High fit test and now visible bleeding

[Yellowtaxi]

Hi Guys,

I’ve had a change in my bowel habits for the last 4 months. Got a lot lot looser and sometimes the smell was quite bad. I finally managed to get an appointment to see the GP when I realised that it wasn’t going away. I assumed I maybe just had a tummy bug. The GP arranged for me to do a FIT test which I did but it got lost at the testing site so I had to do another one. Due to my shift work it was a week before I could get back to the surgery during opening times to get the second test. The results then came in two days later but I had to wait another week to actually see the GP to get them. My FIT test was 188. The GP seems quite convinced it’s Bowel Cancer and I asked about the possibility of it being polyps. She’s not convinced. I’m now booked in for a colonoscopy on Thursday. I’ve started to get quite bad upper abdomen pain and feel like I’m bloated all the time in this last week. I’m not sure if I’m stressing myself out and making myself worse. Today I thought I needed to pass wind and I followed through (as occasionally happens now) and it was bright red blood. And mucus but mostly blood. I went to the toilet and continurwd to pass more bright red blood. This has never happened this much beofre. I’d occasionally get streaks but not proper visible like today. I’m trying not to get myself worked up.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Yellowtaxi,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected. I'm sorry that these symptoms are causing you anxiety. Bleeding and abdominal pain are definitely signs to get answers about.

I am excited your are getting the colonoscopy Thursday. That is exactly what you need to be happening and it will definitely go a long way in getting you answers and not having to rely on speculation. Not sure why you doctor ruled out polyps? There can be so many reasons for bleeding that are not the big "C". A better response would have been "possibly. Let's get it checked out with a colonoscopy."

As far as getting yourself all worked up, look at it this way: You are getting answers the best way possible with the colonoscopy!!! Not speculating and guessing. So many things could be causing this and you'll be narrowing down the issue tremendously on Thursday. Focus on getting great answers for you.

My Colon Prep Notes ... do the prep right. As a part of my surveillance I have to get an annual colonoscopy as well as a CT scan. Prep is terrible. But it is what it is. If you need to thin things out, it's ok to drink more liquid than called for. I even add lime Gatorade (nothing red!!!!) to the mix for flavor. It is a lot of liquid. Yes it is, but you won't be keeping it very long. I also move the timing up 1 hour or more so the effects of "cleaning you out" are done long before you have to sleep the night before and way ahead of heading to the clinic for the procedure the next day. You won't be focused on having to find a bathroom all the time.

We do wish you the very best and hope you get great results. Please let us know how things go for you. That type of info can be helpful to others as well.

Also ... What is going on with the FIT test in the UK? I really hate to hear stuff like things getting lost and taking weeks to hear back the results. Is there a medical records site you can sign up for to access your test results? I have a thing called "MyChart" where all my testing and notifications are posted and I log in to my account and see the results of my CT scans, colonoscopies, blood work ... everything. I see it when my doctor has access to it.

Thank You and all the best as you get some answers.

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[MOLLYMILO007 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

hi there I'm so sorry to read this I feel foe you I was in a similar situation fit test hight terrible low pain for weeks ..had a ct with contrast..found nothing wromg so good luck pls dont worry xx.

[Alloagirl]

Hi, I see you are in the UK. I assume you visited your GP. I cannot understand why she immediately went to Bowel Cancer and worried the life out of you. I had 144 with my FIT test. With that you should be put on a 2 week pathway to determine the cause . Mine was a colonoscopy and CT scan. I had 4 polyps removed which were benign , also diverticulosis and internal haemorrhoids. They took many biopsies. Also benign. As Tom has said it is important to take all the prep. A clear colon is what they need to see everything. They were so pleased with mine which allowed full view. Whatever is the problem early detection is the key. I wish you good luck and you will soon know the answers.

[Yellowtaxi]

Hi,

Thanks for replying. I’ve had my last meal and start the dreaded prep in couple of hours.

I’m still bleeding quite a lot, thought it was a one off bad day as yesterday wasn’t much but it’s started again today. Hopefully I’ll get answers tomorrow.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get results back to GP? I’ve not been impressed so far with with mine seeing as its taken 5 weeks now since I saw her just to get to this stage.

[Alloagirl]

Expect you have had your colonoscopy. Just to say the hospital let me know while I was still there. I had a couple of sheets explaining what they did and the results. If you need further tests they would see you personally. I hope this happened for you. No wait for GP. Hope you are OK.

[Yellowtaxi]

Hi Guys,

I had my colonoscopy yesterday. They told me prior to doing it that if they found any small polyps under 20mm then they’d be removed during the procedure. They only found one polyp but it was 30mm so they told me they couldn’t remove it and I’d have to come back for another procedure. I’m back again on the 2 week waiting list and I have to do that awful prep test again. I’m so fed up coz I feel like I’m still no clearer on answer. They did also say I have diverticula but that’s fine as long as doesn’t get inflamed.

[provenceshale]

did they do a biopsy on the 30mm polyp?? what was the results?