Positive Fit Test- Score 100- Worried!

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Hi all,

I'm new here. I am currently waiting on my 2WW referral and I am really worried.

Basically I've had symptoms of bowel cancer for 2 years now and just didn't realise it!

I had a blood test done because my skin is awful, I'm fatigued and generally don't feel good within myself and in light of potential heart problems the Dr did a full blood count and lots of other tests, which came back that I'm very anaemic.

After 6 days of taking iron tablets I noticed my stools were pitch black and looser. I brought this up at my recent Dr appointment and he ordered me to do a fit test. I agreed and was convinced it would come back fine and it would just be the iron. But like I say I didn't realise I had symptoms already at this point.

So fast forward a few days and it's come back positive at a score of 100. I've been referred on the 2WW for suspected cancer.

Naturally, I researched the symptoms only to realise I've been having symptoms for 2 years. Blood in stools a few times also frequently have mucous when I wipe, one occasion with a small blood clot, toilet filled with bright red blood sometimes or when I wipe there's bright red blood. Stools are small ISH and hard. Pain when passing stools, when I'm on my period I have severe rectal pain, I frequently feel like I haven't gotten it all out or that I need to go but can't. I would say I'm constipated most of the time but I never push too hard. When I'm not the movements are loose. Only had diarrhea twice in these two years though! I have abdominal pain frequently but more so when having a movement. Bloated constantly. Don't have IBS symptoms really so don't think it's that.

I am really worried and my gut feeling is telling me it's cancer (even when I was actually borderline for skin cancer I never felt like this). I really hope my gut feeling is wrong! Dr said there's a 1 in 4 chance I have it and with me being so anaemic they are concerned.

The only thing I keep telling myself to try and reassure myself is it's the lower side of the threshold so surely that is a good thing. But then I worry is it only low because I could barely get any stool on the stick

I'm such an over thinker

Please can people respond advising what their result was and what their fit score was (good and bad outcomes please I don't want to be moddycoddled!)

Kareno62 over 1 year ago in reply to Alisha3234

Hi Alisha3234 I would personally suggest sedation then to make sure you’re comfortable. It’s a mild sedative through a cannula jn your hand so you can watch what’s going on on the screen and hear what they’re saying but you’re just a bit dreamy/drowsy. The down side is that you can’t drive yourself home and they recommend that you have someone with you for 24 hours afterwards.

After the colonoscopy is over they take you somewhere to recover and give you a drink and some biscuits/toast. Once you’ve fully come round then a member of staff will have a chat with you about what they’ve seen and done. I saw something on screen and I said ‘ooh that doesn’t look good’ but wasn’t expecting them to tell me that they were 99% sure it was cancer but the sample they’d taken would be confirmed by the lab.

That was in 2016 and my next colonoscopy in 2021 confirmed that I was still ‘no evidence of disease’

Take care

Karen x

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

KarenMB over 1 year ago in reply to Alisha3234

Hi Alisha.
I have heard that there isn’t much difference between the sedative and the gas and air. But I honestly don’t know for sure as I haven’t had it done before. But you need someone to drive you home after the sedation and to stay with you a while after.

As I had a total hysterectomy at the end of last year, the nurse told me that the sedative may be best for me personally as my bowel will have moved to fill the space, so a different shape.
So I’m having the sedative at my colonoscopy on Monday evening.

I can’t remember if they said I’d get the results then? But I had my CAT scan last Thursday evening.
X

Alisha3234 over 1 year ago in reply to Kareno62

Thank you for your suggestion! Yes my family and friends have said to go for sedation, I can't drive anyway but my partners parents live round the corner from there so can pick me up as they're retired and then when my partner finishes work he can bring me home and will be with me. I just don't want to fall asleep during it as want to see it for myself too

Alisha3234 over 1 year ago in reply to KarenMB

Yes I read that online! I just worry with gas and air there's no pain relief but with sedation there is and I've read having had previous surgery it can be more painful due to scary tissue. I think I'll opt for sedation I just want to be aware enough to see it so I can ask questions. I believe they tell you what they've done and seen on the day but obviously would have to wait for results of any biopsies

Maninbath over 1 year ago in reply to Alisha3234

Hi Alisha,

I have had two colonoscopies, one with sedation and one with gas & air. TBH I don’t think I noticed any difference. The downside of sedation is you cannot drive yourself home afterwards. I think what is important is good bowel prep. They will pump in some carbon dioxide which can feel a bit uncomfortable. From what I can remember the exit was worse for me than the entrance, so to speak.

Hope all goes well and you get the best possible news.

Tom

Alisha3234 over 1 year ago

Hi all (again),

I have my colonoscopy on Friday so the day before I go on my holiday! I'm happy I've managed to get it done beforehand but now worrying about pain as my mum has said I'll be very sore the day afterwards, please can you advise how bad the pain is? I will have to sit in a car for an hour and a half

Alisha3234 over 1 year ago in reply to Maninbath

Thank you! I don't drive anyway so that's not an issue! Yes can imagine the pain is worse exiting! How bad was your pain after it?

Kareno62 over 1 year ago in reply to Alisha3234

Hi @Alisha I don’t remember having any real pain after mine but good to hear that you’re getting it before you go away - in my naivety I cancelled mine until after we got back off holiday then wished I’d kept the appointment but it had already been reallocated by then x

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

Maninbath over 1 year ago in reply to Alisha3234

Hi Alisha,

From memory I had no difficulty sitting in a chair afterwards, it was the wind from the carbon dioxide blown into my gut that gave me some discomfort. However, if you’re travelling the day after I would imagine you will have passed all/most of it before setting off.

Hope the result is good news and you have a great holiday.

Tom

Alisha3234 over 1 year ago in reply to Kareno62

Thank you for your speedy response kareno62!

I really hope it's not too painful afterwards as I did originally plan to make a day of our first day by heading up early ish then having a walk round or something then check in at 4. But my mum (who has had one before) is making out as if I will be really uncomfortable. I have prescribed strong pain killers for my extremely painful periods so hopefully if I am in any pain they'll help!