Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: skkb on March 12, 2023, 12:32:20 PM
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There seems to be always something, just when you’re hoping all is ok. I did the bowel screening test (FIT) and have been called back for further investigation!!! Anyone else had this scare?
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Not yet. You could ring the Dept and ask what the reason might be, have you been given a date?
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Yes 22nd March for an initial consultation, assume a colonoscopy would follow. The 22nd is only 10 days before we go away for 16 days !!
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That's OK. My surgeon always told patients to go away unless it was very very urgent. No good pining for a holiday if it's not necessary to cancel. Once you've had a chat any interventions can be put off.
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Didn't you have a colonoscopy just recently?
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It was a sygmoidoscopy last November which showed some diverticulosis, not diverticulitis and I was discharged. I’m so worn down with what feels like endless health related worrying
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What a shame it wasn't a colonoscopy you had previously because it means you will have to go through all that crap again (excuse pun) of having to drink the disgusting prep and all the worry that goes with it.
I would be so pissed off by it all but that's preventative medicine for you, one thing after another!
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U can discuss first B4 agreeing to any intervention.
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I’ll see what is said at the consultation and take it from there. Waiting is the worst bit…..and yes the bowel prep drink. It was painful last time as I had no sedation so if it goes ahead again I’ll ask for a sedative or cyanide 🤦♀️
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skkb, I understand how worried you are but as you have only just had a sigmoidoscopy it's unlikely to be anything serious and could have been a slight bleed from the diverticulosis.
I would go and buy a FIT self testing kit in Superdrug and do another test at home myself and see how that comes out. It's exactly the same procedure as used in a lab and they are quality kits made in Germany I think.
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Thankyou MaryG, I didn’t know about such kits but will take a look. I really don’t think I could cope with the bowel prep again, let alone a colonoscopy unless they completely knocked me out.
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:hug:
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Yes the FIT test kits are at Superdrug and also the same kit on Amazon……I suppose my worry is if I do one at home and it’s positive it’s only going to compound my fear for the next 10 days!! Oh gosh
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There is no point in you buying a FIT test, it's already been done for you so don't even go there!
I am angry for you that you have to go through this again when you should have had a colonoscopy in November.
Try not to worry, I was called back because they found blood in my FIT test, they found nothing. But it doesn't stop you having terrible anxiety about it all!!
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Thanks Ayesha, I’ve just called to confirm the appointment as requested, but as always, ansaphone….busy leave a message. I will keep trying though!! Yes I’m also angry that a colonoscopy could have been carried out last November but I guess if I still had a positive result this time then they would still follow it up? Due to go away on 2 April!! I’m not sure what the consultation on the 22nd March is for apart from to take blood to see if I am anaemic and give me the awful prep drink. Now I’m wondering with this 3 days doctors strike it could push everything further down the line anyway. Did you have to wait long for your procedure and results?
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Go on your holiday - a few days here or there shouldn't make any difference. I'm sure if it was 'urgent, urgent' you would have been called sooner.
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Please try not to worry, (says me with health anxiety!). It can be for so many reasons - those diverticula could have have been slightly irritated for example. My darling daughter was passing loads of visible blood in her poop a couple of years back, turns out she has Crohn's Disease which isn't brilliant but not what we were fearing. Enjoy your holiday!
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Thanks for your views and good wishes. The holiday has already been postponed twice due to Covid and other stuff. I spoke to a really lovely lady at the hospital to confirm the appointment and she said she would make a note to contact me if they had any cancellations (she she seemed to think was likely, so fingers crossed) Health anxiety doesn’t help, but thank you again
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Thanks Ayesha, I’ve just called to confirm the appointment as requested, but as always, ansaphone….busy leave a message. I will keep trying though!! Yes I’m also angry that a colonoscopy could have been carried out last November but I guess if I still had a positive result this time then they would still follow it up? Due to go away on 2 April!! I’m not sure what the consultation on the 22nd March is for apart from to take blood to see if I am anaemic and give me the awful prep drink. Now I’m wondering with this 3 days doctors strike it could push everything further down the line anyway. Did you have to wait long for your procedure and results?
The consultation is all about explaining the procedure, asking the usual health questions and taking a blood sample to check your kidneys are able to cope with the prep. As has been mentioned here, your recall is more than likely due to your diverticulosis. After the procedure they will tell you there and then your results.
When I had my procedure recently my anxiety hit the roof, I was shaking so much that the doctor asked if I had diabetes, they had to sedate me twice, anxiety is a total curse, you are not alone there. I would definitely recommend sedation, it helps!
Enjoy your holiday!
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When I had bad panic attacks I shook so badly that our 4 poster bed moved :o.
Group :hug:
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I will definitely ask for sedation if a colonoscopy is needed, one part of the sigmoidoscopy was very painful and I hadn’t asked for pain relief, won’t make that mistake again, my heart was pounding and I was shaking and sweating at one point, not nice at all. Guess I must now try to sit tight and see what happens…..and stay calm :o
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........ and breath!
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So after a day of worry and anxiety with every possible scenario swimming around in my head I’m exhausted but doubt I’ll sleep. No idea if there’s something sinister going on in my body or if all will be well. I’m sure we all crave quick treatment and instant results, alas it’s not the case……so only another 8 days to my consultation and who knows if/when I’ll get the follow up procedure if needed…..…more waiting, more anxiety 😟
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Yep. It's mind games. Is it 'the worst' scenario that worries you the most or having to postpone your holiday yet again? I'm sure that if necessary the holiday can be accommodated due to waiting list times.
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Sorry, quick question……should I be reading anything into the fact that I sent back my FIT test on Monday 6th March and received the “further testing required” letter by the weekend? Just wondering 💭
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Nope. It probably means that they are on top of their work load. I am sure that should they be worried, you would have been called sooner.
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I agree with CLKD - I think it's likely they have no backlog. I had my first FIT test last year & got the all OK letter in under a week, so I think they are just super efficient.
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Thankyou, that’s reassuring.
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How R U passing your time?
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Just to say mine was exactly the same time line, it was within the week. A very efficient service!
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Well 10 days to wait…..I haven’t enjoyed the holiday as much as I would have done if all this wasn’t in my mind, try as I may to ignore that little voice in my head. We return on the 18 April, procedure on the 20th, all being well if the doctors strike doesn’t affect it……and I have to begin my bowel prep as we travel home over two days. Just want to get it done though now …… :'(
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Morning. Tnx for the update. :tulips: could you ring to C if the strike is likely to interrupt your preparation, no point if the investigation doesn't take place. A waste of preparation 'stuff' as well as your time and energy.
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My thoughts exactly CLKD but it would be really difficult to try and call them. My son and daughter in law are ware of the situation and will let me know if the appointment changes. I did miss a call from an unknown number the other day, so I did wonder, but no message was left. I feel for everyone out there left wondering and waiting, it’s truly awful….
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It is the waiting that is the worst part: hospital results, going on holiday, dental waiting room >:(