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Terrified male low iron

Pmlm85
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Hi all, 

Basically I've suffered from restless legs for years. But while we was on holiday, it got worse, more so after i fell. So i went to GP and they took bloods and its come back low iron and folic. So I'm now on iron tablets and folic acid. He also got me to do a FIT test and Calprotectin test, both come back postive. I've got no symptoms except every now and again i have abit of blood after a poo, I've had that for years. I had a camera in 2006 which showed hemorrhoids and a tear, the doctor said thats what's causing the blood. The blood i only ever get after a big poo. So maybe once every few months. 

I've been referred for a colonoscopy and endoscopy on same day!  

I've not lost any weight, my bowel habits haven't changed. I don't have any pains or anything. If it wasn't for the restless legs i wouldn't of went to Doctors. Now I'm concerned    I'm 38. 

  • Offline

    Hi, I hope you’re doing well.

    it is routine to investigate iron deficiency anaemia with both a colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy and it is routine to do both these tests in a single visit.

    The FIT test is used to identify blood in your stool and if you had taken a sample while you had bleed from a fissure or haemorrhoids, that could certainly give you a positive FIT test. 

    I’m sure your doctor explained that faecal calprotectin is a marker of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. A positive test could be due to many reasons, including gastroenteritis.

    During your tests, your endoscopist will be able to look and rest for many possible causes of your anaemia. This may involve taking small samples of tissue from your upper GI tract (oesophagus, stomach and the first part of your small bowel) and colon (large bowel). By the time you leave hospital, you will have been told the findings of your procedure and will be told if you require any follow up.

    Hope this helps. I wish you the best for your investigations.

    Rich

  • Offline in reply to Rich03

    Sorry to ask do you know if i will be able to just have the Numbing spray and the gas and Air? As i have to drive 3hrs on Saturday. So can't really have anything thats gonna stop me driving, as i will be leaving early in morning.

    Also GP hasn't explained anything just that the fit test was postive aswell as the other stool sample and that i have low iron. He also said it would only be a colonoscopy so i was quite shocked when hospital rang yesterday to book me in for both.  I have a nurse ringing me next week to go over thw bowel prep with me. 

  • Offline in reply to Pmlm85

    I’m sorry you weren’t quite fully informed by your GP, I can imagine the surprise when you were told you would need both procedures.

    you will certainly be able to have only the numbing spray and gas & air and you will be able to leave shortly after your procedure.

    your procedures should particularly cause any pain, but you will likely get some discomfort. For the Upper GI endoscopy, gagging is extremely common and tends to subside very quickly when the camera passes in to your oeaophagus (food pipe), so please don’t let that concern you; there is really no way to prevent gagging. As the camera leaves your stomach to enter your small bowel, you may feel some pushing and pressure, but that’s normal too. Your endoscopist may well want to take some samples from the first part of the small bowel because they can be used to check for coeliac disease; if samples are taken, you may feel a slight tugging sensation which is also very normal.

    During your colonoscopy, you may feel like you need to pass a motion, which is nothing to worry about at all. You may also feel cramping and wind pain which is also normal. The gas & air should help with any discomfort and should you be very uncomfortable, there are things the team can do to try to help. This may involve getting you to change position or a nurse pressing on your abdomen.

    Your healthcare team will explain everything to you on the day of your test and I’m certain you’ll be well looked after. 

    I hope this is helpful and you can ask any questions you like. Preparation and managing expectations are really important aspects of preparing people for procedures like this and I find honesty is always the best policy.

    Best Wishes

    Rich

  • Offline in reply to Rich03

    I thought I'd update, unfortunately it's not good news. I have colorectal cancer at age of 38. Next stage is a CT scan to see if it has spread, then meet with surgeon to see what the next plan of action is. I have 3 young kids 2 are disabled and a beautiful wife who is heartbroken, the hospital i was sent to on the 2 week pathway is not my local hospital and its not hospital i wanted my wife doesn't drive and we don't have family to help.

    So I'm hoping that i can transfer to the hospital near me when i know what the next plan is. 

  • Offline in reply to Pmlm85

    Hey Pmlm 85,

    I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis and I can imagine that it’s quite a distressing time for the whole family. Especially having 2 children with more complex needs.

    things will probably happen very quickly for you now in terms of having blood tests, scans and surgery. That’s a good thing, but I’m certain for many people it can be draining and overwhelming. It’s important that you have support from your family, but charities such as Cancer Research UK and Macmillan could be valuable sources of support and information and will very often help identify if you are eligible for any support such as benefits. 

    you can certainly ask to be referred to your local hospital. If you haven’t been given this option yet, you will have probably been given the contact details for the colorectal specialist nurses, they should be able to help get your care transferred.

    I wish you all the best for your investigations, the outcomes and your treatment and despite not knowing you outside of this forum, I’ll keep you in mind.

    I hope this helps

    Rich.

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