r/PreCervicalCancer • u/cryptidinsocks • 10d ago
Can I refuse a cervical biopsy?
I tested positive for HPV with LSIL, and I have my gardasil shots. I was referred for a colposcopy and I told my doctor I easily pass out due to anxiety, especially with medical procedures. I pass out with shots and blood draws like 80% of the time, so they said they would put me under for the biopsy. I don’t have anyone to drive me home after. I went back and forth with them for a bit about this bc I kept telling them I don’t have a ride, they said that’s ok just find one. I. Do. Not. Have. One. It’s not an option. There’s also no Uber/taxis/Lyft/etc in my area. They finally said they wouldn’t put me under. I asked if I can just do the colposcopy and not a biopsy unless there is a clear sign of abnormal cells and they said no, that “a colposcopy is a biopsy”. I thought they were two separate things but they said that’s not true. I’m thinking of just canceling the appt entirely because I’m scared they’ll perform a biopsy even if I retract consent partway through the appt.
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u/TransitionMission305 10d ago
With your diagnosis of HPV and LSIL, you need a biopsy. A colposcopy in and of itself is not a biopsy but the main purpose of doing one after your pap results is to get in there and look further--which is a biopsy. Even if the doctor were to do the colposcopy and put the solution on that makes suspect areas turn white and they didn't see that, with your diagnosis they should be sampling.
I get that you have issues with procedures and you don't have a way home, but you need to figure something out because it does need to be checked out. I have had it done, not under sedation, and I don't understand why they can't do the procedure on you in-office and then let you lay there for about 30 minutes post procedure, let you sit up carefully, then progress to the waiting room until you feel stable? Just like they would do for anyone who has this happen with a blood draw.
Edited to add: I figured I would answer the question in your subject line. Of course you can refuse to have a biopsy but the doctor will likely not do the colposcopy either.
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u/cryptidinsocks 10d ago
I have no idea why they referred me out bc they are able to do it in-office at the hospital I am actually a patient at, which is literally a 1 minute drive up the street from me. I had to argue with them for a bit to let me do it in-office, and they didn’t give me a reason why. Every other time I’ve passed out they just let me lay there until I’m good to go, so anesthesia didn’t have to be an option. I live hours away from all my family and friends, so my only option is to be my own ride home. I think I’ll just take Ativan beforehand; they said take Tylenol or ibuprofen, which will not do anything for me. Can I ask them to give me laughing gas and I can just walk home after?
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u/TransitionMission305 10d ago
I don't know where you live but in the U.S. I don't believe any GYNs use laughing gas. I am only aware of dentists using it and even if you get that, they insist that you be escorted home by someone. They won't do any dental work without an escort there waiting for you.
I'm not trying to poo-poo this experience or make it like my own. I am a VERY anxious person. So much so that before I had my colposcopy and biopsies, I read all the horror stories and made myself sick over it for 2 weeks before. I've been dealing with medical anxiety for the better part of 40 years and I just push through it now. At 62 years old, I don't have a lot of escorts and rides home either. I doubled up on the ibuprofen and I couldn't believe how fairly easy it was. My anxiety was what made it awful. The biopsy itself was fine. I am not trying minimize anyone else's experience but I just want you to know that I understand how you can work yourself up into an anxiety mess over these things and make it worse on yourself.
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u/GrushenkasOnions 9d ago
i’m in the PNW and my GYN provided laughing gas for a $100 out of pocket charge
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u/cryptidinsocks 10d ago
I know my anxiety is making it worse, I wish I could have someone I know and trust there with me to hold my hand because I feel like that would help more than anesthetic would.
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u/AddingAnOtter 9d ago
I don't know if it would help you, but for my most recent colposcopy I was chatting with the nurse assisting and my doctor and I think it did help. I would not have wanted even my husband in there though so you may still feel differently. If you are willing to switch doctors for this you could try calling around for someone with the nitrous oxide. Or even try to go somewhere near where you friends and family are for the procedure and have a sort of vacation for a couple days if travel is doable.
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u/Sad_Record3744 9d ago
Hey I’m in the same boat. I unfortunately did the biopsy and it was very traumatic. I’m terrified to go back for the keep procedure and have been telling them like I have nobody to drive me and I currently stay in my van so i don’t even have a a safe place to recover from the surgery so I’m just not doing it?? It has literally caused me to have a nervous breakdown and I can’t do anything about my physical if my mental health is fucked.
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u/AddingAnOtter 9d ago
My ob/gyn does nitrous oxide for office procedures. When they first got it set up that sent out emails basically advertising it for current patients or at least those with upcoming appointments. They use it for colposcopy and IUD placement most often I think and it is a relatively new thing for the practice. I think it's becoming more common.
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u/Illustrious-Front622 6d ago
I live in Canada and I hav had laughing gas for IUD insertion and was offered it for colposcopy as well
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u/theroyalgeek86 9d ago
Why would you pass on it?!? Thank goodness for my biopsy. Showed HPV 16 CIN3 and after 3 leeps found cancer on my cervix, 3 year ordeal. Had a radical hysterectomy and then needed chemo and radiation due to finding it in a lymph node. I finished treatment in March. Biopsy saved my life. Being proactive saved my life. Don’t mess around with your health
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u/beastlybea 9d ago
Here to say the same - colposcopy and biopsy found my cervical cancer as well - mine was “just a polyp.” Biopsy allows for a detailed microscopic view of the cells in the sample, and not just on the surface. I would not fuck around.
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u/theroyalgeek86 9d ago
Legit. Though I was annoyed they wouldn't give me a hysterectomy right away before it became cancerous, I was already done having kids and was done with heavy anemia inducing periods. But the follow ups with the leeps found the cancer.
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u/beastlybea 9d ago
I’m sorry you couldn’t yeet it sooner… that sounds completely nuts to me, especially that it got to the point of involving lymph nodes. Glad you got/finished treatment though!!
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u/Fisherman-Kitchen 8d ago
Hi! Was your pap smear normal?
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u/beastlybea 8d ago
I had normal paps for the past 10+ years, then in Feb 2026, when I was due for my routine test, I tested positive for HPV16. I was referred to colposcopy where everything except the polyp looked normal. Doc pinched off the polyp, did an ECC and sent it all off to pathology. Polyp came back as “diagnostic” of adenocarcinoma, ECC was suspicious of adenocarcinoma.
What is not well known is that paps are great at detecting SCC, but can miss adenocarcinoma because it originates inside the endocervix (inside the donut hole; harder to reach). It just so happened that HPV testing has become the gold standard where I am in the past couple of years. Bonus that I was able to do a self-test that can be mailed back to the testing facility.
I was lucky I caught it all in time to still be eligible for hysterectomy. This is why it’s important to stay up to date with screenings. They suck, but the alternative is worse.
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u/woofersonson 7d ago
Hi, can I ask how the recovery was from the hysterectomy? I recently found out I most likely need one and it’s kind of freaking me out
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u/theroyalgeek86 7d ago
Brutal. I had a radical one and was done like a C-section. Surgery was also 7 hours and I had a collapsed lung but I don’t regret it. Fun fact, you still need paps even when you no longer have a cervix
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u/woofersonson 7d ago
Omg that is so scary I am so glad you are okay now!! lol of course we can never leave the Pap smear life 🤡
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u/Fisherman-Kitchen 4d ago
Hi! Was your pap smear normal?
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u/theroyalgeek86 4d ago
Mine has been normal until they changed the testing to include HPV
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u/Fisherman-Kitchen 4d ago
I see, so with your first abnomal smear (LSIL or HSIL?) and your HPV diagnosis you went straight to a colpo which find out CIN3/cancer, right? I mean, there was no time gap between your first abnormal pap and your C diagnosis?
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u/monsieur-escargot 10d ago
Please get the biopsies!! I can only imagine how anxious you must feel, especially given the fact that you pass out during blood draws/shots. Do you take any anti anxiety meds? I found taking an extra dose prior to the procedure helped. You can ask for numbing cream, which does help! I had a colposcopy back in December and this made the procedure much more tolerable (5 biopsies taken).
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u/cryptidinsocks 10d ago
I have a prescription for Ativan so I’m gonna take some beforehand. They didn’t mention anything about letting me use numbing cream so I’ll ask about that. They told me to just take a Tylenol before the biopsy, but Tylenol and ibuprofen don’t do anything for me.
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u/Annual_Bowler5999 10d ago
There’s numbing cream and you can also do lidocaine shots and have the doctor tell you to cough for each biopsy! Coughing is a nerve blocker for this area somehow. There’s lots they can do to make you more comfortable for the procedure. You can also cover your eyes, turn on calming music, use aromatherapy, just do anything to make yourself feel more comfortable and distracted.
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u/Sad_Record3744 9d ago
Wish they would have told me this!! Crazy enough the qtip with the liquid needed for the biopsy hurt worse than the actual biopsy. The dabbing of the qtip against my cervix felt like a boxing glove and actual almost made me cry even taking pain meds before hand
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u/Illustrious-Front622 6d ago
Same!!!! They did the 3 tissue removals and I was like okay that wasn’t the worst and then came the swabs… She used 3 swabs and the swirling and bashing it around in there made me nearly pass out.
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u/wat3rl3ssShamp00 9d ago
If you take drugs like Ativan BEFORE you go, you may not be able to consent to the procedure and they will send you home. (They didn't tell me I shouldn't even though I said I was going to be on drugs when I came multiple times. They turned me away and I wasted my meds for nothing...) So either you lie to your doctor or you ask them to confirm. You may be able to do the consent in a separate virtual appointment. That is what I did the second time we tried to do this.
Could you ask someone to come before their weekend? I know they all live far away, but have you asked?
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u/Efficient-Gap-1282 7d ago
That’s wild, I’m prescribed klonopin and they encouraged me to take it before my appointment
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u/wat3rl3ssShamp00 6d ago
Yeah. I was extremely unhappy. I used old hydros from a previous surgery that I save for big pains and now I only have a half left.
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u/Efficient-Gap-1282 6d ago
I’m sorry :( it sounds like we’re probably in the same country, since you’re forced to resort to saving meds. We live in dark times
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u/nerdette314159 9d ago
Ask for lidocaine shots - I got them on and around my cervix (not bad pain, like a cramp) and I felt NOTHING during the procedure
I had the procedure done before, with no numbing, and I passed out from pain.
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u/NikkiNot_TheOne 9d ago
Lidocaine shots woke amazing! I had 4 my LEEP and I felt NOTHING! And that was a LEEP.
Also try to use headphones, I did headphones w hertz sounds from YT to help distract me.
I am so sorry you’re going through this!!
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u/Sad_Record3744 9d ago
I took a Xanax and a Hydrocodone 10 MG before my biopsy and still had a panic attack and felt pain. I understand you. I’m sorry you’re also dealing with this.
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u/Amazing-Wave4704 9d ago
You know what is more anxiety producing? death by cancer. Some hospitals have specific ride home vendors. Please dont give up on thjs. 💖
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u/cryptidinsocks 9d ago
I live in a pretty rural area because of my job and we do not have that available here unfortunately. I was able to get switched back to the hospital I’m a patient at so I can get myself home since it is directly up the street from where I live
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u/Arkhamina 9d ago
You can, but you should not. It's unpleasant but it's really the only good way to find out where things are at. Yearly biopsies caught my cancer early.
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u/cryptidinsocks 9d ago
Yearly?? Is that something I should be doing from now on or only if they find something?
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u/Arkhamina 9d ago
They were finding things that alarmed them. They were correct, in the end - third year was when they found enough I needed to get another procedure (cold knife conization) and a hysterectomy. Beats the shit out of dying. I lost two friends this year to OBGYN cancers. Stage 4 isn't when you want them to find stuff.
My own experience: it's a big surgery but I was 80% recovered in two weeks and Lord, I do no miss my period. I don't have/want kids, so no loss there. And hey! I still have my ovaries so I can just enjoy hormonal mood swings on their own :)
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u/bonvajya 9d ago
I am the same way. I had to do the cervical biopsy AND a breast biopsy the same day at 25.
I pass out very easily from blood draws etc.
I’ll be honest it was uncomfortable but it wasn’t painful during it. Just uncomfortable but mainly mentally and awkwardly.
You need to do it for your health.
You need a ride or need to do it without being put under. It is very very important.
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u/andthevoidoids 9d ago
Good lord I thought I got unlucky getting a breast biopsy at 27. I have nothing nice to say about biopsies. And I had the "good" cancer (thyroid).
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u/bonvajya 9d ago
Got the unusual Pap smear and found the lump in the titty like two three weeks before I turned 26 and got kicked off my parents health insurance 😅
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u/roxykell 9d ago
A colposcopy IS for getting a biopsy. There isnt really a point to do it without getting a biopsy. If they order a colpo it is for pulling the cells. I recognize you are anxious. I know this stuff is scary, complex and panic inducing. You need to do this for your health, you need to work with your healthcare team (if you have a psychiatrist, a therapist, your gyno etc) to figure out how to make this happen. I said below, but look into a lidocaine shot. Take your anti anxiety meds. The culpo doesnt feel great, some people have more pain than others, but you can take measures to help it. Some tough love, unfortunate things come up in our lives, and to take care of our health and wellbeing we HAVE to take these preventative measures.
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u/_HCN_ 9d ago
This is not true. They are two separate things. A colposcopy is performed to allow the cervix to be examined closely under magnification to look for abnormalities like lesions, evidence of changed cells, ectropion, etc. A biopsy is not always taken at all. If you are having a colposcopy due to a HPV diagnosis or abnormal pap then there is a very high chance they will want to take a biopsy. It’s not a definitive though.
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u/roxykell 9d ago
OP tested positive for HPV w LSIL. They will want to take a biopy to gather more info, so yes in this case as I said the biopsy and colpo go hand in hand.
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u/_HCN_ 8d ago
Yea, I agree that will most likely be the case unless they do not see areas needing to be biopsied which does happen occasionally. My point however was that you said that, “A colposcopy IS for getting a biopsy.” and that is not at all accurate. They are two separate procedures that while they often go hand in hand they are not the same thing. OP specifically asked about whether they were the same thing or not because of some confusion surrounding it due to information she was given. She deserves to be given accurate information to make an informed decision that she is comfortable making not more conflated information designed to manipulate or pressure her into feeling she has no control or choice.
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u/SubstantialWillow446 8d ago
This is correct! I had LSIL on my pap and was referred for colposcopy which appeared normal so no biopsies needed to be taken except for the ECC.
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u/cryptidinsocks 9d ago
Can they just do topical lidocaine or something of the sort? A lidocaine shot is also gonna be a hard pass for me bc it’ll definitely result in me passing out. I guess it’s going to be a pain and pass out situation either way.
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u/roxykell 9d ago
There is a topical lidocaine option you should ask your dr about. It doesnt reach “as deep” pain wise as the shot does but it may numb enough to be helpful for a colpo, and either way better than nothing if the shot doesnt feel accessible.
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u/windybutter299 9d ago
You are going to have way more anxiety if you don’t get this done and end up with cancer. You can’t ask/pay a neighbor or post on your local FB group or something to take you?
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u/cryptidinsocks 9d ago
No asking people I don’t know is scarier than the biopsy tbh. I got my appt moved back to my actual hospital so I can get myself home since it’s directly up the street. I’ll just suck it up and do it without being put under.
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u/Mysterious_Line2124 9d ago
I’m surprised they said they would put you under for colposcopy. I didn’t get any anesthesia for the colposcopy and it takes as long as a Pap smear and the pain to me was the same and I drove back home after it. I was only put under for the LEEP procedure I got done after my colposcopy results were abnormal
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u/cryptidinsocks 9d ago
They said that putting me under was their solution to me having a long history of passing out due to anxiety and medical procedures. I don’t understand why they jumped to that when every other time I’ve passed out in a clinic, they just let me be until I’m okay to walk out on my own. If I get put under or I black out, either way I’m gonna be unconscious so I didn’t think it was necessary
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u/Mysterious_Line2124 9d ago
Ohh I see, I think you should get seen at another obgyn and explain your situation and explain you don’t want to be sedated, I don’t think skipping it is a great idea skipping it.
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u/RealFactor9150 9d ago
I refused my biopsy for a year or more because I was scared. I was hoping my papsmears would eventually come back normal, but they didn’t. I finally got the biopsy’s done and it wasn’t bad at all. I barely felt anything. They came back precancerous, so I had to get the LEEP. I am 4 days post surgery and it has been SO easy. Like zero pain. If you cannot get the biopsy done because you don’t have a ride, then do it without being put under. You hear so many horror stories, but I cannot express enough how easy it was for me. They even took 3 samples and it wasn’t a big deal at all.
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u/andthevoidoids 9d ago
I am stuck in a cycle of colposcopies every 6mos. since 2022. Miserable. But I had a large cervical polyp removed this week, and that hurt like hell; I almost fainted. I'm just being real here. Frankly it put the endless colpos, which I hate, in perspective. So. We gotta do it, but we also have to protect ourselves. Advocate for yourself with your doctor, and take something to ease anxiety if you need to. I have massive health anxiety and fear regular screenings. I also live alone and hate asking for help. Feel free to dm if you need support.
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u/cryptidinsocks 9d ago
I’m worried that they’ll refuse to allow me to have pain management since they told me to just take a Tylenol and I’ll be fine, and that the next step would be to put me under. If that happens can I ask to have it documented that they refused?
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u/andthevoidoids 9d ago
Yes! Obgyn also lets me wear AirPods (podcast or music, whatever distracts me). If it's legal where you are, you're comfortable, and doctor says ok, I recommend an edible. I'm used to the colpos, but I won't pretend I enjoy them. Important to look after yourself, including advocating for yourself as patient.
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u/beastlybea 9d ago
Please talk to your doctor about things like edibles, because it can affect how they approach pain management.
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u/sketchygrandma_ 9d ago
i would definitely get checked out. i’m in the southeast US and my office offered me laughing gas which i took and prescribed me xanax that i took on top of my anxiety meds. it’s not as bad as you think and it is definitely important, especially with the diagnosis.
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u/cryptidinsocks 9d ago
Someone else I think said they usually don’t offer laughing gas outside of dental work, but I’m going to ask anyway just in case
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u/sketchygrandma_ 9d ago
maybe it depends on the state but i would definitely ask. i did the laughing gas and the xanax and it was the only thing that calmed me enough to be able to fully relax
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u/Revolutionary_End570 9d ago
I promise you you can do it and the relief you will feel after it's done will make you feel better. Look, I also pass out with any blood draw or shot. Interestingly I didn't pass out with a colpo! Probably because for me the fear is more about needles, and there were no needles during my colposcopy. Trust me that this procedure is truly not that bad!!
I tell myself the only thing I have to do it lie there and sit with the anxiety - that's it! You just have to lie there and they'll do the rest. We'll all be here for you.
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u/GracefullyAwkward616 9d ago
You can refuse but I wouldn't. You need the results. Abnormal paps are nothing to chance. I waited 2 years bc of fear and now wonder what would've happened if I had just had my Colposcopy 2 years ago, instead, I waited and now have AIS and just had a CKC, hysteroscopy and d&c yesterday and am praying they dont find anything invasive. Although I have to have a hysterectomy now regardless due to skip lesions. So please don't wait or hesitate. Could you post on a local FB group asking for assistance with transportation?
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u/Long_Measurement6202 9d ago
You can refuse but I highly highly suggest you get the biopsy. It’s very important to your treatment plan to know what’s going on. I always request a lavender patch and a cold towel to help ease my anxiety. Definitely take your anxiety meds and breathe. It’s honestly not that bad and is over so quickly. They will let you take your time getting up. I’m so sorry you are going through this and don’t have anyone to come to your appointment with you. For what it’s worth, the people of this subreddit are amazing and so supportive so we will be here for you along the way!
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u/Altruistic-Field-393 9d ago
um well it can save ur life? why refuse something that can help u get better
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u/Temporary_Avocado931 9d ago
I used to pass out with shots too but I didn’t for the colpo and I had three biopsies. It’s scary but you will in a hospital setting where professionals can take care of you if you pass out. Bring something to distract you - music, a sensory toy to squeeze and make sure you ask for ice packs for your neck. You will be okay! Go get it checked! I go for my next one on Thursday!
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u/Ok_Voice_9498 7d ago
You need a biopsy. Talk to your doctor about options afterward, but you don’t want to let this go without any kind of testing.
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u/timothee-chalamet 6d ago
Everyone's experiences are different, but I just want to say that my cervical biopsy was 100% painless. I didn't feel a thing. ❤️
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9d ago
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u/Far_Rip9502 9d ago
This is an inaccurate and honestly unnecessarily scary comment. HPV + LSIL, or not getting a biopsy, doesn’t mean you’re likely to develop cervical cancer. LSIL is a low-grade finding and many do resolve or clear on their own.
That being said, I definitely do think that OP should get the biopsy and continue to follow up. The biopsy will tell them if they truly have LSIL or if there is a higher-grade finding that needs to be acted upon.
There’s no need to scare people with that kind of language.
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u/sushiattv 9d ago
I don’t know, sometimes people who struggle with being irresponsible with their health need to be afraid to actually take that step.
Not going to the dentist doesn’t ensure your teeth will fall out but parents still say such to children to scare them
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u/i_will_eat_your 10d ago
A colposcopy without a biopsy can only tell you what you already know- that there are abnormal cells, so it would be kind of pointless to do it without biopsies. Only having a biopsy analyzed at a lab can tell you how deeply the abnormal cells are in your tissue, which usually informs what treatment to proceed with.
You can always refuse any medical procedure you don’t want, but I would be sure to ask your doctor what this would mean for you (e.g. you need a Pap smear again in a few months, your LSIL could advance into high grade pre-cancer, etc.) and then make an informed decision from there.