Irregular PAP test

Well...some of you already know some of my history from this diary, or if you're one of my many kossack friends, we have probably shared in emails and such so you would also know about some of my personal history.

Anyway, follow me below for more...

Irregular PAP test.  That's what my doctor called it.  I'm trying not to panic.  The doctor just wants me to go back in for another PAP test in four months.
However, that's not all.  I also have to go in for an ultrasound of my uterus on November 20th; fibroid tumors is what she thinks they are, but they need to be checked.

Some of you might be wondering why am I sharing all this personal medical information with you?  Well...because I have junk insurance.  I learned that term from our own nyceve.  Junk insurance is better than no insurance, because I have lived without insurance for a number of years....but, not by much.  

Anyway, the junk insurance I have has a deductible of $2700.  My household doesn't even take home $2700 in a month.  
Needless to say, I'm panicking more about upcoming medical bills than I am about the tests and their possible results.

I hate to admit it, but I am thinking about postponing some of these tests because the fear of bill collectors past is coming back to haunt me.  
I got sick before, but at that time I didn't have any health insurance at all.  Lost my house, lost my retirement account etc...

Most of us know what a fucked up "health care" system this country has, but not everyone is affected by it personally.  So, I thought I'd share what it's like gambling with your health because the fear of the medical bills is greater than the fear of illness.

If the so-called "pro-life" people really cared about life, they would be furious about the state of this country's health "care" and the fact that many people just like me have to gamble on their health.

•  Tip jar....

  and please share your stories with me so I won't feel so alone in this.

  by angrybird on Sun Nov 04, 2007 at 09:56:12 PM PDT

•  As hard as it is, get the tests done.

  You must have your health to fight the good fight.

  by Blue Waters Run Deep on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:03:28 PM PDT

•  It might not be serious

  I hope it is not. I had several irregular/atypical pap smears, had to get a colposcopy where they biopsy the atypical cells and haven't had a repeast of it in years. Don't delay treatment though.

  I have fibriods and while they cause pain on occassion it is not intolerable.

  I am lucky to have insurance. Please get the ultrasound anyway.

  by undercovercalico on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:04:07 PM PDT

•  I'm pro-life

  I just decided that reading your last paragraph.
  From now on, I'll tell everyone I'm militantly pro-life.

  BTW, check out all the information on fibroids.  It can mean many different things, and  Î believe some women are stampeded into extreme measures.

  I'll pray for you, but I have no other usefull suggestions.

  by sayitaintso on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:05:01 PM PDT

•  You should get the follow up pap.

  The could be nothing, but better safe than sorry. The only irregular one I had turned out to be fine at the follow up. Fibroids are pretty common, but I dont know what the treatment is...?

  Either way, get the tests even though the financials are scary. Don't gamble.

  by ablington on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:06:28 PM PDT

  •  Treatment depends on severity....

    Mine only cause moderate pain so I just take something OTC.

    If they cause severe pain and or significant bleeding they sometimes put women on the pill to try and regulate hormones. My MD informed me that a hysterectomy would fix it all and I told him that was off the table.

    by undercovercalico on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:09:57 PM PDT

    •  There are other less invasive options

      ... I had a UAE 6 years ago. It cured my symptoms without a hysterectomy. (Ob-gyns often don't recommend them because interventional radiologists do the procedure and make the money, not gynos.) I'm going into natural menopause now, and glad I made the choice I did. Of course, I had decent insurance 6 years ago so I had choices.
      What is a UAE or UFE

      by el dorado gal on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:40:19 PM PDT

•  It's an old cartoon.. w/graphic

  but it says so much:

  

  SCHIP need to be in there too.

  by SomeStones on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:06:33 PM PDT

•  I don't know if this will ease your mind

  but I suspect if your pap smear results were serious, your doctor wouldn't wait 4 months for another test.  He/she would folow-up immediately with a needle biopsy or some other proceedure.  I would at least ask for more information on what "irregular" meant.

   

  by Lying eyes on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:07:18 PM PDT

  •  yes

    sometimes an infection makes it irregular. If he suspected something serious, he would not be waiting.

    by fireflynw on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 09:55:53 PM PDT

•  Sorry you're feeling vulnerable

  That's a very understandable feeling. The more knowledge you have, the more you will be able to regain some measure of control and capacity to act.

  Some options you might consider:

  Some doctors and labs are willing to reduce charges on tests if you ask.

  Some hospitals and labs are willing to work out payment schedules.

  Generally, it's a good practice to ask, "Is this test/procedure/medication medically necessary? What alternatives are available?"

  by jhutson on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:08:04 PM PDT

  •  "Hardship factor" -

    If you speak to the Billing Dept. at your hospital, they may have a way to reduce the costs of your tests, based on the "hardship" that it poses to you, financially.

    You may have to produce some tax records or proof that it's a hardship, but it's worth asking.

    I know that my hospital has such a system.

    by Blue Waters Run Deep on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:48:04 PM PDT

•  Junk insurance sucks for doctors too

  They get forced into collecting payments from patients who don't have the money to pay. The really sick thing here is that Bush and the Republicans want people like you not to get the tests you need to cut costs.

  Of course, it's idiotic because prevention saves money but the Republicans claim patients "overutilize" the health care system. That's crap. Far too many patients put off needed tests and face serious and expensive problems because of the delays.

  by FishOutofWater on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:08:34 PM PDT

•  Sliding scale?

  Google your local area and "women's health." There may be a clinic with a sliding scale. See what's out there.

  Good luck! I hope it's nothing.

  by kath25 on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:09:25 PM PDT

  •  Thank you....

    I will check that out.

    by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:22:31 PM PDT

    •  Actually...

      some of the abortion clinics in your area may have the most reasonably priced GYN care.  You should give them a call.

      by annrose on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 07:08:53 PM PDT

•  I never had a normal pap test

  I always had some degree of dysplasia, probably because I had a whopping case of endometriosis.  

  I'm so sorry you don't have insurance.  That stinks.  But there are lots and lots of causes of abnormal paps, and the odds that it's life-threatening are in your favor.  {{Hugs}}

  by escapee on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:10:12 PM PDT

  •  Me, too, on endometriosis. And been through the

    irregular pap smear stuff.
    I can promise you, pap smears often go from irregular back to perfectly regular. I didn't believe it when my doctor recommended this approach, but she was recognized in town as a great OB/GYN, and I had good insurance at the time.
    Everything she told me turned out to be true.
    She said the thing to know about cervical cells is that they're replaced every 3 months. Which means that every three months, you've grown completely new cervical cells. Sometimes what you see as irregular now is fine three or four months later. And cervical cancer is one you see coming from miles away. You have time when you have an irregular pap smear to wait and see.
    She recommended repeating the pap smear every three months for a year, and for a while, I went back and forth. Irregular to regular and back again. But eventually, they settled down and everything was regular, and then they stayed that way.
    Keep getting the pap smears. They're not really expensive. A better test, if you're worried about cervical cancer, is an HPV test. (For the virus that causes most cervical cancers.) I don't think it's an expensive test, either, think it's basically an upgraded pap test and it's done the same way as a pap.
    If you're doctor sees too many irregular pap smears in a row, she'll do a biopsy, which is no big deal for the cervix. They stick something inside you and snip off a tiny bit.

    With fibroids... had many friends live with them, often uncomfortably, but with no huge problems. Had more than one friend go through pregnancies with big fibroids, pregnancies that ended up just fine. If the fibroids get to be enough of a pain and you eventually do have insurance and want something done, you can have it taken care of. Again, likely no big deal.

    Sorry. I know anything that comes back irregular and can seem like it's a pre-cancerous thing is terrifying, but truly, I've been through exactly what you're facing. Just keep getting the pap smears. You'll be fine.

    by teresahill on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:27:50 PM PDT

  •  Thank you....

    the (((Hugs))) always help :-)

    by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:52:45 PM PDT

•  Get the medical tests

  Your life comes first. And most likely, if the expenses are above 7.5% of your income, you'll be able to write them off if you itemize. Not the best scenario, but you need to take care of yourself. I'll keep you in my prayers.

  by oceanstar17 on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:13:47 PM PDT

•  I'll be holding you close

  in thought and sending blessings out for you, angrybird.

  I had an irregular pap test come back in the mid 80s; type II cells changing to type III.  My Ob-Gyn did laser surgery on my cervix right in his office.  It was like something out of a Basil Rathbone film - no one was in the office but the nurse, an anesthetist, my doctor, me, and my husband waited in the waiting area.  I exited through the back entry way.  Things went well, it was billed as an outpatient procedure, and my insurance (through my husband's employer) covered the entire procedure.

  These days?  Who knows what they'd cover and what they wouldn't.  Just 2 months ago, they finally paid a bill from my oncologist for labs done last August - they kept requesting more information . . .  

  by Dreaming of Better Days on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:16:40 PM PDT

  •  Thank you Dreaming....

    so much as been piled on me the past few months I feel like I'm crumbling.
    I does help to have people thinking of me though.

    by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:21:52 PM PDT

•  Do you know what your pap

  test result really is?  A pap test is just a screening test, not really diagnostic.  Usually abnormal means ASCUS-atypical cells of unknown origin.  It's important to know if you are HPV positive or negative. If you are HPV negative it's pretty rare (although not impossible) that you will develop cervical cancer.  FWIW it takes a long time (years) for atypical cells to develop into cervical cancer and usually they DON'T turn into cancer.   Don't panic.  Find out your HPV status. Remember a pap is a screening test, do your follow-up care which could ultimately include colposcopy and/or biopsy. No one needs to develop cervical cancer, we have the tools to prevent it.    

  by Shappy on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:23:28 PM PDT

•  I have no words of wisdom.

  No words that can make your situation better.

  Still, I want you to know I care.  

  I do hope you continue with the necessary appts.  No matter how scary the bills may be...you've got to take care of your health.

  Your story makes me more determined to only support candidates who will support and fight for universal health care.

  by Naniboujou on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:27:28 PM PDT

  •  Thank you Naniboujou, that means alot to me.

    by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:34:52 PM PDT

•  Angrybird

  All the best to you.  

  by Pam from Calif on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:27:51 PM PDT

•  Try not to feel overwhelmed.

  You have four months before the next PAP. So no need to worry about that right now. Besides, lots of PAPs come back abnormal and turn out to be nothing. I also hope you make sure and have the ultrasound as scheduled in late November. Right now you are worried about your deductible but there is no reason to worry about that. It sounds like you have a good and cautious doctor, and both tests will probably turn up negative.

  Just take it one thing and one step at a time, and remember that what happened financially and with your health before was then, and this is now.

  Thanks for sharing what is going on, and no, you are not alone in this.

  by Quilldriver on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:28:00 PM PDT

•  Correction

  Brain cloud here (too many trips to doctors this past week dealing with my daughter's foot fracture.) ASCUS is atypical cells of undetermined significance.  
  Repeat: don't panic.

  by Shappy on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:28:12 PM PDT

•  get the tests done

  because it's better to know, and it may be nothing. I had an irregular pap at a time I had no insurance. I told the doctor I had no insurance, and he really worked with me. He coldn't do anything about lab costs, but helped otherwise. Everything endd up ok in the long run, but if I'd waited it, might not have.

  I'll be thinking of you.

  by Loonesta on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:28:18 PM PDT

•  First, Don't Panic. This Is Incredibly Common

  From a Sacramento News and Review article

  roughly 60 percent of all women who get annual Pap tests receive either a false-positive reading or an inconclusive one.

  (I assume they mean over the course of their lifetimes rather than 60% in one year.)

  It happened to me.  They didn't put the follow-up test off for four months, though. They did it immediately and the results came back normal.

  I don't know why they're delaying the follow-up for you but if I were you I'd demand it be done immediately.  Pap tests aren't that expensive.  At what price piece of mind?

  Why are they doing an ultrasound to check for fibroids?  Are you having any symptoms?

  by creeper on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:36:19 PM PDT

  •  Yes...

    I have been having heavier bleeding, and the doctor said my uterus seems full (whatever that means), so she wants it checked out.

    by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:41:40 PM PDT

    •  are you on hormones?

      I had all the same stuff this summer and had the vaginal ultrasound, the colposcopy, and an endometrial biopsy. Stopped taking the BC pills I had been taking to keep migraines at bay and the heavy bleeding stopped, fibroids shrunk. Follow up pap and all tests were a-ok.

      by 1864 House on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 08:21:53 PM PDT

      •  P.S.

        I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. The uncertainty is not fun.

        by 1864 House on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 08:23:13 PM PDT

    •  angrybird, You Need To Be More Pro-Active

      in your medical care.  I get the sense that events are sweeping you along but you don't fully understand what the doctor is telling you.  

      Get on the net and do the research.  Check for women's health clinics in your area that might offer a sliding scale of fees.  Find out why they're saying your pap smear is irregular but not scheduling another one immediately.  Get a price on the ultrasound they've scheduled, if you haven't already.

      Ask questions, demand answers and don't settle for any explanation you don't fully understand.  We can sympathize with you, tell you our stories and give you virtual hugs here.  But only you can take the responsibility for your medical care.

      Get out there and give 'em hell!  

      by creeper on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 08:33:29 PM PDT

•  In 2000,

  I thought I was going to have to have back surgery.

  I thought about the general anesthesia (tends to make me sick), the possible tube up my bladder (ick), the time off work, the hospital time, and all of it. You know what I thought about most? The money. At the time, I had a Blue Cross plan, which was considered "good" coverage and would have kicked in 80% of my medical expenses. Alas, $20,000--which is about what I'd have owed out-of-pocket--is still a chunk.

  Problem turned out to be not a compressed disk, as the doctor had thought. No surgery--hurray. The cause of my disturbing neurological symptoms was "just" multiple sclerosis. Now, I'm ineligible for affordable healthcare because of my "pre-existing condition."

  You know what I think of for-profit health insurance companies? Greedy bastards. Drive 'em out of business. Fire their marketing and underwriting divisions. Send their CEOs packing. Institute government-funded healthcare, because that's the only "reform" possible in this situation.

  Sorry about your medical woes. From one "fellow traveler" to another, I wish you all luck and a safe journey. Thanks for the diary.

  by karmsy on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:37:01 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for the wishes karmsy :-)

    by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:51:07 PM PDT

•  If you smoke,

  Quit.

  Smoking makes health issues a lot worse including women's issues.

  by smartcookienyc on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:38:54 PM PDT

  •  I quit smoking....

    October 31st 1996.  I will always remember that date. Thanks for the advice anyway  :-)

    by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:46:54 PM PDT

•  ((((((((((((((((Angrybird))))))))))))))))))))))))

  I am so, so, so sorry. You are in my thoughts, and if desired in my prayers.

        Hugs,
        Heather

  by Chacounne on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:46:03 PM PDT

  •  Thank you Chacounne....

    I always feel so much better sharing with my kossack friends.

    by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:47:55 PM PDT

•  Um...

  Does your doc KNOW you? If so, he/she would know that your uterus is only a small fraction of what's irregular about you...

  :)

  In any event, don't panic. Panicking gets you nowhere.

  by Stormy Weathers on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:46:09 PM PDT

  •  Brand new doc....

    for me.  And thanks for trying to make me laugh :-)
    I'm surprised to see you pop into this kind of diary :-)

    by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:50:09 PM PDT

    •  To quote my

      friend Stephen..."Ewwww, girl parts!"

      by Stormy Weathers on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:50:59 PM PDT

      •  Tee-hee..... :-)

        by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 06:51:42 PM PDT

•  The "pro-lifers"...

  They only believe in life before birth and after death, but not in between.

  Sorry you're "in between".  They don't care about you or me.  

  If you're worried, I'd suggest you get a second opinion.  Reasonably priced alternatives are at your local abortion clinic or Planned Parenthood.

  by annrose on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 07:12:24 PM PDT

•  I agree about asking about your HPV status.

  Since I have no idea how old you are, I am just going to assume that you haven't received Gardasil.  My middle daughter had a Pap that was positive for HPV.  The doctor did follow-up Paps at 3-month intervals for 15 months before it finally was normal again.  Now she is supposed to go every 6 months for a year.  I would assume that your Pap will eventually revert to normal; mildly abnormal Paps are incredibly common and almost always revert to normal without treatment.  However, it is important for you to do the followup.  

  The only hospital in the town where I live charges more for everything than any other hospital in the state - and usually provides worse care.  However, they do allow you to pay monthly without charging interest.  It took me 1 year to pay off my daughter's ER visit for gastroenteritis and dehydration (she was there about 6 hours and received IV fluids - the bill was $2500).  

  Hopefully your fibroids won't become any more symptomatic and once confirmed, you can just treat the symptoms.  

  Good luck.  I wish I could help somehow.  Where do you live?  I'd be glad to go to the hospital with you if you need someone to do that.  Just a thought.

  My prayers are with you.  I'm sure you'll be fine.

  by docangel on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 07:36:08 PM PDT

  •  Thank you docangel...

    that's so sweet to offer to help.  I'm in Michigan.  I'm sure my mother will help me out, but I'm so touched by your offer.

    by angrybird on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 07:45:08 PM PDT

•  I can only send hugs.

  I had an ovarian cyst once--but it resolved itself before they did the ultrasound. I was glad--because, needless, to say, my husband was in Saudi Arabia at the time in the lead-up to the Gulf War. AT that time we were stuck with CHAMPUS (which sucks) to pick up what my health insurance didn't cover.

  Try not to worry, really.  

  by irishwitch on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 08:36:44 PM PDT

•  pap smears come back wrong all the time

  and also, pretty much everybody who has had sex has HPV.

  i'm not sure what the correlation between the fibroids and the pap smear is supposed to be? fibroids are in the uterus and pap smears are to check for cervical cancer/hpv as far as i know.

  just try to stay calm, i've had a bunch of friends lose their minds over these test results then it turns out to be nothing. with hpv there are many different strains but only a few of them can cause cancer. stressing about all this will make you sick though, that's for sure.

  by Marlboro Lite on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 09:26:55 PM PDT

•  *hugs* angrybird

  I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.

  by Sister Havana on Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 09:48:51 PM PDT