FIIT test, low iron, constipation, scared

[painintheargh]

NC for this.

Since having covid and changing my diet to lose weight last November I've had constipation. It's responded well to lactulose. No pain, no diarrhoea, no bleeding.
The GP tested for coeliac and a full blood count, liver, thyroid, hormones, kidneys, the full works. All fine except for an iron level of 8. My diet is rubbish on the iron front and the GP wasn't concerned about the iron and just told me to up my veg. Because the constipation has continued I've been asked to do a FIIT stool sample to check for blood which I will take to the GP tomorrow.
Im 46, pretty fit and do a lot of cardio exercise daily, I don't smoke, don't drink, I haven't eaten meat since 1990, my BMI is 21 and was 26 at its highest so my risk factors are low but im scared.

Does anyone have any experience of this who can offer any advice or handholding please? Im sure it's just that I don't eat enough and there's not enough food passing through my gut to make me poop regularly. I live on porridge, yogurt, fruit and soups. Very little in terms of stodgy high volume foods like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta. Portions of those are infrequent and small.

I'm a single parent of 3 with little to no help and terrified of cancer.

Yes just 1 polyp which the surgeon thinks looks benign. Await histology however.
I have to say though the bowel prep!🤢 Everyone told me it was worse than the procedure, I did wonder how that was possible.
I have never felt so unwell, headache, vomiting, dehydration. The procedure was nearly 2 hours late I can honestly say I nearly bottled it. My DH talked me down 🫢.
However, that being said the procedures themselves were a comparative walk in the park. The OGD was normal.
I think the second part of the bowel prep was the hardest as it is two sachets, as I was having an OGD as well I had to be nil by mouth from 11:30 so I think that combined with the voniting gave me the word headache. I was not allowed any paracetamol. I was without fluids for 8 hours so coupled with the liquid stool I was a mess.

I had sedation, but honestly it didn't make any difference I was fully awake but the procedure was just uncomfortable at times, apparently I have a lot of bowel loops so it was tricky to complete.
I am now in bed have eaten and drunk and taken pain relief.I feel like a new woman.

I take my hat of to people who have regular colonoscopies.
When is your scope @worldwidetravel2017? How are you feeling today? Thank you for asking everyone on here has given me such great advice.

Aww

Sorry to hear about the headaches / dehydration / vomiting

Mines is tues afternoon

The memories of prep from 6 months ago are still in my head

Ive cut fibre already
Tea tonight was white bread with egg

Hhhm .
Im obviously not looking 4ward to it.but
Having had a colonoscopy already thisyr ' i kinda feel less scared than last time.
( although this could be way more serious if any of what he removed 6 months ago has grown back)..

Hhhm

So much happening next week

• private liver mri results
• colonoscopy
• gastroscopy
• nhs dr appt

Etc

One day at a time

I know exactly what you mean about almost bottling it @Allthecatseverywhereallatonce! Glad you’re feeling better now.
You’re a brave woman @worldwidetravel2017 and doing well. If it helps, I was told the gastroscopy takes 4 minutes. By Wednesday you will have had feedback from three of the tests which should help. Sending best wishes. x

Gastroscopy isnt til thurs am now

Ive had one before - early August

They knocked me out 4 it then -- the mouth shield thing went on ..

Then i woke up feeling a bit vulnerable in hosp bed etc

Thank you though

Have a nice rest of your weekend :)

i had both scopes at the same time so assumed you would too. Good luck for Thursday.

Unfortunately i think its cuz i I likely have bigger issues re upper gi // ct scan results

4 colonoscopy , i have to stay hydrated for until 2 hrs b4

4 gastroscopy its 6 hrs b4 with no food or drink..

My upper abdominal tetro - peritoneal nodes - the number of are an issue

👍 🤞x

@worldwidetravel2017 glad you can stay hydrated until 2 hours prior mine was increased due to delay.
The OGD was very quick just throat spray that's all my trust offers.

You have an awfully busy and stressful week but, hopefully by the end of the week you will get a full diagnosis and plan
Keeping everything crossed for you that it all goes smoothly and you know what is going on. Look after yourself.

Thank you

Bkd to get my hair done dec 7th
Highlights

Private liver MRI is dec 5th too

Edit // typo - nhs liver is dec 5th

Trying to book stuff to look fwd to - also bkd beauticians 4 dec 8th

Just had my plain toast - light bfast

Colonoscopy tomorrow afternoon

Hope it all goes smoothly for you @worldwidetravel2017 glad you have some nice things to look forward to. You certainly deserve it.

Thank you

Gunna get a take away tomorrow eve after colonoscopy

I had a lovely take away too oh and the best cup of tea.

All these today @worldwidetravel2017

All the best that should say!

Thank you

The first lot of prep last night was okay

But unfortunately i was sick with this mornings

Tmi
But
@ one point it was coming out both ends :(

I did cut fibre extra early.

Hopefully it will be ok

Hey @worldwidetravel2017 how are you? Hope you are feeling ok, and about to have your well deserved take away.

More polyps - more biopsies

Meh

Even tho consultant that did May procedure rang me last week saying there shouldnt be any.

Today wass a site check..
Site of biggest 1 from last time
Yet found and removed and biopsied more polyps :(

🤞for biopsies @worldwidetravel2017. Glad you’ve booked some things to look forward to.

Thank you

I actually have one of those yes / no bowel cancer immediate tests - im guna do it this week

I know b12 deficiency can = lotsa lose bowel - i had b12 issues in summer

Where ive also been taking folic acid - i know that can also mask deficiency

How are you today @worldwidetravel2017 ?

Hey
Im ok thanks
How are you ?

Gastroscopy- upper gi yesterday results were thankfully good.

Nhs liver MRI next week

Blood tests 4 chlorestrol and diabeties etc next week

Looking fwd to sat sun mon without needing to think about hosp stuff

Glad to hear you’re okay @worldwidetravel2017 and very pleased your upper gi results were good yesterday. I assume you’ve had feedback from the private liver MRI so are informed before the NHS one next week.
🤞for the blood tests.
Have a great weekend off. Feet up, r e l a x, order another well-deserved treat.
x