POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Jena on August 05, 2006, 05:25:48 pm
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My GYN doctor is my own personal guardian angel. Shes the one that insisited I be tested when no one else could figure out what was wrong with me last year. When she got the results she drove to my house and sat on my porch and cried with me as she told me the results. She insisted that I have GYN check ups every six months too. I had a normal pap in March, I went in for another test 2 weeks ago, and guess what? When I came home from work yesterday, there she was, sitting in the rocking chair on the front porch waiting for me. I knew something was up as I walked through the gate, but she smiled and told me not to get upset. She said the test showed abnormal cells but they were " low grade" and probably caused by an infection. She said with a healthy woman she would just watch things and have the woman come back for a repeat in a few months, but because its me, shes going to do a biopsy to make 100% sure. She said even if it turns out to be cervical cancer at this early stage it is 100% treatable.
I love this woman as if she were my sister and I trust her completely so I am not too concerned. They are doing the biopsy on Wednesday next week.
I also see my ID doc next Tuesday, the results from my last blood test was disapointing, my CD4 went from 309 to 206 and my VL from 55,500 to 68,500. ( My orginal CD4 was 90 and my VL was 750,000 , last year) I've been on meds for 10 months almost and although the numbers have improved dramatically they should be better than they are. The ID doc is not as aggressive as I'd like her to be, taking a " lets give it another 3 months and then see" attitude. Easy for her to say, its not her life! So anyway, Joseph is going to the ID clinic at the University of Cincinnati, which is reportedly one of the best, cutting edge clinics in the country, so I have made an appointment there also, although I can't get in until Nov. But thats ok, it will give me a chance to see my current doctor again and let her know what I'm planning.
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers!
Jena
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Hi Jena,
I have had abnormal paps also. The doctor did the same thing as yours- took a biopsy, which comes back as dysplasia, then sees me again in 3-6 months. This has been ongoing for about 5 years.
I have also had some discolored areas around my vulva, and the same thing was done- biopsy and then another appointment in a few months.
Cervical cancer is one of the slowest growing cancers, so if something were to progress, as long as you continue to see your gyn on a regular basis, it should be okay. And your gyn doctor sounds great!
Hope everything is going well for you and Joseph.
Christine
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Hi Jena
I know how upsetting this news must be for you, but try not to stress too much about it at this stage.
Abnormal Pap smear results can often be explained by an infection or an inflammation, like yeast infections, herpes, trichomonas, also if you are sexual active or use vaginal preparations this will or can show some abnormalities in the cells.
Let us know how you get on after your biopsy on Wednesday...and keep us updated on your visit to your ID Doctor.
Thinking of you.
Hugs
Jan :-*
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Hello Jena, it is Eldon. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope everything works out well for you. Keep us posted.
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Jena: I will place you and your health in the Light of a group gathering tomorrow evening. Em
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Hi Jena,
I've missed you.
Sorry to hear about the abnormal Pap. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's nothing more than just an infection or inflammation as Jan has stated.
Be sure to keep us updated, okay?
All my love to you...
Trish :-*
PS, It's good to know that things are working out for you & Joseph. All the best to both of you. I'm very happy for you honey. :) ;D
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Hi Jena
I understand your concern, and I am keeping you in my prayers and sending you lots of love and positive energy.
Let us know what you find out, and take care of yourself!
Love & hugs,
Alan
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Hello, sorry to hear about your abnormal pap test. Even if it is dysplasia, it can be easily treated through cryotherapy or a cone removal. I hope it turns out to be just a infection. Wishing you the best of luck. Cristy
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Hi Jena, I too have abnormal pap test, i have to see my gyn every 6 months also. I will keep you in my prayers. Please let us know what happens Wednesday.
Love Wendy
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Thanks everyone for your kind words and support. Again, as always , I have to say, I love you all and don't know what I'd do without you.
Love
Jena
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Hey Jena,
I know this is upsetting. I have learned women with HIV often have abnormal pap smears, although I don't know why this happens. You are doing exactly what you should - keeping close watch and doing follow-ups.
Please be vigilant with this, it is important.
I will be keeping you in my thoughts and sending positive energy your way.
HUGS,
Mark
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Dear Jena...
Sweetheart, I'm with all the others in wanting to read updates on this as more information gets gathered. You have such inner strength, evidenced by each post you write, and we are holding you close to our hearts as you navigate through this episode.
I want to share with you that I, too, had an abnormal PAP in 1980. They eventually diagnosed me with Level 5 cervical cancer, which a cone biopsy confirmed. A procedure known as 'freezing' was done, and I have been cancer free since then.
I agree with you in not wanting to adopt a 'wait and see' attitude. This is nothing to fool around with, and although it is true the cancer may grow slowly, I went from a normal PAP to a Level 5 within one year. Odds would have it that it's presence in an HIV+ woman may exacerbate it's growth process, so I support your taking a more agressive stance.
Consider yourself <<<HUGGED>>> right now, honey.
Please keep us informed!!
With much love,
Zephyr :-*
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Zephie, Honey...
Thank you so much for sharing that information with me ( us) you give me faith and hope as usual.
I love you Honey!
Jena
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Jena,
Please know that you are in my thoughts. I will, like everyone else, be waiting to hear the results of that biopsy.
Hang in there lovely lady!
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g312/hckytwngrl/rose-4d.gif)
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I also had an abnormal pap smear two years ago turned out i had dysplesia, which in other words is a virus called HVP, HUMAN PAPILOMA VIRUS, which if not treated can lead to cervical cancer, woman who are hivt, are are said to be HIGH RISK.
I had outpatient surgery done and that took care care of it, i recently had a biopsy of the uterus, which was the most painful experience of my life, but that came back ok.
The best thing to do is do your paps on time, and follow the instructions of your doctor.
an abnormal pap does not necessarily mean cancer.
brandy
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jenna,
i also forgot to mention that if you think your id doctor is not aggressive enough, you have the choice to seek another doctor when it comes to your meds and viral loads and cd4 counts.
Because in hiv women the lower your cd4 and the higher your viral load, the higher the risk is for you, not trying to scare you, just trying to offer my advise.
you have the right to see a doctor that is sensitive and compassionate towards your needs.
I will be praying for you.
LOL
Brandy
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Thanks Brandy and Nadine, I appreciate your taking the time to give me support. With all the other crap going on with the HIV meds and all the abnormal pap scare got pushed aside a bit. I did go back and the doc was ready to do the biopsybut after he checked meout with the microscope he decided I didnt need it after all because he didnt see anything at all abnormal. I had a partial hysterectomy a long time ago and I have pap smears every six months now so I feel confident that I'm doing goot with that part of me. :D
BY THE WAY LADIES DO YOU KNOW THAT THE AMA RECOMMENDS THAT HIV+ WOMEN GET PAP SMEARS EVERY SIX MONTHS!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET YOUR TESTS LADIES!!!!!
HUGS
Jena
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Jena, All I can ofer is a warm hand to hold you by, a warm embrace to warm you by. Me and Will have you in our prayers... Its going to be ok... Your light burns ever so brightly..
Love
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Hi jenna, Just to let you know I have had abnormal Paps for about 5 years and than they started to be normal. It was HPV (Human Papaloma Virus) wich is very common in HIV + and non HIV women. Mine happened to lye dorminat which is common. I know have normal Paps. I do go for Pap every 6 months, and like you said is very important. I am now dealing with cysts on my ovaries that I get checked every 6 weeks. I wish you the best and you. I also agree that if you feel your current ID doctor is not agressive enogh go to see someone else. This is your life and you do have some control, and what you don't have controll of, hand it over to God. My best to you Rachel
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Hi Jena,
I think it is very good that you go for a more aggressive approach of your treatment. I wish you lot of strength and I hope everything will be fine.
Big hug from Holland
Coen
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BY THE WAY LADIES DO YOU KNOW THAT THE AMA RECOMMENDS THAT HIV+ WOMEN GET PAP SMEARS EVERY SIX MONTHS!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET YOUR TESTS LADIES!!!!!
HUGS
Jena
To add to Jena's advice. My ID doc, whom I hold in highest regard, told me that because I had a hysterectomy, I no longer needed to get PAP smears. I ran this by my PCP and her PA when it came time for my routine exam. They said definitively, that is not accurate. When I told them I heard there is a sort of "memory" to uterine tissues and even so in the peritoneal areas (which would relate to the ovaries) -- they concurred and said to continue on with PAP smears. Their recommendation for me is yearly--however, if the AMA has set the standard at every six months, and if you've not had a hysterectomy--I would follow their lead.