results for another reason.   As a LTS, I've always valued taking care of myself....eating right, getting exercise, and avoiding risky activities.  Having HPV doesn't necessarily make me feel unclean, but it makes me frustrated that ever since I was tested HIV Positive, I've had to deal with a host of other issues that came along for the ride (so to speak)....not the usual co-conditions that accompany HIV like fatigue or even PN.

For instance years ago it came to my attention that I was exposed to Hep C.   How?  Was it through Sex - no.   It was because I agreed in the mid 1980s to have a blood transfusion due to Anemia caused by AZT.   It was my choice to have the transfusion, but it wasn't my choice to get Hep C at the same time.   In the 80s they didn't have a screening for Hep C in blood donations, and therefore, here I am today with a cleared Hep C virus from my blood, but still need to be tested to see if there is an 'emergence' of it.

HPV is another issue that I knew nothing about or really cared.   I haven't had unprotected sex (or sex period) with anyone for years and it seemed like hopefully it wasn't an issue for me.  But no . . . my Doctor suggests during our physical to swab me.  So, I decided it was oK to see what may be hidden.   Now I have something else to contend with - adding to my long list of tag along conditions.  Of course I'd rather know than not know.

If God doesn't give you more than you can handle, He certain doesn't make it easy.  .  . and I hope that all my issues aren't payback for God's punishment for my Parent's assault on their Jewish Heritage by their denial of God and their not wanting to be 'enlightened'. 

But I've been able to go through the pages of my heritage by uncovering my genealogy.  By doing so, have discovered things untold by my parents and coming to terms with how my relatives died.   For instance, I know now that my Dad's brother died of a heart attack and so did my Mom's Dad.  The clincher is that they both did so in their 50s.  So now, it's quite ironic that in my 50s I'll be looking into getting an angiogram.   But it's better to have a stent (if that's what needs to be done) than looking at purchasing clean clothes for a coffin.