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Positive FIT test and Colonoscopy

Loubyloo50
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Hello

I've had some symptoms recently whereby I've had excruciating stomach cramps and severe diarrhea. During these episodes, I've felt like I was going to pass out. I put it down to food intolerances as I could pinpoint that it happened very quickly after eating both creamy and/or oily food. Anyway, I contacted my GP with the intention of pursuing the intolerance route but he ordered a FIT test  which came back positive, with a score of 34. Subsequent blood tests came back normal but I got a phone call yesterday from the hospital with a colonoscopy date of 26 September. 

For background, I had a total hysterectomy in 2011 due to endometriosis and adenomyosis and was told then that I had bowel adhesions. My bowel has always been sensitive and I can have bouts of diarrhea on the regular. I don't have any bleeding (that I can see) and not lost weight etc. Im obviously quite concerned about this although I do appreciate that a score of 34 is not super high. I do recall Diverticulitis being mentioned years ago but this was never really followed up. Any previous tests I've had under the bowel screening programme (I'm 60) have been ok. 

I am just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar that they'd be willing to share and what your outcome was? I'm trying not to freak out but it's not that easy. In addition, I've just come across a thread on here where people have been saying how excruciatingly painful their colonoscopies were, even with sedation and how they will never undergo one again! This is not helping my anxiety so again, I'm hoping that people can share some positive experiences around this. 

Thanks everyone. 

  • Hello Loubyloo50,

    I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms, but I hope with further tests you'll be able to get to the bottom of this. Colonoscopies can be uncomfortable for some, but every experience is different so it's important that you feel prepared for what to expect. We have some guidance on the colonoscopy test on our website. You can refer to this at any time and I'd encourage you to talk openly with your doctor throughout the appointment so they can better understand your situation. Please try to focus on other things for now and I hope it goes ok on the 26th.

    All the best,

    Moderator Anastasia 

  • Offline

    Hi I've had 2 positive fit tests in the last few years ,one just this year ,my score was 59 I believe ,the reason I had them was because of constant Diahrrea lasting for months at a time on a daily basis ,every time I ate it went straight through and big weight loss ,this lead to having 2 Colonoscopies which the outcome was nothing nasty but just as you mentioned Diverticulitis, a couple of polyps and internal hemmoroids  which I was given the all clear from ,I had sedation ,I found it painless both times to be fair and everything has settled down now ,I know how scary it can be but they will tell you as soon as its over if they found anything worrying .

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Anastasia

    Hi Anastasia

    Many thanks for your reply and for the link. I've had a read at it and found it very helpful.  Hopefully all will be well. 

    Thanks again. 

    Linda 

  • Offline in reply to Jenny3109

    Hi Jenny

    Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. It's good to hear that your colonoscopies were painless and that nothing nasty was uncovered. 

    To be honest, I am actually glad to be having mine done as, having had various bowel issues over the years, it will be good to know what exactly is going on. We are on holiday abroad just now and I've had a couple of episodes of diarrhea after eating some oily things which just adds to my theory that I do think I have some sort of intolerance going on too.

    Thanks again for replying and I'm glad to know all was well with you. 

    Linda 

  • Offline in reply to Loubyloo50

    I thought I'd come back and update with my outcome as I've seen so many threads started here that come to a dead end. 

    I had my colonoscopy this morning after doing Plenvu bowel prep yesterday. This was by far the worst part of it for me and I found it quite brutal, however it resulted in a nice, clean bowel which was the aim. 

    I found the colonoscopy itself to be nowhere near as bad as I imagined and it was over quite quickly. No cancer or polyps were found but I did have quite a lot of inflammation so 10 biopsies were taken to query IBD and Crohns. 

    To all those waiting for word or worrying about the procedure, it really is worth it to know what's going on and you're probably making it out to be worse in your mind than what the reality is.

    So, my advice is get checked.

    Good luck everyone.

  • Offline in reply to Loubyloo50

    Hi I'm so glad to hear of your outcome and thanks for sharing ,I agree Plenvu is something else and by far the worst part of the process ,it is vile I actually vomited the second lot but still went for the test and it turned out to be fine ,you must be feeling a sense of relief now ,and yes it is worth doing and nothing to be afraid of , Best Wishes Jenny ...

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