Poo test came back as abnormal for 70 Yr old DM. Very worried.

[Crunchie23]

Hi,

So yes, DM has been getting lots of pelvic pain for a few months and was sent for every test going. All the blood test came back normal, as did her abdominal scan, but her stick test has shown some blood.

She has just told me that she does sometimes see blood after going to the toilet, but has done for years and assumed it was piles or maybe an IBS flare-up, which she does have quite bad. No investigations before now, although she has done other stick tests that have come back clear. I understand these can be unreliable though.

The pain did seem to flare up after quite a nasty fall, which is what's giving me a bit of reassurance and she does also have a prolapse, which could be causing pressure/pain, but still, at DMs age, I'm very concerned.

So now she waits for colonoscopy referral, which should be within the next couple of weeks and she is understandably very nervous.

I know nobody can tell me for sure what's going on here, so I'm not entirely sure why I'm posting. Probably just for a hand hold really. It would be good to hear from those who have been through the same/similar

TIA

Just giving this a bump

Sorry to hear your worrying news. It is good that she should have an appointment within the next few weeks. Hopefully things will be much clearer after that.

My DF is 80 and had a positive fiit test then colonoscopy earlier this year. All was broadly fine. I know everyone is different but in case useful to hear a ‘good’ story. They did remove a couple of polyps. He has (previously diagnosed) diverticulitis so that could be the cause of his pain. I don’t think they normally do colonoscopies that old, I think they were particularly concerned. He found the bland beige diet and then colonoscopy prep really hard going, but the procedure itself ok (uncomfortable, but ok).

He had a couple of friends that had had one which helped reassure him, is that a possibility for your mum (or you) ie to talk it through with someone you know ? They are surprisingly common

My dad (81) just had a colonoscopy this week - he had some polyps removed and has to back for a couple more to be removed.
I said to him before well if they do find something then at least you're in the system and they'll deal with it
Good Luck

Thank you for the replies.

@Jeffjefftyjeff I'm glad to hear your DF was fine in the end. Yes, my DM is really not looking forward to the pre procedure prep. Sounds pretty miserable. I did actually try to reassurance her by reminding her how common this is, but she doesn't really have many friends and we are a tiny family, so don't think she knows anyone who has been through it.

@MumofSpud is he waiting for biopsy results or could they tell there and then they were benign? Thank you

Just giving this another bump for today's traffic.