Questions about FIT test and symptoms

[LoveNeroli]

Hello everyone. I'm a 49 year old female and my doctor told me today that the results from my FIT blood test were elevated, which means that it is showing blood in the stool and I have to get a colonoscopy. I have been constipated for over a month now, also have lost weight despite eating normally, have a pressure and discomfort in my lower back and tailbone area, a mild, intermittent pain on my right side below my ribcage and a stronger, constant pain in my right shoulder blade that sometimes radiates down my entire arm. Also fatigue most days. I believe I have colon cancer and just wanted to know if anyone else had these same symptoms before being diagnosed? Also, my doctor said something about hemoglobin and that the results on my FIT test were 27.4 and that the normal range is up to 25. I can't find anything online at all showing this range. Does anyone know what the measurements used are and what this means? I was in a daze when she told me over the phone and have a million questions that I didn't ask. Thanks.

[Jesuslover]

Hello Manz135. First and foremost, I would like to encourage you to pray to the Lord for guidance. I do hope you know Jesus as your Savior, because He is the only true source of Peace, Guidance, and Ultimate Healing. If you are not a believer, I encourage you to open up a Bible [ NLT Version Study Bible is my favorite.] and read the book of John so that you can discover the great Love God has for you, as well as the great plan He has for your life. Secondly, I know I was meant to see your post today, as I have had almost identical symptoms but not so much constipation anymore, more loose stools. And I had a FOT but it came back clear. While I have yet to see a gastro, I did much research on IBD and colon cancer. My father died at a young age of 42 of a massive coronary, but my brother did inform me that Dad had colitis and possibly ibd. I was diagnosed with ibs after his death and two other tragic family events, so the Dr. told me it was stress related. But I have all the classic peripheral symptoms of IBD, which include numbness in shoulder, pain and swelling in joints especially feet, including plantar fasciitiss. I also have itchy and red eyes. These are all symptoms of IBD but not symptoms of cancer! IBD IS also very treatable. You could have either ulcerative colitis, which only affects the colon, or Crohn's, which affects the whole digestive tract from mouth to anus.They can be serious, but controllable. I know we are not supposed to Google, but right now that is all I can do because I am having a hard time getting into a doctor. I will be praying for you, and please write down all your symptoms for your gastro as sometimes the IBD is missed. Also Lupus is another possibility, and often missed as it mimics other diseases.

[LoveNeroli in reply to Jesuslover]

Thanks for your reply. I will look further into IBD. I'm not experiencing any pain at all other than my right shoulder and sometimes my right hip. At first I had dismissed it as arthritis. I also got tested for Lupus and that came back ok.

[bantam12]

There can be other reasons for a positive FIT test so don't assume its cancer.

[LoveNeroli in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for your reply.

[VanessaGhigliotty]

Hello Manz135. I am so sorry your dealing with all of ths. Minus the blood in my stool, I was having very similar symptoms. That fatigue, bloating and constipaation were unbearable at times.

I personally think you need a colonoscopy asap!! The symptoms you are describing are not normal amd are indicative that something is going on. It can be anything not just colorectal cancer. Have you schedualed your colonoscopy yet?

[LoveNeroli in reply to VanessaGhigliotty]

Hi Vanessa, thanks for your reply. Yes, I made the appointment today.

[mondlee6248 in reply to LoveNeroli]

So when will you have your colonoscopy, do update us

[LoveNeroli in reply to mondlee6248]

Hi Mondlee, see update below!

[UnconqueredIserve]

I have had blood in my poo a few times went and saw my GP.He took bloods and gave me a fit test to do.

Bloods ok FIT came back as a “slight” positive a positive is a positive to me.

I got referred on the two week Cancer pathway I saw the consultant on Wednesday 21/7 and have my colonoscopy on Monday 26/7 .

I suffer from IBS so my stomach is going like a good one gurgling etc. The last few bowel movements have not had (as far as I can see) blood in them.

It is important to remember 9 out of 10 people with a positive fit test do not have cancer.

Your symptoms could be from any number of conditions don’t google you will only scare yourself more and that will lead to more stress which will only exacerbate your symptoms.

This will be my third Colonoscopy first one found Polyps the second clear.

I am concerned that’s normal but stay positive manz.

[mondlee6248 in reply to UnconqueredIserve]

So u be going for your colonoscopy tomorrow. Just to ask u had blood in poo previously so u went for your 1st and 2nd colonoscopy. Although you may have blood in stool but mainly good after colonoscopy right. Besides blood in stool sometimes, can I know do you have any other symptoms or feelings ?

[UnconqueredIserve in reply to mondlee6248]

Good morning. The situation is that about a month ago I noticed bright red blood on the paper after wiping. I waited a week or so and had intermittent blood (small streaks on the outside of the stool). On advice I went and saw my GP who took bloods for anaemia and lron and a kidney function test I was also given a FIT to carry out.

Bloods came back normal FIT came back as “slight positive” GP words, therefore I was put on the two week pathway.

Saw the consultant who put me forward for the colonoscopy. That’s where we are now.

I suffer from IBS so I’ve had abdominal pain alongside the blood but I can’t say if they are related?

Apart from that I feel fit and healthy walk up to 8 miles a day everyday watch what I eat, I’m ex smoker over 10 years now.

I’m 5’8 weigh 11.3 stone so not overweight.

I do drink but only on a Saturday and Sunday and only wine and beer.

The first colonoscopy was carried out for similar that’s where the IBS diagnoses came from that was 2015. Polyps were found non cancerous.

The second was ordered by another GP 18 months after the first (2016-17?) the consultant didn’t know why and I was confused as all I had was IBS related pain. However they carried out the procedure. All clear nothing found.

“If you are ever offered any scan or endoscopy procedure take it if only for piece of mind” those where the words of my GP that diagnosed IBS.

In at 1030 for procedure but I am not taking anything for granted and feel quite anxious all a bit bizarre really.

The only advice I can give is try not to worry don’t google it will frighten you.

Hope that answers your question. Hoping for a good result today.

Take care.

[LoveNeroli]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies and advice. I had the colonoscopy yesterday. The doctor said he didn't find anything apart from some haemorroids and stool. But the form they gave me after said to repeat the procedure in 1 to 2 years. I plan to ask why so soon because I thought it was 10 years? I was too groggy from the sedative yesterday to ask.

[mondlee6248 in reply to LoveNeroli]

Usually it’s 10 years but my doc also tell me ard 5 years after my first colonoscopy, I think they wanna be more safe