Have you taken the LEEP? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

shoegirl · 07-05-2007, 06:30 AM

I did run across an old thread about HPV, but I wanted to specifically ask if anyone here has ever had a LEEP (Loop Electrical Excision Procedure) performed on them. If you want to know what that is, check here.

A little while ago, I had an abnormal pap, which lead to an HPV type test. I tested positive for a High Risk strain of HPV, which if left untreated may cause cervical cancer. Yikes. From there, I had a colposcopy done where they did a biopsy of two different sections of my cervix. Still abnormal results, so now I'm scheduled to have the LEEP done tomorrow at 9:30. Looking this up on the internet just scares me more than it helps me know what to expect.

So, if you've had this done or know anyone who's had it done, what's it like? I'd much rather hear from someone's personal experience than keep reading "it might be like this" or "you may have these symptoms" on the internet. What were your symptoms, how was your procedure, or how did it effect you? Thanks ladies!

tinydancer · 07-05-2007, 07:37 AM

I almost had to get the LEEP procedure done as well...and i feel your pain as far as being nervous goes! I had (have??) two of those four more serious strands that typically cause cervical cancer.

You're right. Those pamphlets and internet sites don't really give much info... but you have to realize it will be a bit different with every case depending on severity of the HPV and your personal threshold for pain. Sorry I can't give personal experience advice! But I thought I'd say good luck, and I'm sure you'll get through it like the millions of other women have. Don't worry too much, that causes anxiety attacks!!!

BTW.... isn't it REALLLY annoying thinking about how the hell you got it?? Like, from whom you contracted HPV?? My gyno told me he thinks I've had it for almost a year now! Without knowing..! wtf???

shoegirl · 07-05-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinydancer

Sorry I can't give personal experience advice! But I thought I'd say good luck, and I'm sure you'll get through it like the millions of other women have. Don't worry too much, that causes anxiety attacks!!

I know! I'm sure I'm just stressing myself out even more by thinking about it, but that's me, I suppose. Thank you for the good luck wishes, I very much appreciate them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinydancer

BTW.... isn't it REALLLY annoying thinking about how the hell you got it?? Like, from whom you contracted HPV?? My gyno told me he thinks I've had it for almost a year now! Without knowing..! wtf???

Very annoying, but out of the 5 people I've ever slept with - the timeline places it on one of two people and I'm almost positive it's not the current one, but I could be wrong. Either way, it's just a huge pain in the butt, but hopefully tomorrow will take care of it!

Sultana · 07-05-2007, 08:10 AM

I haven't gone as far as the LEEP--but my thoughts are with you. I know it's hard, but try to relax, realize that you are doing everything possible to take care of it, and you *will* very likely be fine. This is really more of an inconvenience (and big giant one, to be sure!).

I can't click on the link here, but if they don't offer pain management, of course talk to the person doing the procedure beforehand about taking OTC pain meds ahead of time.

My thoughts are definitely with you. *hug*

shoegirl · 07-05-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sultana

This is really more of an inconvenience (and big giant one, to be sure!).

That's how I'm thinking of it, just a huge inconvenience. If all goes well, and it hopefully will, then it's really not such a big deal. If it doesn't go well, then I'll move on to the next step and deal accordingly. Thanks for the support, it sure helps know that you all are sending good thoughts my way.

noodle · 07-05-2007, 12:58 PM

They didn't even offer me LEEP... just cryo. Thank all of your lucky stars you don't have to have cryo. I ended up with three years of a non-stop (literally) yeast infection which resulted in almost ten of systemic candida. EVERYTHING I've heard from my friends who had LEEP said that given the options, it was much better. Ask them to rx you a Valium for during the procedure or to do some conscious sedation due to anxiety. It sucks. I was still a virgin when they told my I had HPV and no one ever confirmed it, but to this day I wish I'd done the LEEP instead of the cryo... I made it to the "severe" level of dysplasia because I waited too long to react. It will be okay.

Sue · 07-05-2007, 06:55 PM

If they ever tell you just to take motrin before having a cervical biopsy done, DON'T JUST TAKE MOTRIN! That thing hurt like a M'FER. You need tylenol with codeine or some kind of prescription pain reliever, seriously.

I had a cone and leep done. Thankfully my dr completely knocked me out with IV anesthesia. I had pain upon waking/recovering, but the medical staff quickly relieved my pain there. When going home, I literally had no pain from that day forward. I never needed to take any pain medicine (otc or otherwise). I just needed a day off from work the next day to sleep off the anesthesia.

abaya · 07-06-2007, 12:57 AM

Shoegirl, let us know how it goes. You'll be alright... it'll be over within an hour, I bet. Best of luck!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghoastgirl1

To be honest I have been very bad, I've been needing to go back for a checkup since my colp stuff and I just haven't

GG, get yourself back in there PRONTO!!! /shakes finger

Yeah, I had the colp as well, but I hardly felt it... I did take 800mg of Advil beforehand, though. The results were okay, but have been going back every 6 months since then, even here in Iceland... so far, so good. I have one more visit before they'll say it's clear (3 paps in a row).

Someday I need to write an entry about my Icelandic pap smear.

Let me just say that a video was involved.

Lady Sage · 07-06-2007, 04:31 AM

I should not have read this thread... I go in for my colp on tuesday.

shoegirl · 07-06-2007, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Sage

I should not have read this thread... I go in for my colp on tuesday.

Sage, my colp was not bad at all - not even a little bit. I took 2 tylenol, regular strength, before I went it. My doctor talked me through it, told me that there were 2 spots that she wanted to check out, and when she took a small section of each, I only felt a small pinch and some minor cramping. Nothing bad at all. You'll be just fine, I know it! I was scared before that procedure and it turned out that it wasn't too scary (for me, and I'm a huge baby) Good luck!

Well, I'm leaving here in 15 minutes. I think I've sufficiently freaked out enough, now it's just time to be a big girl and go get it done. I'll definitely let you all know how it went and what to expect if any of you need to have it done in the future. Thanks for all the love and support - it really, really helps!

More in a few hours....

shoegirl · 07-07-2007, 06:02 AM

Well, it's been more than a few hours, but I'm back to report how my surgery went.

The nurse made me feel more comfortable than I thought she'd be able to. Very sweet, talked me through how everything would work, answered any questions I had for her - still, I was a nervous wreck. The doctor came in and talked me through it some more and then started to prep me. First thing: numbing the cervix. She told me it may feel similar to getting a shot from the dentist, a small pinch she said. (I've never had a shot at the dentist and I'm always scared those would hurt, so... still nervous) Now I'm not going to lie, the shot itself did pinch and hurt a bit, but it started to go numb pretty quickly. I know because I asked her if she was going to test it, to make sure it was numb. She asked if I felt what she was doing, I said no - it turns out she was jabbing me with a needle. So, good to go I said!

The procedure itself only took about 7 to 10 minutes. She cut out 2 affected areas and the cauterized the area. I couldn't really feel this, but I don't know how to describe it properly. Before the cauterization I felt like I had an open wound with wind passing over it. It kind of stung, but not any more than a paper cut. With the cauterization I could feel some pressure, but not any more than cleaning out a small cut. All in all, it wasn't so bad - still uncomfortable, but not at bad as I expected at all.

Now, I've been home for about 24 hours, just taking it easy. She expects me to have bleeding and discharge, no more than any normal period. I go back in 6 weeks just to check and make sure my cervix is healing how it's supposed to. No sex for 6 weeks, but if the trade-off is that I'm going to be healthy again, it'll be worth it.

All in all, I felt some minor pain and a little discomfort yesterday (really, really minor), but today I'm feeling okay. If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to ask! And for god's sake, don't research anything on the internet, it'll just make any worrying you have about your situation worse... trust me.

Lady Sage · 07-15-2007, 01:17 PM

How did anyone ever survive the 2 weeks it takes to find out your test results to see if you need a leep?!?!

I am going nucking futz over here.

07-05-2007, 06:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
shoegirl Addict Location: Ohio	Have you taken the LEEP? I did run across an old thread about HPV, but I wanted to specifically ask if anyone here has ever had a LEEP (Loop Electrical Excision Procedure) performed on them. If you want to know what that is, check here. A little while ago, I had an abnormal pap, which lead to an HPV type test. I tested positive for a High Risk strain of HPV, which if left untreated may cause cervical cancer. Yikes. From there, I had a colposcopy done where they did a biopsy of two different sections of my cervix. Still abnormal results, so now I'm scheduled to have the LEEP done tomorrow at 9:30. Looking this up on the internet just scares me more than it helps me know what to expect. So, if you've had this done or know anyone who's had it done, what's it like? I'd much rather hear from someone's personal experience than keep reading "it might be like this" or "you may have these symptoms" on the internet. What were your symptoms, how was your procedure, or how did it effect you? Thanks ladies! Last edited by shoegirl; 07-05-2007 at 06:34 AM..

07-05-2007, 07:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
tinydancer Tilted Location: Ohio	I almost had to get the LEEP procedure done as well...and i feel your pain as far as being nervous goes! I had (have??) two of those four more serious strands that typically cause cervical cancer. You're right. Those pamphlets and internet sites don't really give much info... but you have to realize it will be a bit different with every case depending on severity of the HPV and your personal threshold for pain. Sorry I can't give personal experience advice! But I thought I'd say good luck, and I'm sure you'll get through it like the millions of other women have. Don't worry too much, that causes anxiety attacks!!! BTW.... isn't it REALLLY annoying thinking about how the hell you got it?? Like, from whom you contracted HPV?? My gyno told me he thinks I've had it for almost a year now! Without knowing..! wtf??? __________________ My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I'm happy. I can't figure it out. What am i doing right? -Charles M. Schulz

07-05-2007, 08:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sultana Falling Angel Location: L.A. L.A. land	I haven't gone as far as the LEEP--but my thoughts are with you. I know it's hard, but try to relax, realize that you are doing everything possible to take care of it, and you will very likely be fine. This is really more of an inconvenience (and big giant one, to be sure!). I can't click on the link here, but if they don't offer pain management, of course talk to the person doing the procedure beforehand about taking OTC pain meds ahead of time. My thoughts are definitely with you. hug __________________ "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." - Matt Groening My goal? To fulfill my potential.

07-05-2007, 06:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sue Teufel Hunden's Freundin Location: Westminster, CO	If they ever tell you just to take motrin before having a cervical biopsy done, DON'T JUST TAKE MOTRIN! That thing hurt like a M'FER. You need tylenol with codeine or some kind of prescription pain reliever, seriously. I had a cone and leep done. Thankfully my dr completely knocked me out with IV anesthesia. I had pain upon waking/recovering, but the medical staff quickly relieved my pain there. When going home, I literally had no pain from that day forward. I never needed to take any pain medicine (otc or otherwise). I just needed a day off from work the next day to sleep off the anesthesia. __________________ Teg yw edrych tuag adref.

07-06-2007, 04:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
Lady Sage Mistress of Mayhem Location: Canton, Ohio	I should not have read this thread... I go in for my colp on tuesday. __________________ If only closed minds came with closed mouths. Minds are like parachutes, they function best when open. It`s Easier to Change a Condom Than a Diaper Yes, the rumors are true... I actually AM a Witch.

07-07-2007, 06:02 AM	#11 (permalink)
shoegirl Addict Location: Ohio	Well, it's been more than a few hours, but I'm back to report how my surgery went. The nurse made me feel more comfortable than I thought she'd be able to. Very sweet, talked me through how everything would work, answered any questions I had for her - still, I was a nervous wreck. The doctor came in and talked me through it some more and then started to prep me. First thing: numbing the cervix. She told me it may feel similar to getting a shot from the dentist, a small pinch she said. (I've never had a shot at the dentist and I'm always scared those would hurt, so... still nervous) Now I'm not going to lie, the shot itself did pinch and hurt a bit, but it started to go numb pretty quickly. I know because I asked her if she was going to test it, to make sure it was numb. She asked if I felt what she was doing, I said no - it turns out she was jabbing me with a needle. So, good to go I said! The procedure itself only took about 7 to 10 minutes. She cut out 2 affected areas and the cauterized the area. I couldn't really feel this, but I don't know how to describe it properly. Before the cauterization I felt like I had an open wound with wind passing over it. It kind of stung, but not any more than a paper cut. With the cauterization I could feel some pressure, but not any more than cleaning out a small cut. All in all, it wasn't so bad - still uncomfortable, but not at bad as I expected at all. Now, I've been home for about 24 hours, just taking it easy. She expects me to have bleeding and discharge, no more than any normal period. I go back in 6 weeks just to check and make sure my cervix is healing how it's supposed to. No sex for 6 weeks, but if the trade-off is that I'm going to be healthy again, it'll be worth it. All in all, I felt some minor pain and a little discomfort yesterday (really, really minor), but today I'm feeling okay. If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to ask! And for god's sake, don't research anything on the internet, it'll just make any worrying you have about your situation worse... trust me.

07-15-2007, 01:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
Lady Sage Mistress of Mayhem Location: Canton, Ohio	How did anyone ever survive the 2 weeks it takes to find out your test results to see if you need a leep?!?! I am going nucking futz over here. __________________ If only closed minds came with closed mouths. Minds are like parachutes, they function best when open. It`s Easier to Change a Condom Than a Diaper Yes, the rumors are true... I actually AM a Witch.