Positive Fit Test worry

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Hi

I was telephoned by my doctor this afternoon to say my FIT test came back positive - 80.6 I can now see on the NHS app.

Thankfully Ive been fast tracked onto the 2-weekly thing the NHS has - my new GP has finally been very proactive.

I first went to the doctor (different one) last year (May) having had bad diarrhea on and off for 2 months. He first diagnosed diverticulitis and then ibs later in that summer and put me on mebeverine and all seemed fine mainly until June this year when my stomach played up again. I had one episode of bleeding last year which I put down to piles but some more bleeding this time. Never painful and always bright red and I assumed it was piles again.

On seeing a different GP this time she decided I should be tested for everything so have blood tests booked for next week and am now awaiting a camera investigation.

I generally feel OK apart from a back ache which, of course, may be completely disconnected and bloating/gas.

I have had left sided abdominal discomfort for years (more than 10) and bouts of bad stomach but always ignored it because it cleared up in time

My partner died from bowel cancer in 2022 so it's hard not to feel the worst.

I did have a negative FIT test in September 2023 but had no idea the threshold was higher in the general population. As it was the NHS bowel screening programme the actual reading isnt there for me to see.

Thanks for reading.

I promise to reply with whatever happens once Ive had the colonoscopy. Im 62 btw.

  • Hi  and a warm welcome to the board. I can see that you’ve commented on some of the other posts so will have seen my usual reply/advice. Hopefully you will get an appointment through soon and yes, please keep us posted

    Take care

    Karen x

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
  • I promised to come back and reply with news of what happened. I'm sorry it took so long but it wasnt a super quick process in the end.

    I had a colonoscopy on the 5th November and 2 polyps were removed. I was told there was 1 more to remove (not exactly sure why it wasn't removed at the time but I'm glad they didn't as you'll see). The biopsy results were good and I was removed from the 2 week pathway which was obviously a relief.

    I chased for the second colonoscopy as my notes said it should be within 2 weeks. However the endoscopy unit I was under said it was now not urgent and the the consultant shouldn t have written that. I found it much quicker emailing them rather than trying to get through on the phone. By email they were very responsive. I'm in south east Essex - the first colonoscopy was at Orsett.

    I was then expecting to wait months for the second colonoscopy. However I was phoned in December for a late cancellation opportunity on December 18 which I gleefully took. 

    The second colonoscopy was at Southend and it went well. I had 5 further polyps removed!! When I got home and looked at the notes the 2 sets of photos I now had from 2 separate colonoscopies didn't add up and I queried it with the unit. The 2nd consultant confirmed that the notes on the first colonoscopy were incorrect (I think the first guy got the placements of the polyps mixed up and attached the wrong photos to the wrong sites). He did confirm though that all was good and everything was removed.

    The 2nd biopsy results were all good too (to be fair he said he was pretty sure they were all benign anyway at the time).

    Ive had no stomach problems since the first colonoscopy now. Both consulants confirmed 2nd grade haemorrhoids probably caused the positive fit test. Whether the polyps had caused any problems I'll probably never know. I also had diverticulosis confirmed at the colonoscopies which may have been the cause of the stomach problems.

    My advice to everyone. Don't assume a positive fit test is sinister (I know how hard this can be because I was worried). I had full bloods taken before the first colonscopy too and these were all fine.

    And make sure you get checked out. The colonoscopies were both fine - the 2nd one slightly uncomfortable. Make sure you choose sedation. And watching on the screen is super strange.

  • and another tip when doing the prep for the colonscopies (I got this from my daughter). Take a sip of lemonade after each sip of the prep - it really helps.

  • Thanks for the update  

    and good to hear that there was nothing sinister found. I totally agree with your tip regarding the prep - I used tonic water with a hint of lemon (sadly without a gin in it!)

    Take care

    Karen x

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