FIT/stool sample and contamination OCD

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Hello, I’m hoping I’ve chosen the right place for this topic, apologies if not. I was a bit overwhelmed by the choice of groups so I may have it wrong!

Just wondered if I could ask some advice on collecting a stool sample. I’m sure this isn’t a task anyone would enjoy doing, but I guess reactions usually range from seeing it as an inconvenience to quite gross. Unfortunately I have severe contamination based OCD (for context, the specialist service said I was ‘too anxious’ to see them…). The idea of collecting a sample is pretty terrifying for me, but I know it has to be done. I can’t be the only one who has been through this with similar problems, so I just wondered if anyone has personal experience and feels able to comment? If you can share any strategies that helped you, whether physical or mental, I’d be so grateful.

Also, on a slightly different note, I had a chaser from the GP less than a week after them requesting the sample. I know they have to safety net, and that this is a good thing, but I was surprised at how soon they chased as I think I’m statistically very low risk. Should I be at all concerned, or do they tend to chase up after a set period of time regardless of risk level (outside of the 2 week wait category)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Kareno62 over 2 years ago

Hi craftysquirrel. I thought I was pretty poo immune but recently had to do 3 samples before a hospital stay and found it quite gross. Apologies for the graphic content to follow but here’s what i did

Labelled up the test tube that they’d given me

Placed a clean empty takeaway plastic tray in the toilet

Did a poo then lifted the tray out, cut off a sample with the little spoon that comes in the test tube, put it back in the test tube, tighten the lid and put in the plastic bag that they gave me

Empty tray into toilet and wash it out as toilet flushing

Dispose of tray

You can obviously wear gloves, mask - anything that makes you feel comfortable but remember it is your poo not someone else’s so you can’t contaminate yourself?

With regard to the GP chase up I would think it is standard procedure to diarise a test forward a week to check for receipt then chase up. It’s not necessarily indicative of something to be worried about but you need to provide the sample for them to continue their investigation and get to the cause of your problem

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

Clare81 over 2 years ago

Hello I'm new here too I handed my sample in tues I did same as Karen a empty takeaway tub scoop put in tube wiped poop in toilet then wiped container wrapped it and put in bin

If it helps spray airfreshner to take mind off it abit

I'm waiting on my scan getting bloods and a is it internal basically doc check inside