I received a phone call yesterday morning from my Dr office. It was med assistant and she uttered words that I thought I would never hear. You have tested positive for HPV and I was told to call back in 6 months to get another PAP. 24 hours a go I didn't even know what HPV was. I have done more research on this over the last day then I have on anything in my life, and I still don't fully understand it. I read in some posts that is will go away on it's own? The I read that it never goes away? The I read that if you don't have a visible showing you have the strand that causes cancer? I have also read that with in a day or so most people that have been diagnosed with HPV have been brought back into the office to get a COLPOSCOPY? Have all of you had this colposcopy done ? Why was I not asked back in the office to have this done? Why is my Doctor waiting 6 months? Alot of things can happen in 6 months.. To top it off I came across a forum made up of people who have HPV and it went on and on about how it is nearly impossible to date after getting this diagnosis is that true? I am not currently dating anyone and to be quite honest I haven't been sexualy active in almost a year so getting these results were very out of the blue for me. Also I have had some light cramping more like pressure in my lower abdomen could this possibly be from the HPV? I know there aren't any symptoms of HPV but I have no idea what this pressure would be from I'm not due for my menstral for 2 more weeks. I'm 31 and freaking out about this I have never had any kind of STD before in 13 years I have never had one abnormal test resuly from the GYN until now. After I received that dreadful phone call I called my PCP right away to get blood tests done for other STD's even though I had just got blood work done for STD's during my yearly physical in June I want to be sure there isn't anything else lingering in my body that I don't know about... I am very proactive in being screened for STD's when I'm sexually active and even when I'm not. I always try to air on the safe side so being told I have HPV has devistated me. Another thing I have read is that HPV is the common cold of STD's have any of you heard that is that true? I am so disgusted with myself and over whelmed with anxiety that I can't stop thinking about this. I just want to crawl out of my own skin. If you know any answers to the questions I have listed of things I have read I would greatly appriciate your feed back. It hasn't even been 24 hours since I got my diagnosis and I feellike my life has been turned upside down. I know it could be worse but for right now this is impacting my life like nothing else has ever.
Thanks !
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Dear anxious 13, It is regrettable that you have been advised of your HPV diagnosis in such a manner that is causing you shame and embarrasment. HPV is a very common virus of which there are many types. There are specific HPV types that are sexually acquired and is common to both men and wonmen once sexual activity starts. These types can cause conditions such as genital warts. Your doctor is sending you for a test that is commonly offered with a HPV diagnosis. It might be helpful to ask for a longer consultation to ask for detailed information about HPV, or ask where the information can be sought. As HPV has no symptoms and takes time to persist in the body it is difficult to say what particular relationship caused this. Remember, HPV is a very common condition to both men and women, usually clears up and you are fortunate you have a doctor who is being thorough. Many of us in HPV research are continually frustrated at the lack of community education about HPV . The embarrasment you feel, and that many women in your situation feel, would be greatly reduced if we all understood HPV better. Margaret Heffernan, OAM, PhD (HPV researcher: Melbourne, Australia)
February 22, 2012 - 9:26pmThis Comment
Hi Margaret, thanks for your informative response. My doctor finally got back in touch with me to explain exactly what I have.. Although I don't really understand it he seemed pretty enthusiastic that I would be fine.. He said my PAP had come back with a-typical A.S.C.U.S cells so with that they turned around and tested the sample for HPV. With that test it came back as a high risk strain. He said with the amount of inflamation he was airing on it being from my body trying to fight off the infection rather then the infection getting worse. I am still not comfortible with this DX and I
February 23, 2012 - 11:45amThis Comment
am not in teh slightest happy that I have to go on with this.. He did tell me that in his expierince once it's gone it is gone it rarely comes back.. He also informed me that I could contract it again and to be careful and use condoms.. I have a check up in 6 months for another PAP if this PAP shows positive again he will then do a coloscopy if it shows negative he will check again in 6 months to be sure it's all gone and I'll go back to yearly exams.. Fingers crossed I am rid of this infection with in the alotted 6 months.
Thanks Anxious13
February 23, 2012 - 11:48amThis Comment
where has the post been answered?? This is the only time I have posted on here and your response telling me it's already been answered is the only response I have gotten.. Please point me in the direction of this other post and these responses that I can not seem to locate...
Thanks
February 22, 2012 - 11:17amThis Comment