LEEP PROCEDURE-DOES IT HURT

I GOT A LEEP DONE 2 WEEKS AGO AND BEFORE GETTING IT DONE I MADE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE......I GOT ONLINE AND DID SOME RESEARCH ABOUT WOMENS EXPERIENCES WHICH JUST FREAKED ME OUT AND I CRYED ALL DAM NIGHT(IT WAS AWFULL!) NEXT DAY I REALIZED THAT LEEP WAS A GOOD THING FOR MY HEALTH AND I MADE UP MY MIND TO WALK INTO THE DOCTORS OFFICE WITH A STRONG AND CONFIDENT ATTITUDE AND IT WORKED...I SWEAR THE LEEP WAS NOT THAT BAD AND IT WAS UNDER GENERAL ANESTHISIA SO MY POINT IS DONT READ THESE COMMENTS AND FREAK OUT, DONT LET THEM GET TO YOU THATS THE WORST MISTAKE...DO SOME DEEP THINKING AND REALIZE THAT EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A BAD EXPERIENCE JUST TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND RELAX...IT WILL ALL BE BETTER SOON :-)

hey girls. i had my leep done last wednesday, and after reading all of these posts, i have to admit, i was scared to death! you are set up pretty much the same as when you have the colposcopy. before the procedure, they will numb your cervix with a local anesthetic, and epinephrine (adrenaline). i personally, did not feel too much pain from the needle they use to numb me with, however the epinephrine sux. it speeds up your heart, makes your legs shake, and made me get really hot, and start sweating. that was the worst part of the procedure, to me. i did not feel much of anything. by the way, i took a xanax & a ibuprofen before. :-) anyways, after the procedure, i took it easy for the next few days, and went back to work 4 days after. i have had some cramping, and this weird discharge. it seems to have gotten worse the past couple of days. everyones experience is not going to be the same, we all have different doctors, and different situations... but the procedure is not as bad as some have made it out to be. it is the best thing to do if you have had an abnormal pap with dysplasia... you definitely don't want it to turn into something worse, like cervical cancer.

I just had my Leep procedure done a week ago. It wasnt as bad as the colposcopy. I was in more pain getting that done. They called and said i had pre-cancerous cells. I freaked out of course and scared to do this leep procedure. but it wasnt that bad. I would say it is just uncomfortable but over very fast. They put so much medicine in me it took about an hour to start feeling cramping. But its not bad at all. The worse part is the leakage in the 2 weeks. Im experiencing that right now. I leek a lot and it has an odor. This experience i wouldnt say is painful just uncomfortable. Ive bled a couple of times only but then it stops. I still have another week (the doctor said) of side effects. I am happy to say she called me and my results from these procedure came back negative and i am good. So I just have to go back in 6 months for a follow up. Dont be too scared. its uncomfortable but a lot of people go through it. You can live pretty normally just with the unfortunate annoying side effects for a bit : )

I am 21 and I had to have the LEEP done today. I actually came to this post earlier before the procedure to see if it would hurt, and some of these replies really had me scared! But let me tell you, it was nothing, especially compared to the colposcopy. it only lasts a second, and i could barely even feel the needle with the numbing medicine, which is the worst part. If you've been through a biopsy, colposcopy or anything like that, the LEEP is like a walk in the park. i am having some cramping now, but its just like a bad period...and its worth it since it will prevent the pre-cancerous cells from becoming full blown cervical cancer. no worries girls. just breathe deep and hope you get a good doctor like i did.

Just had the LEEP done a few hours ago. The local anesthetic was a bit weird feeling... makes you shake uncontrollably. But other than a few craps, I didn't feel a thing. Did have some pain afterwards, but took some Motrin and it settled down. The results come back in two weeks, I'm hoping and praying for the best. Good luck everyone!

Hello Ladies, I just came home from having the LEEP procedure. All these blogs and comments scare you so much but it really was simple and a piece of cake.. The needles dont even hurt, tiny lil pinch and thats it.

It's good to know that everyone didn't have a bad experience. I go for mine tomorrow.

I researched sites prior to my procedure b/c I was extremely anxious over the pain level and what to expect prior to my LEEP.

I wanted to add a reply b/c after mine, which was done today, and it is NOT A BIG DEAL AT ALL.

If you have had the coloscopy this is nothing compared to the pain of that! The equipment and procedure can be scary of course, but it is a tiny prick of a needle, that hurts WAY LESS than the scissors they use in a coloscopy, and the rest you can't feel a single thing.

I know some women were actually put to sleep during this and I think it depends on how bad you have the issue. I had mild to moderate dysplasia, but those who have severe may need to be put out.

Anyways, if you are facing this issue and even have it at a low grade, 1 or 2, don't watch and wait b/c it only continues and gets worse, and with a 95% success rate that the cervical cells will be gone, do the LEEP before it gets any worse!

If I continue to have abnormal paps, I will continue to have this procedure definatley!

I read a lot of discussion threads before getting my LEEP done last Friday, and I was really nervous, because of some of the things I read! I had to wait three weeks between when I found out I would need it and when I could get in for the appointment, so it was three weeks of worry (over the holidays) for no real reason. I think that some people have had bad experiences, and I hate that, but I think if you have a doctor who has done these procedures frequently and will take the time to explain everything, it makes it a lot easier. Also, if you feel any pain after the numbing injections, TELL YOUR DOCTOR! If the numbing injections aren't working, the doctor needs to know, so he or she can adjust it or figure out why you are feeling pain. I did not feel any pain at all after the numbing injections. I don't know how many I got, but it felt like about four, and there was a little sting to those, but after that, it was really fine. I also listened to my IPod during the procedure, and that helped keep my mind off of what was going on. I am prescribed a low dose beta-blocker for anxiety for public speaking (it keeps your heart from racing when you are overly anxious), and I took one of those before the procedure, so that any of the effects of the epinephrine would be minimal. I didn't have any effects at all from the epinephrine they add to the numbing injections. I felt fine afterwards and went out for pizza and a couple of pints of beer with my husband. That might not have been the best thing to do, but it did not affect anything, and I think it made me feel even more normal, so I was not thinking about what had just happened.

I was a little nervous to see what would be on the feminine hygeine pad for the first time after it was done, but I had only minimal bleeding, and it only lasted for the weekend. I have not bled today at all, but I also know that some bleeding might happen intermittently over the next few weeks.

Overall, I think the process was much easier than what I had myself psyched out for during the weeks leading up to it.

WARNING: THIS IS A VERY, VERY POSITIVE LEEP EXPERIENCE!! :-)

I've got to say, the extremely negative posts on here just piss me off. I just had my Leep yesterday. I am 30 years old and the first sign of anything abnormal happened about 6 months ago. And then a few weeks ago I found out my biopsies were high grade... needless to say, I was frightened. I also deal with panic disorder, and am a full time grad student. My fear and stress were through the roof. Especially after reading these posts. The fact is- your experience will be whatever your experience will be- good or bad. Telling someone how terrible it is is only going to build fear in them- for something that may or may not be terrible. Hell, it might be great. YOu simply don't know. So, all you ladies offering your terrible stories to help others "be prepared," I am sorry your experience was bad- but I really question how much you are wanting to help anyone. It simply doesn't help. It ONLY hurts. We have to have this procedure done- it's not like we have a choice. Therefore, give us hope, strength, encouragement- not f*****g horror stories.

This scares us all for different reasons, but ultimately I think we are most afraid because we simply don't know what to expect. Our docs tell us it will be fine, and it IS routine- many, many women have this procedure done. But then we get online and start reading all these stories- some great, some negative- and we are left feeling the same fear we did as before- because no matter what, we don't know what OUR experience will be. And we simply can't until we go through it. The thing you must remember is you WILL get through it- great or not. Period. YOU WILL BE FINE. You are stronger than you even know. And your body is amazingly resilient.

That all said, let me tell you in detail my experience, to try and offer a helpful and hopeful perspective- to let you relax and build greater faith. My doctor gave me a 10mg valium and a norco before I went in. I am usually sensitive to meds, so I only took the valium. I took it about 1.25 hours before my appt- as was recommended by my doc. I honestly did not notice any huge affect the valium had on me- which made me a bit nervous! :-) I was hoping to be more zonked out- but my stress was so high that it kind of just brought me back to normal. I had been really, really stressing about the lidocaine injections. I have had some strong reactions at the dentist to local anesthesia, I believe due to the epinephrine which is usually in the injection. Epinephrine is great because it helps control bleeding, and allows the numbing effect to last longer- but it also can induce somewhat of a "fight or flight" response- increased heart rate, shakiness, perhaps some dizziness (assuming you can't get up and go for a run! :-) I am used to this feeling- it is what happens during a panic attack. But this is also why people have panic disorders- they hate this feeling SO much that they start living their lives in fear of it. This is why I was so afraid about it- especially the thought of having that feeling and being in the stirrups. Anyhow, I discussed this with my doctor- I figured if we could have a plan about it, that would make me feel better. He first reassured me that, although yes, many people do react this way- it is manageable and we will take care of you and monitor your heart rate. He also told me that because I had valium in my system, this affect might not even be noticeable. That reassured me.

So I hopped up in the stirrups and everything proceeded very similarly to a pap/colpo. I know people say they open you up a little more for a LEEP, but I didn't notice that at all. I am sure the valium had something to do with it (my body was relaxed), but I didn't notice that at all. He then rubbed the solution on my cervix, like during a colpo. Then he started the injections. I DID NOT NOTICE A THING. It felt very much like a pap- I could feel something pushing my cervix a bit, but no "pinch," no "poke"- nothing like that. I do know that docs very superficially do these injections- they don't go deep or anything. Anyhow- totally fine. I felt nothing in regards to the epinephrine reaction. The nurse held my hand and I knew she was also checking my pulse, but I just kept breathing and was fine. I MAY have felt my heart rate go up a bit? Nothing real noticeable. I do think the valium mediated this affect.

They then pretty quickly started up the little LEEP machine thingie. It was not loud, it was not scary. However, I was still nervous, although relieved by the ease of the injections. He then started- and this might crack you up- but it almost was pleasant. It was simply a warm sensation inside- and this might be gross- but it felt similar to the feeling of your partner climaxing inside of you, just warmer :-) ha! Just a warm sensation inside. Total piece of cake. I even remarked to the nurse whose hand I was squeezing so tight that- hmm, it just feels warm! Anyhow, that lasted off and on for maybe 3-5 minutes. He would I believe do a little, then cauterize (which also just felt warm), then do another part. I had abnormal cells removed on my cervix and endocervix- so I think my experience may even be longer than most due to the endocervical thing. Anyhow, it was all over, from start to finish (speculum in to speculum out), in probably 10 minutes? They wanted to make sure I was fine, so the nurse just asked me to lie there for 5 minutes and relax. As soon as she left the room I cried for relief and joy at the ease of the experience.

I went home, got milkshakes with my boyfriend, and rented a movie. I talked to all my family and friends who were concerned and told them it went great. I felt a little crampy- no worse than mild period cramps- and eventually after a few hours just took a couple Ibuprofen. It is now morning and I haven't taken any Ibuprofen. I feel great. I am going to take it easy, pamper myself today, maybe tomorrow, too-my first good excuse to skip class! :-) My doc told me no sex 3-4 weeks, no baths for a week, no exercise for a week. I am going to play all that by ear. From what I've read, I think no sex (or anything in there- tampons, fingers, etc), for a month is prudent. If I am still spotting in a week, I am not going to exercise heavy or take a bath. I want my body to heal peacefully and quickly. Although, my two favorite things are sex and baths, so that'll be tough :-)

The idea of what is going on is very difficult for each of us. This is a sensitive part of our bodies, a sacred part. I think it is important to realize that this is part of what is going to help you be healthy again. This is actually a healing process for your body. Breathe deep, focus on your breath during the procedure, and know, by repeating to yourself: "this is healing me." It helps!

Also, I can't remember the exact numbers, but remember when reading all these posts that people are like 5 times more likely to report bad experiences than good ones. This applies for restaurant experiences, relationships, and I bet you money...medical procedures! :-) I am the opposite- I have lived my life in so much fear that when something goes well- I have to tell the world. I have to try and make people know they will be okay. So, I hope this has helped. I wish you strength and bravery and fast healing. Remember- courage could not exist unless there were fear in the first place. It's okay to have fear, just learn to also be courageous!! Much love.

hello everyone i just had a leep yesterdey and i didn't feel anything. i was nervous but everything went well. i had no pain i just ask the doctor not to see all the thhings she needes to to do the surgery. so it'a all in our head so relax and all will be fine.

Hello There;

I just had the LEEP procedure done about 6 hours ago. All I can say is that it was not that bad. I am pretty nervious when it comes to these kinda things. I am very shy too!!! Any how, I got the "adrenaline" injection which was crazy, I could not see properly, I heard my heart in my ears, and felt a hot shot all thought out my body. After this, I was in heaven, I could feel tickle like. I did not look at all at what she was doing. I was like "God please let the drs. hands be your hands". After this, I went to my own little world with starts and moons and tried not to look or concentrate on the pain. I guess that helped a lot. I relaxed and she did her job.

At this point, I am feeling a little bit light headed and a bit of pain. Was it worth it? I would say yes. What would you prefer, and intervention on time, or a radiation for Cancer. The answer is obvious.

However, girls, I would recommend to relax, stay positive ( this helps a lot believe it or not), and BY ALL MEANS, DON'T ASK MEDICAL QUESTIONS HERE. WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, IF YOU HAVE THE FEELING THAT SOMETHING IS NOT NORMAL GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR DOCTOR, DON'T WAIT.

I hope it helps, if anyone wants to talk about your experience, you could definitely e-mail me at lalicha1111 at yahoo dot com.

PS. The one thing that shocked me was that she never explained this was hpv related until I asked her then she say like nothing, yes it is because of hpv. Nor did it say anything on the papers she gave me. When I asked her she said that she did not want women to blame themselves or destroy marriages. I answered, well how about telling them so they don't spread it around??? Could you guys tell me what you think about this??? I am outraged by it.

Thanks.

EB

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I too, found the procedure to be pretty easy and painless. If you go in expecting the adrenaline and know that it's going to pass pretty quickly, it's not that bad. I think the anxiety of it all is the worst part. If you have anxiety issues, I would ask your OB for an anti-anxiety med before you go in. Do not worry about the pain at all. I started feeling what they were doing and I told them, so then they gave me more of the numbing meds. Really, it wasn't bad at all.

I agree with you EB, I think it is their job as doctors to tell you if you tested positive for HPV. It's pretty imortant information to know in order to prevent cervical cancer. It's crazy that about 75% of women have never heard of HPV, yet it is responsible for almost all (more than 99%) cases of cervical cancer. At least 8 out of 10 sexually active women will get HPV at some point in their lives. Now why would this be cause for divorce? The only way to not get it, is to KNOW that you and your partner have never been with anyone else, EVER.

I would advise you to change dr's if possible becuase they are not doing their job.

I think this really depends on the person. I have Iatrophobia (extreme fear of doctors) so when I went to have my colposcopy I took two shots of hard liquor on an empty stomach... SHHH... My doctor said I could do it. I had no problem with pain, but just having the presence of a doctor is what made me cry.

I personally can no longer deal with the stress of doctors, my phobia is so bad that I would rather be in extreme pain or die than go to a doctor. So now I just don't go, I wish I could change the way I feel. I know it sounds crazy, but thats how bad my phobia is. I know I need help with it but that is very expensive.

I think doctors are wonderful people and I am so glad that you are able to get what you need done. I would say either ask to get knocked out if your really worried, I think that this way your stress level won't be as bad. Otherwise I would see if you could have a few shots. I am a firefighter so I very rarely drink so two shots did the trick for me. I chose alcohol over meds because I know what alcohol will do to me, I don't know what the meds will do to me.

Please let me know how it goes. I hope it's a piece of cake for you.

Hi girls,

I suppose to have Loop in a few days, and morning after I will have to write my midterm, do you think I will be fine, I mean were you able to get up in the morning night after LOOP?
I was wondering if doctor gives any pain killers ( I always feel sick after them : (((( )

thank you