Positive fit test and colonoscopy result.

Hi,Id just like to share my experiences that ive been through over the last few weeks for the benefit of people who are going through the same thing.

Im a 50 year old male and I recently had a fit test result of 16. Not massively over but over nonetheless. Immediately I'm thinking the worse and I was convinced I had bowel cancer. I'd noticed blood whilst wiping on the odd occasion which I'd never seen before. My other symptoms were a change in my toilet habits and occasionally I'd get stomach pains. I'm going to sound like a hypocrite here but stay off Google as it sent me doolally! My anxiety was worsened as well by a work colleague who's recently had bowel cancer but has since made a full recovery. 

Just because your fit test is high it doesn't mean you have cancer. It could be lots of things. Believe me I was the world's worst at being anxious to the point that it made me I'll. Share your thoughts with family and this forum helped me as well.

I had my colonoscopy today. They were really nice and helpful and made me feel totally at ease. The pre examination drink was fowl but I split my drinks into quarter measures and had one every 15 minutes,then the other 4 a few hours later. Be warned though, don't stray to far from a toilet. My colonoscopy was ok, I had the sedation and barely felt anything. They found I had internal piles,4 polops that they removed and I also have colitis. Apparently the colitis can cause slight bleeding. It's quite enflamed down there which I now have to take suppositories for the next month to hopefully get it back to normal. 

Don't be Afraid it could be anything and you really need to have the colonoscopy to give you the all clear and peace of mind.

Good luck and thank you to the good people on here who helped me. 

Take care. 

Steve.

  • Good they going to be doing this to make sure where any pain comes from..so many things it could be I think but as I know v well is so hard not to worry and think the worst...fingers crossed all will be ok xx

  • Yes Helen I think an operation is best to make sure it’s all out and check the lymph nodes, keeping everything crossed there all clear. I think I read that they mark it by doing a tattoo on the bowels, I could be wrong though.

    Amanda the drink my husband had was hardly anything so if it’s the same one as I said before it’s not a problem.

    Lily, hiya and sorry you’re here. My husband didn’t have any symptoms apart from low iron on a blood test, as you would have read he has polyps but hopefully they’re ok just waiting for biopsy to come back. He had no problems having the colonoscopy but I’d say if you can have sedation have it. I’m sure you’ll be ok but while you’re going through the tests it’s hard not to think of all the worst things that can happen, stay with us and we’ll all help you through. Good luck xxx 

  • Tbh out if the two I would have preferred surgery. This way you know they will definitely get it all plus you won't be able to hear them talking about it which would freak me lol. They will be able to spend more time in there having a rummage with you having a nap so if that was me it would put me at ease. I bet you won't have to drink the prep for this other colonoscopy either as they won't have to go all around everywhere just into your bowel so you might only have to take a little bit of prep like what Sue has said to me. I agree about lymph nodes it's best to be safe. It is a worry bless you but it's all nearly over just keep thinking that. Once they put you to sleep you will wake up and it will all be over. Book yourself a holiday somewhere hot and enjoy you deserve it xx

  • Yes and I'm certainly thinking the worst xx

  • Hi There,

    Hope you don’t mind me jumping on your thread but I’ve been reading through and you all seem such a lovely supportive lot! 

    My partner had a colonoscopy 2 weeks ago and unfortunately they found cancer. They told us straight after that they had removed two polyps but unfortunately they also found a tumour. He was then sent for a CT scan which he had last Friday and we got a phone call yesterday for his appointment with the specialist and surgeon on Wednesday so at least we will know more soon and if it had spread anywhere else. 

    Weirdly he has received a letter today for an appointment with a haematologist in November so now we are slightly in panic mode that this means it has spread to his lymph nodes, but trying to not think the worse. 

    We haven’t told any friends or family yet as we want to wait until we know exactly what we are dealing with and what treatments he will be having.

    My partner is being amazing and so brave and is just ready to fight it. I on the other hand am really struggling. He’s my best friend and we spend all our time together as we own our own business and work together. 

    Having a bit of a wobbly moment today so thought writing it down might help get it out of my head a little bit 

    Hope everyone else on here is doing ok! 

  • I have found that writing it down can help. I really hope that all shall be well.

  • I think you're right as if was a colonoscopy I'd worry they missed something so I know probably best to have surgery but is a scary prospect.. yes they said just an enema for the short colonoscopy..not sure yet what the prep will be for the operation but I'll think they'll tell me at one of the pre op appointments.. would love to book a holiday but my pragmatic partner just says let's wait till after it all..xx

  • I'm so same as you..was the worst news for me but they are dealing with it quickly xx

  • Hi there, is a lovely supportive thread! Oh dear re your partner.. was it through routine screening? They do move pretty quickly with appointments altho wait between things so horribly long and scary tbh.. I don't know if CT scan shows up lymph nodes..i thought that only from doing biopsies but I might be wrong.

    Does he have any symptoms..

    I didn't tell quite a lot of people till I knew the biopsy results as didn't want to have to deal with people worrying..

    Am not surprised you're wobbly..I've been massively and it feels like a roller coaster that you just don't want to be on..I have to say the calming techniques I've been taught by a Mental Health nurse have been really helpful..might be an idea to self refer to Wellbeing as you can self refer and don't need GP and they have practitioners who do that sort of thing..helps keep my panic from rising and to focus on positives.. not that it does totally of course..

    Take carex

  • Thank you for your response.

    He actually went to the doctor for his sore back which turned out to be mild to moderate arthritis. He slipped on some ice last year and we thought the pain was due to that. He mentioned to the doctors about some toilet issues but they weren’t anything major to ring alarm bells so he had to send a sample and that made them refer him for a colonoscopy. 

    They took a biopsy of the tumour in his colon and the CT scan was done to check if it has spread to any other organs. 

    At his original doctors app the results of his blood test showed fluctuations in his liver function and he had a high haemoglobin count but the doctor couldn’t say why this was and booked him in for another blood test next month too see the levels then. 

    it’s a really scary time. Our youngest is 6. 

    Thank you for the advice about Well-being I will look into that. I need to be strong for him and the children. 

    Hopefully we can get some more information on Wednesday when we see the specialist. We are also meeting with a surgeon so we are taking that as a positive that they can operate.

    Thank you once again for responding. It really helps to talk about it. Hopefully I will be able to update after Wednesday with some good news x