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 Peecans
    
| ... I know some of you hate these kinds of posts but I have some questions if thats OK.
I found out my last pap smear test came back with abnormal cells. I also had elevated white blood cells but all tests and cultures for infections were negative.
So my Dr. said he wanted to refer me to a gynecologist to get that all check out and make sure its not cervical cancer (pretty much every woman on my moms side of my family has had to have a hystromecty in thier early 30s due to cervical cancer, im in my late twentys) any way he said id be getting another check and a possibly biopsy done by the GYN, asked if I had questions amd I said no. I figured id new the new doctor and go from there. But my appoiment with him is not until November and at the hospital not his office?. So now I've got my self all concerned and worried over something that very well could be nothing. And really wanting to know what's next?
Im sure some (or) many ladies have been through this. Whats the process? Is there pretty good chances its nothing? Google just has not been helpful and makes me more worried than anything.
Edited by della 2014-07-15 7:20 PM
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | november is along way off.. Id be finding a differant dr.. I personally would not wait that long. Im sure its nothing..
as a few friends of mine have had abnormal cells but gosh id be batty with worry by then.. |
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 Voice of Reason
Location: NOT at Wal Mart | Ask to get on the cancelation list, tell them you will take the first appointment available. Meanwhile relax, keep busy, both body and mind. Good luck! |
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Peecans
| Thank you, its the time that has me most worried I think, if we could just get it done and either everythings pefrect great im happy! If not id rather get after fixing it sooner rather than later .....
I really thought id be seen by the end of the month when I talked to my family doctor :-( |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| A lot of things can cause abnormal cells, close to your menses, having unprotected sex within a few days of pap and I can't remember the others off the top of my head.
And sadly our system you can't get a different gynaecologist, and there isn't a cancellation list they just go down the list.
I would be asking for the regular doctor to repeat the bloodwork within a month to see if the WBC is still elevated or returns within the normal ranges. I would also ask him to explain the WBC panel see what is elevated. I would also look at getting some inflammatory bloodwork such as crp and esr done to rule out an autoimmune or inflammatory disease.
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 Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | Do you know exactly what type of abnormal cells you had? That makes a big difference how urgent your follow up should be. Also did they do HPV testing?
A lot of family docs don't like to do GYN stuff so they just refer anything abnormal. There are very new guidelines (came out last Dec) about managing abnormal PAPs. But they are all based on type of abnormal cells and HPV status. I would get a copy of your PAP results so that you know exactly what you have. Feel free to PM me anymore questions if you want.
The elevated white blood cells are probably unrelated. Cervical cancer is rarely spread through the blood or lymphatic system.
It would also be strange for you to see the GYN for the first time at the hospital. Maybe his office is in the hospital?? I'd call his office and confirm the location of the appointment. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Dr. J - 2014-07-15 10:54 PM
Do you know exactly what type of abnormal cells you had? That makes a big difference how urgent your follow up should be. Also did they do HPV testing?
A lot of family docs don't like to do GYN stuff so they just refer anything abnormal. There are very new guidelines (came out last Dec) about managing abnormal PAPs. But they are all based on type of abnormal cells and HPV status. I would get a copy of your PAP results so that you know exactly what you have. Feel free to PM me anymore questions if you want.
The elevated white blood cells are probably unrelated. Cervical cancer is rarely spread through the blood or lymphatic system.
It would also be strange for you to see the GYN for the first time at the hospital. Maybe his office is in the hospital?? I'd call his office and confirm the location of the appointment.
It is common procedure to see a gynaecologist the one and probably only time in the hospital, my guess is they will be doing a colposcopy (sp).
In Alberta our system is different, and as far as I remember last year they were still not doing the HPV testing as too expensive to be done on all. (This may have changed, but highly doubt it)
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | I had an abnormal result when I was 19. I see my regular OBGYN for paps. He scheduled me for a biopsy in his office for I think two weeks later or so. They numbed the cervix, then used vinegar (I'm pretty sure) as an indicator for where the abnormal cells were (I guess it turns the area white), then they snipped a piece off and sent it away for testing. Came back TOTALLY negative for anything.
OBGYN says sometimes they just happen. I remember FREAKING out waiting for the biopsy appointment. Just stay busy, and know that there are so many factors that could affect paps that it is likely nothing. Also, if the results came back with anything truly worrisome, they probably would have you seeing somebody before November. No matter what the desk lady says - in a truly urgent situation, they can squeeze you in somewhere with the insistence of your primary care doctor.
Best wishes!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
Location: The South | Gosh that's a long time to wait, I'm sorry. I had an abnormal Pap smear when I was in college but I can't remember how long it was until I went back in for another test. Everything turned out normal the second time around, as others have said there's a bunch of things that can make it abnormal when it's nothing to worry about-good luck! I hope you get in to see the dr soon so you can rest easy. |
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Expert
Posts: 2685
| della - 2014-07-15 7:17 PM
... I know some of you hate these kinds of posts but I have some questions if thats OK.
I found out my last pap smear test came back with abnormal cells. I also had elevated white blood cells but all tests and cultures for infections were negative.
So my Dr. said he wanted to refer me to a gynecologist to get that all check out and make sure its not cervical cancer (pretty much every woman on my moms side of my family has had to have a hystromecty in thier early 30s due to cervical cancer, im in my late twentys) any way he said id be getting another check and a possibly biopsy done by the GYN, asked if I had questions amd I said no. I figured id new the new doctor and go from there. But my appoiment with him is not until November and at the hospital not his office?. So now I've got my self all concerned and worried over something that very well could be nothing. And really wanting to know what's next?
Im sure some (or) many ladies have been through this. Whats the process? Is there pretty good chances its nothing? Google just has not been helpful and makes me more worried than anything.
I just went through all of this too. Now, my family has 1 case of breast cancer and some heart problems but that's it so my situation is a tad different. I had my pap, got sent to Gyno. Gyno did a pap and took a sample and it said I had abnormal cells yada yada. It is normal to have abnormal cells (weird I know) and if this is one of those normal occurrences the body will take care of itself in 6 months so they have you come back for another sample in 6 months. That's what happened to me. You being at risk I'm not sure if they will try to watch things more closely or what. Might try to get ahold of a gyno that can do another pap sooner just to be safe.
Don't panic. Prayers for ya :) |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | You guys don't all go to a Gyno for the female exam each year anyway? You see a regular doctor? That's interesting. I have a primary care doc for routine stuff...and a gyno at a women's health practice for the pap and annual violation. (HAte hate hate that appointment!...even though my Gyno is efficient and nice)
Maybe that's why my experience is different...but I had an abnormnal result on the Pap...they had me come in and repeat the test a few weeks later. It was normal. If it had come back still abnormal they were going to do a biopsy.
They did have me do Pap tests every six months for the next couple of years to be safe...but all have been normal.
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Peecans
| TrailGirl - 2014-07-16 6:32 AM
You guys don't all go to a Gyno for the female exam each year anyway? Â You see a regular doctor? Â That's interesting. Â I have a primary care doc for routine stuff...and a gyno at a women's health practice for the pap and annual violation. Â (HAte hate hate that appointment!...even though my Gyno is efficient and nice)
Maybe that's why my experience is different...but I had an abnormnal result on the Pap...they had me come in and repeat the test a few weeks later. Â It was normal. Â If it had come back still abnormal they were going to do a biopsy.
They did have me do Pap tests every six months for the next couple of years to be safe...but all have been normal.
Â
I just see my regular family doctor. He is also who delivered out first daughter, he would have delivred the other too if that town didn't quit delivering babies at the hospital. So I just do the first half of my prenatal visits with him and then transfer to the bigger city closer to third try.
Hes the only dr we see! And when we have to go to the hospital they usualy call him and he comes. Kinda nice in a way! |
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 Veteran
Posts: 246
Location: OK | della - 2014-07-15 6:26 PM
Thank you, its the time that has me most worried I think, if we could just get it done and either everythings pefrect great im happy! If not id rather get after fixing it sooner rather than later .....
I really thought id be seen by the end of the month when I talked to my family doctor :-(
If your primary doctor is OK with you waiting that long, it's likely a very low grade level of abnormal cells. Without knowing the pathology report, it's difficult to say. As someone else said, see if you can get on the cancellation list. Having the appointment in the hospital vs. a clinic is likely no big deal--if they need to have a procedure room, perhaps his/her clinic doesn't have one with all the equipment needed to do a biopsy if that's what he feels is needed.
I know it's hard not to worry but I have a feeling if your PCP really thought it was suspicious and urgent, he would call the GYN office himself and ask for you to be seen earlier. They may also want to wait 3 months(at least) so if something was going to clear up on it's own, it would have time to--and save you the hassle of a biopsy. |
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Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | cheryl makofka - 2014-07-15 11:06 PM Dr. J - 2014-07-15 10:54 PM Do you know exactly what type of abnormal cells you had? That makes a big difference how urgent your follow up should be. Also did they do HPV testing? A lot of family docs don't like to do GYN stuff so they just refer anything abnormal. There are very new guidelines (came out last Dec) about managing abnormal PAPs. But they are all based on type of abnormal cells and HPV status. I would get a copy of your PAP results so that you know exactly what you have. Feel free to PM me anymore questions if you want. The elevated white blood cells are probably unrelated. Cervical cancer is rarely spread through the blood or lymphatic system. It would also be strange for you to see the GYN for the first time at the hospital. Maybe his office is in the hospital?? I'd call his office and confirm the location of the appointment. It is common procedure to see a gynaecologist the one and probably only time in the hospital, my guess is they will be doing a colposcopy (sp ). In Alberta our system is different, and as far as I remember last year they were still not doing the HPV testing as too expensive to be done on all. (This may have changed, but highly doubt it )
Is the OP in Canada too? I have no idea about how procedures are done in Canada. In the US a colposcopy is a very simple office procedure. No one does one in a hospital.
That's interesting about not doing HPV testing due to the cost. One of the main reasons the new US recommendations include HPV testing all abnormal PAP's is because it was found to be cheaper to not repeatedly PAP/biopsy patients who were HPV negative. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Dr. J - 2014-07-16 10:26 PM
cheryl makofka - 2014-07-15 11:06 PM Dr. J - 2014-07-15 10:54 PM Do you know exactly what type of abnormal cells you had? That makes a big difference how urgent your follow up should be. Also did they do HPV testing? A lot of family docs don't like to do GYN stuff so they just refer anything abnormal. There are very new guidelines (came out last Dec) about managing abnormal PAPs. But they are all based on type of abnormal cells and HPV status. I would get a copy of your PAP results so that you know exactly what you have. Feel free to PM me anymore questions if you want. The elevated white blood cells are probably unrelated. Cervical cancer is rarely spread through the blood or lymphatic system. It would also be strange for you to see the GYN for the first time at the hospital. Maybe his office is in the hospital?? I'd call his office and confirm the location of the appointment. It is common procedure to see a gynaecologist the one and probably only time in the hospital, my guess is they will be doing a colposcopy (sp ). In Alberta our system is different, and as far as I remember last year they were still not doing the HPV testing as too expensive to be done on all. (This may have changed, but highly doubt it )
That's interesting about not doing HPV testing due to the cost. One of the main reasons the new US recommendations include HPV testing all abnormal PAP's is because it was found to be cheaper to not repeatedly PAP/biopsy patients who were HPV negative. Â
Yep Della is from Alberta as well
My doc told me what they are told, if you have abnormal pap, then the automatic assumption is you have the HPV virus in your body, so the test is irrelevant.
Generally if there are abnormal cells, the doc rebooks another pap in 6 months, if that is abnormal, another 6 months, if that is abnormal, gynaecologist for colposcopy. It can be 11/2 years before you can see a gynaecologist if there are no other risk factors.
Edited by cheryl makofka 2014-07-16 10:36 PM
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Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | TrailGirl - 2014-07-16 7:32 AM You guys don't all go to a Gyno for the female exam each year anyway? You see a regular doctor? That's interesting. I have a primary care doc for routine stuff...and a gyno at a women's health practice for the pap and annual violation. (HAte hate hate that appointment!...even though my Gyno is efficient and nice)
Maybe that's why my experience is different...but I had an abnormnal result on the Pap...they had me come in and repeat the test a few weeks later. It was normal. If it had come back still abnormal they were going to do a biopsy.
They did have me do Pap tests every six months for the next couple of years to be safe...but all have been normal.
Family practice doctors are well trained in routine non surgical GYN stuff (PAP's, colposcopy, birth control management, IUD's, endometrial biopsy, well woman exams, etc). We get a lot of that in residency and are more than capable of doing it (just like how we actually get a lot of OB training in residency as well). However a lot of family docs didn't like GYN so they don't do it after residency. You would just have to ask your family doctor if they do.
Internal medicine doctors (who are also primary care) usually don't have as much GYN training as a family medicine doctor, so it is more rare to find one who will do PAP's and well woman exams. |
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Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | cheryl makofka - 2014-07-16 10:31 PM Dr. J - 2014-07-16 10:26 PM cheryl makofka - 2014-07-15 11:06 PM Dr. J - 2014-07-15 10:54 PM Do you know exactly what type of abnormal cells you had? That makes a big difference how urgent your follow up should be. Also did they do HPV testing? A lot of family docs don't like to do GYN stuff so they just refer anything abnormal. There are very new guidelines (came out last Dec) about managing abnormal PAPs. But they are all based on type of abnormal cells and HPV status. I would get a copy of your PAP results so that you know exactly what you have. Feel free to PM me anymore questions if you want. The elevated white blood cells are probably unrelated. Cervical cancer is rarely spread through the blood or lymphatic system. It would also be strange for you to see the GYN for the first time at the hospital. Maybe his office is in the hospital?? I'd call his office and confirm the location of the appointment. It is common procedure to see a gynaecologist the one and probably only time in the hospital, my guess is they will be doing a colposcopy (sp ). In Alberta our system is different, and as far as I remember last year they were still not doing the HPV testing as too expensive to be done on all. (This may have changed, but highly doubt it )
That's interesting about not doing HPV testing due to the cost. One of the main reasons the new US recommendations include HPV testing all abnormal PAP's is because it was found to be cheaper to not repeatedly PAP/biopsy patients who were HPV negative. Yep Della is from Alberta as well
Well that makes more sense as to why her appointment isn't until November.
I don't say that critically, I actually like socialized medical systems. I just went to work for the Indian Health System here in the US, which is socialized medicine. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Dr. J - 2014-07-16 10:36 PM
cheryl makofka - 2014-07-16 10:31 PM Dr. J - 2014-07-16 10:26 PM cheryl makofka - 2014-07-15 11:06 PM Dr. J - 2014-07-15 10:54 PM Do you know exactly what type of abnormal cells you had? That makes a big difference how urgent your follow up should be. Also did they do HPV testing? A lot of family docs don't like to do GYN stuff so they just refer anything abnormal. There are very new guidelines (came out last Dec) about managing abnormal PAPs. But they are all based on type of abnormal cells and HPV status. I would get a copy of your PAP results so that you know exactly what you have. Feel free to PM me anymore questions if you want. The elevated white blood cells are probably unrelated. Cervical cancer is rarely spread through the blood or lymphatic system. It would also be strange for you to see the GYN for the first time at the hospital. Maybe his office is in the hospital?? I'd call his office and confirm the location of the appointment. It is common procedure to see a gynaecologist the one and probably only time in the hospital, my guess is they will be doing a colposcopy (sp ). In Alberta our system is different, and as far as I remember last year they were still not doing the HPV testing as too expensive to be done on all. (This may have changed, but highly doubt it )
That's interesting about not doing HPV testing due to the cost. One of the main reasons the new US recommendations include HPV testing all abnormal PAP's is because it was found to be cheaper to not repeatedly PAP/biopsy patients who were HPV negative.  Yep Della is from Alberta as well
I don't say that critically, I actually like socialized medical systems. I just went to work for the Indian Health System here in the US, which is socialized medicine.
Our system is not perfect, but no system is.
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