>200 fit test

[Purplecake97]

hi everyone,

I apologise for being TMI with this, I have had blood in my stool (visible blood) on and off since 2018, I originally had a sigmoidoscopy back then to try and find the root cause but the doctors found nothing and said it could be internal Hemorrhoids but left it there

I was recently prescribed 250mg of naproxen for severe headaches, 3 days into the medication I had very bad stomach pains and had to stop the medication, a week later I had blood in my stool along with loose stool, this only lasted for 1 day (I’ve had the blood in my stool on and off for years but it’s never been continuous) the stool is also slowly going back to normal.

I was given a fit test by my doctor which has confirmed my results are >200, after speaking with them I understand this result is high and I need a colonoscopy, they have put me on the 2WW (2 week wait) track, however I am extremely stressed and concerned that this is cancer as the referral is to look for gastrointestinal cancer, I am 27 years old with no symptoms other than the blood, there’s also no family history of bowel cancer. I was also given a separate stool test to do for inflammation but this has not come back yet, I have raised the possibility that the naproxen has caused this some how but I’ve been told by several nhs professionals this can’t be the case due to the type of blood being lost.

if anyone can give advise or share their experiences with this I would be really appreciative, thank you.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Purplecake97,

Thanks for posting with us. It’s never TMI😁. I hate to hear you are having to go through this. Anytime there is blood in the stool there needs to be a definitive answer for it. You had a sigmoidoscopy in 2018 and that didn’t discover the reason for the blood. It should have never been pushed aside as internal hemorrhoids. But that is past history. You have had FIT test and will soon have a colonoscopy. Please know that what you are experiencing could be caused by many different things. This is why when one test does not give you a definitive answer for what’s going on, then you do other tests until you find out what’s going on. The stool test is also a symptom of some non-cancerous issues. You just need good answers. And I think you’re on the way to getting them.

The colonoscopy is absolutely the gold standard for finding any issues within the GI tract. I think you are well on your way to getting these definitive answers that you should have gotten in 2018. I would not be worried that the referral is to “look for gastrointestinal cancer” as that is one of the purposes of the colonoscopy in general. The colonoscopy is good because if they do find something they can take a biopsy of it or even remove it altogether. But please be assured that every colonoscopy is looking for any issues that need to be addressed, some of which could be precancerous and those can possibly be removed.

Did they do a test on your blood? There are procedures called a “liquid biopsy” which can determine if there are dead cancer cells in the bloodstream. The technology is called Grail. It’s a special test that would have had to have been ordered to be done. Did they do that? For example, Galleri is a test that does this. It looks for many different types of cancer cells that are deposited into the blood stream as waste. 🧬🧬

The stool sample you did was probably a Calprotectin test. It is used to check for inflammation in your intestines. It is also a test done to determine inflammatory bowel disease for example. I also don’t think naproxen would have been causing this.

It is good that you have no other symptoms other than the blood. I think it’s great that you’re going after the answers for it. It is also good that you know your family history and that there isn’t any bowel cancer involved. You are also very young. That's definitely a positive in your favor. Catching things early is huge as well. You are doing that.

I tell every young person this: never accept a diagnosis for a symptom based on your age. That’s probably what happened to you in 2018. Nothing in the sigmoidoscopy; therefore, it must be hemorrhoids. This is not an acceptable diagnosis unless testing reveals it. Symptoms can be the same for an old person as well as a young person. You treat the symptom not the age of the patient. You need a definitive answer for what’s going on. Don’t accept anything less.

What prep are you using for your colonoscopy? I use Moviprep or Suprep. I would go ahead and get that so you have it on hand. Then you can contact the facility that’s going to do the colonoscopy and see if you can get on a waiting list as there may be a cancelation that you can fill. He may be able to get in sooner than two weeks. But from what I hear, a two-week referral is rather quick when dealing with the NHS. But maybe you can speed it up?

We do wish you the very best in finding these answers. I am proud that you are not ignoring the symptoms as you are young, but you know that blood in the stool is not right. You need answers and you’re going after them. Don’t stop till you get those answers. 💪👍

And please let us know what you find out from your colonoscopy. Is that type of information that can be helpful to others on this site as well. Also know that you are not the first to go through this. I would think you will get more replies on this site from similar situations.

Thanks,

~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.

[Purplecake97 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

hi GCCA-Survivor, thank you for your comment, it’s very informative & helpful, I don’t believe the blood tests I’ve been offered look for thoughs particular cells as they want me to have one to check if I’m anemic, I have also had my faecal calprotectin stool results back and they are <30 which I’m trying to take as a positive due to it showing low or no inflammation, the bowel prep is a 0 fibre diet 3 days before the procedure, fast 24 hours before and some laxative powder to drink the day before which I’m following to the letter, what I will say though is that I have had no symptoms since the initial bleeding 2 weeks ago, no stomach aches or runny stool, there is some mucus present on the tissue and the stool itself doesn’t always come out as a whole (again I apologise for the TMI) but other than that I’ve not had anything, which I’m trying to convince myself is a good thing but where my knowledge on this is fairly lacking I have no idea

I appreciate all the info though, I have my colonoscopy this weekend and I’ll be sure to update this post with how it goes!

[anxiety80]

Hi purplecake97 try not to stress I know by personal experience it’s extremely hard not to.scary is an understatement i was bleeding for over a year maybe two everyday I was putting it off to haemorrhoids hoping it would go away as I had an anal fissure Pryor. I had a fit test of >400 and I was convinced it was you know what I couldn’t sleep it was all I thought of all day and night I had to to prep for colonoscopy I was so scared sitting in the waiting room on the day of procedure shaking was nothing to worry about I did have sedation but you are fully awake but thank god doctor told me it was colitis. My fit test was double yours so keep hope and I wish you all the best

[Purplecake97 in reply to anxiety80]

Thank you anxiety80, I since had the results of the inflammation stool test and this came back normal (<30) which gives me some hope that it isn’t you know what, I have a date for the colonoscopy now too along with my bowel prep, I’ve never experienced anything like this before so it’s nice to have a space where I can hear others stories and put my mind at rest a little, thanks again

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Good luck this weekend👍❤️ It can be a bit disconcerting what you have to go through to get answers 😩. You are absolutely all over this and does the end justify the means … Yes💪. You got this👍❤️