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.

  • Thank you Jenny.   You're absolutely  right.  I keep flipping between positives vibes and what will be will be, one step at a time and then moments of total catastrophising.  I imagine that's normal.  If it is cancer then I guess I need to just tackle it and fight the good fight. If it isn't then happy days and 100% a wake up call re lifestyle choices.

  •   this is the day you’ve been waiting for Mark. I know the wait has been very stressful let alone combined with all your symptoms, and together have led you to a worrying and stressful place .     I genuinely hope you’re ok , thars the outcome you want . However , you’re doing exactly the right thing getting checked out , many people, especially men choose to ignore anything “ bowel “ related.   The  fact you’ve taken your concerns seriously is a very important and valid thing.  In the event that something is flagged up you are in the best place to have it sorted.   Hope all goes well this morning. You will be well looked after. Take care 

  • Hi all, firstly thank you for all the support on this group. It has been the only place I could rant with people who understand  the anxieties of it all. 

    I have to entirely agree with Steve's sentiments. Anxiety and panic make it so much worse but easier said than done! 

    Anyhow I had my colonscopy and gastrocopy, the prep was annoying but nothing terrible and the procedure was a bit uncomfortable but over very quickly. I'm not sure I felt the sedative! 

    My symptoms had caused me great worry. I had what looked like upper colon bleeding, two positive home FOB tests and a borderline calproctine test. Bloods were all normal.  In August I had two weeks of persiatant stomach cramps, stool changes,  gas which caused indegestion, malabsorbiton and pains by my kidneys.  It went away but then in December after a worrying bloody stool it came back three fold which prompted the specialist to refer me for the colonscopy. 

    I'd convinced myself I was on a path to  positive diagnosis  of colon cancer and feared it would be the worse because most low grades have little symptoms. 

    I am so relieved that today I had two benign polyps removed and nothing else of concern identified. They will be sent for biopsy but I'm told nothing to worry about. 

    I broke down in tears of relief.  I really wish I didn't think about it as much as I have and that I didn't google so much about it. 

    For anyone going through anxiety and fear of symptoms and pre-diagnosis. Please try to relax, carry on with life, throw yourself in to  work or something that keeps your mind at bay. You can't do anything about it until you have your results so there's no point in trying to look up what it means and what you can do. 

    Thank you again for all the support.  

  • @Legalmark glad to hear from you and more so that all was ok.    It’s easy to say don’t worry but for many people that’s far from simple.  I’m hoping now you can relax and focus on your mental wellbeing too.   Enjoy being  daddy without the worry of illness though being a parent never frees us from worry !  I still worry about my “ children “ despite the youngest being 35 !   Take care and again very relieved for you.  

  • Glad to hear your good news its a great feeling ,after my all clear it prompted me to change my diet my exercise regime many things that we take for granted ,its a good starting point at the start of a new year ,especially with the delays with the NHS many people are having long waits for treatment and diagnosis its another reason to look after our own health ,Best wishes for the future .

  • So glad to hear your good news! Massive relief for you and now I hope you can enjoy your family without worry hanging over you 

  • It's a huge relief isn't it. I was upset after I had the all clear. I think the wife was shocked to see me like that as I keep my feelings to myself. 

    You can get on with your life now free of the worry.

  • Still reading this post Helen, also sending good luck for your pre op appointment tomorrow. Xx

  • Hi all,

    Thought I’d give you all an update on my other half. It’s now nearly 7 weeks since his surgery and he’s doing really well! Everything has healed nicely! 

    We were given the news that it’s stage 3 cancer, they removed 30 lymph nodes during the surgery and they found evidence of cancer cells in one of the nodes and the blood supply which means he needs chemotherapy to make sure the cells aren’t going anywhere else. He starts chemo next Thursday and will have 4 rounds.

    Hope your all doing well and had a lovely Christmas xx

  • Hiya...so good news your husband doing well..could I ask if he is back to normal so to speak.. ie feeling as well as he did before? I'm a little bit uncertain how long I'll need off work when recovering.. and also how long he needed painkillers for? 

    Good he is starting chemo this week and hopefully that will be all he needs to make sure everything covered..

    How are you doing? It is a lot I think being strong and caring too...I'm very well aware the worries my partner, son, sister and mum as well as other family and friends have over me...hope you and rest of family are OK xx