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7 Positive self help FIT bowel cancer tests

Dianes285
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Hi I've been feeling a little off for around 2 years and it's only in the last 6 months it's really started affecting me. It started off as extreme tiredness, then went which I just passed off as medication until around 6 months ago when I done a bowel cancer test (well tests as I done 5). I had bought 5 tests few different makes and companies over the course of 3 month. My tests all came back positive so I contacted my doctor & they done one of there own which is the same as 3 of the ones I bought. Called for results which to my surprise was negative but didn't explain all the FIT tests being positive. Put it to the back of my mind thinking docs were right but over the last 3 months I have been feeling really not well with loads of other symptoms : tiredness, nausea, no appetite, low energy, constipation to the point I can't even pass wind & really thirsty and I'm not a big drinker (of juice or caffeine obvs). Now the last few weeks my low energy has got worse to the point I'm nearly awake 9 hours and struggling, been feeling irritated, confused at times, my stomach has swollen quiet a bit and my skin it beyond itchy. I've also been having major pain on my right side & in the morning or though night I struggle to take a breath without having severe pain. Only way to explain is like there's pressure either around my lung, liver or kidney. So I've done another 2 tests a few nights ago and the test line is even more pink than it was a few months back. The problem I'm having trouble getting through to my doctor as she is so useless when I ever ask for help, I'm not the only person who's complained about this. I get there's so much pressure on the NHS but I'm not just someone in about a headache or cold. I'm genuinely concerned that I have bowel cancer and it's spread but feel no one is listening. Cancer is in my family 2 relatives died from cancer, 1 aunt still here has cancer and I believe my father has prostate issues around cancer years ago and they were around 40 yes old when diagnosed. If anyone could help I would be forever grateful as I have a young son at 6 with autism & adha so if I die there is no one there for him, he would then be placed into foster care or adopted. It makes me sick at the tough how much it would hurt him if he lost his mum when he already struggles as it is. Then to go through a whole new life with strangers I can't bare to think about. Any help please.

P. S. Sorry about the lengthy message

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    Maybe see another doctor? Is this a possibility? 

    However, while I do think this needs to be checked out and if you don't trust your doctor, then I hope you can get to see somebody you trust more, the odds of it being bowel cancer are fairly low. That is not to say it shouldn't be investigated, but many things can cause blood in the stool and your other symptoms.

    If it is any consolation, over the summer, I had some symptoms of bowel cancer - rectal bleeding, weight loss, some loose stools (maybe once or twice a week), trapped wind... - and the specialist told me that if my mother came in with the same symptoms, he would be considering bowel cancer as a possibility but that at my age - 40 - it was possible but it would be the least likely of all the possible options and I would be "the most unlucky person in the world" if that turned out to be the answer. It turned out to be hemorrhoids, possibly combined with some mild effects of my thyroid medication and the stress of the whole situation. The latter is something to keep in mind too and is the awful part of bowel cancer symptoms. That obviously having bowel cancer symptoms is going to cause stress and stress often causes GI symptoms, some of which are also symptoms of bowel cancer, which of course, increases your stress and makes you feel bowel cancer is more likely, thereby exacerbating your stress symptoms.

    Given the age of your son, I am guessing you are around my age or even younger, at which point, bowel cancer is possible but unlikely.

    Having cancer in your family is bound to add to your concerns, as is having a small child. But there are many causes of your symptoms - ulcerative colitis, Crohn's, a polyp, etc - that are more likely than bowel cancer and even in the situation where you had bowel cancer, which you probable don't, it does not mean you would die of it. People recover and even those who do not recover may live for many years. 

  • Offline in reply to MargaretMary

    Thanks for ur reply very much appreciated, kind of puts my mind at ease a little. I wasn't really thinking about it after I seen the doc last time but these symptoms just kept getting worse each month that was passing so done another test. The surgery I'm with is very small so only has 2 doctors and 2 pharmacists and both docs get so many patients each and I was registered to the woman I'm with now. Have asked to be changed to the male doc but they stated that he has a waiting list from patients who are already with the practice as there priority to take on new patients 1st so I'm thinking of just moving doctors altogether. It's usually when I see an ad or something on TV that reminds me about bowel cancer then gets me worried again for the rest of the day.  I'm almost 40 so Ur guess was no far off and I knew about hemorrhoids could be a possibility but didn't know about the others u mentioned so that's gave me a bit of positivity that maybe I'm thinking to much into this. Just alittle confused as to all my 7 positive test to the doctors 1 negative just because 3 of the tests I don't are the exact same as the doctors test. Think 1 more docs test will put my mind at ease completely but thank you for Ur advice as it's help ease a little at the possibility of being something that doesn't need to be worried about.

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    Hi

    I would see a different GP and say because of the many positive fit tests you want to be referred to a secialist to put your mind at rest.

    Any tiny amount of blood can give you a positive fit test so if you have piles, a tear or diverticulitis this would also come back positive.

    Hope you get sorted and if you're not satisfied don't leave it... just in case and for your own peace of mind.

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    I feel your frustration. You MUST make an absolute nuisance of yourself. I was diagnosed with Bowel cancer at 41 and while people say its rare younger I have known 3 people inc my best friend, a couple of years younger than I was at diagnosis get BC it's not as rare as people think. Now I'm not saying this is what you have got but you do need to get to the bottom of what's ailing you. I was fobbed off sooo many times and ended up.going to a different practise with photographs of what I was seeing in the loo (gross I know) qnd saying if this is ibs I really need some help! Now your symptoms do not mean it is cancer. Having a positive test does not mean its cancer either. You though should go to go to the drs and ask them for further tests. Write down everything and if you haven't already keep a food and drink journal. And take that with you Good luck cheering you on. Xx

  • Offline in reply to Petrolrainbow

    Totally agree Petrolrainbow

    I was treated for IBS for over a year before I was diagnosed and it's only with me pestering that I'm here now to tell the tale.

    I was in my forties too.

  • Offline in reply to Ineedabreak

    Can be so difficult to get heard can't it! Hope tour doing ok now xx

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