Abnormally high FIT test

[Thomastuchel]

I have had bowel and digestive problems on and off for a few years. This weekend I was in a lot of pain and cramping after seeing a GP I had to do a FIT test and a Calprotectin test. Anyway I handled them in yesterday morning and my FIT has come back abnormal my level is 400.

I have to go back to the GP tomorrow and am on 2 week pathway.

I knew something wasn't right, I'm in a bit of a flap so any comforting advice, stories or help would be appreciated.

Try to remember there are some more innocent causes of bleeding in the bowel - such as polyps. Anyway you will get your colonoscopy quickly and they will be able to give you some sort of answer on the day. Obviously biopsies have to go to the laboratory, but insist on having a conversation about what was seen/not seen before you go home. That should be standard protocol anyway.

I've had bowel issues on and off for the last year or two always put down to IBS or Peri. The last month or two my bowel habits have definitely changed from being loose to constipated and feeling incomplete evacuation. This last weekend the pain and cramping I had was awful and I knew something didn't feel right.

I know I have piles so I'm hoping this is from them and nothing more sinister.

Im a bit scared at the thought of a colonoscopy I already know I don't want to be sedated I hate hospitals I just want to have it done and over with.

Mine was over 200 and wasn’t cancer.

I’ve had a different cancer since and I would advise to try not to worry and waste precious ‘healthy’ time until you know something’s actually wrong.

My dad’s was also over 400 and he had visible bleeding.

He also had similar symptoms to you.

Polyps were the culprit. Biopsies came back fine.

Oh, also Diverticular disease. Not pleasant but far better than the dreaded C word.

There’s every chance yours is the same.

Yeah don’t worry as long as you have someone to take you home they will give you the drugs.

My partner will be with me but I am going to try without sedation I don't want to be there any longer than necessary. The thought of being there freaks me out as it is!

Are you sure they will do it without sedation? You should even try gas and air at least.

You know you will have to take the prep and go on a "white" diet for a few days prior? You probably do, just mentioning it.

Mine was really high and the diagnosis was diverticular disease. Painful but manageable with diet. I also had a colonoscopy with gas and air - uncomfortable but manageable and I could leave after about 20min

I haven't had any talks with hospital yet I hope they'll do it without sedation the thought of it freaks me out.

I've been reading about the white diet and the prep. I'm also dreading the prep!

Yes they will offer colonoscopy without sedation but you may find you can’t tolerate it (some manage perfectly well though). In that case they will want to give the drugs, you can have just pain relief without a sedative, or gas and air. There will be options.

Mine came in at over 200 and I was panicking. Colonoscopy revealed polyps. The colonoscopy wasn’t so bad. I had a sedative but conscious and aware enough to see, understanding everything going on and ask questions. The worst thing was the drink beforehand to clear out your
system. Vile stuff.

I just had it, I was also on the 2w pathway but it was actually a month or so before I got my appointment! I had to have an endoscopy too. I think it's 97% or something extremely high that have postitive fit tests but not cancer so please try not to freak out. I had diverticulitis and some stomach inflammation.

Process was awful, no reason not to take sedation. You will need it!

I'm happy to have gas and air. I really don't want any sedation if I do r have to.
Dreading the prep.

I have a GP appointment at lunchtime after them getting the results yesterday so I'm guessing they'll go through everything with me.

I could leave after about 20 mins and I had the sedation? You just have to sit in the bed for 20 mins or so and that's it.

That's helpful to know.

I had someone with me and a lift home. I did feel a bit spacey so went for a hot choc in costa straight after.

I am the same, hate the idea of sedation. I have to have a regular endoscopy to check the upper part and dont have sedation for the same reason.

I had to have a colonoscopy last year due to FIT test and calprotectin being raised and chose not to have sedation and had lots of people surprised as I think most take sedation but honestly it was fine. I also have a twisty bowel apparently so it was more difficult.

They offer you gas and air if you want it but I was busy watching the monitor. If I had to choose, I would pick a colonoscopy over an endoscopy honestly. The prep is the annoying part.

I hope i do t have to have an endoscopy as well. I'm already scared about the colonoscopy but the thought of endoscopy really does bother me. I don't like my throat being numb and I don't like at all the thought of sedation.

My symptoms have all been pelvis and lower left so hopefully I won't need one.

My endoscopies are for a different reason so very unlikely needed. I have to have them every 3 years but again, they arent pleasant but dont take long. It was more the point that of the two, I would opt for a colonoscopy. It really wasn't that bad, a bit uncomfortable when they reached parts that were twisty and needed a bit more persuading to get round but it was fine and they had gas and air on hand and I just had to ask for it and they offered it a couple times too, so you should be fine.

Oh that's good! I was told I would have to stay for at least an hour and wouldn't be able to drive for 24 hours which didn't work so I opted for gas and air

I just want to go in get it done and leave. I'm hospital phobic so this isn't a good situation for me.
Aside from worrying about what could be going on in there and trying to not let my head go to the worst case scenario the worry of the procedure and when it will be is building up now. Yesterday when I got the result I was shocked that it had come back so quickly, when I looked on the nhs app it was added at 17:30, I'd only handed the sample in at 10:00am the same morning!

I had my GP appointment and she did a rectal exam and couldn't feel anything. She said she would do referral for colonoscopy. Within half an hour I had an appointment through for a telephone appointment tomorrow with a Colo rectal surgeon.
GP did explain with fit test being 400 it is unlikely to be caused by piles or a fissure.

So today I've got spotting again and period cramps. I'm constipated and am only passing mucus.
I am really worried about BC as I've had symptoms changing for most of this year, everytime I've gone to GP I just get told IBS it was only because last weekend I had such bad pain and cramps that they decided to do FIT and calprotectin. I haven't had the calprotectin back yet.

Do you get any issues with your periods? Being heavy? Or very painful? I only ask as you are mentioning bowel symptoms, cramping and your periods and it made me think about my own issues. Again had raised calprotectin, blood in stools, clear colonoscopy but it turns out I have endometriosis around my bowels which was mistaken for IBS for years and then they suspected IBD but no one suggested endometriosis and it was only found as I had a large ovarian cyst that had to be removed.

Its just another thing it could potentially be. I know its so easy to worry about what it could be but hopefully you get some answers from the colonoscopy soon.

Mine was over 400
and I had a fissure. Completely normal and easily
fixed x