Worried sick.. Fcal test results

Thank you so much love I need to go back to my gp to discuss it all further… I’m not entirely sure. They did not seem concerned regarding my polyps histology results so I’m not either. I sat and cried in the reception area waiting to go in and this lovely nurse came over and was soooo kind. They all were. It did hurt at times… but with the gas and air I felt it was manageable. I was worried about being sedated as I didn’t react well to anaesthetic before so it put me off lol. I know lots of people have been sedated though and felt that really useful. Do you know if u will have your appointment before Christmas? The not knowing is what kills us off the most. It’s ridiculously stressful. You are going to be absolutely fine! Xx

Oh that’s good then Beth, you can enjoy your Christmas now. Do you have any Christmas plans? Im cooking for 15.. really don’t feel like it but be good to have the family round. I asked them when I called and she said I should get seen before Christmas I’d rather just get it out the way I’ve been phoning everyday to see if it has been triaged yet and today she said oh Hannah I think we did get yours back and then said oooh let me put you on hold then came back and said no sorry it hasn’t come back should definitely be triaged by Friday so just gonna call again tomorrow and Friday hopefully get booked in asap as it was a 2 week referral but I understand if it takes longer. Never heard of a referral having to be triaged before should just get you booked in once they get the referral really shouldn’t they.just so stressful the waiting but hopefully I’m stressing over nothin. Keep us posted about the next plan with gp for the diverticulitis maybe some medicine to control it, take care Beth xxx

Just a little update, spoke with the hospital and a doctor has triaged my referral and it is now longer a colonoscopy but a colon CT scan. No idea why this has been changed but my appointment letter has been posted wouldn’t tell me the date over the phone. Anyone had this before?

A CT will give a broader picture of the abdomen. It is also much less invasive and easier for you. 

In my case, a CT lead to discovery of my cancer but I needed a colonoscopy afterwards.  Since you are so young, they may want to spare you the colonoscopy prep by trying to diagnose from the CT scan. If they see a potential tumor in the bowels then I'd think you would get the colonoscopy. 

That's the wrong way round. You try to avoid radiation in the young and endoscopic visualisation is normally first line

I'm just trying to make sense of the CT first approach. I don't honestly know why they want the CT now instead of a scope. Doctors seem to have differing opinions on these things. Just this week I had a radiologist refuse to do a test ordered by my surgeon because he thought it wasn't the best test. My surgeon of course disagrees. Who knows what to believe anymore. I mostly try to make sense of the conflicting information any way I can. 

For some things it's nearly as good, particularly in those that won't tolerate a normal scope

I feel a bit daft writing this with people having real issues but I’ve been experiencing some changes and I’m expected to see a specialist at the end of January but have been given the option of going private through work due to peoples concerns but don’t know wether it’s an over reaction.

I’m 37 years old

I had blood in my stools about 6 weeks ago, only for about 2-3 days. I suffer from IBS but went to the drs and put in some stool samples and calprotectin was raised but not huge levels, late 100s so they put it down to the IBS which was fine with me. They also did blood tests but not for anemia which came back normal in some areas and borderline raised in others.

Since then I’ve lost quite a bit of weight, I’ve went from being 13 stone in early October to 11 stone 10 and my appetite is minimal. I have a dull pain like a stitch in my left hand side of my abdominal area and feel far more tired than I would have previously and my toilet routine has changed where I’m going a few days without and sometimes feel like I haven’t finished. I keep getting a pain like a trapped nerve in my lower back that goes to my knee and don’t know whether it’s related or just something else and I’m worrying about nothing.

People are mentioning the weight loss and if I’m dieting and for me it’s just that I’m run down and maybe not feeling well with stuff going round but family members want me to go through bupa, just want to know what people’s thoughts are on these symptoms and if they should be more of a concern than IBS.

Firstly it might make more sense to start your own thread.

Secondly, as a doctor myself, I would suggest going back and saying "I have altered bowel habit and significant weight loss" as yes you likely need more investigations. 

BUPA isn't inherently better, it is limited and slightly opaque, the main benefit is if you have specific things that cannot be done via the NHS timely. 

Hi Joe rich It could be IBS but the important thing is to get thoroughly checked out. You’ve had sone great advice from Glazed on how to approach your doctor abd get referred for a colonoscopy.

Only 1 in 10 colonoscopies results in a bowel cancer diagnosis and your symptoms could be caused by your ibs or colitis,diverticulitis, crohns etc. but please ask for a colonoscopy referral

Take care

Karen x