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Positive FIT Test

niam
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Hi all,

I know diagnosis can only come from a medical professional but I am truly terrified of having bowel/colon cancer. I have had intermittent blood in my stool for a while but put it down to piles. The blood has always been bright red so fresh. Last week I had difficulty passing stools followed by what can only be described as very watery diarreah. I knew it wasn't right so contacted the doctor. To be fair, having read through other stories, I think I'm quite lucky because she immediately ordered a FIT test which I returned same day.

Today I receive a called from the doctor informing me my fit test was positive (17 - I don't understand the numbers) and they were doing an urgent 2 week referral. I then got a called from the hospital and have a telephone appointment with a nurse tomorrow morning to discuss what is next - I believe that will be a colonoscopy. 
 

my concern is that for the last week I've had low grade fever pretty much every day, mostly in the evening. My appetite has left the building so I have lost 8lbs in the last week (I'm overweight!). 

I had a similar episode in July last year but it was as I was admitted to hospital for Covid so I figured it was a symptom of covid but now am worried that I've had symptoms for nearly a whole year and haven't done anything about it.

Does anyone know how the numbers work with a fit test. The doctor today didn't really say much other than he's sending an urgent cancer referral which has given me anxiety beyond anything I've experienced before. 

I'm 42, don't know family history as maternal side we've never known. Paternal side there's no known history of cancer. 

Do the fit result numbers inicate how serious whatever it is could be? I'm so frightened I have cancer. I have two kids, one is in the middle of her GCSEs and I really can't think straight at the moment. 

if it helps anyone. My symptoms:

change in bowel habit - currently go to the toilet every morning - mostly loose stool but only one occurance of the watery stool following constipation the day before

some mucous when I wipe

low grade fever (mainly in the evening) 

recently picked up a cold/flu from my daughter (2 weeks ago so perhaps lower immune system) 

loss of appetite (eating less) 

weight loss

fatigue 

blood in stool (the stool sample I provided had no visible blood and was quite liquid like)
 

Parents
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    Hey Tazmin,

    how did you get on with the GP? Are they going to fast track your referral? 

    my blood tests were all ok apart from my calcium and sodium which is a bit low. I explained that every time I get a phonecall it sends me into an anxiety attack. Also got another call on Friday, they want me to provide a sample for IBD so I'll do that tomorrow. 

    Have you heard anything from your uni? I'm in the final sage of uni and have a dissertation to do but can't focus on anything right now. I think the best way forward while waiting is to put things into perspective. There is nothing we can do until we know what we are dealing with. I've gone onto so many forums, read so many stories and in some ways it helps and others it really doesn't. I have also noticed that a lot of people never come back with an update once they have had their tests so a high percentage we read are the people who unfortunately did not get a positive result. 

    You are going through a very stressful and tough time and stress sends our bodies into chaos and this could make any symptoms worse. 

    I am thinking of you and I hope you can get some answers really soon. 

    I will definitely provide an update after my appointment on 10th June and pray that your uni has some compassion given everything you are going through. 

    bug love xx

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  • Offline

    Hey Tazmin,

    how did you get on with the GP? Are they going to fast track your referral? 

    my blood tests were all ok apart from my calcium and sodium which is a bit low. I explained that every time I get a phonecall it sends me into an anxiety attack. Also got another call on Friday, they want me to provide a sample for IBD so I'll do that tomorrow. 

    Have you heard anything from your uni? I'm in the final sage of uni and have a dissertation to do but can't focus on anything right now. I think the best way forward while waiting is to put things into perspective. There is nothing we can do until we know what we are dealing with. I've gone onto so many forums, read so many stories and in some ways it helps and others it really doesn't. I have also noticed that a lot of people never come back with an update once they have had their tests so a high percentage we read are the people who unfortunately did not get a positive result. 

    You are going through a very stressful and tough time and stress sends our bodies into chaos and this could make any symptoms worse. 

    I am thinking of you and I hope you can get some answers really soon. 

    I will definitely provide an update after my appointment on 10th June and pray that your uni has some compassion given everything you are going through. 

    bug love xx

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