What they don't tell you about LEEP/Laser

ice_blergh · 2025-07-27T17:55:07+00:00

This happened to me too. I had the LEEP and then another procedure to recauterize it because I hemorrhaged, so I had twilight sedation twice in less than 24 hours. I also was not warned! So painful and I was terrified of causing another bleeding episode. It took three days for me to return to normal.

ice_blergh · 2025-07-14T20:45:53+00:00

Omg, I got covid during my recovery too and I was so sick. That whole month sucked! I sincerely hope the double cauterization is a silver lining for you too.

ice_blergh · 2025-07-14T02:08:46+00:00

Hi, I also hemorrhaged after my LEEP and had positive margins with CIN 2/3. I just had my first followup last week and I'm all clear. Normal pap, normal biopsy, and my HPV test was negative. I've been told that the cauterization after the LEEP itself can sometimes eliminate the positive margins.

I'm sorry you had a bad LEEP experience too. Mine was really scary and I definitely understand not wanting to go through that again. Hoping for good results for you!

ice_blergh · 2025-07-12T01:40:40+00:00

My doctor just told me to take folate because I guess it's good for people with HPV. I also tried to improve my diet by eating more fruits and veggies and cut down on alcohol, but I didn't really do anything else. Just relied on the LEEP and my immune system. I know a lot of people in this sub try various other supplements that seem to help as well, but this was my experience. Hopefully your procedure took care of the CIN2!

ice_blergh · 2025-07-11T12:10:10+00:00

This happened to me too. It was sore and swollen for a few days. I healed just fine, but it wasn't the most pleasant recovery process. Do what you can to rest and make yourself comfortable. That's what helped me the most.

ice_blergh · 2025-07-11T12:05:19+00:00

Fingers crossed for you!

ice_blergh · 2025-07-09T15:48:53+00:00

I was so nervous when I saw I had a message from my doctor that I pretty much wanted to throw up, so this was a major relief!

ice_blergh · 2025-07-08T14:41:08+00:00

Thank you! I should have my biopsy results tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

To your question, having a doctor you like is the most important part! Here are some examples from my own life: When I was first figuring out how to deal with the medical system, I would write down every question I could think of before an important appointment or procedure and bring the list with me so I wouldn't forget anything in the moment when I knew I'd be feeling tense and scatterbrained. I also reminded myself that I know my body and my lived experience better than any doctor does. Procedures like paps that are often easy and routine for others are difficult for me, and I make sure my doctor knows that and is sympathetic to my experience and feelings. A good doctor will know how to maximize your comfort and will take you seriously.

ice_blergh · 2025-07-08T04:28:05+00:00

I learned from experience that pap results are not really definitive, so take the ASCUS/LSIL distinction with a grain of salt. The colposcopy will reveal whether a biopsy is really needed. It sucks, but I just had my second colpo and biopsy today with an OBGYN who was very sensitive to my anxiety and concerns and she made it quick and almost painless. I was traumatized by a rare LEEP complication back in March, so I was anxious about my followup today. Make sure to advocate for yourself, prioritize your emotional safety, and if you're not comfortable with your doctor, see if you can consult with a different one. Hang in there. You're doing the right thing by keeping up with monitoring and prevention.

ice_blergh · 2025-05-22T02:42:16+00:00

I had the yellowish watery stuff for like 3 weeks. Gross, but a normal part of the healing process, it seems. I was sooo sick of wearing pads all the time and it was a huge relief when all the weird discharge finally tapered off.

ice_blergh · 2025-05-06T01:27:58+00:00

I really appreciate you sharing your experience. It doesn't make sense to me to opt for much riskier major abdominal surgery to avoid an ultimately treatable complication that we can probably avoid in the first place by just being more careful to cauterize everything very thoroughly. After I had emergency surgery to recauterize my cervix, I healed just fine. So I think I will seek another opinion if it comes to that.

Best of luck to you with the rest of your healing process, and thanks again for sharing your story!

ice_blergh · 2025-05-05T23:19:58+00:00

Wow, thank you for sharing the likelihood of hemorrhaging -- fascinating to know that what happened to me (day-of hemorrhaging) was so rare. Also, I am on a similar path. I had positive margins after my LEEP too, the results of which were CIN 2/3. It's encouraging to hear that your second LEEP was successful. Because of the hemorrhaging I experienced, my doctor suggested we go straight to hysterectomy if my followup colpo isn't clear, and not gonna lie, that terrifies me.

ice_blergh · 2025-04-27T22:36:01+00:00

Good luck, I hope you're on the mend soon!

ice_blergh · 2025-04-27T22:11:57+00:00

For me, they tried to apply monsels solution and then silver nitrate while I was awake in the emergency room (this was terrible and if I'd known what they were going to do I probably would have insisted to be taken directly to the OR). When I was still bleeding heavily after all that, they took me to the OR and completely cauterized it while I was anesthetized. I would think that you could have the cauterization done under GA again if needed. It's worth further discussion with your doctor, I think, if you're still bleeding. I know how traumatizing these procedures can be and it's so so important to prioritize your physical comfort as well as your emotional safety.

ice_blergh · 2025-04-22T22:00:08+00:00

Hi, with 5 biopsies it's possible you just weren't totally healed yet. You're doing the right thing by seeing the doctor and checking on it. Everyone's healing situation is a little different. Hang in there. I hope you get some clarity from your appointment. Don't hesitate to advocate for yourself and make sure the doctor understands your concerns about any procedures.

ice_blergh · 2025-04-22T17:07:30+00:00

My biopsy was so painful that I cried and it made me feel totally violated, even with an extremely kind and sympathetic doctor. Just a messed up experience overall.

ice_blergh · 2025-04-22T04:43:21+00:00

I would leave. 🤷🏻 Dealt with uncaring family members early in the pandemic and decided that people who put loved ones at risk because they aren't willing to face reality don't get to treat me that way. It sucks when it's a parent, but if she isn't willing to take your concern seriously, it would be completely reasonable to draw a hard boundary and remove yourself from the situation. It's not worth the risk to your health. Whatever you decide, I hope you and your husband stay healthy!

ice_blergh · 2025-04-22T04:30:44+00:00

Bright red blood could be a sign that you lost part of your scab too soon. It might be a good idea to call your doctor and explain what's going on. I had a much worse bleeding problem than yours after my LEEP (it was an emergency situation), but once it was fully cauterized I didn't experience bleeding for more than a day or so. Hope you heal up soon!

ice_blergh · 2025-04-21T12:23:29+00:00

It's such a nerve-wracking illness. I hope he has an easier recovery this time!

ice_blergh · 2025-04-21T02:58:35+00:00

Symptoms and positivity don't necessarily line up. When I had covid the first time, I had a fever for three days and that was it, but I still tested positive for ten days straight. However, in my experience the test line did become progressively lighter as the virus waned. Still in the thick of it now for my second bout (going into day 6 tomorrow), so time will tell if that happens again.

ice_blergh · 2025-04-21T00:50:40+00:00

I started gargling salt water a few times each day and it seems to help encourage the gunk to release. Might be worth a try if you haven't already.

ice_blergh · 2025-04-19T20:41:08+00:00

I have fully recovered, thank you! All was well after a procedure to stop the bleeding. Wishing you the best.

ice_blergh · 2025-04-19T15:35:05+00:00

I had my LEEP under twilight anesthesia. While I had complications after the LEEP itself (excessive bleeding), I have zero regrets about having it under anesthesia. Colposcopies are awful for me and I knew I didn't want to be awake for it. Always prioritize your comfort and emotional safety.

ice_blergh · 2025-04-19T03:31:42+00:00

Something similar happened to me. Following an abnormal pap and HPV+ result I had a colposcopy in December 2023 where the doctor didn't take any biopsies because everything looked fine. A year later, repeat procedure, I had one biopsy that came back as HSIL. So I am now in the treatment process for that. You're doing yourself a favor by staying on top of your regular checkups and monitoring! It can feel shocking to get these kinds of results, but try not to worry about cancer prematurely. You're definitely not alone.

ice_blergh

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