Newby: worried about positive FIT result and awaiting a CT scan

 

Hello my name is Ina and I am 76. Last July I had severe cramp in my abdomen like period pain that lasted  around five hours.no diarrhoea and only some dry retching. I eventually fell asleep and pain was gone when I woke up. Saw gp who felt nothing wrong with gallbladder or appendix. Suggested buscopam.  for future spasms.Nothing amiss until two and half weeks ago.  Same strong pain but accompanied by volatile  diarrhoea and plenty of vomiting that was quite fierce. After seven hours of same Rang 111 and saw a gp who found my abdomen sore in places suggesting inflammation. Could be a bug or food poisoning from a burger and chips I ate in fast food place day before. Said it should settle in 48 hours. Vomiting did cease and diarrhoea dried up.Stomach distended and sore….. and still had strong cramps but not constant. Next few days seemed better but still bloated and cramps still there and unable to pass motions. It is now two weeks and four days and I feel much better. Drinking lots of water and added husk to my fibre intake. Upsetting to get a positive FIT result of 34 and now fast tracked for investigation. Stomach quite soft mostly and cramps minimal. Stools range from small round balls that are very firm and not easy to pass. No visible blood. Have a ct scan scheduled. Is it just a coincedence that this positive FIT has followed the gastric episode so soon. Is 34 a high reading? Any input appreciated. Had the old fob test 2023 all good .

 

  • Hello Ina and a big welcome to Cancer Chat, 

    Poor you it sounds like it was rather unpleasant what happened 2 weeks and a half ago with the fierce vomiting. You did well to ring 111 and it's good that a GP examined you then and I am glad that you are feeling much better. Try not to worry too much about your FIT result. As you can read on our page on testing for blood in your poo using FIT, having a raised FIT test result can be due to lots of reasons and doesn't necessarily mean it is anything concerning but it's good that they are being thorough and doing all the necessary investigations including a CT scan

    Waiting for tests and results is, as many members of our community will know only too well, really nerve-racking and I thought I would share with you our helpful tips to help you cope while waiting for important news. I hope that these tips will help you get through the coming days as you are waiting to find out more. 

    Our nurses are also available on this free number 0808 800 4040 - don't hesitate to call their helpline Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and ask them any questions about the FIT test or anything else that springs to your mind. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that you won't have to wait too long to have the CT scan and that you get some clarity very soon on all this. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • 34 isn't exceptionally high. Anything over 10 counts as a positive reading but many people get results well into the hundreds. I think there were one or two people posted here with results around 1,000. So 34 means there is some blood in your stool but not much.