Dysplasia/HPV

[arbycat]

So in October I found out that I have mild dysplasia and in reading have seen that almost 100% of the time it is caused by the HPV virus. I went in for colcoscopy in November and was just told that the dysplasia/cell changes are minor and that I'll need to come back in 6 months. My appointment is toward the beginning of June - need to find out what day.. But I'm really a little nervous about it. I have read how common this is but at the same time it's terrifying. Does anyone have any experience with this and how did you handle it? Also - if single - did you or how did you tell any potential boyfriends about this? My nurse made me think that I didn't even need to bother but that didn't seem right so I told the guy I'd been dating about 8 months and he ended up ending it (we had not had sex) saying that once I'd mentioned what I had could be caused by HPV he knew it wouldn't go there.. Anyone? Thanks..

[Daisy]

You have a PM Arbycat!

[arbycat]

Thanks Daisy! Sent one back at 'cha.

[Daisy]

And, sent two more back to you!!

[MLE777]

Arbycat, I just went through a lot of this recently ( Cervical Dysplasia - Hysterectomy ) It's a scary thing to go through. My pap came back as dysplasia and I did a coloposcopy with a biopsy. The biopsy showed moderate to severe dysplasia. I had surgery a week and a half ago to remove 3/4 of my cervix. I got the pathology reports back Friday that showed that they got everything and that they only found pre-cancerous cells, no cancerous cells. RELIEF! I now have to go in for paps every three months for the next two years to make sure it doesn't come back. The good thing about having mild dysplasia is that often times it can be reversed. There are numerous studies out there that show that after being diagnosed if you start eating better, exercise, reduce your stress level, take a multivitamin and folic acid supplement everyday, that often the dysplasia disappears completely.

Regarding the HPV. I wish I could get my hands on your ex, how frustrating. When I found out about the dysplasia, I asked my doctor if my HPV test came back positive. She said that she didn't run one. I asked her why. She said "have you slept with more then ONE person?" to which I said yes. Her response "well, then you have it." Up to 80% of the adult population has some form of HPV. There close to 100 different strands of HPV out there. Even condoms don't prevent it from passing from one person to another. Plus, you can have it for over 20 years and never realize it, b/c it just sort of hides.

Anyway, I'm rambling, let me look and see if anywhere in my rambling I've actually answered any of your questions...

Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions

[arbycat]

Daisy - thanks for the pm's! I like the www.thehpvtest.com site and the cdc is good, too.

Emily - thanks for that. I'm just feeling so hurt - more hurt now more than anything - especially after reading your thread of what you went through with this! And just hope I don't have to do that - sounds so scary! But good to catch it early and hopefully my dysplasia will just clear itself up which is what I go in for in June - so dr. can see if it's getting better - or so I assume. Will have to ask more questions.

I can't believe your dr. wouldn't even do the test! But from what I'm reading that's how common it is and I tried to tell the exboyfriend that. Even gave him some links - did some searching and told him that at least I knew it was a potential issue since dysplasia is normally caused by the virus. But he said "as soon as you mentioned HPV, I knew we wouldn't have sex". Course it took him a month and a half after I told him about it to TELL me that!

Just made me feel so dirty and like a bad person and I know that isn't the case - for my age I haven't been with that many men - or I don't think - and always used a condom and from what I understand the type of HPV that I most likely have doesn't do anything to men - it just causes cervical cancer - that's assuming it is HPV - which I'm not stupid enough to think that it's not given the statistics.

He said he wants to be friends but he isn't trying real hard for that either - I don't understand it - maybe it's just a lot at once but it would have been better if this was just an excuse to break up with me - which maybe it was - that he could have focused on something else instead of somethign I have NO control over...

I've been trying to take vitamins - do you think that really helps? need to get back on the cutting out of sugar - haven't been too good on the low carb thing lately - need to get back on that - feel so much better when I am.

Okay - probably way too much info - so thanks again for the responses!!

[Daisy]

Keep your chin up...

Like MLE wrote, most of the population has the virus and don't even know it!!

I go for another PAP next month and will let you know how it goes. I've had one bad PAP followed by two good PAPS since my surgery.

[Pamalee63]

I'm sorry your BF was jerky about all of this, but then maybe it's better to see his true colors now instead of later. It sounds like he has it in his head this is an STD and truly nothing you did would have changed his mind.

[arbycat]

Yea - I think so too - either that or was looking for an excuse - and that's one that's hard to take back... Just seems he'd wait until my next dr. appointment so I could see if that's even what it is - however.. if 4 out of 5 people have it at some point in time.. well then.. can't imagine that it isn't what it is.

Daisy, definately let me know how your appointment goes! Mine is sometime toward the beginning of June .. will get more info then - not that it does me any good with the guy - but pry right about finding out now, just is sad because I really liked him - but oh well.. hopefully there'll be someone else. Don't think I'm ready quite yet though..

Thank you for the comments though!!

[dreamseeds]

Currently going through cervical cancer treatments, I want to encourage you on going for your pap! I waited to long since I had gone years without any bad paps.

Folic acid, selenium, and antioxdants are pretty important and can help reverse mild dysplasia.
There is a great book out by Tori Hudson that can address the issues of reversal. I beleive it is called encyclopis of womens health. Maybe you can get a copy.

Healthy wishes for you!

[schauflermom]

Thanks, Ladies, for this thread. It reminded me that I need to get another checkup. Haven't had one in a few years. I now have an appointment. And, I will be asking for the HPV test. I'll be checking back to see how things go with you Arbycat. I'm praying for the best!

[gettingstrength]

[Topazz]

The virus can be dormant for more than 20 years. No one is really ever sure who they get it from unless they truly have only ever had one partner .... ever. That means even fooling around in high school could have transmitted the virus.
There is no test for the man to see if he is a carrier. This virus was detected in my pap in 2004. I had all the tests, biopsies, internal ultrasounds, etc. Wound up with a hysterectomy and I lost my cervix. Precancerous cells were "odd" the doctor said. I am still concerned nearly every day that the cells could have spread to the other areas, and that is why even though I don't have the cervix I am supposed to still have paps every 6 months.

Would be nice if I had insurance to pay for them. I really don't know what to do. I dont qualify for public health but hubby's job doesn't offer insurance, and if it did, I would be on a "pre-existing condition" waiting period.

There are several dozen types of HPV. Not all cause cancer. Sometimes it just goes away on it's own.

I know how scarey this situation is. I'm sorry you have to face this. Just know you are not alone.

[Topazz]

Originally Posted by Pamalee63

It sounds like he has it in his head this is an STD and truly nothing you did would have changed his mind.

Im confused...HPV IS an STD.

[csoar2004]

Originally Posted by Pamalee63

It sounds like he has it in his head this is an STD and truly nothing you did would have changed his mind.

HPV IS a sexually transmitted disease. (So is cervical cancer 99% of the time.)